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CHAPTEREIGHT
Nora finally took off her slippers in the comfort of her own room.
She sighed deeply as she sat on her soft bed. She was the wife of a brute and the most miserable person on the planet. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she blinked them away. It would be futile for her to cry.
Jonan had spoken to her condescendingly in front of Callan, just as her father had. She had hoped he won't be anything like him.
“But it seems I have no luck,” she sighed to herself.
And, like herfather, he had used the same vile tone on her. She already despised him after only a day of marriage!
Being married was every bit as bad as she had anticipated. She had often overheard servants in England discussing their marital lives. It was how she and Amelia had discovered conjugal rights. Their knowledge about the subject was limitedbut all they knew was that they would be naked and touch each other during the act. Her face flushed just thinking about it. Fear had crept in when she realized it would be the Highlander who would see her nude first.
Whatwould he think ofher? Would she despise it? The staff was divided on the subject. Many of the women thought it was a horrifying activity, but a few disagreed. She and Amelia had discussed it and decided that they would decide for themselves.
“Amelia… oh dearest sister, I wonder how you fare.” She gave a deep sigh and sat across the bed. “I know that you are not happy. I feel your sadness every day in my heart. How I miss you…” The tears she had fought so hard for had won the cruel battle and cascaded down her face. Nora wanted nothing more than to see and hug her sister again. Unfortunately, it was impossible.
She walked over to the room's small desk and took out a scrap of paper and a quill. Writing a letter to her sister was the only thing that could console her, so she did it. She soon fell asleep, and when she awoke the next morning, her heart felt lighter.
She was getting ready for the day and about to leave her chambers when she heard a knock at the door. Fearing it was her husband, she took a deep breath and stoically opened the door.
It was Callan, standing outside the door, with a nervous expression on his face.
“Good morning to ye, milady.”
“Good morning to you, sir,” she replied. They had never before spoken, and she wondered what had brought him there.
“Oh, nae! Ye daenae have to call me sir. Ye are second only to milaird, the clan chief. I am Callan to ye.” He crossed his hand over his chest. “At yer service, milady.”
Despite her best efforts, she found herself staring at him strangely. Callan was a big, hulking man, but he seemed to respecther. “As you wish, Callan.”
“Pardon me for intruding upon ye this mornin’, but I have instructions from milaird,”he said with a pause.
“Ye are to pick a guard today, milady.”
“A guard?”
“Aye Milady. He will accompany ye everywhere.”
Nora hated the idea of a guard. She did not want to be followed around. She looked up to him with hesitant eyes. “Oh, must I really?”
“‘Tis important for yer safety. These are the Highlands, milady. Danger lurks around every corner. Laird McKay will be so much happier if ye are safe.”
Nora heavily doubted that he cared enough. He hadn’t even bothered to speak to her properly since she had arrived.
“When do we leave?”
“Would you like a walk to the barracks, or shall I summon the carriage?”
It was a lovely and cool morning so walk sounded lovely.
“A walk, please. However, I would like to wait for Mae. She is my lady’s maid,” she explained.
Callan didn’t seem to mind. “Very well.”
A few moments later, Mae arrived and Callan led them both outside.
The long corridor was flanked by two massive stone walls. Her hands unwittingly touched the walls, enjoying the cool stone against her fingertips. They soon came to a large door behind the kitchens.
