Page 15 of A Scottish Lord for Christmas
Milly laughed, a soft twinkle in her eyes. “I did. I remember looking back at the house as we drove away and thinking of how awful it was. But then we reached Owen’s house and…it was love at first sight. The place was in need of many repairs, but I loved that I would be making it my home as I fixed it up. Don’t be afraid to do that with your new home. Embrace it all with excitement.”
Her sister was right. Of course she was. Rowena dried her eyes and handed the damp handkerchief back to Milly.
“Are you and Owen happy now? I know that you despised him and that you didn’t want to marry him.” She didn’t want to resurrect her sister’s pain, but she needed reassurance that things would get better.
A lovely, dreamy-eyed expression took over Milly’s face. “He was the last man on earth I would have married, but now…I can’t imagine life without him.”
Rowena stared at Milly in shock. Her sister had always been vocal about her views on men and marriage. Yet here she was, smiling and almost giddy over a man. If marriage made Milly happy, maybe it would do the same for her and Quinn. She desperately hoped so. All she wanted was to win his heart.
Rowena rose from the chair and embraced her sister again. Ever since she was a child, hugging Milly had always been a comfort to her. The bond they shared was invisible but unbreakable.
“I wish you were coming with me to Scotland. I’ve never been on my own before.”
Her sister pinched her cheek playfully. “That won’t stop you, Rowena. You forget I know you. Anyone who meets you wants to be your friend. Once you reach Forres, you’ll make friends. You’ll build a life, and Owen and I shall visit you.”
Rowena swallowed thickly. “Promise?”
Milly held out a pinkie finger. “Promise.”
They linked their fingers, giving them a little shake the way they’d done countless times growing up.
“Owen’s always wanted to visit Scotland. If you need me sooner, send word and we’ll come straightaway.”
With that reassurance, Rowena smiled and plucked at her gown. “I ought to change. We have a long drive ahead of us. Quinn has to make the drive himself.”
Millytsked. “A smart man knows to hire a cab. It’s much more enjoyable to share a ride in the back and cuddle with one’s husband.”
“Cuddle? You?” Rowena couldn’t contain the plague of giggles that followed.
Milly promptly pinched her waist in retaliation but she was smiling.
“Yes, and you ought to try that with Lord Forres. He doesn’t look like a man who cuddles, but neither does Owen, and yet he’s wondrously splendid at it.” Pink stained Milly’s cheeks but she continued to grin as she followed Rowena to the door.
Rowena rushed upstairs to change and have a footman bring her travel valise down. The remaining trunks containing her wardrobe would be brought to Forres in a few days. Rowena selected a navy blue pleated skirt and a white blouse. Sensible and perfect for a long day in the car. She laced her black boots and left her bedroom. She paused in the doorway to look back at the room where she’d spent most of her life. A young woman’s bedroom.
No longer mine.
Now she was to have a new room, one she would share with her husband. She tried to let excitement fill her and bury the aching sadness at leaving her home behind.
I must look forward.
By the time she’d come back downstairs, she found Quinn had changed from his wedding suit to his own travel clothes. Her parents were waiting at the entrance along with her sister and Owen.
Rowena lifted her chin and met them all bravely. She would not cry, not on her first day as a married woman. Milly and Owen followed Quinn outside to the waiting car and left Rowena alone with her mother and father.
The Pepperwirths had always been a sensible family, but they loved deeply. Now she saw that love in the tears that coated her mother’s cheeks.
“You will write to me the moment you arrive at Forres. I want to hear all about your rooms and the estate. Make sure you go to the village and hire a lady’s maid immediately since your sister took Constance.” Her mother was doing her best to sound businesslike but Rowena heard the catch in her voice.
“Of course, Mama.” Rowena hugged her fiercely, shutting her eyes tight to stop any tears from falling. Her nose tingled as she tried to control her sadness.
When she faced her father, she choked back a little gasp. The heartbreak in his eyes was stark and shocking.
“Rowena.” He murmured her name and held out his arms. She rushed into his embrace and he kissed her forehead. “My darling girl, whatever will I do without you?”
Rowena chuckled, but she had to swallow hard before she could speak.
“You’ll miss me, as I will miss you, which is why you must come up to Forres for Christmas. You will, won’t you?”
