Her gown was designed in two separate parts, the bodice and sleeves separate from the houppelande. A black velvet belt covered the seam just underneath her breasts and was secured at the back and extended to the floor.
When she was dressed, the maids and Gwen began the task of removing the cloth hair curlers. Dozens of golden curls cascaded down across her back. The movement was luxurious in contrast to the tight bindings. Her hair was crowned with a gold circlet which dipped at the middle of her forehead.
When she turned to admire herself in the looking glass, she gasped at the sight that met her eyes. She had never imagined herself looking so regal.
She turned to Abigayle with gratitude caught in her throat. Abigayle’s eyes grew wide and she looked uncomfortable. “You truly are a magician, Abigayle. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your hard work.”
Abigayle appeared almost embarrassed by the heartfelt thanks bestowed upon her.
She bowed her head. “You are most welcome, m’lady.”
With that, the seamstress gathered her belongings and left the room.
Earlier, Calum had delivered a flat box Aileana was to open when she was almost ready. The delivery also contained a note concerning Gwen, but she was instructed to wait on that as well.
Gwen moved forward, her eyes filled with tears and placed the box in Aileana’s hand. Gwen then removed the cross she’d given to Aileana for protection.
“You won’t need this today,” she said.
She looked at her friend and at herself in the mirror and pulled out the note Calum had passed her earlier.
“Gwen, I want you to go and get yourself ready please. You need not attend me any further this day as I wish you to be a guest at my wedding. Please be sure to take your time before returning for me. I believe I may need a few moments. Oh and by the way, there’s a box in the side chamber for you. It was dropped it off earlier.” Aileana tried to actual casual, but her heart thudded.
The note from Calum told Aileana of the box and asked if she could relieve Gwen of her duties for the day so that she could be his guest. It had been difficult to give nothing away.
Gwen took the box and placed it on the bed. She pulled the scarlet ribbon, lifted the lid and peered inside. Her face dropped as she stared. Aileana moved toward Gwen wrapping one arm around her shoulders. She offered the note, to which Gwen shook her head.
“What does it say?” Gwen’s voice lowered to a whisper. The tears in her eyes made Aileana’s heart constrict.
“Looks like you may need some help getting ready too. Calum wishes you on his arm today.”
Aileana turned to the four maids.
“I trust you can assist this lady?”
They giggled and nodded and ushered a slack jawed Gwen out of the room. She’d been right about Gwen and Calum. Something budded between them. Gwen deserved every happiness. She’d taken her family’s plight in stride and never complained about her sunken status.
Aileana’s thoughts paused on James as she admired herself once again in the mirror. The box Gwen had handed her still rested in her hand. She opened it to find a beautiful three stringed pearl choker with a gold pendant secured in the centre stamped with the MacIntosh coat of arms. Matching pearl earrings completed the set.
She read the note and smiled at the foresight of her brother-to-be. Calum had stated these belonged to his mother and had been sent to Edinburgh for cleaning and repair after the betrothal. Her lips curled. He had played a significant role in seeing her marriage to James come to fruition. She’d thank him later.
Gwen returned and the time had come to leave for the chapel. Aileana choked back tears when Gwen entered the room. The maids had been up to the task. Fine intricate braiding rested on Gwen’s thick dark hair which was brushed to a shine. The braids were offset by a delicate gold wreath attached to a whisper thin gold edged veil. Her dress was the colour of fine wine and fit to perfection with its empire waist, flowing skirt and floor length sleeves similar to her own.
“You deserve to dress like this every day,” Aileana said.
Gwen smiled and with trembling lips mouthed, “Azalea, amaryllis, aster—”
They smiled as they left the room together and continued to whisper many more flower names and made it up to ‘k’ by the time they reach the chapel.
The queen intercepted them just outside and gushed at the ‘stunning result of Abigayle’s work’ as she put it. She congratulated herself on her quick thinking the previous evening in assigning the dressmaker to the task.
The king arrived and gave Aileana an appreciative once over, offering his arm. “Lady Aileana, it would be my honour to escort you to your groom.”
Was he jesting? Accepting his allegiance was one thing, but replacing her father on this day, was a leap she was not about to take.