Page 41 of Tempted by a Highland Beast (Tales of Love and Lust in the Murray Castle #9)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
T he morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the castle’s sewing chamber, casting golden light across bolts of fabric and scattered pins.
It had been two days since her journey to the village, and in that short time the entire keep had bent itself toward the coming wedding that was set to happen the following day.
Servants hurried from dawn until dusk, tapestries were shaken out and hung, kitchens smoked with endless preparations, and even the guards spoke of little else.
All of it built toward the grand ceremony that would not only bind her to Constantine but also mark the moment his lairdship began in truth.
Rowena stood perfectly still in the center of the sewing room, her arms raised slightly as the village seamstress, a sharp-eyed woman named Bonnie, worked with utter concentration around the half-fitted wedding gown.
The dress was beautiful in its simplicity, cream-colored silk that caught the light like spun gold, with delicate embroidery along the neckline and sleeves.
It was meant to be elegant rather than ostentatious, befitting a woman who would soon be the Lady of Duart Castle.
But right now, it was little more than pinned fabric and careful measurements, draped over Rowena’s linen shift as Bonnie adjusted the fit with meticulous precision.
“Hold still, lass,” Bonnie murmured through a mouthful of pins, her weathered hands smoothing the fabric across Rowena’s waist. “Just a bit more and we’ll have the bodice fitted proper.”
Lilias lounged in a nearby chair, her legs tucked beneath her and a cup of warm cider in her hands. She’d been providing a steady stream of commentary throughout the fitting, her excitement barely contained despite her attempts to appear nonchalant.
“The sleeves could be a touch longer,” Lilias suggested, though her tone was playful rather than critical. “Though I suppose ye’ll want yer hands free fer when ye have tae box me braither’s ears.”
Rowena smiled despite herself, careful not to move too much as Bonnie continued her work. “I doubt I’ll need tae dae much boxin’. Constantine seems tae listen well enough when the mood strikes him.”
“Ha!” Lilias nearly spilled her cider with her laughter. “The man’s stubborn as a mule when he sets his mind tae somethin’. Just wait until ye try tae redecorate his chambers. He’ll dig in his heels like ye’re askin’ him tae burn down the castle.”
“Is that so?” Rowena raised an eyebrow, filing the information away for future use. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
The easy conversation between them was a comfort Rowena hadn’t expected to find at Duart.
Growing up as an only child, she’d never experienced the warmth of sibling teasing or the simple pleasure of female companionship outside formal court settings.
Lilias filled that void with her quick wit and generous heart, making Rowena feel more like family.
Bonnie stepped back, studying her work with a critical eye. “Turn fer me, lass. Slowly now.”
Rowena complied, rotating carefully as the seamstress examined the drape of the fabric and the fall of the skirt. The dress was beginning to take shape, transforming from mere cloth into something that would mark one of the most important days of her life.
“‘Tis beautiful,” Lilias said softly, her teasing tone replaced by genuine admiration. “Ye’ll be a stunning bride, Rowena.”
Before Rowena could respond, the chamber door opened and Constantine stopped cold in the doorway, his hand still on the door handle, his dark eyes widening slightly as he took in the scene before him.
Rowena stood in the center of the room in just her linen shift, the pinned silk of her half-fitted gown gathered around her like liquid light.
Her red hair fell loose over one shoulder, catching the sunlight streaming through the windows, and her skin seemed to glow against the cream-colored fabric.
For a moment that stretched longer than propriety would normally allow, Constantine simply stared. This was a glimpse of their wedding day, of the moment when she would walk toward him as his bride, and Rowena felt a tad self-conscious.
“Well, well,” Lilias drawled, her voice rich with amusement. “Did ye forget how tae knock braither?”
Constantine’s jaw tightened slightly, color rising in his cheeks as he realized he’d been caught staring like a lovesick fool. “I came tae check on the preparations,” he said, his voice more gruff than usual. “I didnae expect…”
“Ye didnae expect tae see yer bride-to-be in her weddin’ dress?” Lilias’s grin widened. “How shockin’.”
Rowena felt heat rise in her own cheeks, but she lifted her chin with characteristic poise. “Perhaps ye should have knocked,” she said, though there was no real reproach in her voice. “A lady requires privacy fer such things.”
