Page 48 of The Beast of the Highlands
“He’s gone… uh… to scout the borders of our lands,” Desmond had said cryptically, after one of Autumn’s interrogations.
Autumn had arched an eyebrow. “Without you—his man-at-arms?”
“Aye… um… I had other duties to attend to.” Desmond had shifted awkwardly.
“Do those duties involve watching me?”
Desmond had nodded stiffly. “Aye, Miss. If ye happen to see Willis or Natters, pay ‘em nay mind.” He smiled slightly. “They’redefinitelynae watchin’ ye, too.”
It was frustrating not to be able to steal a moment with her beloved, but at least she was confident that Flynn was keeping to the vow he had made to her. “Scouting the borders” likely meant he was seeking out a priest, who would not tell a soul of what he had been asked to do.
But it will not be long until I see him again, and meet him as a bride, arriving in the woods to become his wife.
The days had bled together, and Friday morning came around so swiftly it made Autumn’s head spin. Or, perhaps, that was the prospect of finally marrying the man she loved. And though she knew very little of what was to take place that night, for his men had been annoyingly tight-lipped, she could not hide her excitement as she woke to greet that beautiful dawn.
However, though the days had rushed by quickly, time had seemed to warp again upon that Friday. The hours dragged on, as Autumn tended to her duties, until evening finally drew in. Not that she was able to teach Leighton much, for she kept drifting off into a daydream, instead of concentrating on the lesson at hand.
“I reckon I ought to read a book,” Leighton teased. “Ye’ve repeated the same few sentences ten times already, and I daenae think I can hear ‘em again.”
Autumn blinked in confusion. “Apologies, Leighton. I was… elsewhere.”
“Aye, I imagine ye were.” He chuckled merrily. “I’ve always seen the lasses in the castle get giddy when it’s their weddin’ day. I daenae ken why I thought ye’d be any different.”
Autumn put a finger to her lips. “You must not speak of it so loudly, Leighton. There are still watchers in these walls, and spies with large ears, who may thwart your ingenious plan to usurp your brother.”
“Och, I’d only usurp him for a lass as wondrous as yerself.” Leighton paused. “Ye daenae think that’s what the clan will wonder, do ye? I amnae doin’ this for meself. Truth be told, I never thought I’d be a Laird, or be any good at it, which is why I wouldnae have said aye if me brother had planned to run off with ye and abandon me.”
Autumn crossed the room to the suddenly somber-faced young man, and gently ruffled his hair. “The clan would have no reason to think that, for your brother will not leave your side. Nor would I have allowed him to suggest such an endeavor if he had wanted to leave you behind. Which he never would. He loves you too dearly.”
“I cannae wait to have ye as me sister-in-law,” Leighton said quietly. “I daenae ken how ye do it, but ye always ken what to say, and how to make me feel better. Nay soul has been able to do that since… well, since me ma was alive. She was like ye in a lot of ways. Tough but kind, fierce but humorous, and beautiful but able to beat ye six shades of purple if ye crossed her.”
Autumn laughed. “I am not so sure about the latter accolade. As for the rest… The life I have led has forced me to be strong, but one should never lose sight of the beauty in a good jest.”
Just then, a knock came at the study door. Leaving Leighton to his book and his contentment, Autumn walked across the room to answer it. Ordinarily, she would have called for the person to come in, but if they had news of the night’s nuptials, she did not want anyone else to be implicated.
Opening the door, she found Natters waiting anxiously on the other side.
“Natters! What brings you to my door?” she asked cheerfully.
He swallowed loudly. “His Lairdship asked me to send ye a message, Miss. Ye’re to meet him in his chambers immediately. He’s got news for ye.”
“Ah… very good.” She flashed him a wink. “Thank you.”
Natters bowed his head. “I’m to take ye there now.”
“Are you well, Natters?” Autumn hesitated, for she had never known him to be a nervous sort of man.
He nodded effusively. “Aye, Miss. Just anxious to get ye to him before someone sees me.” He leaned closer. “I think ye ken who I mean.”
“I see. Very wise.” Autumn glanced back over her shoulder, to address Leighton. “I am going to visit with your brother. Look over those passages while I am gone. I will return when I can, likely to impart news to you.”
Leighton clapped his hands together excitedly. “Tell him I’ll be waitin’, and I’ll bring me broadsword if he’s changed his mind!”
Oh goodness, he has not changed his mind, has he?
Autumn furrowed her brow but decided these were just the nerves of a blushing bride. If Flynn intended to take back his promise, he would have come to her and told her himself and explained his reasoning to his brother. He would not have sent Natters to bring her to him.
“Shall we?” Autumn said, with renewed eagerness.
