Chapter 9

9

Packing up her things to send to Daniel's castle made Lana feel a mix of dread and excitement. She couldn't stop reliving their last moment together as he trapped her against that table and his lips trailed down her neck. But the reality of moving out of the only home she had ever known was causing bursts of panic that left her reeling.

"I will join ye soon," Alexander said as he stood beside the carriage to see his mother and sister off.

He was still acting cool toward Lana, though she couldn't figure out why. She wanted to believe he felt bad about forcing her to marry, but she couldn't help questioning whether he was still angry with her for embarrassing him in front of Daniel.

"I'll miss ye so much!" Olivia whined, squeezing Lana tight to her chest.

"It's only two days." Lana laughed, but saying the words out loud made her stomach drop.

Two days until the wedding. Two days until her life would change forever…

"We should go," Moira urged, pulling Lana out of Olivia's grasp. "There is much to do before the day."

Lana allowed her mother to guide her toward the carriage, feeling numb with nerves. If she thought too much about where they were headed, she might run away to hide in the barn or lose herself in the woods. The barn…

Lana had a sudden thought, and she pulled away from her mother's grip.

"One moment," she said. "I'll be right back."

She turned around and ran before anyone could stop her, ignoring Alexander's shocked cry.

"Ye better nae run away," he called after her. "I'll carry ye there meself if I have to!"

Lana heard Olivia's teasing tone, though she was too far away to make out the words. She was glad her brother had someone to counter his serious demeanor. Olivia was good for him.

And maybe ye'll be good for Daniel.

Lana wasn't sure where this thought came from. It sounded like the words Ciara and Olivia kept saying to her, but for the first time, she wondered if she actually believed them.

Her heart swelled with joy as she heard the mew that told her the kittens were still in the barn. She rushed toward the hay and found them frolicking, her favorite chasing her own tail.

"What do ye think, Mama?" Lana asked, talking to the old tabby who had given birth to the litter. "Will ye let me give one a proper home?"

The mother cat merely blinked at her before dropping her head and closing her eyes.

The kittens were old enough to fend for themselves, and the mother was taking a much-needed rest now that they were grown. Lana's favorite kitten rushed up to her and began pawing at her skirts.

"Would ye like to come with me?" Lana asked.

The kitten jumped, beginning to climb the fabric of her dress.

"I take that as a yes." Lana laughed. She reached down and lifted the kitten to her chest, delighting in the warmth of her fur.

"What are ye doin'? Alexander will kill ye!"

Lana turned to see Olivia in the doorway, her eyes wide. "I'm comin'," she insisted.

She tucked the kitten under her cloak as she followed Olivia back to the carriage. On the way out of the barn, she grabbed a basket, something the kitchen maids used to collect eggs from the hens.

"Stay quiet, little one," Lana whispered as she dropped the cat into the basket and covered it with the cloth.

Luckily, no one was very concerned with what she held in her hands when she returned to the carriage. Instead, she was met by her brother pacing back and forth. She walked over to him with her head bowed, hoping to show him an image of obedience that might curtail any yelling.

"Lana," he said. His tone was gentle, even timid.

She glanced up in surprise and caught Olivia a few paces behind, watching them. "What is it?"

"I want ye to ken…" He swallowed, agonizing over his words. "I do want ye to be happy. I ken this isnae what ye were dreamin' of."

"Nay," Lana said sadly. She swallowed and composed herself. "But I ken ye are tryin' to do what's right for the clan."

"Aye," he uttered. "And the clan will be stronger for it. He can give ye a good home, Lana. Ye will have whatever ye want under his roof."

Except for love.

She couldn't form the words. Instead, she listened to Alexander struggle through words of encouragement before he gave her a hug and walked back to the castle.

"He's going to miss ye," Olivia said, rushing forward to take Lana's hands in her own. "That's what he's tryin' to say."

Lana nodded. She would miss him too. She reminded herself that Alexander wanted what was best for her. She had to remember he thought he was doing what was right.

Lana and her mother hugged Olivia goodbye before stepping into the carriage. As soon as the door was closed, the driver clicked his tongue, and the carriage lurched forward.

"Rest yerself," Moira urged as she recognized the steady rocking of the carriage that indicated they were on the main road. "It will be a while yet."

Lana welcomed the excuse to get lost in her thoughts, and she rested her head against the side of the carriage and closed her eyes. The rhythm of the carriage lulled her into a half-sleep that was much needed after the restless nights she had spent. All because of those dreams…

Her mind drifted to the open space of the main hall. It was just her and Daniel, the man's frame looming even larger in her dream than it had in real life. He was close to her, his face inches from hers as she stared at his lips. She could feel the heat radiating off his body as he stepped closer to her.

"Kiss me," Lana begged.

