Page 36 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
Emma shook her head and flashed her an innocent smile. “Nothin’,” she lied.
“Well, best be off to the kitchen, then,” the servant said, dusting her hands as if they were covered in flour. “If there’s anythin’ else ye need?”
“Nay, thank ye.”
“And ye can find the drawing room on yer own, then?”
“I’m sure I can manage,” Emma said.
The servant bobbed a quick curtsey and scampered out of the room.
The excitement and tension mounting in the room left the moment the servant did. For a brief moment, Emma felt the comfort of peace. She knew though it would be short-lived.
Steeling her senses, Emma headed for the door and made her way to the drawing room. Just as the servant had stated, she walked in and found Katie and Violet engaged in a deep conversation with Nora and Lydia. As expected, Isobel was in the corner, her attention focused on the horizon.
Their voices blended comfortably with the excited murmurs of Hunter’s family, each group animatedly discussing various aspects of the upcoming wedding. It was clear that despite the unusual circumstances, both families were determined to make the most of the situation.
“There she is,” Violet cooed the moment she spotted Emma.
Before Emma could even fully step into the room, Violet rushed over to greet her. With a radiant smile, Violet took her hand and energetically pulled her further into the room.
Emma could only follow, her heart pounding with a strange mix of anxiety and excitement. Her new life as the Laird’s wife was starting to feel more real than ever.
“The bride-to-be and me soon-to-be sister. This is so excitin’,” Violet continued as Katie stepped forward and shooed her away.
Emma couldn’t help but feel a bit grateful for the respite. Although Violet was friendly and kind, she was a bit overwhelming.
“Emma, dear, how did ye sleep?” Katie asked, offering Emma a warm smile as she approached.
“Much better than being outside, thank ye,” replied Emma, her voice carrying a note of genuine appreciation. “Yer hospitality is truly kind.”
“Nonsense, lass,” Katie said, waving her hand dismissively. “We’re goin’ to be family now, ye should think of me as yer maither.”
Emma glanced at Nora before she was hurried further into the room by Violet.
“We were just discussin’ the activities for the weddin’ week,” said Violet, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Emma blinked in surprise. “Week? Ye want a whole week?” she askedIhe words slipped from her mouth before she could think.
“That’s how our family has done it for generations.” Violet beamed.
“Seems a bit excessive,” Emma said, feeling apprehensive as she glanced at Lydia and Nora, who both seemed just as shocked by the news.
“Nonsense! Me son deserves the best weddin’ we can arrange. We were thinkin’ of coordinatin’ a ceilidh, among other things. There’ll be more than just feastin’ and dancing’, of course,” Katie interjected.
“It would be great to have some traditional games as part of the celebrations,” Lydia said as she stepped forward. “After all, it does seem appropriate after everythin’ we’ve been through.”
“Lydia is right,” Isobel said, offering no ease to the mounting pressure that piled on Emma. “As long as we can also have games we can participate in. Say, an archery contest? And maybe even have the men compete in a sword dance?”
“Of course ye’d bring up archery,” Lydia said, rolling her eyes. “But this is Emma’s wedding, and she should have a say in the matter, do ye nae think?”
“Of course,” Katie answered.
The room erupted into animated discussion, with ideas, suggestions, and plans flying back and forth. It was a bit too much for Emma to take in all at once. It seemed as if a week just wouldn’t be long enough to get everything that was being suggested done.
Throughout this lively conversation, Emma found herself distracted, her mind wandering back to the unexpected kiss. She found herself questioning the rumors she had heard about the Laird and how wrong they had been.
Hunter wasn’t beastly, at least not to Emma, and she found herself enjoying the prospect of being married to him. A strange sense of anticipation filled her. She found herself looking forward to discovering the man she was about to marry.
