It didn’t take too long for Simon to join her and yet she’d managed to down two goblets of wine while waiting for him.
“Can I be of service, milady?”
“Aye, Simon. I hear music below and since my husband seems wont to ignore me, I would really appreciate it if you would escort me to the hall where I can actually enjoy my wedding night.”
She saw the hesitation on his face.
“Please, Simon. Otherwise, I shall just sit here until I become so angry that I might do him harm.”
He laughed at that. “I would like to see that, I think.”
But he escorted her below.
Callie decided she would enjoy this night. Partaking of the wine and music, she danced with Simon until her head was light and dizzy from it.
Sin entered his wife’s chambers and drew up short. There was no sign of her anywhere. A cold meal, barely touched, rested on the table by the window.
Where was she?
Frowning, he glanced around the room, trying to discern what mood she might have been in when she left.
Surely, she wouldn’t have escaped now after they were wed. She’d told him she would be waiting.
Pain pierced his chest at the thought of her fleeing from him. It was so severe that it momentarily took his breath. He hadn’t realized until that instant just how much he’d looked forward to seeing her when he arrived. Of finding her here with a welcoming smile on her face.
Stunned by the realization, he headed below to find Simon and see if he had word of her.
The crowd in the great hall was thick. Music, voices and laughter rang throughout the madness of it. Couples danced in the center while some groups stood off to the side and people lined the tables that were filled to overflowing with food and drink.
Every time Sin drew near a group, they would grow silent and stare at him with repugnance etched into their faces. And as soon as he passed, their heads would go together and they would whisper.
Sin didn’t care. He had no use for them either.
As he skimmed the courtiers, his gaze was drawn by a flash of Highland plaid in the center of the tables where dancers were dancing.
His breath caught at the sight of his wife in Simon’s arms. Callie was leaning back against Simon’s chest and smiling up at him with an open, happy expression.
Sin saw red as possessive anger tore through him. How dare she look at Simon like that! The pain of it ate at him. He’d wanted her to greet him with that expression and now she directed it toward another man.
Wanting blood, he stalked toward them.
“Callie,” Simon said with a laugh as he reached for the goblet in her hand. “Give me that cup. You’ve had enough wine for one night.”
She pulled it away from Simon’s reach, then stepped away from him, spilling half the cup’s contents across the floor. “Pop and dandies, Simon,” she laughed back. “I want more of it, not less.”
“What goes here?” Sin demanded as he drew near.
Silence settled across the room. Sin felt the looks of all the courtiers on them as they watched on curiously.
“I was dancing,” Callie said, her gentle brogue a bit slurred and hard to understand. “And I was drinking.” She frowned at the cup in her hand as if unable to understand where her wine had gone. Pouting, she looked up at Sin. “But now Simon won’t let me do either.”
“I’m trying to get her into bed,” Simon confessed.
Sin arched a brow.
“Don’t give me that look. She’s drunk.”
He arched his brow even higher.
