Page 12 of Stolen by the Rival Scot (Tartan Trails of Love #2)

CHAPTER TWELVE

E dward sat in the drawing room with James and Morgana. Freya had excused herself a little while ago, but not given a reason why. In her absence, the three siblings were left alone to discuss the situation.

With a deeply creased brow, James said, “How have things been?”

Edward smirked and mockingly replied. “Och, just fantastic.”

James and Morgana chuckled at their brother’s sense of humor, but neither of them was fooled.

“We’ve all been worried about ye, braither,” Morgana said. “Faither has been particularly on edge since ye left.”

“Nay one’s tried tae kill me yet, if that’s what ye’re worried about. I’ll be honest, I’ve been more afraid o’ sleeping beside me wife at night, when she’s let me, than of bein’ killed.”

James’ eyebrows hitched. “What dae ye mean, when she’s let ye?”

Edward swiped a hand. “Och, it daesnae matter anymore. Besides, if she was going tae kill me in me sleep, I think she would have done it by now. She daesnae strike me as a woman who bides her time.”

Morgana looked sympathetically at him. “Ye havenae had an easy time o’ it, Edward.”

“None o’ us have, sister.”

She tilted her head, clearly objecting to his remark. “Och, come now. We havenae been forced tae marry someone we hardly ken.”

James dropped his gaze at those words. While he had not said as much, Edward was certain that his brother had been feeling guilty. He knew him well and knew his expressions well enough to read his thoughts.

“It isnae yer fault, James,” Edward said firmly.

James lifted his eyes with a remorseful gaze. “Course it is, braither. Ye married Evelyn in me place. Had I done me duty, as was expected o’ me…” He trailed off.

“Ye cannae help who ye fall in love with,” Edward countered. “If ye’d gone through with it, ye’d have been miserable fer the rest o’ yer life. Ye made the right decision.”

James didn’t reply to that. Maybe because he knew Edward was right. But as right as he was, the man still clearly felt guilty. Edward wished he wouldn’t. As much as things had not gone to plan, he was still determined to make things work between himself and Evelyn. Indeed, she had not made things easy, but her guard was falling, bit by bit. At least, he hoped it was, and it wasn’t just his imagination.

They now slept in the same bed, which was progress. And he was certain he had caught her glancing at him. Though, when he returned her gaze, she swiftly looked away, as though caught doing something she ought not. There was a chance for them. There had to be.

“Where did yer wife slip off tae at any rate?” Edward said.

James shrugged and grinned. “Only the gods ken that, braither. Me wife is a free spirit. It’s one o’ the many things I love about her.”

Morgana giggled and nodded. “Indeed, she is. She’s also a breath o’ fresh air. In fact, I think I’ll go and find her. Who kens,” she grinned at her brothers as she pushed herself from her chair, “maybe I’ll find both o’ yer wives.” Morgana then swiftly left the room.

Not long after that, James pushed himself to his feet. “Perhaps we ought tae go and find our wives as well, braither. We cannae have the women conspiring against us.”

Edward let out a chuckle.

The brothers were heading down the corridor when the three lasses came into view. They appeared to be involved in an excited conversation. As they approached, Freya spotted James first, and pulled away from the group to join him.

“I thought ye might want tae rest a while this afternoon,” James said, gazing lovingly down at her.

She returned the same affection and nodded. “I dinnae ken about any rest, but I certainly need tae unpack.”

“Is Martha nae daeing that already?”

Freya nodded. “She is, but I cannae leave it all tae me maid. Walk with me a while.”

James smiled, held out his elbow, and waited for Freya to slip her hand into it. The two headed down the corridor together. Meanwhile, Morgana had already disappeared, leaving Edward and Evelyn alone.

“Is everything ready for the feast?” Edward asked.

Evelyn nodded. “After three long weeks o’ planning, I’m confident there is naething more tae be done.”

“Good. And, thank ye fer all yer efforts. They havenae gone unnoticed.”

Evelyn looked a little surprised at his praise, but didn’t reply. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. As the time passed, Edward felt the awkwardness grow.

“Ye seemed tae be enjoying the conversation with the lasses,” Edward stated, more for something to say than anything else.

“I was,” Evelyn replied. She even smiled. “Morgana, Freya and I have arranged tae go on a picnic tae the loch on the morrow. It is good tae see them again.”

“Och, what a fine idea.” Even as those words left his mouth, he had an idea of his own. “While ye ladies enjoy a picnic, we could go on a hunt ‘afore the wedding feast.”

Evelyn nodded, but again, said nothing further. Another silence ensued, but this time, it was Evelyn who broke it.

“I think I will go and rest up a while ‘afore supper this evening.”

“Very well,” Edward said, before watching Evelyn turn on her heels and head down the corridor toward the wide staircase.

For a long time, he stood there in deep thought. Observing James and Freya’s adoration of each other only highlighted the huge faults in his and Evelyn’s relationship. He didn’t exactly expect adoration. It was an arranged marriage, after all. But she had never seen him the way he saw her. Since their wedding, he had kept his feelings tightly locked inside. If only Evelyn knew how he truly felt. It might actually frighten the woman half to death.

