Page 40 of The Cruel Highlander's Bride
Not since the other night.
The feel of Magnus’s hands on her arms and the way he’d gazed down at her had set her heart racing, like it always did. But with that feeling came a heavy dose of nerves. She had no idea what she was doing or what any of this meant.
When a voice in the back of her head reminded her of the way he’d shut off his attraction to her in his study, she’d panicked and hastily backed away. Only to be met by another disappearing act. He didn’t even touch her when he’d handed her book back, likely so put-off by her nervousness.
Lost in her thoughts, Ciara didn’t realize that her sister had yet to respond until she finally cleared her throat and said, “Elspeth and Olivia showed me the gardens today before the rain. It gave me some ideas for back home.”
“Aye, that’s wonderful. It is a lovely garden.”
“Mhmm,” Lana mumbled, then paused. “Do ye think ye’ll be happy here?” she finally asked.
Ciara pondered that question. She’d been tutoring Ewan most days, and there had been her work with the villagers, plus her presence here was ending a war. All of that was fulfilling… but was she truly happy? Could she be?
“I think I could be,” she answered as truthfully as she could, and she saw her sister nod out of the corner of her eye.
If she and Magnus could find some way to be friends, at least, then definitely. Mostly, Ciara longed for the connections she’d left at home, the closeness of her family and the friendships she had nurtured in the village.
Lana was here for now, but she would leave after the wedding, and Ciara would be all alone.
She sighed and continued watching the storm.
As she tracked the raindrops trickling down the glass pane, she spotted a figure leaving the castle, pulling up a large hood over their head. The person had Magnus’s large frame, but she couldn’t believe he was heading out in this weather…
Ciara tried not to think of the other times she’d noticed him leaving late, after night had fallen. And she tried not to dwell on the fact that he didn’t return until the next morning.
What is he doin’ all night?
Her mind conjured all sorts of lewd activities, and she’d yet to come up with anything that explained his absences. His distance also made it impossible to ask him. Besides, the way he’d acted when they were together made her fear the answer.
When they’d agreed to be wed, all those days ago, in her father’s study, Ciara had promised never to stray. But Magnus had made no such promise…
* * *
“Magnus,” Olivia called with a smile as he walked into the dining hall.
He was finally joining everyone for dinner the following night. Elspeth had strongly encouraged him to attend after he’d been systematically avoiding the lot of them. It was nearly impossible to avoid Ciara without also avoiding the rest of the women.
Magnus nodded to his half-sister and took his seat at the head of the table. He’d managed to avoid looking at his betrothed thus far, but he could feel the weight of her stare. Besides, he was overdue for his personal brand of torture.
His eyes didn’t need to seek her out; he knew instinctively where she was. When he finally let his gaze wander, he sucked in a harsh breath, shocked by her glorious beauty all over again.
Every time he saw her, he was struck. Tonight was no exception. Her black hair was loose around her face, and her blue eyes shone in the candlelight. Her smile was strained, though. It didn’t reach her eyes.
Was his presence here that unsettling for her? Magnus had hoped that with the distance between them at the table and their family members surrounding them, she’d feel safe enough in his company. But there was a sadness in her that he hated.
Well, he wouldn’t linger. Olivia chatted happily while he scarfed down the food in front of him, not making eye contact with anyone again. Though he could feel his stepmother’s gaze boring into him, heavy and judgmental.
It wasn’t the attention he wanted, but he knew that Ciara had averted her eyes once more. He listened to the conversations, hoping for any input from Ciara, just to hear her voice, but she stayed quiet.
When he cleared the food in front of him, he stood up abruptly, interrupting Olivia’s latest story. The clattering of cutlery echoed through the room as they all turned to look at him.
“I need to get back to me study,” he announced and then stalked out of the room.
The door slammed shut behind him, and the last thing he heard was Ciara’s sharp gasp.
16
“Are ye sure about this weddin’, Me Lady?” Ewan asked suddenly.
