Page 35 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
“Are ye nervous?” Eileen asked as she looped her arm through Astrid’s and pulled her back into the fray.
“Nay. Should I be?” Astrid asked.
“I mean about tonight,” Eileen clarified as she picked up a glass of whiskey from the table and shoved it into Astrid’s hand. “Here. Ye’ll thank me later.”
“I dinnae think I’ll be needin’ that,” Astrid said as she set the glass back down.
Being intoxicated would only end badly, especially when she needed her wits about her if she was going to be around the Laird.
“Of course, but I just ken that some lasses prefer to be a bit tipsy before they’re summoned into their husbands’ chambers,” Eileen said before she drained the contents of her glass in one gulp and picked up another one.
“Does the Laird summon lasses to his bedchambers often?” Astrid asked.
It wouldn’t surprise her one bit if Laird McFair had a string of mistresses. Yet, the sting of jealousy still burned.
“Nay, nae Thomas. He’s far too busy to take up a hobby as common as dallyin’. I dinnae think ye have anything to worry about there. Although if ye ask me, I dinnae think he’s ever lain wit’ a woman before,” Eileen admitted.
That gave Astrid pause as her gaze drifted back to the Laird.
“Ye cannae be serious,” she said, finding it harder and harder to take her eyes off him.
The more she watched him, the more he grew on her. She knew that if she wasn’t careful, her husband would sweep her right off her feet.
“Ye’ll have to ask Maither about that, to be honest. I just have never heard of him courtin’ anyone. He’s always been so focused on the clan. And if I’m bein’ honest, I’ve never seen him laugh like that,” Eileen continued as she nodded her head toward the dance floor.
A smile tugged at Astrid’s lips as she watched the Laird enjoy his dance with Melody.
“Well, Melody does have a knack for coaxin’ people to open up,” she noted.
“’Tis nae the lass, but ye. Ye’ll nae see him dance wit’ the other children. He’s doin’ it to indulge ye,” Eileen said, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.
Astrid shook her head at the absurdity of that statement as her eyes flicked to the sea of faces watching the dance. She couldn’t ignore all the bright-eyed children in the crowd, each one displaying the same sense of wonder.
Maybe there was some truth to Eileen’s words, but Astrid wouldn’t allow herself to cling to such a notion.
The music died down as the crowd erupted in applause. Astrid’s heart fluttered as Melody came rushing back to her.
“Did ye see us? It was as if I were flyin’,” Melody gushed.
“Aye. Did ye have fun?” Astrid asked as Eileen knelt beside the girl to straighten the red ribbon around her waist.
“It was,” Melody answered.
“Well, we’re about to have even more fun. Ye see, me braither is goin’ to call for yer maither soon. And when he does, ye’ll be wit’ me for the rest of the night. I was hopin’ we could braid yer hair and have some sweets. We can even stay up all night if ye want.”
Melody’s eyes widened with excitement as Eileen painted a fun-filled evening. Yet, Astrid’s heart pounded wildly in her chest as the anxiety and anticipation rose inside her.
“If I may have yer attention,” the Laird’s voice boomed through the Great Hall, silencing the soft murmurs. “Thank ye all for comin’ and celebratin’ this occasion wit’ us. May yer lives be filled wit’ merriment and love.”
“Here, here” came the resounding reply as Astrid felt his eyes on her.
Icy fingers slithered down her back as she stepped toward the Laird. This was the moment she had feared the most. But for Melody’s sake, she would do what she had to do.
Swallowing hard, she forced herself to take another step and then another until she was at the Laird’s side. He glanced at her, and his crooked smirk made her heart leap in her throat.
“Shall we?” he asked as he offered her his arm.
Despite his voice being low and inviting, Astrid didn’t trust herself to be close to him. Looping her arm through his, she glanced at the clansfolk, who were watching and judging her every move.
