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That made her blush, but in a nice way.
“I hope you’ll let us take care of you on occasion,” she replied.
He flashed her a sideways smile. “I’m counting on it, Mrs. Kendrick.”
Hearing her new name on his lips sent a frisson rippling along her nerves. It was the same sensation she’d felt in the cathedral today when he slipped the wedding ring on her finger. Until that point, none of it had truly seemed real. But the simple weight of that slim gold band, and his hand holding hers, had produced a sensation rather like missing the bottom step of a staircase. One didn’t fall or lose one’s footing but experienced a considerable jolt.
“It’s all going to take some getting used to,” she quietly said.
“For me as well,” he replied. “But we’ll go slow. You’ve nothing to be anxious about.”
Clearly, he thought her something of a wet goose, and that was not how she wanted him to think of her.
Time to rally and face your future, old girl.
“Braden, I want to thank you for all you’ve done. And your family has been so kind and supportive. No one uttered a word of complaint about what a dreadful commotion we caused.”
“My family was happy to support us, for your sake as well as mine. Though I do believe one person voiced a few objections to the arrangements.”
“Angus,” she ruefully replied. “And I feel bad about that. He wanted all the trimmings and for your entire family to attend. I’m sorry for his sake and yours that we weren’t able to do that.”
“Rest assured that no one but Angus was thrilled by the idea of traveling to Kinglas in December for a full-blown clan celebration.”
“So, you really don’t mind that we were wed in such a havey-cavey fashion?”
He snorted. “Heard that conversation, did you?”
“Your grandfather speaks rather loudly when he’s fashed.”
“That’s one way of putting it. He was just annoyed because Grant is the only one who had what Grandda would deem a proper wedding. The rest of us were married quickly and with little fanfare. Donella and Logan all but married over the anvil—in secret, no less.”
“Really? That sounds very exciting.”
“The yelling that ensued when the rest of us found out was not very exciting.”
She laughed.
“I think our wedding was perfect,” he added. “We were married in a grand cathedral in the presence of family and friends, and the bride looked absolutely beautiful. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”
Samantha suddenly felt shy. “I’m glad you think so.”
He raised his glass to her and then settled back in his chair with what sounded like a contented sigh.
“I will admit, however,” he said, pushing his spectacles up onto his head, “that I’m even happier to be sitting quietly with my wife, enjoying a whisky in front of a good fire.”
“I do want you to be able to relax. And consider this house as your own, of course.”
“Thank you.”
After several moments of what felt like awkward silence, she snuck a peek at her husband. He was staring into the fire, his brow marked with a slight frown. Despite what he claimed, he had to be feeling some disorientation. In many ways, the impact of the sudden change in life was greater for him that it was for her.
“How is your room?” she finally ventured. “I hope you’re finding it comfortable.”
He glanced over with a quizzical smile. “Yes, I do. I like your house, Samantha. It’s elegant and well designed. This bedroom seems very comfortable, too.”
Yes, a bedroom that included a large four-poster bed, which loomed behind them, was impossible to ignore. The thought of what they might do in that bed brought another blush to her cheeks.
“It’s not nearly as grand as Heriot Row,” she said.
