Page 61 of Highlander's Wild Lass
Celestia nudged Grannus forward again, sure she would lose her nerve if she did not go now. And off they went through the gates of the castle. If they were to lead separate lives, then why did her heart ache at the very thought of it?
Grannus trotted under the portcullis, his horseshoes echoing off the stone entryway that was more like a small tunnel into the innards of the castle courtyard.
The only thing in the courtyard was the carriage that had carried her father here. Auralia’s pony was gone as were Castor and Pollux, the twins’ horses. Even the cart that brought all their things had been put away already. She knew Anthony was an efficient man, but this seemed almost too efficient.
She pushed her hood from her head and saw Anthony approaching.
“Good day, lass,” he said, a relaxed smile crossing his face as he looked up at her.
“My family is all here?” she asked in a rush, the sight of him made her mind go blank. It was the first thing that came to her mind but seeing his smile falter a bit, she knew it was not the right thing to say.
He stopped midstride. “Aye, they’ve been settlin’ in.”
“And my faither?”
“Sebastian led him to his rooms.”
“Good.”
Celestia couldn’t seem to help the awkwardness from tumbling and trembling out of her. Her stomach did a flip as he approached, looking handsome as ever with midday sun on him.
She needed to relax, being stiff with each other wasn’t their way. She took a breath and flashed him a teasing smile. “Are ye goin’ to help me down from my horse?”
Anthony rolled his eyes and returned her smile. “I suppose I must,” he said, holding up a hand to her.
She took hold of it and swung down from her horse, landing steadily on her feet. “So, we marry at week’s end?” she said, businesslike.
The groom that had taken hold of Grannus’ lead walked him off to the stables as soon as the two bags Celestia attached to his saddle were removed.
“Aye,” he said as he led her over the threshold, carrying one of her bags while she held onto the other. “Eleanor was persistent, she’s stayin’ here in the castle to help us get ready for it. She’s ordered a seamstress to fit ye for a dress.”
“Really? I was goin’ to just wear my best skirts.”
Anthony sighed. “I daenae mind what ye wear on the day, but I am chief and there are certain standards expected of my—our—weddin’ day.”
“A-alright,” she stammered, going over how much a new dress would cost, especially one that was expected to be ornate and beautiful. “I’m sure I can sell the pigs to pay for it—”
“Lass, it’s taken care of, ye daenae need to worry about payin’ for it,” he told her. “I told ye when ye accepted my offer, ye would need nae worry about finances anymore.”
Right. She knew that. That had been one of the reasons he named for wanting this arrangement in the first place. It was just going to be a little hard to get used to after a lifetime of hard work and six months of struggling to put food on the table.
“Just get used to the castle for the next few days until the weddin’—Mrs. Duncan and my sister are plannin’ the whole thing down to the last drop of liquor and flower petal.”
They began up the stairs; with each step, they heard the commotion coming from the family quarters.
“It’s good to have people livin’ in the rooms again,” he told her, a genuine smile painted on his face. “I think this is goin’ to be grand.”
Celestia truly thought he looked pleased with having her family take over the castle. He’d been living here alone since his sister married and his father died. She wondered if he ever felt lonely.
13
Celestia spent most of the night in bed staring up at the ceiling. Nothing she did helped her get to sleep; not counting to a thousand, not quietly muttering nursery rhymes, not even sleeping on her stomach which usually always worked.
Today was her wedding day.
Anthony’s entire family would be in attendance, as would hers. His ghastly uncles would, of course, be there. And most of the clan and some of the other chiefs and lairds Anthony had not managed to anger from rejecting their daughters.
“Mistress,” came the voice of her maid, Dara, followed by three rapid knocks. Dara never waited for Celestia to answer, she always waltzed right in, tearing open the bedroom curtains to let in the sun.
