Page 21 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
"Aye," he uttered. "And the clan will be stronger for it. He can give ye a good home, Lana. Ye will have whatever ye want under his roof."
Except for love.
She couldn't form the words. Instead, she listened to Alexander struggle through words of encouragement before he gave her a hug and walked back to the castle.
"He's going to miss ye," Olivia said, rushing forward to take Lana's hands in her own. "That's what he's tryin' to say."
Lana nodded. She would miss him too. She reminded herself that Alexander wanted what was best for her. She had to remember he thought he was doing what was right.
Lana and her mother hugged Olivia goodbye before stepping into the carriage. As soon as the door was closed, the driver clicked his tongue, and the carriage lurched forward.
"Rest yerself," Moira urged as she recognized the steady rocking of the carriage that indicated they were on the main road. "It will be a while yet."
Lana welcomed the excuse to get lost in her thoughts, and she rested her head against the side of the carriage and closed her eyes. The rhythm of the carriage lulled her into a half-sleep that was much needed after the restless nights she had spent. All because of those dreams…
Her mind drifted to the open space of the main hall. It was just her and Daniel, the man's frame looming even larger in her dream than it had in real life. He was close to her, his face inches from hers as she stared at his lips. She could feel the heat radiating off his body as he stepped closer to her.
"Kiss me," Lana begged.
She was much bolder in her dreams, but Daniel was his same, stubborn self.
"Would ye like that?" he always asked.
Lana would lean forward. She would try to press her lips to his, but he always moved away. He would turn sideways or drop his forehead so she couldn't reach his tempting lips.
But then she would feel his hips, the strong muscles of his legs cornering her against the table. She would feel the way he pressed himself against her and then his breath on her ear, sending shivers up her spine. Sometimes his hand was on her back again, pulling her against him. Sometimes her chest brushed against his, and she heard him growl.
Daniel dipped his mouth to her neck and kissed her as their bodies pressed against each other. His kisses slid down her neck as he moved his body lower, sending new sensations through her body. His mouth continued trailing down, and suddenly it was at her collarbone. Lana held her breath as his mouth dipped lower and that mischievous tongue began to tease around the neckline of her dress.
"Ridiculous," Lana muttered, shaking herself out of her daydream.
But when she opened her eyes, her mother was staring at her. She had apparently spoken out loud.
"Are ye alright?" Moira asked, clearly misinterpreting what she said. Lana saw worry etched on her mother's face. "Do ye regret agreein' to it?"
No one had asked this of Lana in recent days. When it first happened, she would have said ‘yes.' She couldn't imagine rushing off to live with a stranger she didn't love. But now, after some time alone with Daniel, after learning a bit more about his life, she wasn't so sure.
She looked back at her mother, unsure how to respond.
"I can help ye get out of this," Moira added, grabbing her daughter's hand. "I cannae bear to see ye unhappy. Tell me, and I'll find a way to get ye away from here."
A knock on the carriage roof told them they had arrived at the castle.
Lana squeezed her mother's hand before pushing the curtain aside. The walls of the castle were tall and unfamiliar. She couldn't see their top from where they sat in the carriage. But instead of dread, she felt a strange mix of fear and excitement for the new chapter that lay ahead of her.
"Maybe Ciara was always the strong one," Lana murmured, turning back to her mother. "But I can handle a husband. I cannae stay with ye and Alex forever."
Moira smiled and then lifted a hand to her daughter's cheek. "Me sunshine girl," she cooed, using the nickname her late husband had coined all those years ago.
Lana smiled at her. And then, before she had a chance to second-guess herself, she put her hand on the handle and opened the door to her new life.
His clothes felt too stiff, his shoes too tight as he stood on the front steps of the castle. He and Cameron watched the carriage roll to a stop in front of them.
"Ye seem nervous," Cameron whispered, elbowing his brother in the ribs.
Daniel knew his brother was teasing him, but he was unmoored by how accurate the statement was. He never thought he would be sweating as his soon-to-be wife arrived at his castle.
Before he could let out some nasty quip, the door of the carriage burst open, and Lana was suddenly squinting into the sun.
