Jack curled his fingers even tighter around the windowsill. Somewhere out there, perhaps not even that far, was a man who had sent two people to their deaths and would likely send more.
His jaw tightened at the thought, and his pulse quickened. He couldn’t wait. Not when there was now more for him to lose.
He turned back to the bed near the fireplace and sank into it, the pillows warm and soft beneath his head.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow, he would tell them all.
The image of their faces when he broke the news in the Great Hall flashed through his mind as he squeezed his eyes shut.
Sleep came only a few minutes later.
CHAPTER 28
When Emma openedher eyes the next morning, the air felt different.
Lara had hurried through her duties with a bigger smile on her face than usual and spoke louder. Emma should have guessed that something was off by then, but she chalked it up to morning excitement. Perhaps this was just one of those days.
It was a whole different story when she stepped out of her chambers.
The corridor was bustling, as if the whole castle had woken up at once. Emma moved ahead, watching maids pass by with smiles on their faces as well. Their smiles even turned to greetings, but before she could form a response, they lowered their heads and hurried past.
When the Great Hall came into view, she stepped aside for two maids carrying a tray of polished silver. The air smelled ofbeeswax and fresh bread, and another maid with a basket of flowers nearly bumped into her.
“Apologies, me Lady,” the maid offered, her voice faint.
“Wait, what is all this for?” Emma asked, looking around.
The maid bobbed a quick curtsy. “I beg yer pardon, me Lady, but I must hurry.” She hurried off with the basket clutched under her chin.
Emma followed the voices into the Great Hall and stopped short at the scene that greeted her.
Her mother and Catriona stood at the center of the hall, sending maids to and fro. Garlands climbed the pillars, and the long tables were set with greenery and empty bowls. Ava sat cross-legged on the floor, the baby on her lap and a string of petals in her hand.
It looked like a festival, and no one had yet told her why.
Her eyes widened as realization dawned on her.
Nay. Nay, nay, nay, nay, nay.
She raised her voice as she drew closer. “What in heaven’s name is happening here?”
A deep voice answered behind her, “I thought there was nay reason to wait. We’re getting married tomorrow, so they are making preparations.”
She turned around. “Tomorrow?”
Jack stood in the doorway, his coat open, his grin wide and unashamed. “Aye. Daenae tell me ye’ll run again.”
“Ye daenae think tomorrow is a bit too early?”
“The earlier we proceed with the wedding, the better. If ye want, we can just cancel it and?—”
“Nay. Of course, I daenae want that,” she interrupted, struggling to swallow past the lump in her throat.
She could feel Ava looking at her from a few yards away and swallowed again.
“Emma,” Jack began, reaching for her hands. She let him take them, exhaling loudly. “This is a very important day for both of us. If ye have any reservations, ye must ken that I willnae hesitate to listen to ye.”
