Page 33 of The Icy Highlander's Virgin

"Are they?" Erica asked absently, her attention caught by the sound of voices from the solar ahead.

"Aye, they are. Better than most places I've served." Ada paused to nod at an older woman polishing silver. "Mornin’."

"Mornin’, Ada. M'lady." The woman curtsied quickly before returning to her work.

As they continued walking, Ada's voice took on a more pointed tone. "Everyone here seems eager to please their new lady. Even the cook asked me yesterday what yer favorite sweets might be."

"That's... thoughtful."

"It is. They want ye to feel welcome." Ada guided them up a set of stone steps. "The question is, do ye?"

Erica's step faltered slightly. "Do I what?"

"Feel welcome. Feel like this could be home."

"I never expected it would be so difficult to balance both roles, Ada. Being Lady Kinnaird while still needin’ to oversee McLaren affairs. I suppose I was naive to think it would be simple." Erica searched for words that wouldn't reveal too much. "It's an adjustment, learning what's expected of me here."

They passed two guards who bowed respectfully. "M'lady. Ada."

"Afternoon, lads," Ada replied cheerfully, then lowered her voice as they continued walking. "Aye, I can see how that would be a struggle, lass. But look around ye—even the guards treat ye with genuine respect, nae just the fear we've seen in other castles. That speaks well of their laird. Perhaps he'll be more understandin' about yer McLaren duties than ye expect."

Erica's chest tightened . "I ken, Ada.. But does how he treats his clan really tell me anythin' about Lachlan?"

"Aye, it does. A cruel master breeds cruel servants. But these people..." Ada gestured around them as they entered a sunny corridor lined with tapestries. "They seem content. Well-fed. Safe."

"I suppose there’s nay denyin' that. And there's nay denyin' me duties either. A husband has every right to expect his wife at his side." Erica sighed. "I just need to find a way to serve both me clans without failin' either. "

They walked on until Ada paused, turning to Erica. "So tell me, child," Ada said, her tone becoming more direct, "how do ye feel about this marriage? Truly?"

The question hit like a physical blow. Erica found herself staring at a tapestry depicting a Highland hunt, buying time before she had to answer.

"It's... complicated."

"Most marriages worth havin' are."

"This isnae like most marriages, Ada. It's a political alliance, nothin' more."

"Is it?" Ada's voice was gentle but thoughtful. "Because from where I'm standin', it looks like there might be potential for it to become somethin' more, given time."

"Potential doesnae mean anythin' will actually develop," Erica said firmly. "We're both practical people who understand what this marriage is for."

"Aye, maybe. But I've seen many arranged marriages in me time, lass. Some stay cold as winter stone, others... well, sometimesthe heart surprises us." Ada's eyes were knowing. "All I'm sayin' is, keep yer mind open to possibilities."

They paused as a group of kitchen girls passed by, chattering excitedly about some upcoming festival. Their easy laughter made Erica's chest ache with an unfamiliar longing.

"The alliance is important for both our clans," Erica said carefully once they were alone again. "That's what matters."

"And what about what ye want? What ye feel?"

"What I feel doesnae matter."

"Doesnae it?" Ada stopped walking and turned to face her. "Ye've been miserable for days, lass. Barely eatin’, and from the circles around yer eyes, barely sleepin’. If this truly was just business, why would ye be so affected?"

Erica opened her mouth to deny it, but the words wouldn't come. Because Ada was right. If this marriage meant nothing, why did Lachlan's cold politeness feel like a knife in her chest?

"I want..." she began, then stopped, the admission catching in her throat.

"What do ye want?"