Page 52 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
He stood staring at the stark difference between the two doorways. He let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. Just beyond the door would be a blanket of cold and emptiness that he wouldn’t be able to fill. Yet, just a few steps away was the warm and welcoming door to his wife’s room.
His mother’s words rang in his ears, urging him to go to Astrid. It was the council’s expectations and rumors that hung over his head like a sword.
He rubbed the back of his neck as he steeled himself.
I’ll knock and thank her for helpin’ tonight. Or maybe I should start wit’ an apology for missin’ dinner? What if she’s nae even awake? Could be merely the light of the fire tauntin’ me.
Thomas ran his fingers through his hair as he stepped up to Astrid’s door. He’d never been in a position like this before, and he felt the sting of vulnerability. But as he approached, a gentle whisper reached his ears. He paused and leaned closer to listen. Hope that Astrid was still awake spread through him like wildfire.
He lifted his hand to knock, only to pause again when he heard Melody’s voice. The fact that she was still awake irked him far more than it should. He tried to convince himself that she had awoken from a nightmare and would soon fall back asleep. But as he leaned ever closer, pressing his ear to the cold wood to hear better, he realized that she was talking about him.
A thought occurred to him as he stepped back. Was Astrid in there with her? Or was it someone else? Olivia popped into his mind, but why would she be on this side of the castle so late?
The more Thomas mulled over it, the more he realized that there was only one person in that room with Melody, and it was Astrid.
Curiosity tickled him.
He held his breath as he tried to hear more.
“The Laird is very strong… aye, this is our home now,” he heard Astrid say.
His eyebrows crowded the bridge of his nose as he noticed how she spoke about him. Why did she refer to him as the Laird and not Thomas? Did she only see the title and not the man? The thought niggled at him.
He stepped back as if the revelation was a dagger to the gut.
With a heavy heart, Thomas retreated to his room and closed the door behind him. Just as he predicted, his chambers were cold and empty, with only the dying embers in the grate to soothe him.
He took off his jacket and let the fabric fall to the floor as he moved to the fire to kindle it. His mind was a whirl of emotions he never dared to feel before. Tossing a log into the fire, he sank into his chair and watched as the flames licked at the dry wood.
He tried to comprehend what was going on with him as his thoughts shifted to Astrid. Each time her face flashed before his eyes, his pulse raced like the wings of a hummingbird and his blood pounded violently in his ears. He had always thought of his life in terms of duty and expectation. Yet, as he glanced over at the door that connected his chamber to Astrid’s, he grew more aware of something simmering and brewing deep inside him.
What if he dared to embrace such feelings? What if he dared to let himself explore the warmth Astrid provided?
The longer the thoughts festered, the more logical they seemed. Thomas shot up as the log snapped. His gaze flicked to the door in the hope that Astrid would come rushing in again. But when the door remained closed, his heart sank like a rock.
“This is utter madness,” he huffed with irritation. But when a dark shadow shifted under the door, he froze.
Thomas shot to his feet and moved to the door. Curling his fingers around the doorknob, he debated whether to open it. Would Astrid’s eyes be wild from shock or her desire for him?
The thought stirred his loins. It took every ounce of his strength to pry his fingers off the doorknob.
I made ye a promise, lass. Ye want something ye’re goin’ to have to come and ask for it.
Thomas stepped back and waited. The air in his lungs burned as he watched the door intently, as if he could will it to click open. Holding his breath, he watched and waited until the shadow retreated.
Exhaling, he pursed his lips and stepped back. Frustration bubbled up in his chest as his body ached for Astrid.
There was only one way he was going to be able to ease the tension in his body. He moved to the double doors that led to the shared balcony.
Fresh air drifted into the room the moment he opened the doors and stepped out onto the balcony. He leaned against the door frame, allowing the cool air to soothe his burning flesh. Just thinking of Astrid got him hot and bothered. At least, with the door open and a fresh breeze coming through, he’d be able to keep his head clear.
The stars twinkled like diamonds in the vastness of night.
Thomas stared out at the world before him as the lone hoot of an owl reached his ear. Yet, despite the wonders around him, his gaze couldn’t help but flick back to Astrid’s side of the balcony. The soft glow coming from her room tormented and taunted him.
How was it that she was just right there and he couldn’t have her? What would it take to woo her?
Thomas considered every moment he shared with Astrid. There was no doubt that she was a force of nature, and Thomas found himself drawn to her strength and kindness.
