Page 12 of Wedded to the Ruthless Highlander

12

T illie watched Aidan walk out of their bed chamber, a perplexed frown creasing her forehead. She’d been weeping on him, and now, he’d left. Had she disgusted him? Scared him away? She’d been sure he’d been there for his husbandly rights. Why had he just left like that?

She knew it wasn’t because he didn’t find her attractive. The way he looked at her, with such hunger in his eyes, had both frightened and exhilarated her. That was the real reason Tillie had snapped at him. Her emotions had been warring with each other, and she hadn’t known how to handle them. In the end, she’d succumbed to the fear.

And then she’d noticed he’d brought food which was very thoughtful since she hadn’t eaten a bit during the ceremony. “Och, now, what a fool ye are, Tillie,” she mumbled to herself as she walked over to the food tray. Picking up a few small chunks of cheese and meats, she sat down and ate. By the time she was finished and Aidan still hadn’t returned, she dressed for sleep and crawled under the bed covers.

The sound of someone scratching on the door woke Tillie, and she quickly sat up? She glanced at the bed and realized Aidan hadn’t come back last night. She frowned as the chamber door slowly creaked open. A minute later, Paisley’s red head became visible in the open crack.

She looked around the door carefully, probably expecting the Laird to still be in bed with his wife. When she saw Tillie alone, Paisley opened the door all the way and rushed inside.

“Good morn, Me Lady!”

“Good morning, Paisley.” Tillie greeted the maid with a smile on her face. She hoped her knew friend didn’t know that the Laird had not spent the night with his bride. She would be mortified.

But Paisley didn’t seem to notice. She walked around the chamber and picked up Tillie’s discarded wedding gown, laying it carefully over her bent arm.

“Oh. Yer sister asked me to tell ye that she wished ye well, but she had to leave with the Kilmartins and dinnae want to disturb ye on yer weddin’ night.”

Tillie frowned in disappointment, but she was not surprised. At least she got to see Erica, if only for a little while.

“’Tis Maven’s job to clean up yer chamber, but I dinnae trust her with yer wedding gown. Won’t take me but a few minutes to take this to laundry and instruct them to be extra careful. Can I get ye anythin’? A breakfast tray mayhap?

Tillie shook her head. “Nay, I am not hungry as yet.”

Paisley nodded and walked to the door. She pulled it partially open then turned to Tillie.

“I’ll be back to help ye get dressed for the day.”

Tillie just nodded as the maid left, closing the door firmly behind her. She sat in bed with the covers pulled up to her chest and her thoughts consumed with why Aidan had not claimed his rights or at least stayed with her in his chamber.

There were all kinds of reasons, she supposed. But the one that she kept coming back to was that he’d been disgusted by her shrewish words and then later, her weeping.

A faint blush tried to steal its way up her neck, but Tillie shook her head and flung the bed covers to the side. She was not going to waste the day with her mind tangled in thoughts, trying to figure out the reason for the absence of her husband on their wedding night.

Getting out of bed, she walked over to the private chamber off to the side to take care of her toilette. There would be plenty of time to ponder her new husband’s actions, but today was her first day as a married woman, and she wanted to explore.

By the time she’d finished washing her face and hands, Paisley had returned.

“What would ye like to wear today, Me Lady?”

Tillie didn’t hesitate with her answer. “I want to take a walk around the grounds today,” she announced quickly. “I shall require a worn dress and sturdy shoes.”

Paisley nodded and startled rifling through Tillie’s clothing.

“Paisley?” Tillie called softly and waited for the maid to turn around. “I dinnae want guards followin’ me around like hounds after a hare. I would like some time to meself to do a little paintin’, and I need yer help.”

Paisley’s eyebrows rose curiously. “Help? What can I do?” She sounded genuinely baffled.

“Just walk with me outside, so the laird’s guards dinnae try to follow. Once we’re clear of them, ye can return to the castle.”

She frowned. “Do ye ken ’tis a good idea to wander off on yer own? Ye are not familiar with the land.”

“Aye. Since I was a wee lass I’ve been explorin’ to find the best places to sketch. I will be fine.” Tillie paused and looked imploringly at the maid. “Will ye do this for me?”

Paisley chewed her bottom lip for a minute then gave a firm nod. “Aye, Me Lady, I will.”

Now that she knew she would be able to walk the grounds undisturbed, Tillie rushed to finish getting ready. Paisley helped, and soon, she was dressed in a dark green dress she usually reserved for such outings and a pair of worn but comfortable boots.

She grabbed her sketching supplies as they walked out the door. Tillie’s gaze scanned the castle as they traveled through it, but nowhere did she catch a glimpse of her husband.

She gnawed on her bottom lip a minute then straightened and forced her thoughts away from him. She was determined to enjoy this morning, and if she kept wondering and worrying about Aidan, she would end up miserable.

Tillie and Paisley made it through the castle and across the courtyard without a problem. They continued walking, following a small dirt trail that led to a wooded area. When they reached the edge of it, she stopped and turned to the maid.

“Thank you, Paisley. I shall be fine on me own from here.”

