Page 75 of Tempted By a Highland Beast
“Well, well,” Lilias drawled, her voice rich with amusement. “Did ye forget how tae knock braither?”
Constantine’s jaw tightened slightly, color rising in his cheeks as he realized he’d been caught staring like a lovesick fool. “I came tae check on the preparations,” he said, his voice more gruff than usual. “I didnae expect…”
“Ye didnae expect tae see yer bride-to-be in her weddin’ dress?” Lilias’s grin widened. “How shockin’.”
Rowena felt heat rise in her own cheeks, but she lifted her chin with characteristic poise. “Perhaps ye should have knocked,” she said, though there was no real reproach in her voice. “A lady requires privacy fer such things.”
“Aye,” Constantine agreed, but his eyes never left her face. “Though now I find meself nae particularly inclined tae leave.”
The admission hung in the air between them, charged with an intimacy that made Bonnie busy herself with her pins and Lilias hide her smile behind her cup of cider. Rowena felt her pulse quicken under his intense gaze, awareness crackling between them despite the presence of others.
“Ye’re terrible.” Rowena’s voice was soft, almost fond.
“If ye’ll excuse me,” the seamstress said dryly, “I’ve got work tae finish.”
Both Constantine and Rowena had the grace to look slightly embarrassed, while Lilias dissolved into giggles at their expense.
“Aye, of course,” Rowena said quickly. “I apologize, Bonnie. Please, continue.”
Constantine’s eyes lingered on Rowena for another moment before he grabbed the door handle. “I’ll leave ye tae yer work, then. But Rowena…” He paused in the doorway, looking back at her. “Ye’re lookin’ beautiful.”
After he left, the chamber felt somehow smaller, as if his presence had filled more space than his physical form would suggest.
Lilias was still grinning, clearly delighted by the display she’d witnessed. “Well,” she said cheerfully, “that was romantic.”
Rowena felt her cheeks burn hotter. “It was nae romantic. It was... practical. He was checkin’ on the preparations.”
Bonnie shook her head, muttering something under her breath about “young people” as she returned to her pins. But even the stern seamstress couldn’t hide the slight curve of her lips as she worked.
An hour later, with the fitting complete, the gown was carefully stored away until the wedding day. Rowena had changed back into her everyday dress, though she could still feel the phantom weight of silk against her skin, still remembered the look in Constantine’s eyes when he’d seen her in it.
She and Constantine were now walking through the castle courtyard, discussing the final arrangements for the ceremony, when a guard approached them with quick, nervous steps. The young man’s face was flushed, whether from exertion or anxiety, Rowena couldn’t tell.
“Me laird,” the guard said, slightly out of breath. “There’ve been riders spotted near the southern boundary.”
Rowena noticed Constantine’s expression shifting immediately from the relaxed contentment of moments before to sharp, focused attention. “How many?”
“Two, me laird. They claimed tae be MacKenzie merchants, but…” The guard hesitated, glancing uncertainly at Rowena.
“But?” Constantine’s voice carried a dangerous edge.
“But they had nay cargo, me laird. Nay permits or papers either. When our patrol approached tae question them properly, they turned and rode off hard toward the hills.”
Constantine’s jaw tightened. Beside him, Rowena felt her blood turn cold. MacKenzie merchants with no cargo, fleeing when questioned could only mean one thing. “Scouts,” Constantine said grimly. “How long ago?”
“Less than an hour, me laird. The patrol sent word immediately.”
Constantine was already moving, his long strides carrying him toward the stables. “Find Theo and have him ready six men. Full arms.”
“Aye, me laird.”
Rowena hurried to keep pace with Constantine, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. “I’m comin’ with ye.”
“Nay.” Constantine’s refusal was immediate and absolute. “Ye’ll stay here where it’s safe.”
“Constantine—”
“Nay,” he repeated, stopping abruptly and turning to face her. His dark eyes blazed with a protective fury that would have been intimidating if she hadn’t known it came from love rather than dominance. “These are likely Alpin’s men and ye’re exactly what they’re hopin’ tae find. I’ll nae give them the chance.”
