Page 29 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
“We’ll have a clan again. As soon as I’m married to the Laird, MacRoss will be our home,” Emma said, reaching out a loving hand to her sister.
Lydia clasped her hand gave it a tight, reassuring squeeze.
“Ye all can sleep if ye like, but I’ll be stayin’ up if ye dinnae mind,” Isobel stated. “Someone’s got to look out for the lot of ye.”
Emma shook her head as she watched her sisters depart from the room. But it was Nora who hesitated at the door, turning to face Emma. In the dimly lit room, her face was a mix of gratitude and concern.
“Thank ye, Emma,” she whispered, her voice laden with unspoken words.
With that, she stepped out of the room, leaving Emma alone with her thoughts.
The conversation had stirred something within Emma, leaving her in a state of restless anticipation. Her sister’s words echoed in her mind, amplifying her doubts and concerns about her decision. The banter and laughter of her family did little to quell the storm of thoughts brewing within her.
Unable to sleep, Emma found herself pacing the length of the room. Stewing over the choices she made as her emotions swirled within her. The room that once provided a measure of comfort now felt confining, as if the walls were closing in on her.
Each step she took seemed to amplify her restlessness. The weight of her decision pressed down upon her, and the responsibility of it all promised a sleepless night.
“I’ve got to talk to him,” Emma mumbled to the empty room as she recalled Hunter’s swift departure.
Clearly, she had done something to annoy him, but just how much, she didn’t know. The last thing she wanted was for him to be so offended by her that he’d changed his mind about taking them in and marrying her.
She needed an answer. For if he was having second thoughts, she knew she needed another way to protect her sisters.
With a heavy heart, Emma set out to find Hunter, hoping that he had returned and was available for a much-needed conversation. She clung to the hope that an apology could mend the tension between them, that they could rise above their differences and make their impending marriage work without any lingering resentment.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she searched the library and sitting room, only to find he wasn’t there. She swallowed hard, thinking he might be in his study, but she only found it cold and empty.
“Are ye looking for someone?” a guard asked from behind her.
Emma tried to mask her shock as she turned around.
“I was lookin’ for the Laird,” she answered as she eyed the tall, burly man before her.
He wasn’t nearly as broad-shouldered as Hunter, but still intimidating, nonetheless. And his deep brown eyes were tainted with a spark of mischief that made her wonder if maybe venturing out of her quarters was such a good idea.
“He’s in his bedchambers,” the guard answered with a smirk. “But if ye’re thinkin’ ye can sway him in the dead of night, ye might find yerself a bit disappointed.”
Emma heard the undertones in his voice and swallowed hard. She nodded, then turned on her heel and headed down the hallway.
“Ye’re goin’ in the wrong direction,” the guard announced, his voice rattling her. “The Laird’s chambers arethatway.”
“Thank ye,” Emma managed to say as she turned around and started walking towards the guard.
“Ye’ve nothin’ to fear from me, unless yer intentions are sinister. I’ll nae have ye hurt the Laird.”
“I have nay intention of doin’ so,” Emma stated, as she heard the fierce loyalty in his words.
“Good. Willnae fair thee well if ye did. Although, a wee lass such as yerself, I’m sure the Laird can manage on his own. But if ye’ll follow me, I’ll show ye the way. I’m Archie, by the way.”
“And how long have ye been in the Laird’s castle?” Emma asked as she followed him down the hallway.
“Many years, M’Lady. Oh, and a word of advice if ye care to listen. Dinnae be intimidated by him. He’s got a hardened heart, but he’s still just a man, after all. Ye want him to listen to ye, then hold yer ground. Nae that ye need to ken that. Ye seemed to fair well enough wit’ the Laird on yer own.”
“Laird MacRoss isnae the first monster I’ve dealt wit’,” Emma stated, causing Archie to give her an impressed side glance.
“This is as far as I go,” Archie said as they turned the corner. “Ye’ll find the Laird’s door on the left.”
Emma took in a deep breath and made her way to Hunter’s chambers. She paused at the cracked door and glanced down the hallway to find Archie leaning against the wall, a smirk plastered on his face.
