“If somebody attempts something today, we shall be ready for them,” Peter said ominously. He placed a hand on the hilt of his sword just to emphasize his point. “But ye daenae need to worry about that now. It’s yer wedding day!”
Kaden nodded, barely holding back from flinching when Peter clapped him on the back. Though he didn’t feel placated in the slightest.
“The only thing that ye should be worried about is waiting for that pretty lass to come find ye at the end of the aisle, and hoping that she doesnae catch wise before she makes her vows!” Peter teased, nudging him with his elbow in an attempt at levity.
Kaden would do just about anything if it meant that he would be able to wake up to that lovely woman in his arms once more. Her lovely hair strewn over her face, the way she looked so peaceful in her sleep, like nothing could ever bother her.
How those men had managed to become engaged to her and then fumbled things so badly, he would never understand.
“Aye, anything that comes our way, we’ll be ready for,” he agreed as he rose from his chair. “Make sure that the watch is on high alert anyway, just in case. Make sure that the food testers are in the kitchen before a single thing is sent up to the Great Hall.”
“All of the details are being handled. All ye need to do is go and get dressed, me Laird,” Peter finished in a slightly sarcastic tone.
Perhaps everything would work out. It wasn’t like the pair of them didn’t have more than their fair share of enemies. They certainly weren’t pleasing society with the marriage.
Other than the titles and privileges that came with being who they were, Kaden was certain that there were a great many people who were happy that they would be locked in a castle to kill one another. As that was likely all that anyone expected from their volatile reputations.
He headed back upstairs to get changed so that the ceremony and festivities might start.
If he were very lucky, he might even get to catch a glimpse of a certain lass in her wedding dress while he was finishing up.
26
“Pardon me, me Lady, but yer parents have arrived.”
The maid didn’t mean anything negative by the words. Of that, Emily was absolutely certain. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel a touch of apprehension at the whole thing.
It wasn’t that she was opposed to seeing her parents again. She had been the one to invite them here, after all. But she felt strangely about it.
She wanted nothing more than to have her mother in here with her, helping Kaden’s sisters fuss over her hair and adding the final touches to her dress. That was all she wanted, and yet she also felt like it was something impossible because she was still slightly upset with her for her inability to reason with her father.
Her father was another issue entirely, as she didn’t have any desire to see him at all. She didn’t wish to hear any word fromhis lips, for he would no doubt insult her about how long it had taken her to find a man who would actually put up with her and make it down the aisle, and how Kaden didn’t know what he was in for yet. She absolutely did not want to hear that.
Her father used to be the man she looked up to more than anyone else, and now she didn’t want to see him. Perhaps someday she would forgive him for how he had handled all of this, but she wasn’t sure. She was still going to get married, even though she didn’t wish to.
Perhaps she would have found her way to Kaden regardless of her father’s meddling. It wasn’t like the two of them didn’t get along. She wasn’t over the peace she had felt while wrapped up in his arms.
But she had still woken up alone.
If he thought he had successfully avoided having to explain that little move just because today was their wedding day, he had another thing coming.
“Shall I go and fetch yer maither for ye?” Skye asked kindly, placing the flowers in her hand on the edge of the bed.
It would have been easier to focus on Maggie and the way she weaved between the legs of every person she walked close to.
“Nay, that’s alright,” Emily answered.
The sisters exchanged a look.
But it was Ailis who came to sit in front of her. “Is something the matter? Ye can ask, we willnae judge ye for it. That’s only for the Lord to do.”
Emily smiled weakly. “Nay, I am well. I just…” She heaved a sigh. “Ye have done so much for me already. I fear that I daenae deserve all of this effort that ye are putting in.”
“Oh, nonsense.” Ailis waved a dismissive hand. “That’s nae something that ye need to worry yerself about. We are happy to do it. I can safely speak for both me daughters and meself when I say that there isnae nearly enough that we can do for Kaden. Nothing will make up for lost time.”
Freya stepped forward. “He has told ye that he doesnae blame ye for any of that.”
Ailis rolled back her shoulders. “Aye, but a maither will always hold herself responsible.” She reached out and patted Emily’s knee. “Ye will understand when ye have children. Bairns are a whole new reason for living. And when ye do, whatever troubles ye have with yer parents will be sorted as well. Time has a way of making all things seem small.”