Page 61 of The Highlander's Auctioned Virgin
“Aye, I did. He saved me from a storm when the other lairds could nae be bothered. When those bastards fled back to the castle.”
“That is a good sign, Elinor. Of course, ye’re the only one who saw him at the cabin, who saw what he was like, and I trust yer decision.”
“And there’s also the fact that he is a killer.”
Katherine scoffed. “Honestly, the fact that he hasnae killed anyone since he got here only proves the fact that he doesnae kill randomly. Every single Laird has been to war, they’ve all had to kill someone at one point or another. But Thomas, who is unusually obsessed with the Hound, told me that most of the people he killed were terrible lairds and power-hungry warlords.”
Elinor nodded. “True. He told me the same. It just doesnae negate the fact that he is a killer at the end of the day.”
“Think about it this way—what does he have to gain if he kills ye?”
“I daenae ken. The castle?”
Katherine nodded. “Fair point. But look. At the end of the day, ye have to do what is best for ye. And I doubt ye would have agreed to this marriage if ye strongly suspected that he would eventually turn into a monster similar to Murdock.”
Elinor nodded. “Aye. These are just speculations.”
“I think ye’re afraid of something else, if I’m honest.”
Elinor’s eyes darted to the stack of papers Katherine had placed on the dresser. “I suppose I’m also afraid that I will never find meself with him either.”
“What do ye mean?” Katherine asked, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
“For the last three years, I was someone’s wife. Murdock stripped me of me sense of self, of who I was as a person before him over those years. I daenae ken who I am after his death. Now, I am about to get married to another man. I’m just afraid I willnae be able to go back to that once I’m someone’s wife again.”
Katherine nodded. “If Ciaran is half the man ye think he is, ye will find yerself in nay time.”
Elinor was grateful that her friend was there to point her in the right direction, even if it felt like hell at that moment.
Ciaran might be charming and a gentleman, but she still had to remind herself time and again that she was marrying a killer. Sure, she had been safe with the Hound, but what would happen after they wed?
What if he changes?
“Ye daenae have to worry about this for now, Elinor,” Katherine said. “If he is truly as terrible as we’re afraid he might be, ye would have seen the signs. Nay man is capable of hiding his true self for this long. The lairds had shown their cowardice withinoneday. Trust me when I say this—ye’re on the right path with him.”
Elinor laughed. “Ye ken, I could have sworn that ye were never against this marriage in the first place.”
“Blame Thomas. He made me see what a good person yer future husband is.”
Elinor nodded. “Well, I still intend to keep me distance. Some men ken how to hide their true nature better and longer than others.”
“I suppose ye’re right,” Katherine conceded.
Silence descended between them. This time, it was companionable, almost soothing.
Elinor cast another glance at the stack of papers on the dresser. “Let me see those sketches again.”
“Are ye certain ye’re in the mood?”
“Before I change me mind,” Elinor drawled.
Katherine swiped the papers off the dresser.
“Anything but the yellow dress. I may nae be excited about the wedding, but I daenae intend to get married in something that can be seen from the heavens.”
Katherine laughed and handed her the sketches.
Elinor studied the green dress again. Something about it stood out to her. Something clear and rather pronounced.
She looked up at Katherine. “What do ye think Ciaran is doing right now?”
