AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“My heart goes with you,” Amelia said with emotion in her voice.
“And mine goes with you,” Nora replied, equally emotional.
“Milady,” Jonan's man emerged from the carriage to retrieve her. Nora waved to her sister as Henry led her back into the house.
Jonan did not reactwhen Nora returned to the carriage and sat opposite him again. The coachman began to drawl once more.
Herheart ached. She had promised herself that she would be strong and not show any weakness in front of the Scottish laird, but she couldn't stop herself as sheburied her face in her hands and started sobbing.
She cried uncontrollably.Her body trembled with sadness, and she sobbed until she felt a large hand clutch her two wrists, drawing themaway from her face. Despite her resistance to his grasp, she eventually gave in.
His deep eyes locked onto hers, keeping her attention solely on him. Nora was taken aback by his proximity and the stern look in his eyes.
“I daenae like yer father and I daenae intend to be like him. If this is why ye cry, ye should wipe yer tears,” he said softly.
She wasn't sure whether to believe him or not, but she could tell he cared enough to try to comfort her. Nora nodded her promise and wiped away her tears. Outside, they'd already reachedstretches of land she'd never seen before.
She leaned against theside of the carriage, closing her eyes and wishing sleep would take her away. Though she trembled with each gallop on the road, she found strength in Jonan's stillness, who sat opposite her.
Evening turned to night, and soon Nora nodded off.
“Wake up, Lady Amelia.” Nora awoke to Jonan’s face again, uncomfortably close to hers. “This is yer new home now,” he hushed.
He got out of the carriage and held out his hand to help her out.
“You do not have to…” she began, but he refused to hear it.
“Ye are a member of me family now. I shall treat ye as such regardless of the circumstances of our union,” he said to her.
There is something more to you, isn’t there? Nora regarded the rugged-looking laird. His actions continued to surprise her, but she tried to keep her suspicions about him at bay.
He helped her down by taking her hand. Two maids were waiting for her at the entrance. It was late at night and shepaid no attention to the building she was being led into. She simply followed her husband, looking forward to being alone.
Nora followed them up the stairs, Jonan close behind. The maids left herwith himat her dooron the topmost floor of the keep.
“This shall be yer room. If ye desire another, ye need only ask. We have are many,” he said.
“Thank you,” she replied.
He looked like he was about to speak again, but changed his mind and turned to walk away. “A meal shall be brought up to ye in a short while, and a bath can be prepared for ye if ye want it.”
“Thank you,” she said again. She was grateful for his attempted kindness, but she wanted to be left alone. Her emotions battled within her like tempestuous waves.
“The trees blow heavy at night, so it could be cold in yer room. A fur blanket will be brought to ye,” he added.
“Thank you. Enjoy your night, Laird McKay,” she replied, placing her hand on the door handle.
Jonan said nothing more. He nodded and left.
Maybe my husband is as confused as I am.
Nora entered her chambers. They weren't as large as the room she and her sister had shared , but they were sufficient. She sat on the bed and was taken aback by how soft the mattress was.
Ah! He is not a total brute! she thought with reserved joy.
Her meal was delivered to her room on a tray. Looking at it, she felt uneasy as itdid not appear to be well-prepared, but she assumed she just needed to get used to it. But being hungry from such a long journey, she decided to try it .
“God!” Nora exclaimed as she spit out the food. She realized then that she had overestimated clan McKay's hospitality.
She put the rest of the meal on the table and went to bed. But shefound it difficult to sleep, wishing she couldspeak with someone.
I’ll sleep and dream of my sister instead.
