Page 15 of The Highlander's Auctioned Hellion
“It is nay trouble, M’Lady. I am used to long journeys, and I ken that the Laird is keen for ye to arrive as soon as possible. I dinnae wish to delay things.”
Alexander paused, eyeing the trunks that Lydia had packed, frowning at them.
“Is that all ye’er bringin’?”
Lydia’s heart picked up speed as she heard her father approaching.
In truth, she could have packed several more trunks, but had chosen to leave many of her gowns behind.
Her father rarely furnished her with new dresses unless he needed her to fulfill a task for him. The Duke had bought her a new gown for her auction, but that was the first one in months.
At the start of every Season, he would groan and agonize over the money he had to spend at the modiste, penny pinching on everything. As a result, Lydia hated almost every dress she owned.
They were not to her taste and simply reminded her of what a burden she was to him.
“Yes,” she said firmly. “I will not be needing anything else.”
Alexander nodded, his gaze flicking to the Duke before he rubbed his hands together.
“Nay trouble. Less for me to carry, then.”
He lifted the trunks as if they weighed nothing, and Lydia could not help but smile as her brother’s little mouth fell open.
“You are so strong!” he marveled.
“None of that. Don’t gawk, Tommy,” the Duke snapped, coming to stand beside his son. Alexander placed the trunks in the backand strapped them down, placing Lydia’s traveling case in the main carriage with her.
Hannah, her maid, descended the steps. She was a meek, lifeless girl with thin blonde hair and a perpetually worried expression. Ever since she had joined the staff, she had been terrified of the Duke and rarely spoke at all unless she was alone with Lydia.
Lydia held out a hand, and Hannah took it briefly, squeezing her fingers.
“It will be a beautiful place, you’ll see,” Lydia whispered with more courage than she felt. Hannah attempted a brave smile. Lydia knew for a fact that her maid had never been further than five miles from home, and the journey was weighing on her heavily. Hannah stared at the carriage as if she were about to step into the mouth of a dragon.
Lydia turned to her mother, the emotions she had held at bay since she woke that morning rising to the surface instantly.
Tears pricked at the back of her eyes as she stepped up beside the Duchess and they embraced, gripping one another hard.
Her mother had gifted her with several books to read, warm woolen undergarments, and a few of her favorite dresses.
Lydia felt hollowed out to be leaving her, as if a gaping hole were slowly widening in her gut. Looking at Tommy only made her heart ache all the more.
Stepping up to her little brother, she crouched down so that she could meet his eyes.
“Be brave,” she whispered, bending down and clutching him to her. She could feel him holding back sobs.
“Don’t blubber, Tommy, for heaven’s sake,” the Duke muttered, sniffing irritably as his son tried his best to heed his commands.
“It will not be forever,” Lydia said softly, for his ears alone. “I will write to you every day, and we will see one another soon.”
Tommy nodded, unable to speak as the Duchess stepped up beside him and took his hand.
Lydia stepped back, looking up at the mansion house that she had called home for four and twenty years. It didn’t feel real to be leaving it all behind. Her eyes lingered on her bedroom, imagining she could see her younger self staring out at her, face pale and confused.
What would she think of the life I am embarking on? What would she think of the scarred “monster” who is to be my husband?
Before she could think any further on it, she turned and headed to the carriage.
Her mother gasped as Lydia walked straight past her father without a word, and Hannah hesitated, unsure whether to follow.
