Page 67 of The Highlander's Auctioned Wife
“Nay smile for yer favorite braither?”Jackson asked, sweeping Anna into a hug.
Her family had arrived, confirming what she already suspected; the wedding was going ahead as planned, and would take place the very next day, though she still hadn’t spoken to her betrothed.
She’d tried over the past two days, since her encounter with Beathan at the tower, but it seemed that Gordon was now avoiding her as much as she had previously been avoiding him.
“I daenae have one to spare,” she replied, hugging Jackson in return, secretly grateful to have him there at Castle Lyall.
He pulled back. “Why, what’s wrong? Ye were all smiles when ye left.”
“It’s nothin’,” she said quietly, shaking her head. “Nothin’ I can talk to ye about here, anyway.”
She discreetly tilted her chin toward the other two figures who were emerging from the carriage: her mother and father, both wearing proud grins, and certainly in the mood for a wedding.
“Ah…” Jackson winked in understanding. “Later, then?”
Anna nodded, greeting her parents as warmly as she could, putting on a performance for them. Especially for her mother, who’d warned Anna before she departed with Gordon, who had subtly voiced her doubts, and hadn’t been heeded.
They’ll think me daft if I tell them I’m nae sure about me betrothed anymore.
Indeed, she had to keep reminding herself that hewasthe best prospect, even if theirs ended up being a loveless marriage.
Yes, he’d taken her choice away about the wedding, but he hadn’t bothered her during her seclusion, he hadn’t taken any freedoms from her, like demanding she stay in the castle or locking her away; he’d respected her wish to be left alone and that, if nothing else, made him better than most.
And I was goin’ to marry him anyway, so what’s the difference if it’s sooner or later?She held onto that when her thoughts began to spiral.
“Me sisters?” Anna asked, frowning when the carriage door closed and no one else got out.
Her mother smiled apologetically. “It was so rushed that they couldnae be here in time.”
“And Ewan has stayed behind to take care of everythin’,” her father added, though she wasn’t as bothered by her eldest brother’s absence.
Anna nodded, swallowing down the regret that lodged in her throat. “Nay matter. Once I’m married, I’m sure I can convince me husband to visit them both. Even Laird Dalmorglen wouldnae dare to refuse Gordon guest rights.”
Another benefit. I might see Elinor again.Her heart cheered ever so slightly, considering the power she would have when she became Lady Lyall. Certainly more than she had now, or had ever had before.
“And where is the man?” Anna’s father asked, looking around.
Unable to admit that she had no idea where her betrothed was, for he could not be found anywhere in the castle, Anna just smiled and shrugged. “Oh, he’s tendin’ to his duties. I expect he’ll join us for supper, though. Come, let’s get ye all settled in yer chambers.”
“Already such a conscientious host,” her mother complimented, her eyes bright with joy.
It was a happiness that Anna didn’t have the heart to snuff out with her doubts, for it seemed that Louisa had changed her mind about Gordon. If she could come to the conclusion that her daughter marrying the Devil of the Highlands wasn’t so bad after all, then perhaps all would be well. Perhaps Anna was worrying for nothing, and she would do well to forget everything Beathan had said.
Either way, it seems I’m gettin’ married tomorrow…
“I can steal ye away from the castle, if that’s what ye want,” Jackson said, lying on the rug in front of the bedchamber fireplace like a cat.
Anna sat in the armchair, resting her chin on her hand, gazing into the flickering flames. “And ye daenae think that would start some manner of war?”
“If it did, would ye deem it a romantic gesture from him?” Jackson grinned at her. “Yer betrothed, racin’ after ye with an army at his back, fightin’ to reclaim ye from the wicked braither who spirited ye away? I’d take the blame, if that’s yer concern. I’d say I dinnae agree with the union.”
Closing her eyes, Anna expelled a weary sigh. “I’m just so… confused, Jackson. Part of me thinks I adore the man, part of me thinks I’m goin’ to be miserable, part of me wants to break through that shell of his, part of me thinks there’s nae use in tryin’; I’ll just break meself in the attempt.”
She’d told him of her conflicting thoughts, and of what Beathan had said to her atop the tower. She’d told him of Gordon’s vague replies and hidden history, of how everything had been going so well, until he’d suddenly announced their wedding without consulting her. She hadn’t gone into detail about other things, but she’d alluded to the fact that the couple had been getting ‘closer.’
“Sophia swears she dinnae mention what I said about marryin’ sooner,” she continued, “but I’d almost prefer it, because at least then there’d be a reason for this sudden change in his behavior. He cared what I thought before, he cared about my decisions, but… Aye, I’m just confused. So very confused. And I daenae think that confusion will ease before I’m supposed to be meetin’ him at the altar tomorrow. Mercy, I daenae even have a gown.”
Jackson rolled onto his side, his cheek propped on his hand, furrowing his brow in thought. “Is there any way yer betrothed might have heard what ye said to Sophia?”
