As Noah departedto carry out his instructions, Hector made his way to his chambers, ordering a bath as he went. He needed to wash away the dungeons’ stench before meeting with Gabriella.
By the timeGabriella arrived at the small dining room, Hector had bathed and changed, his still-damp hair the only evidence of his early morning activities. They discussed the plans for increased security as they ate, Gabriella offering surprisingly astute observations about Lewis and his methods.
“There’s one more matter,”Hector said as they finished their meal. “The weddin’ dance. Me maither mentioned that she spoke to ye about it yesterday.”
Gabriella’s eyes widened slightly.“Aye, she explained the tradition.”
“We should begin practicin’today,” he stated, his tone making it clear that this was not a suggestion. “I’ve postponed me meetin’ with the clan elders this mornin’ so we can practice.”
“Surely the meetin’is more important?—”
“Few things are moreimportant than a laird and his lady appearin’ competent before the clan,” Hector cut in. “Especially when the lady will soon need their unwaverin’ loyalty.”
Understanding flickered in her eyes.This was not merely about tradition; it was also about securing her position.
“Very well,”she agreed. “Though I warn ye, I’m far from graceful.”
“I’ll bethe judge of that,” Hector replied, rising from his seat. “Go change into something suitable for dancing. I’ll escort ye to yer chamber.”
They walkedin silence through the corridors, the servants scrambling to the sides to let them pass. At Gabriella’s door, Erica appeared, her timing suspiciously convenient.
“Off to dance lessons, are we?”she asked, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Maither told me ye’d be startin’ today.”
“Is there anythin’in this castle that escapes yer notice?” Hector asked dryly.
“Very little,”his sister admitted cheerfully. She turned to Gabriella. “The cream dress that was delivered yesterday would be perfect. It flows beautifully with the turns of the dance.”
“Thank ye for yer advice,”Gabriella replied, her cheeks coloring slightly.
“Ye’re fortunate,”Erica told her with a grin. “Me braither may lead with confidence in battle, but he’s equally skilled on the dance floor. Faither insisted that all McCullochs master our traditions.”
“That’s enough,”Hector growled, though without real heat. “Go pester Noah for a while. I’m sure he misses yer constant chatter.”
Erica’s cheeksturned pink at the mention of Noah, a reaction Hector filed away for future consideration.
“The ballroom in half an hour,”he told Gabriella, before turning to leave. “Dinnae keep me waitin’.”
In the grand ballroom,Hector instructed a single piper to play music rather than a full band. The fewer witnesses to their first awkward attempts, the better.
The heavy doors creaked open,pulling him out of his thoughts. Gabriella stood framed in the entrance, wearing a dress of deep cream that rippled like water with each step she took. Her hair was loosely gathered at the nape of her neck, a few tendrils framing her face. The sight of her sent an unexpected jolt through his chest.
She approached hesitantly,her eyes taking in the vast space with its vaulted ceiling and ancient banners hanging from the rafters.
“I’ve never beenin a room so grand,” she admitted as she reached him.
Hector nodded to the piper,who began playing a slow, measured version of the traditional tune. He extended his hand to Gabriella, suddenly hyper-aware of the calluses on his palm, the breadth of his fingers compared to her delicate ones.
“It begins with an approach,”he explained, keeping his voice professional despite the quickening of his pulse. “The man advances, the woman retreats. Then, she advances, and he retreats. Like the tide.”
He demonstrated the first steps,watching as she mirrored his movements with surprising grace.
“Now we circle,”he continued, taking her hand. “Left hands joined, eyes never leavin’ each other.”
As they movedthrough the steps, Hector found himself captured by the concentration in her expression, the way her bottom lip caught between her teeth when she focused.
“Ye’re a natural,”he complimented, genuinely impressed by how quickly she was learning.
“I had a good teacher yesterday,”Gabriella replied. “Yer maither was very patient.”
