Page 72 of Bride of the Wicked Laird
“So,” Aileen said, her gaze on Everard. “After ye’ve spoken wi’ Davina, will ye meet wi’ us in the solar?”
Davina looked from Aileen to Everard, who looked decidedly ill at ease as he gave a slight acknowledgment to Aileen. Whatever he wished to discuss, it seemed both Aileen and Maxwell already knew what it was. Although Aileen was smiling, Maxwell was holding himself stiffly, arms folded across his chest and she was seized with a sense that there was something serious in store for her.
She could only pray they’d not decided to return her to the Priory.
As they left the hall, Everard took her hand and hooked it over his arm. “This way,” he gestured toward the stairs leading up the tower to the battlements, adding to her discomfiture. Surely the tower at night was a forbidding destination.
Everard hurried up the stairs, leaving her in his wake and she had to scurry to keep up. He waited at the top on the narrow stone footing surrounding the tower, his eyes fixed on something distant.
Was there a threat from the sea?
He paced along the path and stopped at a platform half way around, where she could see the candle-lit houses of the village on one side and the velvety darkness of the bay on the other.
He remained pensive, saying nothing, and she waited, her shoulders tightening almost to the point of being painful.
She could stand his silence no longer. Wrapping her cloak tightly against the cold wind she finally spoke up.
“’Tis cold here, me laird and I fear I am in danger of freezing.” Her eyes roamed his grimly set jaw.
“Forgive me lass. Me thoughts were nae on the weather, but on something else. Something close tae me heart.” He paused, his eyes searching into the darkened night. “We have kent each other a while now, and I’ve grown accustomed tae yer company. I should miss it greatly were ye tae be gone from here.”
Oh dear Lord, he’s about tae tell me he’s planning tae send me away.
“And I, too, have grown accustomed tae me small life at Kiessimul Castle.” She hardly dared to tell him that it was being near tohim, that was closest to her heart. Oh yes, she loved Feather, and her daily duties in the garden and the infirmary, but it was his company that made her heart and soul sing with joy.
To her astonishment he took her hand, and went down on his bended knee before her.
Looking up, still holding her hand, he ground out the words, “I wish tae wed, Mistress Davina.” He managed a weak smile, keeping her hand in his.
If not for Everard’s firm grip on her hand, she might have sunk to her knees and joined him on the ice-cold stone. She gave a short, humorless laugh, causing him to look at her in alarm.
“Have ye naught tae say?” He sounded almost petulant, obviously taken aback by her failure to respond.
“I beg yer pardon, Laird Everard, I misheard ye. The wind up here howls something fierce.”
“Then ye’ll tell me ye agree?”
It was beginning to dawn on her that mayhap she was not mistaken. Did Everard say he wished tae wed her?
“Did I hear right? Ye wish tae wed, Laird Everard?”
He levered himself up to stand before her.
“Aye. That I dae.”
“Ah.” Her heart sank.He is telling me he intends tae marry.Tears burned fiercely behind her eyes and a giant boulder formed in her throat.I should have listened tae Mildred’s warning.
It was necessary to turn away before she revealed her true feelings.Is he seeking me good wishes? Her heart was busy shattering into a million tiny pieces. Mayhap this was what had been discussed at the Council meeting today.
She attempted to gather her wits, straightening her spine and drawing herself to her fullest height.
“Laird Everard.” It took a great effort to keep her voice steady. “I am grateful ye have seen fit tae tell me of yer intentions. Of course, I offer me heartfelt…” She could go no further. Turning away she flung a hand across her mouth. God’s blood, he was reaching for her hand, making it so much more difficult to keep the tears at bay. A sob built in her chest and made a sudden escape.
He looked at her with concern. “Me dearest Davina. I had hoped… that is… I believed ye returned me fond feelings.”
Her lower lip trembled, and the words tumbled out of their own accord. “I dae return yer fond feelings, tenfold. But what I feel is nae mere fondness. I… I have fallen in love with ye.” Now she was sobbing openly, her restraint blown away by the wind. “I ken ye must wed tae make a fine allegiance fer the Clan and ye could never wed the likes of me.” Tears dripped from her chin and she made no effort to wipe them away. “But I cannae be glad fer ye.”
“Ah, lass.” He reached his arms around her, folding her into his embrace, where she sobbed against his chest. Cupping her chin, he turned her face up so that she was forced to meet his gaze. “Ye’ve misunderstood. I dinnae wish tae marry another.”
