“Alright,” she said with a quick nod. “Let me tell me sisters and Michael, and then we’ll go.”
Arthur nodded, pointing toward the two large oak doors that led to the dining hall. “I’ll meet ye just outside.”
She gave him a small smile of acknowledgment and then turned to walk toward the head table. Michael and Freya were exactly where she’d left them.
Freya, hand on her belly as always, was staring at her husband with nothing short of adoration. She was smiling at something he had said, laughter dancing in her light brown eyes.
Mayhap Arthur and I will be like that someday.
CHAPTER TEN
“Ihave lost me mind,” Marissa mumbled to herself, shaking her head.
Heat had rushed into her cheeks at the thought, feeling quite foolish that it had even dared to enter her mind at all.
Had she not just told Abigail a few hours ago that she had no delusions that she and Arthur would be a love match? They were marrying each other to solve their problems, that was all.
Freya looked up as Marissa approached, her smile widening.
“I’m goin’ to head to me chambers,” Marissa explained. “I have a big day tomorrow.”
“I’m surprised ye’re goin’ to bed so early,” Michael mused.
Before Marissa had a chance to answer, Freya chimed in, “He’s right. Normally, ye’d be dancin’ all night long and would just sleep in the carriage if ye had to. Is everythin’ all right with yer betrothed?”
“Aye,” Marissa sputtered.
It had been the one question that had not required her to lie all night. So she had no idea why it was making her so incredibly nervous. And yet her entire being felt jittery as she stumbled over her words.
“I simply dinnae want to sleep durin’ the ride tomorrow,” she continued hastily. “I would like to talk to him more. And I want to make a good impression when I get to his castle. I dinnae want everyone there to see me when I havenae had any sleep.”
Marissa was rambling, she knew that. But for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to stop.
“I want them to have full faith in me as the lady of their clan, and I cannae do that without a good night’s sleep. Ye ken how I get when I’m tired…” She let out a nervous chuckle.
Her brother-in-law and sister shared a concerned glance.
“Marissa,” Freya began delicately. “Are ye certain ye’re all right? Ye seem out of sorts.”
Marissa paused for the briefest of moments, drawing in a quick breath to steady herself.
I have to gather me wits. Otherwise, they’ll figure out that I’ve been lyin’ to them all night, and they’ll try to stop me from leavin’ tomorrow.
When she spoke again, she felt much more calm.
“I am simply tired,” she answered, sounding more sure than she had mere moments ago. “As I said, it is a big day for me tomorrow. Me whole life is about to change, ye ken.”
She gave them what she hoped was a convincing smile.
Freya and Michael regarded her for a moment before finally nodding.
Marissa had to stop herself from heaving a sigh of relief. She turned her back to them, facing the entrance of the hall, and her eyes quickly raked over the dance floor. She spotted Abigail and Cody dancing, still laughing in the carefree way they so often did when they were together.
And, as badly as she wanted to walk over to them and say goodnight, she knew that was not a good idea.
Talkin’ to them would only lead to more questions, and I am nae in a state to answer anythin’ else tonight.
So, Marissa decided she would not interrupt them.
