Page 37 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
With a grunt, Daniel yanked his arm from his brother's grip and stormed out of the tavern, slamming the door hard against the wall as he did so.
Daniel kept pushing down the instinct to rush right back in there as he and Cameron walked around town to calm themselves. He would easily take out every single one of those men, but the image of Skye and Lana stopped him.
"Since when does Clan Cullen have a problem with us?" Cameron asked as he kicked rocks with gusto across the path.
"Since I embarrassed their laird at one of Alexander's soldiers' wedding."
Daniel thought back to the day he met Lana. She had rushed away from an old, drunk man who was getting a bit too friendly with her.
"Thatwas Laird Cullen?" Cameron asked. "Nay wonder he hates ye."
"But I dinnae expect his whole clan to hold a grudge," Daniel said.
"If he thinks ye took Lana away from him, then I can certainly see rumors spreadin' among his clan. After all, ye werenae very quiet about it. Ye embarrassed him in front of everyone."
Daniel hadn't thought much of his actions after that day. He had been preoccupied with Lana and the wedding preparations. It was surprising to realize he had gained more than a fiancée that day. He had also gained a new enemy.
"What does it matter?" Daniel asked, dismissing the interaction. "Our clan is much stronger. Clan Cullen isnae large enough to cause us any trouble."
"Nae alone," Cameron agreed. "But perhaps ye should start focusin' on regainin' some allies. I think it's time ye stopped hidin' away in that castle and ye started rememberin' yer place as a laird."
Daniel rolled his eye at his brother. He knew Cameron had a good head for politics and that his advice was wise, but he wasn't in the mood to listen. One trip into town and he was already ready to stay at home for the rest of the year. He didn't want to think about visiting neighboring clans just to shake their lairds' hands and stroke their egos.
Daniel pushed his way into the store, ready to collect Skye and Lana and be on his way. With Clan Cullen so close, many of the shop owners were loyal to Flynn MacDonald, or Laird Cullen. Heworried that someone might realize Lana and Skye's connection to him and treat them poorly. And if anyone did so, Daniel would have no choice but to kill them. Noone mistreated his daughter. Or his bride.
"What a doll," the shopkeeper cooed as Skye twirled around the room in a new blue dress.
Lana thought they would only choose fabric in the store, but she was surprised to find that the shopkeeper had ready-made dresses on display. Upon entering the store, Skye immediately gravitated toward a light blue dress—her favorite color.
"Can we get it?" Skye asked.
The little girl was nearly beside herself with joy. She had never been to town before, and Lana could see her taking in all the colors and details of the new world around her.
Lana felt a surge of joy as she saw how much fun Skye was having. She was glad she had pushed Daniel to do this.
"We'll need to ask yer faither," Lana said. Her stomach dropped a bit as she said it.
She had convinced Daniel that letting Skye pick the fabric for her dress would be a good way to involve her in the wedding preparations. But she worried he would be upset to know thatthe plan had changed. She could almost hear him saying he had agreed to Lana picking the fabric, not a full dress.
"And what about ye?" the shopkeeper asked, turning to Lana. "What will ye need for the weddin'? We have some lovely nightdresses over here."
Lana felt her cheeks flush as the woman held up a silky gown with lace trim. Her stomach churned as she thought about her wedding night. Last night had been filled with dreams of Daniel kissing her and those fingers finding their way beneath her skirts.
"Yes!" Skye cried as she saw the gown the woman held up. "Try it on!"
Lana looked at the shopkeeper with hesitation, but the little girl continued to bounce up and down in excitement. Lana hated to disappoint her, so she nodded, finding it hard to speak.
The shopkeeper ushered Lana behind a changing screen.
As a younger sister, Lana had spent most of her life receiving hand-me-downs from her older sister. Either that, or someone in the castle would make her gowns and nightclothes. She had never purchased something that was already made before.
She fought back her shyness as the woman helped her to remove her dress. The cool touch of the silk was heaven against her skin,and she delighted in the way the fabric flowed over her body rather than sticking to her.
"Perfect." The shopkeeper smiled. "Shall we show yer daughter?"
Lana blinked as the woman asked this, struggling to form a response. She wasn't sure if she should correct her, but the thought of trying to explain her situation made her head hurt.
"Show me," Skye squealed.
