Page 52 of The Highlander's Auctioned Hellion
“Bothersome, man,” she muttered. “I am very pleased to meet ye, M’Lady.”
Her eyes moved over Lydia’s gown in an assessing way, and Lydia laughed, twirling in place for her inspection.
“It is perfect,” she said. “Thank you for all the beautiful clothes you have made for me.”
Kristen was already moving, a pin in her mouth as she reached her, tugging at a loose piece of fabric.
“This needs tightenin’, M’Lady. Come, stand here,” she commanded, and Lydia could not help but grin at her as she went about her business.
There was such an expression of intense concentration on Kristen’s face that Lydia didn’t feel able to speak until she had sewn the dress together in the way she was pleased with.
“Thank you,” she said, gazing about the room in awe.
There was fabric hanging over every surface, and it was all of the finest cloth, brocades, muslins, linens, and silks draped across walls and furniture.
The table where Kristen had been working was covered in thread, needles, fabric, and pins to the point that Lydia marveled that she could find anything.
On a stand at the back of the room was a stunning charcoal gray dress that caught Lydia’s eye immediately.
Kristen held out an arm toward it.
“Please go and inspect it, my Lady, if there is anythin’ ye wish to change it isyerweddin’ gown, ye should decide.”
Lydia stopped, mid-stride, turning back to face her.
“This is my wedding gown?”
“It is. I felt that it would complement yer alabaster skin.”
Lydia turned back to the dress. It was made from fabric that shimmered in the light from the window above her. The dark gray appeared black in places and silver in others.
She loved it.
“Oh, it is stunning,” she said, running her fingers over the sleeves, which tapered down to the wrist.
“I am doin’ the embroidery today,” Kristen said. “Dae ye have anythin’ ye would like on it?” she asked.
The dress reminded Lydia of a night sky at dusk, just before the moon was full and when the light of the day was fading.
“Stars,” she said, almost in a whisper.
“Stars?” Kristen asked, coming to stand beside her. “Oh well, why didnae I think of that? That would be perfect.”
“You are so talented,” Lydia said earnestly.
Kristen’s ears were slightly pink. “Thank ye, M’Lady, I cannae dae much but sew.”
“And what a talent to have,” she said, brushing her fingers down the dress reverently.
Kristen pulled at the skirt, lifting it to show her the layers beneath.
“This will keep ye warm if there is a wind. That church is the coldest place on this earth, I swear it.”
“Yes, my mother said it can get terribly cold here. Although, I am glad it will be summer soon.”
“Even in the summer, we can have terrible weather,” Kristen said cheerfully. “I love the cold and the damp, but I ken many who prefer the sunshine.”
Lydia laughed, but in the next second, Kristen had leaped behind her with a shriek of fear as a broom fell from the side of the room.
