Page 10 of Scottish Rose: Coira

“I dinna ken the dance of the English.”

“There is nothing to it. Just follow my lead.” They danced for a short while, but he could see that Coira was a shy girl and didn’t like everyone watching her. He decided it would be best to let her get used to her new surroundings slowly instead. “That is enough,” he said, taking her hand and leading her to the corridor.

“Where are we goin’?” she asked.

“It is time to take you to the marriage bed.” As he led her to his solar, he couldn’t help but notice the fear in her eyes return.

Chapter 5

“Zara, help me.” Coira mouthed the words silently as Lance all but dragged her out of the great hall. Zara saw her from across the room and hurried after them.

“My lord, my lord,” Zara called out.

Lance stopped and turned, dropping Coira’s arm in the process. “What is it?”

“I wanted to know if I can help prepare Coira for the consummation?”

“Prepare her?” he asked, making a face. “Nay. I’ll take care of that.” He took Coira’s arm again and started to walk.

“I’m sure you’ll want to ready yourself, bathing to remove all that dirt,” Zara added.

Lance stopped at the solar door and turned around. “Aye, I suppose that’s a good idea. Take my wife to the adjoining solar and bring her back in ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes?” Coira suddenly felt like that wasn’t enough time to get her mind settled and prepared for her wedding night.

“All right, make it fifteen, but I’ll wait no longer.” He disappeared into the solar and closed the door.

“Zara!” Coira’s heart raced. “What am I goin’ to do?”

“You are going to prepare yourself to consummate your marriage to your new husband. Now, come with me. I can see you are far from being ready.” Zara pulled her into the room next to the solar, lighting a candle and closing the door.

“I canna possibly go to bed with him.” Coira clutched her neckline. “I dinna even ken the man. How can I be . . . intimate with him?”

“You’ve got to push your fear aside and find a way to relax, Coira. If you don’t, your experience is going to be far from pleasurable.”

“Will it hurt?” she asked, thinking about the pain and suffering she’d endured while hanging in a cage at this same castle six years earlier.

“Not unless you fight it.”

There was a scratching noise at the door and then the sound of whining. Coira crossed the room and opened the door. The little, brown dog lunged at her, surprising her and knocking her to the rushes.

“What’s that dog doing here?” asked Zara.

“It’s all right, Zara.” Coira sat in the rushes, laughing and petting the dog as it continued to lick her face. “This is my weddin’ present from Lance.”

“Hrmph,” Zara scoffed, putting her hands on her waist. “It looks like the kind of present he’d give you. I’m not so certain Sir Lance is the type that will give you romance, so don’t expect to find that in this marriage.”

“I’m no’ expectin’ it, Zara. All I want is a man who treats me kindly and doesna hurt me or put me in a cage.”

“Coira, that happened a long time ago. Lance isn’t going to put you in a cage. He is your husband! Get that foolish idea out of your head right now.”

“I suppose ye’re right, Zara. I just never got over that awful experience.” Coira continued to pet the dog.

“You’ve been through a tough time,” said Zara, resting her hand on Coira’s shoulder. “But it is time to put those memories behind you now. Tonight is your wedding night, and you need to concentrate on naught else but your time alone with your new husband.”

“Do ye think it will be enjoyable?” asked Coira, standing up and brushing the rushes off her plaid.

“Coira, you will never know unless you go to the solar. Now, Lord Lance is expecting you, so do not disappoint him. Let’s freshen you up a bit and send you on your way.