He tugged on Aileen’s hand, pulling her onto his lap. She went willingly, her shoulder pressing into his chest.
Leah knew Malcolm called Aileen his ‘strong, Highland lass.’ And Leah’s sister-in-law did, indeed, hail from tall, sturdy stock. But Malcolm always belied his words and treated Aileen with reverent tenderness.
Case in point, her brother cradled his wife in his arms, a protective hand on her stomach. He pressed his lips into her neck and whispered something that set her to smiling. For her part, Aileen rested her head on his shoulder, eyes closing, a thumb running along his jaw.
Leah looked away. This was typical behavior for the two of them—Malcolm might be a reserved man, but he loved thoroughly, deeply, and openly.
“Leah.” Malcolm met Leah’s gaze over Aileen’s head. “Forgive me for worrying so. I simply dinnae want ye tae become embittered by the hand life has dealt ye.”
“But that is just it, Malcolm. Bitterness is often a choice, not a foregone conclusion. I could become embittered toward life with or without being Captain Carnegie’s wife.”
Malcolm sighed, a great gusting sound. He rested his cheek atop Aileen’s head.
“Be careful, sister mine,” he finally said. “This marriage with Captain Carnegie . . . I just dinnae want to watch your loving heart suffer and wither away due to a lack of nourishment.”
Leah stared at her brother’s hand resting so gently, so reverently, on his wife’s rounded belly.
Something hard and aching lodged in her throat.
Not because Malcolm’s words were untrue.
It was just . . .
Despite everything, her brother clearly believed one crushingly painful assumption:
Fox Carnegie—regardless of Leah’s efforts or the passage of years—would never, ever loveherin return.
7
Fox had supposed that his wedding day, when it dawned, would have felt eventful. Or, at the very least, he had expected to feel more than mere relief at having arrived at the date.
The weeks leading up to his marriage had been exhausting. A wife, even one of convenience, required a tremendous amount of paperwork. He had ridden his horse up and down Glen Laver three times: to attend the banns being read, to finalize the wedding contracts, and to procure a wedding ring.
Though Fox had called upon Miss Penn-Leith on each occasion, he saw very little of his bride-to-be before their wedding day. He supposed he could have visited her at any time, but as that required yet another trip down the glen, he hadn’t taken the energy to do so.
After all, he wasn’t going to change his mind about marrying her, and they would have the rest of their lives to grow accustomed to one another.
But today, his effort would pay off. He would have a wife, as Hadley had advised, and Fox eagerly welcomed the era of peace and solitude she would usher in.
Miss Penn-Leith appeared so very . . . capable. So good-natured and even-tempered. She had exhibited no displeasure over his infrequent visits during their betrothal. Instead, she had greeted him with a cheery smile and kind words, asking polite questions and serving him delicious food.
As his wife, Fox anticipated that his bride would not require his strength, neither emotional or physical. She would simply meld her life with his and solve what needed solving without demanding his input or assistance.
He supposed many men would see independence as an undesirable trait in a wife—perhaps that was why the lady had remained unmarried—but for Fox, Miss Leah Penn-Leith’s independence was heaven sent. He needed someone who would not constantly be looking to him for support and approval.
That said, he availed himself of a glass (or perhaps two) of brandy after changing into his wedding attire at the Lion Arms. Alcohol never failed to steady his nerves and mellow his mood.
At the church, Dr. Ruxton greeted Fox before the altar and spoke a few bracing words as guests took their seats.
And then the ceremony began.
Miss Penn-Leith looked decidedly lovely walking up the aisle toward him, her hand threaded through her brother’s elbow. Fox couldn’t speak in eloquent terms about women’s clothing, but the creamy silk of her gown shimmered in the dim light of the gray stone church and her hazel eyes held a confident glow.
Yes. He had no regrets about this decision.
Fox smiled as Malcolm placed Miss Penn-Leith’s hand in his, and they both turned to the waiting vicar.
They spoke their vows, and Fox slid a gleaming gold ring onto his bride’s trembling finger.