Paisley did not look convinced. “Are ye sure, Me Lady?” Her gaze traveled nervously to the line of trees that led into the woods. “Mayhap I should go with ye.”

“Nonsense. I will be just fine. I won’t leave the castle grounds,” Tillie argued. “Besides, ye will be bored just standin’ around watchin’ me sketch.”

Paisley still looked undecided, so Tillie continued, “I willnae be gone long,” she promised. “After all the excitement yesterday, I just need a little quiet time.”

“Ye promise not to stay long?” Paisley asked. “Or wander far?”

“Aye,” Tillie responded.

Paisley hesitated for another minute then finally turned and left. Tillie watched her walk away and tried not to smile at the protective instinct of the maid as she kept looking back at Tillie over her shoulder.

Once Paisley was out of sight, Tillie turned and walked into the woods. The trees were not too dense this close to the castle, and she could see stumps where someone had cut some down, most likely to use for the castle.

There was an overgrown path that was still visible, and Tillie followed it, looking at the scenery for the perfect place to sketch. The morning air was cool but not as cold as she expected this far north. It was a pleasant day, perfect to lose herself in her art.

The path turned sharply to the right, and when Tillie rounded it, birds, startled from her sudden presence, flew from the trees. The movement was so abrupt, it scared Tillie a bit, too. She gasped, her hand flying to cover her rapidly beating heart.

“Spooked by birds,” Tillie muttered with a chuckle and a shake of her head. But then she gasped again — this time from the sight before her eyes. The trail abruptly ended at the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. The view was breathtaking and obviously one someone liked to visit if the stone bench perched a safe distance away from the edge of the cliff was any indication.

“Oh me,” Tillie exclaimed softly. “I just have to capture this.”

She rushed over to the bench and unpacked her sketching materials. With her back to the sea, Tillie organized the supplies, careful to keep the clean parchment away from the charcoal she used. A sudden noise had her jerking her head up and turning sharply to the side.

She froze, recognizing the sound as belonging to one of the wild cats that roamed the woods. It didn’t sound too close, so she relaxed her shoulders. Just as she was returning her attention to the sketching materials, another noise grabbed her attention.

This time, it was a mewing sound. Most likely from a kitten. With a smile, she left the materials on the stone bench and went in search of the sound. She didn’t see anything near her, so Tilley carefully walked to the edge of the cliff, mindful of getting too close. The mewing sounded like it was coming from just over the cliff, but she didn’t want to get too close and take a chance on falling, especially with the loose pebbles dotting the ground.

Bent at the waist, Tillie stretched her neck out as far as she dared in search of the kitten that continued to cry. A stiff breeze snatched at her hair, trying to tear it from the ribbon that held her long, brown hair behind her neck, but she didn’t care. She was worried the kitten was injured and might need her help.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist and jerked her away from the cliff. Startled, Tillie cried out as she was forcibly carried away, past the stone bench. She wasn’t restrained long. She hadn’t even had time to do more that cry out before she was suddenly deposited on the grass with her attacker leaning over her.

Tillie opened her mouth, ready to scream, until she recognized Aidan. Her heart beat wildly inside her chest as she stared into his furious deep blue eyes.

“Aidan!” she gasped. “Ye nearly scared me to death.”

“Have ye lost yer wits? What the devil were ye doin’ hangin’ over the cliff like that?”

Tillie blinked up at him, very aware that the lower half of his body covered hers. The heat of his body practically scorched her. Even through her gown, she could feel the hard muscles of Aidan’s legs. From her waist to her toes, she was pinned to the ground. She should be concerned. She had never been this close to a man before, but for some reason, her body seemed to rejoice at the intimate closeness of their bodies. Instead of calming, her breath came in short gasps. Her body felt like it was on fire. And God, she was suddenly so sensitive? Every nerve seemed to come to life at once.

And then his words penetrated her mind. “There was a —”

“Ye could have fallen to yer death!” Aidan interrupted.

“I was bein’ careful —”

“Is that what ye were tryin’ to do? Are ye so miserable here ye’d rather fling yerself into the sea?”

“Of course not!” Tillie stared at him in shock and for the first time realized it wasn’t anger darkening his eyes. It was fear. He truly thought she had meant to end her life!

“I came here to sketch and heard a kitten —”

“Dinnae lie to me, lass,” he interrupted again. “I saw the way ye were leanin’ over —”

This time Tillie was the one to interrupt. She grabbed his face in both of her hands and turned his head toward the stone bench where her sketching materials were clearly visible. Gradually, he started to relax, and she swore she could feel the tension ease from his stiff muscles.

When Aidan returned his gaze to her, there was relief there. He sighed and lowered his head until his forehead rested gently against hers.

“I am sorry,” he said softly, and Tillie suppressed a delicious shiver at the feel of his warm breath against her face. “When I saw ye…”

“’Tis okay, Aidan,” she said softly. He lifted his head, and their gazes locked.

She watched with fascination as the relief in his eyes was replaced by something more primal. More intense. Tillie’s whole body went on alert. She was helpless to do anything but watch as he slowly lowered his head until his mouth was pressed against hers.