Page 110 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
Before offense could set in or even rational thought could prevail, Senara’s own hand flew out toward Lady Edana. Her fist met hard bone and sent the woman sprawling backward in a cry of outrage.
“Enough, Edana.” Gavin’s voice bellowed from behind Senara, heavy with authority and barely-constrained rage.
“This is what ye want?” Edana snarled. “A woman who hits like a man?” A red spot showed just under her right eye and stood out brilliantly against the paleness of her skin.
She threw open her clothing chest and wrenched out a gown. “Send me Anice at once. I’m leaving.”
Senara’s heart slammed in her chest. Was Edana serious?
She looked to Gavin for confirmation. His expression was set firm and deeply serious. “My laird?”
He gave a shrug. “If she intends to leave, I willna stop her. Please go ask that Anice come up, and then I would like to speak with ye.”
The process of clearing Lady Edana from the house took far less time and effort than Senara would have thought possible for a woman so particular. Once it had all come to pass, she found herself in the solar with Gavin, alone.
She hadn’t realized how oppressive the old woman’s watchful gaze had been until her chest swelled with carefree joy, the same as one breathes in the air on a fine crisp day.
Gavin strode across the room and pulled Senara into his arms. He was warm and strong and smelled of spicy soap. She closed her eyes to better revel in the exhilaration of her senses.
“Edana willna be gone long.” Gavin’s voice rumbled in his chest just under her ear. “But she willna bother ye upon her return.”
He gently pulled Senara away from him and stared down at her with the warm brown gaze which made her feel as though her heart were melting. “Senara, when we first met, I thought ye were mad for no’ wanting a marriage matched for power or wealth.”
Senara laughed in spite of herself.
Gavin smiled but did not join in her mirth. “I realize now that it is a lucky man who can afford to marry for love.” He held her face in his hand and gently stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I’m such a lucky man, for I’ve found the lass I want to wed.”
Senara’s corset was too tight around her chest and breathing seemed suddenly too difficult. “An advantageous match?” she asked.
“A match worth more than all the coin in Scotland.” His gaze caressed her face. “For no amount of coin can put a price on love.”
“Gavin,” she gasped. “What are ye saying?”
She knew well what he meant, but she needed to hear the words spoken aloud by him to truly believe them.
“I love ye, Senara.” His voice was hoarse with the passion of his words. “I think I’ve loved ye since ye first dinna notice my fine clothes or try to impress me. I love how ye dinna care what others think of ye, nor waste yer days trying to please others. I’ve fallen in love with ye and would have ye marry me if ye’re willing.”
Tears burned hot in Senara’s eyes. “Aye.” She nodded.
He tilted his head to the side in a playful gesture. “And this means ye love me, since ye’d no’ ever marry a man ye dinna love.”
Something between a laugh and a cry sounded from her throat. “Aye, ye wonderful man. I love ye.”
He caught her in her arms and spun her around. When he finally settled her to the floor, a wide smile split his face, turning his handsome expression into something boyish and charming.
“So, now that ye intend to be my wife,” he winked at her, “I beg ye to tell me what happened the night ye arrived when I found ye in the dark hallway.”
The lightness of her mood faltered.
His smile faded. “I dinna mean—”
Senara shook her head. “Nay, ye’re right. I dinna want secrets between us. This is something I should have told ye about long ago.”
The time had come to tell Gavin about Balthasar.
*
If there wasa body, Gavin would find it.