“Aye,” Constantine agreed, but his eyes never left her face. “Though now I find meself nae particularly inclined tae leave.”
The admission hung in the air between them, charged with an intimacy that made Bonnie busy herself with her pins and Lilias hide her smile behind her cup of cider. Rowena felt her pulse quicken under his intense gaze, awareness crackling between them despite the presence of others.
“Ye’re terrible.” Rowena’s voice was soft, almost fond.
“If ye’ll excuse me,” the seamstress said dryly, “I’ve got work tae finish.”
Both Constantine and Rowena had the grace to look slightly embarrassed, while Lilias dissolved into giggles at their expense.
“Aye, of course,” Rowena said quickly. “I apologize, Bonnie. Please, continue.”
Constantine’s eyes lingered on Rowena for another moment before he grabbed the door handle. “I’ll leave ye tae yer work, then. But Rowena…” He paused in the doorway, looking back at her. “Ye’re lookin’ beautiful.”
After he left, the chamber felt somehow smaller, as if his presence had filled more space than his physical form would suggest.
Lilias was still grinning, clearly delighted by the display she’d witnessed. “Well,” she said cheerfully, “that was romantic.”
Rowena felt her cheeks burn hotter. “It was nae romantic. It was... practical. He was checkin’ on the preparations.”
Bonnie shook her head, muttering something under her breath about “young people” as she returned to her pins. But even the stern seamstress couldn’t hide the slight curve of her lips as she worked.
An hour later, with the fitting complete, the gown was carefully stored away until the wedding day. Rowena had changed back into her everyday dress, though she could still feel the phantom weight of silk against her skin, still remembered the look in Constantine’s eyes when he’d seen her in it.
She and Constantine were now walking through the castle courtyard, discussing the final arrangements for the ceremony, when a guard approached them with quick, nervous steps. The young man’s face was flushed, whether from exertion or anxiety, Rowena couldn’t tell.
“Me laird,” the guard said, slightly out of breath. “There’ve been riders spotted near the southern boundary.”
Rowena noticed Constantine’s expression shifting immediately from the relaxed contentment of moments before to sharp, focused attention. “How many?”
“Two, me laird. They claimed tae be MacKenzie merchants, but…” The guard hesitated, glancing uncertainly at Rowena.
“But?” Constantine’s voice carried a dangerous edge.
“But they had nay cargo, me laird. Nay permits or papers either. When our patrol approached tae question them properly, they turned and rode off hard toward the hills.”
Constantine’s jaw tightened. Beside him, Rowena felt her blood turn cold. MacKenzie merchants with no cargo, fleeing when questioned could only mean one thing. “Scouts,” Constantine said grimly. “How long ago?”
“Less than an hour, me laird. The patrol sent word immediately.”
Constantine was already moving, his long strides carrying him toward the stables. “Find Theo and have him ready six men. Full arms.”
“Aye, me laird.”
Rowena hurried to keep pace with Constantine, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. “I’m comin’ with ye.”
“Nay.” Constantine’s refusal was immediate and absolute. “Ye’ll stay here where it’s safe.”
“Constantine—”
“Nay,” he repeated, stopping abruptly and turning to face her.
His dark eyes blazed with a protective fury that would have been intimidating if she hadn’t known it came from love rather than dominance.
“These are likely Alpin’s men and ye’re exactly what they’re hopin’ tae find. I’ll nae give them the chance.”
Rowena wanted to argue, wanted to insist that she could handle herself, but the logic of his words was undeniable. If Alpin was indeed sending scouts to map Duart’s defenses, her roaming around outside the keep would only put both her and Constantine’s clan at greater risk.
“Be careful,” she said instead, reaching out to touch his arm. “Please.”
The simple plea seemed to cut through his battle-ready focus. His expression softened fractionally, and he covered her hand with his own. “I will. But I need tae ken ye’re safe behind these walls.”
Rowena nodded, though every instinct screamed against letting him ride out to face potential danger without her. “I’ll be here.”
Constantine leaned down and kissed her quickly, fiercely, before turning back toward the stables. Within minutes, he and Theo were leading a small group of armed men out through Duart’s gates, their horses’ hooves clattering against the stone as they rode hard toward the southern boundary.