Page 25 of The Cruel Highlander (From Enemies to Marriage #3)

CHAPTER 24

The next morning, Aiden had a plan. He was lying awake in his bed staring at the ceiling. Blessedly, Valorie’s head was still laying across his chest. He was slowly running his fingers through her long curls, the way he’d been doing since he woke up hours ago.

Valorie had fallen asleep against Aiden almost immediately after she took her bath, but with visions of that nightgown swimming around in his head, Aiden had been up far longer. He had lain perfectly still so as not to wake the lass, but all he saw was Valorie walking out of the dressing chambers. Even when Aiden closed his eyes, the image was seared on the inside of his eyelids.

When the maid had walked in holding that scrap, it was barely enough fabric to be called a nightgown, Aiden almost sent her to get another one. The servants were just as meddlesome as his sisters apparently, but an even bigger part of Aiden wanted to see it on Valorie. And if that was his only chance, he was going to take it.

It was worth it. Aiden may be tortured by the sight of Valorie in that fabric for the rest of his life, but it was still worth it.

Aiden looked down at the woman in his arms; the sun was shining through the curtains now, and she looked like some angel that was sent down just for him. What he did to deserve it, Aiden would never know, but he wasn’t going to question anything when he got to hold Valorie like this.

Some of the blankets had fallen during the night, and Aiden was treated to the nightgown in the light of day. Aiden’s hand trailed a light path on Valorie’s back across the top hem of the garment. Her skin was so smooth underneath his fingers, and the nightgown was highlighting every curve and dip of Valorie’s body.

The thing was distracting him again. He had a plan damn it, a scheme of his own for once. Taking a deep breath, Aiden forcibly removed his hand and his eyes from the nightgown.

Aiden wanted today to be special for Valorie. He could never fully remove the impact yesterday would have on the lass, but Aiden could certainly do his best to create little moments of joy for her every day after. And he was particularly proud of his idea for the day.

A short while later, Aiden felt Valorie stirring in his arms.

“Good mornin’, Val,” Aiden whispered against her hair. Valorie hummed sleepily back to him. “I have a surprise for ye today,”

Valorie perked up on his chest. “Oh?”

Chuckling, Aiden responded, “Aye, but ye need to get up first.”

Valorie was quick to jump up from the bed, and the sudden movement caused her nightgown to shift, just a little, but with the lack of material to begin with, Aiden clenched his jaw tightly at the sight. This woman.

Oblivious to Aiden’s turmoil, Valorie bounded to the dressing chamber to finally take off that cursed garment. The moment she was out of view, Aiden released the heavy breath he was holding. Rising from the bed, Aiden’s excitement for his surprise returned, and he quickly readied himself. There were a few last-minute things he needed to take care of before they would be ready to go.

* * *

Valorie had never slept better. None of the fear or stress from the day before had bled into her unconscious mind while she slept on Aiden. Something about being with Aiden was just… safe. Valorie knew that no matter what happened, she was protected as long as he was by her side.

As Valorie prepared for the day, she tried to guess what Aiden’s surprise was going to be. Maybe an archery day or a repeat of all their competitions from that first day at her father’s. Maybe they were going to travel somewhere. As she thought of more and more possibilities, Valorie realized she didn’t really care what it was; she just wanted to spend the day with Aiden.

When Valorie was ready for the day, she headed down through the great hall where Aiden was already waiting for her. He was dressed casually in his clan’s plaid, and it did nothing to give away their destination. Tucked under one arm, he carried Willow, so at least the puppy would be with them for the day.

“Mornin’ again, Val,” Aiden said with a smirk as Valorie approached him.

“Aye, mornin’,” Valorie replied hesitantly. Aiden was too chipper.

Keeping up his new happy persona, Aiden asked, “Are ye excited?”

“Not as much as I would be if I knew what we were doin’,” Valorie hedged, but Aiden just laughed and led Valorie out the front entrance to the keep.

Outside, Bluebell was already saddled up with a suspiciously large pack attached to his back. Valorie narrowed her eyes at Aiden, trying to ascertain his plan. He just smiled. Valorie stomped towards Bluebell, but Aiden reached out a hand to stop her. He had a small piece of cloth in his hand.

“Cannae have ye guessing where we are headed, lass,” Aiden said as he reached to tie the cloth over Valorie’s eyes. With one last suspicious glance at Aiden, Valorie let him blindfold her. He carefully guided her to Bluebell, and with Aiden’s help, she mounted the horse. A few moments later, Aiden swung up behind her.

“All right, lass I’m goin’ to have to lead here,” Aiden said taking the reins from her hands.

“So, what am I supposed to do?” Valorie questioned. Aiden laughed from behind her, and she could feel his chest rumbling against her back.

“Just enjoy the ride, Val.”

“Hmph,” Valorie grunted in response.

They rode in silence for a little while. Valorie was quiet because she was trying to see if she could figure out where they were headed based on the turns she felt. Thus far, she still had no idea.

What Valorie did realize was how little she thought about yesterday. Valorie knew she would have moments when the fear sank in, but right now, riding fast through the woods with Aiden at her back, all Valorie felt was joy and excitement. She could feel a broad smile across her face, and her leg was bouncing a little in anticipation.

Finally, Aiden slowed Bluebell to a walk and then stopped him completely. He swung off the horse and then reached back up to help Valorie down. When she went to take the cloth off her eyes, Aiden stopped her once again.

“Just a few more minutes, Val; I want to get everythin’ set up,” Aiden said, placing Willow in her arms. Valorie didn’t have the heart to tell him she could already tell where they were by sound alone.

“Set up?” Valorie asked, continuing to play along.

Through his laughter, Aiden replied, “Good try, lass.” Valorie felt him walk away from her, and then she was alone with Willow.

She stroked Willow’s soft head a few times as she listened to Aiden fiddling around her and the heavy sounds of the waterfall. Valorie only knew of one waterfall in the area, and she had a strong suspicion that they were back on her father’s lands at the waterfall clearing.

When Aiden finally returned to her side, Valorie heard him take a deep inhale before slowly removing the cloth from her eyes. As she suspected, they were back in the waterfall clearing where they kissed for the very first time, but everything else Valorie found when the blindfold was removed took her breath away.

Aiden had set up a waterside picnic for them. A massive blanket was laid out by the lake with a few pillows and more than enough food and beverages for the two of them. After taking off the cloth, Aiden had gone over to the set-up and was fiddling with the pillows and the arrangement of everything. Valorie walked over to him and laid a hand on his arm to stop his adjustment.

“It’s perfect Aiden,” Valorie told him.

“Aye?”

“Aye,” Valorie confirmed firmly, lighting up Aiden’s face.

“I’m glad,” Aiden said.

Valorie let Willow out of her arms to wander and play in the clearing and took her spot on the blanket. She lay on her back as Aiden took a seat next to her. Staring up at the blue sky, Valorie thought about how lucky she was to know Aiden. With a twinge of sadness, Valorie considered what her life would be like without him in it. It seemed unbearably dull.

Aiden, who always seemed to keep a close eye on her, noticed the shift in her mood.

“Everythin’ all right, Val?”

“Aye, this is really lovely, Aiden; thank ye,” Valorie responded. She didn’t want to ruin this perfect day with talk about their future, so instead, she soaked up the sun and Aiden. Valorie didn’t know how many days like this they would get, and she wanted to take advantage of every moment.