Page 16 of Awoken
Leanna’s breathing constricted as she finished speaking. How many times over the past year had she thought enviously of Ella and her new life as Lady of Scorrybreac? She’d noticed how attractive Gavin MacNichol was during his visits to Kilbride, and had even lain awake a few nights imagining what it would be like to undress for a man like that.
She flushed hot with shame now at the memory. Maybe this was God’s way of punishing her for those fantasies. Did she even deserve to wear this habit?
As if reading her thoughts, Lady Drew made a scoffing sound in the back of her throat. “A nun’s life is behind ye now, Leanna.” Her voice developed a warning edge. “And if ye don’t remove that habit willingly, my brother will only rip it off ye.”
7
Years I have Waited
ROSS SHIFTED IMPATIENTLY, his gaze going to the closed door. Leanna had disappeared in there earlier, and had not yet re-emerged. Folk would be amassing downstairs in the Great Hall for the noon meal by now. At this rate, MacKinnon’s bride-to-be would make her entrance late.
It was quiet in the hallway—a narrow, windowless space lit only by a row of flickering cressets upon the damp walls. Ross didn’t like being forced to wait; naturally impatient, he preferred to be kept occupied.
Especially today.
Not for the first time, he silently cursed the man he served. He hadn’t expected MacKinnon to give Leanna the chance to refuse him—yet his callousness toward her had made Ross’s hackles rise nonetheless.
Her wishes meant nothing to him.
Or to ye, he reminded himself. Leanna had already pleaded with him and Broderick. There was little point in him being angry with MacKinnon for ignoring the woman. Ross knew he was no better.
As they’d stood before the clan-chief in the solar, Ross had braced himself for an ugly scene. Leanna had come close to losing control. He’d seen the pallor of her face, the horror in those wide hazel eyes. When MacKinnon had sent Carr off to fetch the priest, she’d trembled like a reed in the wind. Yet she’d managed to rein in her panic, perhaps sensing that MacKinnon had been goading her deliberately.
Ye know who he is, a traitorous voice whispered to him then.After what ye saw Siusan go through,would ye want yer sister wed to MacKinnon?
Ross shoved his niggling conscience aside, irritated by the intrusion. His opinion on all of this mattered not. He’d been given a task, and he’d completed it. His only loyalty here was to the man he served.
The creak of hinges roused Ross from his brooding, and he turned to see a woman emerge from the chamber.
Ross’s breathing caught.
Sister Leanna of Kilbride had disappeared, and Lady Leanna MacDonald of Sleat stood in her place: an elegant young woman with a slender yet womanly figure encased in flowing green. But it was her hair that caught his attention. Ash-blonde and lustrous, it fell in waves over her shoulders. The brooch MacKinnon had gifted her earlier had been pinned to her breast.
Leanna halted before him, and Ross was vaguely aware of Drew emerging from the chamber behind her.
“What do ye think, Campbell?” Drew asked with a sly smile. “She is a vision, is she not?”
Aware that he was staring, Ross caught himself before clearing his throat. “I … thought nuns cut off their hair,” he said finally, only to inwardly kick himself.Ye sound like a lack-wit.
“Not all nuns do,” Leanna replied, her bleak tone at odds with her beauty. “When I took my vows as a novice, the abbess requested only a lock of my hair.” She paused then, her delicate features tensing. “I swore that no one would look upon my hair again.”
Drew huffed impatiently. “Enough of this, Leanna … those days are over, remember? If ye are clever, ye’ll make good use of yer fair face and nubile body from now on.”
That comment earned Drew a frosty look. “Do ye think that’s all I’ve got to offer the world? I’ve got wits as sharp as any man.”
Drew’s mouth curved, her grey eyes twinkling. “Aye … sharper I’d say. But the world doesn’t care how clever ye are, lass … and my brother certainly won’t.”
Ross stepped forward and offered Leanna his arm. “We’ve delayed long enough, milady. It’s time for ye to join MacKinnon in the Great Hall. He will be waiting for ye.”
Leanna met his eye then, and a long look passed between them. Ross knew he shouldn’t hold her gaze so, that nothing good would come from staring at a woman meant for the man he served. However, he couldn’t stop himself.
Neither could he miss the desolation he saw in the depths of Leanna’s eyes.
“What a bonny sight.” Duncan MacKinnon leaned back upon his carven chair, his gaze raking Leanna from head to toe. “My sister has done quite a job with ye … it was certainly worth the wait.”
His gaze settled upon the brooch pinned to her breast, and a lazy smile stretched his mouth. “I knew that brooch would suit ye.”
Leanna crossed the Great Hall toward the MacKinnon clan-chief, one arm linked through Ross Campbell’s. Each step felt as if she were nearing the steps to the gallows. She was aware of every gaze in the hall upon her, tracking her progress across the floor.
