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Noah turned his gaze down, looking a little sheepish. “I… remembered that I left somethin’ in the bedchamber while I was makin’ preparations. So, I thought I should catch up quickly, to remove it before my wife saw it.”
There was that word again, sparking joy in Saoirse’s breast. Wife. Nor did she fully believe his excuse, adding to her excitement. After all, what could he possibly have left in their bedchamber that would be too awful for her to see? It seemed, to her, that he had wanted to show her the chamber himself but was too proud to admit it… or perhaps she was indulging in some wishful thinking.
“If ye wanted to do the honors, all ye had to do was say.” Mary clicked her tongue, placing Saoirse’s hand in Noah’s. “I think it’s time that me and me nightgown made ourselves scarce, though I’d urge ye to get some rest before ye…” She trailed off with a wink that jolted Saoirse’s heart. The time really had come.
Noah’s expression hardened. “That’s nae appropriate, Mary.”
“Wisht, daenae pretend to be coy.” Mary jigged with excitement. “I’ll have refreshments sent up to ye. Now, enjoy yerselves!” She hurried away before anyone could protest, and Noah seemed like he wanted to.
The awkward, married pair stood in silence before the closed doors for what felt like an eternity to Saoirse. She would’ve broken the silence if she’d known what to say, but she was still too shocked by Mary’s words. Was it really going to happen now? She braced herself, knowing it was inevitable.
“Well, I suppose we shouldnae tarry.” Noah cleared his throat and swung the double doors wide, giving Saoirse her first glimpse of their marital bedchamber.
Her hand flew to her chest as her eyes widened. “Goodness—”
The chamber was far greater than anything she had seen before. Indeed, to call it a mere chamber seemed insulting, for it was as large as the Great Hall at Baxter Keep. Big enough to get lost in, which was, perhaps, the point. If they tired of one another, there would be plenty of places for them to sit and pretend the other did not exist.
“This is exquisite,” Saoirse said, entering the room.
She moved hesitantly toward the bed and stared at the four-post wooden bed frame, each pillar rising to the ceiling in a spiral. The canopy that draped around the corners reminded her of a waterfall, the gauzy white fabric billowing in the warm breath that wafted from an enormous fireplace.
Wherever she looked, she found a new wonder to marvel at: an armoire, carved with a frieze of a stag and a doe, and a matching chest of drawers that seemed to be crafted from the same wood as the bedframe. A vanity sat in the corner by a long window, while one entire wall was taken up by full bookcases, and fine rugs covered the stone floor to keep out any chill. In another corner, she saw a sturdy screen for changing her garments, embroidered with the most colorful silk threads into another woodland scene. The image gleamed in the firelight, almost bringing the embroidered birds and creatures to life.
“There is a tub!” she shrieked giddily, unable to hide her glee.
The large, brass bathtub had its own place, close to the hearth. It was partially concealed beneath a pale-yellow mantle, decorated with more embroidery. Flowers, this time. In all her life, Saoirse had never expected to find herself surrounded by such luxury. Indeed, prior to that, she had always thought that her family home was the height of resplendence. Not anymore.
“I’m pleased ye like it.” Noah stayed by the doorway, wearing an expression of boredom.
Saoirse frowned at him. “Haveyerlegs fallen asleep?”
“Pardon?”
“Why are ye lingerin’ there instead of comin’ in?” She surprised herself with her boldness.
In truth, it was more of a desire to get things done. Tonight was the night that the contract between her family and his would be solidified, so what was the use in being nervous or trying to delay? This way, if she maintained that confidence, at least it would be on her terms.
Noah dipped his head. “I should leave ye to get acquainted with yer chamber.”
“I thought there was somethin’ in here that ye were eager to remove?” She swallowed thickly and rolled back her shoulders, wondering if he had meant her garments.
Noah blinked as if startled. “It seems I dinnae leave it here, after all,” he said hurriedly. “So, I’ll leave ye. Make any changes that ye desire, or let Mary ken of any ye’d like to make. This room is yers, and yers alone, so make it comfortable for yerself.”
“It’s naeourchamber?” Saoirse felt a now-familiar stab of rejection piercing her chest.
“Ours?” Noah’s jarring laughter filled the space and shocked Saoirse to her core. “Heavens nay. My chambers are… elsewhere.”
Confusion pounded her mind, adding to the dim throb of her persistent headache. Taking a second, keener look around the room, it dawned on her—everything within the room was for a lady, not a man.
“So—” Saoirse stepped closer to him. Her heart beat frantically in her chest as her nerves went wild. “We willnae be sleepin’ in the same chamber? I’d assumed this was the marital bedchamber.”
The moment the words spilled from her lips, a heaviness consumed her. She wasn’t sure if it was the clear rejection, or something else. All she knew was that seeing Noah in the doorway, unflinching, caused her chest to ache. She wanted him to want her and this marriage the way that she wanted him and this marriage.
“Suppose now is as a good time as any to explain a few rules,” Noah said, making no attempt to close the gap between them.
“Rules?” Saoirse’s throat tightened over the words.
“There is nay marital bedchamber,” he continued. “This is yers and ye can do as ye please with it. I have mine, but under nay circumstance are ye to enter it. There is nay in-between chamber.”
