Page 82 of The Cruel Highlander's Bride
The ride back with the Laird had been nothing like what she had expected. She had intended to spend the time watching him and the skilled way he rode, but she did not anticipate the rescue of a duck and its family.
When they left, all she could think about was the anticipation of what might happen tonight. He had set her on fire this morning with his words and his touch. But the day became so much more.
The whole excursion felt like a turning point. Ciara felt like she was seeing more and more of the Laird’s true personality. His teasing and humor and care kept coming out.
They had been a team in the village and again in the rescue, working together for the benefit of something outside themselves. He deferred to her when she was better suited for a villager’s concerns and supported her decisions—it was more than she could have hoped for.
Through it all, he made her laugh. She never thought she’d see the day that she’d be smiling as she pulled slippery, slimy, wet plants out of the ground, but he’d done it. Everything was just a little brighter when he was around.
Dare she hope that this marriage might become real? Could it ever be more than just a marriage to end a war? Each day with Magnus stoked that little fire of hope in her heart. And tonight, if they finally consummated their marriage… well, that seemed like a sure sign.
On the one hand, she couldn’t decide if it was a good thing that they had dinner with Elspeth and Olivia first or a nightmare, sitting across from the Laird while she felt like this would be a true test of her restraint. But on the other hand, a small part of her wanted a little more time to mentally prepare herself. With another groan, she turned onto her back and stared up at the elaborate molding on the ceiling.
“What are ye doin’, child?” Susanna snapped as she burst into the room.
Ciara groaned again in response.
“Stop yer gripin’. Ye’re filthy and lyin’ all over the bed!”
“Sorry,” Ciara mumbled.
With a shake of her head, her maid said, “We need to get ye ready for dinner.”
Ciara dragged herself out of bed and let the older woman begin prepping her, starting with a much-needed bath. Sinking into the warm water, she let the last of the dirt and grime from the day wash off her, sighing in contentment.
After her bath, when she was sitting at the vanity, she met Susanna’s eyes in the mirror. “Have ye worked in the castle for a long time?” she asked.
“All me life,” was Susanna’s brusque reply.
“So ye kenned the previous Laird… Magnus’ faither?” Ciara asked tentatively as her maid began plaiting her hair.
Susanna paused, and Ciara saw her staring off into the distance. Whatever Susanna was remembering made her hands shake. But she quickly composed herself before resuming her task.
“Aye,” was her only response.
Ciara knew she should probably leave it at that, but after the trip to the village yesterday, she wanted to know more about the man. Her interaction with him years ago was short, and after what she heard from the elderly villager yesterday, there was a lot that she didn’t know.
“What was he like?”
“He wasnae a good man.” Susanna paused again, but Ciara could see she was thinking, so she stayed quiet. “I was one of the lucky ones,” she added with a bitter laugh. “Too unsightly to attract any special attention from him and then too old.” A longer pause this time as she inhaled and exhaled deeply. “But this wasnae a good place to be a bonnie young maid.”
Ciara understood the implication all too well and cursed herself for even bringing it up. With a shudder, she thought of the women who were not so lucky, women who likely had no other option besides working in the castle for that man.
Putting a hand on Susanna’s, she met her eyes again and said, “I’m sorry that happened to ye and the other women.”
It wasn’t enough, but she knew there was little she could say to help—nothing would change what happened. Thankfully, the old man was already dead.
Susanna just nodded, before drawing her hand from under Ciara’s and returning to plaiting her hair.
“It’s nae a bad place now,” she added quietly.
Now it was Ciara’s turn to just nod. Magnus had changed that, had changed what it meant to work in this castle. She could see, even early on, that he respected those who worked here.
“All right, child, ye are all ready,” Susanna said a few minutes later.
“Thank ye,” Ciara said sincerely.
Susanna met her eyes, and they both knew she meant far more than her hairstyle.