She was much bolder in her dreams, but Daniel was his same, stubborn self.

"Would ye like that?" he always asked.

Lana would lean forward. She would try to press her lips to his, but he always moved away. He would turn sideways or drop his forehead so she couldn't reach his tempting lips.

But then she would feel his hips, the strong muscles of his legs cornering her against the table. She would feel the way he pressed himself against her and then his breath on her ear, sending shivers up her spine. Sometimes his hand was on her back again, pulling her against him. Sometimes her chest brushed against his, and she heard him growl.

Daniel dipped his mouth to her neck and kissed her as their bodies pressed against each other. His kisses slid down her neck as he moved his body lower, sending new sensations through her body. His mouth continued trailing down, and suddenly it was at her collarbone. Lana held her breath as his mouth dipped lower and that mischievous tongue began to tease around the neckline of her dress.

"Ridiculous," Lana muttered, shaking herself out of her daydream.

But when she opened her eyes, her mother was staring at her. She had apparently spoken out loud.

"Are ye alright?" Moira asked, clearly misinterpreting what she said. Lana saw worry etched on her mother's face. "Do ye regret agreein' to it?"

No one had asked this of Lana in recent days. When it first happened, she would have said ‘yes.' She couldn't imagine rushing off to live with a stranger she didn't love. But now, after some time alone with Daniel, after learning a bit more about his life, she wasn't so sure.

She looked back at her mother, unsure how to respond.

"I can help ye get out of this," Moira added, grabbing her daughter's hand. "I cannae bear to see ye unhappy. Tell me, and I'll find a way to get ye away from here."

A knock on the carriage roof told them they had arrived at the castle.

Lana squeezed her mother's hand before pushing the curtain aside. The walls of the castle were tall and unfamiliar. She couldn't see their top from where they sat in the carriage. But instead of dread, she felt a strange mix of fear and excitement for the new chapter that lay ahead of her.

"Maybe Ciara was always the strong one," Lana murmured, turning back to her mother. "But I can handle a husband. I cannae stay with ye and Alex forever."

Moira smiled and then lifted a hand to her daughter's cheek. "Me sunshine girl," she cooed, using the nickname her late husband had coined all those years ago.

Lana smiled at her. And then, before she had a chance to second-guess herself, she put her hand on the handle and opened the door to her new life.

His clothes felt too stiff, his shoes too tight as he stood on the front steps of the castle. He and Cameron watched the carriage roll to a stop in front of them.

"Ye seem nervous," Cameron whispered, elbowing his brother in the ribs.

Daniel knew his brother was teasing him, but he was unmoored by how accurate the statement was. He never thought he would be sweating as his soon-to-be wife arrived at his castle.

Before he could let out some nasty quip, the door of the carriage burst open, and Lana was suddenly squinting into the sun.

Of course, the lass doesnae wait for the driver. She must push the door open herself.

Cameron gave a slight bow as Lana climbed out of the carriage, with a frantic driver rushing to help her. Daniel followed suit, bending his head as her mother gracefully exited the carriage. When he looked up, Lana's eyes were on him, full of the energy and anxiety he also felt bubbling inside him.

"Me brother, Cameron," Daniel announced, quickly taking his eye off Lana.

He fell into formal introductions, wanting to wrap up this strange first meeting as quickly as possible. But Cameron stepped forward to take each woman's hand, forcing him to wait before continuing.

"And this is the housekeeper, Silvers."

The old woman gave a warm smile to Lana and her mother. "Welcome, me child," she said, extending her hand.

But Daniel continued before she could extend the greetings further.

"Ye'll take the Lady's chambers," he announced. "Silvers will take ye there. It hasnae been used for many years, so feel free to change what ye would like. It is yers now."

He glanced at Lana to see if this pleased her, but her expression was neutral. He caught her eyes tracing up the walls of the castle, as if gauging how tall they were.

"Once ye rest, child, we can discuss what changes ye would like to make," Silvers assured her. "And we have many decisions to make for yer weddin'. We have some decorations set up for ye to see."

"Thank ye," Lana said, smiling kindly at her.

Daniel couldn't help feeling jealous of the housekeeper. He wanted that warm, radiant smile to be directed at him.

"The women are tired, Silvers," he interjected abruptly, as if someone had suggested a tour of the castle. He noticed the amused expression on Cameron's face.

"Of course, Me Laird," Silvers said. "I'll show them?—"

"Uncle Cam!" The cry rang out in the air, and Skye darted out of the castle, running toward her uncle.

"Skye!" Daniel cried, but he didn't need to stop her.

At the sight of the carriage and the strangers in front of her, his daughter dug her heels into the ground and stopped. She stood stock still, cowering behind her uncle's leg, as she stared directly at her father's new bride.