***
Maddie still beamed when she sauntered into her chamber. Alice had her back to the door and didn’t notice her. Maddie fingered her pearls absentmindedly. Alice turned, gasped, and burst into tears.
“Oh, Maddie, where did you get them? They are just like your mother’s.”
“Alex gave them to me. He had Father MacGregor find them for me. Father remembered my mother’s pearls and heard about Kenneth stealing them. They are a wedding gift from my betrothed. Don’t you think they will look lovely with my gown?”
“Oh, they will be perfect,” she said as she hugged Maddie. “In fact, I think it is time for you to start getting ready. I want to have plenty of time to do your hair. Have you decided if you want your hair up or down?”
“Oh, I think Alex would like it better long and flowing.”
“I think so, too. I would like to see those golden tresses down with some ribbons and maybe some flowers woven through your waves. What do you think?” Alice pulled some of her long strands free.
“I agree. Are you sure it will not be too much work for you, Alice? I am limited with my arm.”
“Nay, I think I have time. But we need to get the tub up here quickly so we can wash your hair. Where did you put that bar of soap that Moira gave you?” Alice bustled around the room searching for the soap. “I cannot find your soap, child.”
Maddie smiled at her maid’s nicknames for her. She wouldn’t be able to call her that tomorrow. Alice left the room to find Fiona while Maddie retrieved her soap. There was much to do.
***
Alex searched the bailey for his brothers. The day was getting shorter and he still had much to do. He spotted Brodie across the bailey and shouted to catch up to him. Robbie was not far away.
He stared at both of his brothers. “I need your help tonight.”
“Aye, you know we will,” said Brodie. “What is it?”
“There will be no bedding ceremony tonight and I need you to guard the stairs.” His chin came up, anticipating arguments.
“What?” Brodie yelped. “No bedding ceremony? Have you lost your wits, Alex?”
“Aye, there is always a bedding ceremony. We wait all night for it as do others. You cannot take away the best part of the night!” Robbie argued.
“Aye, but ‘tis my wife, and I do not want one.”
“Och, Alex, you know all the men wait all night for it. Most of ‘em are too drunk to see anything anyways. There will be too many to stop tonight. You are asking the impossible.”
“As laird, I am telling you there will be no bedding ceremony.”Alex’s eyes turned dark.
Robbie argued, “You used to love bedding ceremonies, you cannot change Scottish tradition. The clansmen will revolt.”
“Now you are a little more mature, Robbie, you do not see anything wrong with it?”
“Nay,‘tis always done. Every lass knows it!” Robbie countered.
“I agree!” Brodie shouted.
“Aye, so when it is wee Jennie’s turn or Brenna’s, do you want to be the ones to hold up the linens so everyone can see your sisters’ bare bodies? Robbie, I assign you to wee Jennie and Brodie, you can do Brenna.”
Brodie’s hands went up to his head. “Och, Alex, do not put that image in my head!”
Robbie started sputtering, “Alex, that is no’ right! You know we will not let it happen to our sisters!”
“And it will not happen to my wife, either. ‘Tis just a way for some old men to get a thrill. ‘Tis a stupid custom. A lass has enough to worry about on her wedding night. And my wife is no’ a maiden. So it will no’ be happening. And you need to keep the drunken men away. I will not have my wife tortured tonight!”
Brodie and Robbie both stared at Alex. Robbie scratched his head thoughtfully. Quietly, he offered, “Did the Comming really tie her to the bed and rape her?”
“Aye, he did, several times. And I will not have her reminded of any of it tonight,” Alex whispered. “Maddie has been through enough. You especially know it, Brodie. You saw how cruel her stepbrother was.”
“Aye, you are right, we will stop the bedding ceremony. Maybe Brenna can help us come up with a diversion. We will need a few more sober guardsmen to help us.” Robbie hung his head sheepishly.
“Do whatever you need to, brothers. I am counting on you both. Now I am heading to the loch for a bath.” He sniffed the air loudly around him. “You might want to consider it, too, Brodie. That is, if you want to get ‘tween some skirts later. The lasses like their men sweet smelling.” He grinned and headed to the stables.
Brodie threw a stone after him.