Page 34 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
“What’s the point?” Thomas asked. “The wee bit that we give will do nay one any good. Sure, maybe they’ll afford a meal or two. But for the one who finds the purse, it’ll be life-changin’—just as marriage should be.”
Thomas settled back into the cushion of his seat and wished he’d gone on horseback. The ride back to the castle felt awkward, the silence thick in the air between them. He watched Astrid shift and adjust her dress.
How he wanted to rip the thing off her. She was his now, after all. He could do as he pleased. Maybe that was the reason why she recoiled from him when he lifted his hand to pull back the curtains.
“I made a promise to ye,” he said. “I’ll nae touch ye. Nae until ye ask me to.”
“And so we live a loveless life,” Astrid choked out.
“’Tis the best solution I could come up wit’,” Thomas snapped as the carriage pulled up to the castle. “Ye can bark at me all ye want. What is done is done, and ye and Melody are safe from Laird Chalium.”
12
“Tell me, me love, did I make the right choice?” Astrid asked as the moon kissed the horizon.
Before Melody could answer, Astrid spun her around.
Melody’s gentle giggle tugged at her heartstrings. It was a sound that Astrid hadn’t heard in what felt like years. The weight of the moment couldn’t be dismissed. She understood all too well that Melody’s joy stemmed from the safety that came with the union with Laird McFair.
Melody flashed her a wide grin as she gave a little shrug. “Maybe. But it’s a bit late for ye to change yer mind.”
“I just want to make sure that ye’re happy,” Astrid said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind the little girl’s ear.
“There’s nay reason for ye to think otherwise. Look around, have ye ever seen so many smilin’ faces? Chalium Castle was always so dreary. Did ye nae notice?”
Astrid let out a light chuckle as she spun Melody around once again, catching her off guard.
The music swirled around the terrace as the wedding guests wandered about, enjoying the festivities.
Although it was a small gathering, Astrid wished with all her heart that her sister was there with her. How many nights had they lain awake, gossiping about their dream men? And now here she was, married to a laird she never could have imagined in her wildest dreams.
“May I have the next dance?”
That husky voice sent a delicious shiver from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She inhaled deeply. His familiar scent enveloped her like a fluffy blanket. The musk of the deep woods and the hint of earth tickled her senses.
She turned to find the Laird before her, his lips curling into a grin.
“Of course,” she answered.
Before anyone could protest, she pushed Melody into his arms. She stepped back with a smirk on her face, knowing that theLaird could not deny her. She watched them waltz on the dance floor. A delicious smirk tickled the corner of her lips as the Laird’s eyes narrowed on her. His devilish grin made her heart flutter with excitement and wonder. Would he punish her for such a playful act?
As she watched him spin Melody around Astrid noticed his gaze always drifted back to her, softening with each rotation until she caught a glimpse of desire. Their playful interaction had consequences.
Astrid felt a warmth bloom in her chest as she kept her eyes on the Laird. There was a sensual ruggedness about him that made her heart flutter. The moment he glanced at her, her eyes dropped, and a wave of embarrassment washed over her.
She wasn’t supposed to be intrigued by him. Theirs was only a marriage of convenience. She and Melody were safe now, that was what mattered. So why then did her heart yearn to be next to him? Why did she long to feel his lips on hers?
The thought rocked her to the core. She shouldn’t want the Laird. If anything, she should be wishing this wasn’t happening to her. Yet, as she dared to shift her gaze back to him, she held her breath.
His eyes were on her, and in them, she could see his longing for her. As much as he wanted to hide it from her, she saw it—the flames of lust.
“What an event,” Eileen remarked as she came up behind her. “I have to admit, I never thought me braither would go through wit’ it. And yet here ye are, and now we’re sisters.”
She threw her arms around Astrid’s neck and pulled her into a hug. The warmth of her embrace chased away the nervousness skipping on the edges of Astrid’s thoughts. After all, the party would have to end at some point, and she’d be led to her husband’s chambers.
The thought stole every ounce of her happiness and contentment.
“Aye, sisters,” she mumbled as thoughts of her sister popped into her head. But as soon as they skipped in, they danced right back out.
