Page 28 of The Cruel Highlander's Bride
“Oy!” she exclaimed. “What are ye doin’?”
“Ye’re late,” the older woman snapped as she dragged Ciara out of bed and sent her to the bathtub with a wave of the sheets.
Ciara grumbled but did as she was bid.
“It’s frigid,” she called out as she dipped her toes in the water.
“Aye, because ye need to be quick about it! No use wastin’ the hot water when ye’ll only be in there for a minute.”
With more protests and a few quiet curses, Ciara took her quick and far too cold bath. As promised, Susanna dragged her out not a minute later and swiftly prepared her for the day.
“Off ye go,” she said, shooing Ciara away once she was dressed and ready.
Ciara bit back a smile as she let out more half-hearted protests. Despite the woman’s brusqueness, she had a feeling she and Susanna were going to get along just fine.
Walking into the dining hall, she found Elspeth, Olivia, and Lana already tucking into their breakfasts. She supposed Susanna had a point…
Her tired eyes scanned the room once more. Elspeth and Olivia grinned at her, and Lana was looking far perkier and well-rested than she felt. She supposed that’s what happened when one didn’t have any late-night rendezvous. But they were the only people at the breakfast table today. Magnus was nowhere to be found.
Ciara took her seat and began to fill her plate. The women around her continued their conversation, but her mind was elsewhere, and very few of their words registered.
“Ciara?” Lana called, finally bringing Ciara out of her thoughts. Everyone was looking at her expectantly.
“Aye, what did ye ask? I’m a bit tired this mornin’,” Ciara muttered.
Olivia giggled as she took another bite of her breakfast.
“I asked how ye slept, but I think I have me answer.” Lana laughed.
Ciara let out a short laugh. “Aye, just adjustin’ to me new home, I think.”
The other women nodded and thankfully started another conversation that didn’t require her input. She moved some of the food around on her plate until she heard the door creak open.
Her head snapped up at the sound, hoping to see the Laird. But instead, she watched as a servant entered the room, carrying another teapot.
Does he nae eat breakfast? No one else seems to be lookin’ for him.That would be the reasonable explanation, but Ciara’s mind was far from reasonable today. The only thing that made any sense to her brain was that he was actively avoiding her because of their kiss last night.
“…Magnus.”
Ciara looked up at the mention of his name, but Olivia was just telling some story about him. She lowered her head.
Maybe she should have stayed to talk to the Laird last night, but her mind was reeling. She wasn’t ready to discuss that moment between them—she prayed that wasn’t her only chance.
Once again, the door opened, and Ciara’s head snapped up eagerly, only to see a servant coming in to clear the plates away. She lowered her gaze once more, pushing her uneaten food around on her plate.
Elspeth laughed from across the table. The sound was odd, coming from the stern woman, but Ciara sensed that the more one got to know Elspeth, the more she opened up. Ciara had felt her eyes on her, but the embarrassment hadn’t been enough to make her stop searching for the Laird.
“Lookin’ for someone in particular?” Elspeth teased with a smile.
Ciara blushed, keeping her gaze on her plate, but she did not deny it.
“Magnus willnae be joinin’ us this mornin’,” Elspeth added.
That had Ciara looking back up. “Oh?”
She had gone for casual curiosity, but she doubted she had pulled it off.
Elspeth nodded. “Aye, he’s havin’ an audience with some women from the village.”