An hour later, James, Craig and Edward were in the courtyard sparring.

“Ye ken,” James huffed as he jousted forward in attack, “marriage isnae that big o’ a deal.”

Edward jumped back to avoid the strike. “Is that right?”

“Aye, fer ye, maybe,” Craig chuckled. “Ye actually love yer wife.”

James smirked as he backed away from Edward’s lunge. “That’s true. I suppose that does help, daesnae it?” he teased.

“It does,” Craig replied with a grin. “Unlike Edward, ye’re nae sleeping with one eye open.”

James laughed then. “Och, dear, braither. Dinnae tell me ye’re afraid o’ yer wife?”

Edward smirked and pulled a face. “Only when I’m sleeping,” he replied, going along with their jesting.

Clearly, the men were enjoying making him the object of their teasing, but he was not so uptight that he couldn’t take their mockery in his stride. Still, nor could he ignore the frustration he felt that Evelyn was still unwilling to give him the time of day.

He wanted more. He had wanted more from the moment he had laid eyes upon her. The day she had walked into his father’s castle, she was promised to James, and yet he had hardly been able to turn away. Guilt had risen as he lusted after his brother’s betrothed, and as much as he tried to deny it, it was not enough to keep the desire at bay.

But the fantasy of having a wonderful love affair had been just that, a fantasy. Until, it wasn’t. James had returned with love for another, and Edward had been excited at the prospect that Evelyn could be his. Circumstance had thrown them together, but fate, being the trickster it was, had had other plans.

Was he now being punished? Had the gods looked into his heart and witnessed his treachery, his lust, his desire? If so, how long was the punishment to last?

His feelings for Evelyn had only grown since they had been together. Even her dismissal of him could not harden his heart, for he knew what he wanted. He wanted her. He wanted her in every way a man could want a woman.

But how?

He was too terrified to tell her. It had taken him this long to convince her to let him sleep in the bed beside her. If she knew the thoughts that roamed his head as he did so, he would likely find himself sleeping in the stables, never mind the bedchamber floor. It had been the reason he had taken this so very slowly. Before she could begin to see him the way he saw her, she first needed to trust him. It was just taking so damned long.

Edward suddenly felt a sharp pain in his gut. Brought back to reality, he looked down to see Edward’s sword pressed into his stomach. Not enough to injure, but a warning all the same.

“Hey! Wake up, braither,” James barked. “Where’s yer head at? If this had been a real battle, ye’d be dead.”

Edward shook his head, as though the physical motion might rid the intrusive and distracting thoughts from his mind. “Sorry.”

“I told ye,” Craig said. “His thoughts are elsewhere.”

James sheathed his sword, closed the distance between himself and Edward, and then threw his arm around his shoulder.

“Ye want tae talk about it?”

Edward shook his head. “Nae particularly. Besides, there’s naething tae talk about. Evelyn just needs some time tae adjust.”

“Ye’ve been married nearly a month,” James countered.

“Ye dinnae have tae remind me,” Edward said. “But a month is naething when the man ye married comes from the family who murdered yer only remaining family.”

James stiffened. He turned to face Edward, and looked deeply apologetic. “I am sorry, I’m the one who got us intae this mess, Edward. Truly I am.”

The jesting was over now, and even Craig wore a more somber expression.

“It wasnae ye who decided tae attack, James. Alistair made the decision himself. After, I might add, advice from his Council that he shouldnae. He brought this upon himsel’. We’re now left tae mak’ the best o’ it.”

“Still,” James said, his face unchanged by Edward’s reasoning. “He wouldnae have attacked had I kept tae the agreement o’ the union.”

“That daesnae matter. Yer decision was yer own tae mak’. He made a choice. A bad one. Like I said, even his own Council were against it. Instead o’ arranging a meeting with Faither tae try and work something out, he chose battle. He brought his demise upon his own head, James.”

“Aye. Maybe.”

James looked up at the darkening sky. “It’s getting late. We should call it a day.”

The others nodded, and the three headed back toward the castle.

“The lasses are going out tomorrow fer a picnic,” Edward said as they made their way across the courtyard. “I propose the three o’ us could go on a hunt. What dae ye say?”

“I’m game,” Craig replied.

“Ye’re meant tae catch the game, Craig,” James quipped. “Nae be it.”

“Funny,” Craig bantered back.

“Aye. I’m in too,” James said.

“Good,” Edward replied, nodding with satisfaction that they were all agreed. “I’m away tae get freshened up fer this evening. I’ll see ye at supper.”

The men bid each other farewell, and Edward carried on down the corridor. Wearily, he climbed the stone steps of the wide staircase, moving closer to his bedchamber with every step. As he approached the door, he took a deep breath in.

I ought tae be quiet. Evelyn is probably sleeping. I dinnae want tae frighten her.

With that in mind, he turned the handle slowly and stepped carefully inside. But Evelyn was not sleeping. In fact, she was completely naked as she bathed in the large copper tub positioned directly in front of the fire.

At the sight of him, Evelyn’s eyes flew wide. Her mouth swiftly followed, and a second later, a scream of epic proportions left her lips.