She was pacing, walking back and forth in front of the hearth. A flagstone beneath her feet rattled every time she walked across it. She would need to get it fixed.
“I didn’t really think about what Magnus wanted or what he might need from me. I just wanted to be rid of my father’s expectations.” She wrung her hands. “And then he was everything I could have hoped for. He was courteous and polite—for the most part,” she added with a rueful smile. “He didn’t expect anything from me. He supports my writing and has given me this castle!”
She came to a stop, leaning against the fire surround, out of breath and feeling as though she had run a mile.
“But?” Katie prompted.
“But I am not sure that is what I want anymore,” Leah said angrily. “Magnus is a good man, but he is pushing me away every chance he gets, and he insists that we will live as strangers.” Her fingers went up to her hair, pulling the unruly strands together and twisting them anxiously. “It does not help that he is so handsome,” she admitted sheepishly.
Katie chuckled. “I knew you felt that way. You got doe-eyed when you first saw him at the ceilidh.”
“I did not! Well, you weren’t close enough to know that,” Leah argued, laughing. But her laughter soon died down. “I told him I wanted us to get to know one another before we…” She made a rapid hand gesture to express what she was unable to say aloud.
“Lie together?” Katie supplied boldly.
Leah’s cheeks turned crimson. “Yes. That. And he did not even notice. I do not think he had even considered the possibility. He seemed not to care.”
“But you said he kissed you.”
Leah cleared her throat and nodded. “Yes.”
“Well then, he must see you as more than just a convenient wife.”
“But he wishes us to live separately.”
“Because he believes that is whatyouwant. He met your father, and he knows why you hid in that carriage. Do you not think he would have wanted to avoid becoming just what you expected him to be?”
Leah was not really listening, looking around the room with a sense of despair growing within her. “What am I going to do here, Katie?”
Katie stood up and came to stand beside her, taking her hands. “You must talk to him, Leah, before it is too late.”
Leah shook her head. “I know he does not feel the same. I imagine he is counting the days until he is rid of me. He has been a bachelor all his life and lost his wife and child too many years ago to miss a woman’s company. He doesn’t want me, Katie. He has made that very clear.”
“Well then, he’s a fool.” Katie spat, holding their hands close to her chest and holding her eyes earnestly. “He is lucky to have you. Any man would be, and you are a talented writer. You will make him see that you are better off without him.”
Leah smiled at her friend but felt no comfort from her words. Magnus had only married her because her father had given him no choice. The knowledge ate at her. She had been looking forward to seeing the castle, making it her home, but now she loathed it.
She could not imagine spending the rest of her days here with only servants for company.
“It will be alright,” she lied, trying to placate her friend to ease the worry in her eyes. “I am being silly. This will be a beautiful home, and I will make the most of it. It is better than being married to Grandpa Wellton. Anything is better than that.”
Katie finally gave her a genuine smile and tugged on her hand, walking toward the door.
“Where are we going?” Leah asked.
“I am going to take you to see the gardens—they always cheer you up. We can plan where those roses will be planted.”
Leah reluctantly followed her out of the kitchen, through the endless corridors, into the entrance hall, and down to the courtyard.
The gardens were indeed very lovely, and she got swept up into looking at the many areas that could be improved and new trees planted around the grounds.
Katie was overly enthusiastic about everything now, trying to convince her with her excitement that she would love living here.
Leah only realized they were not alone when she caught a glimpse of someone approaching them out of the corner of her eye.
He was a burly man in dark clothing who she had not seen before.
“M’Lady,” he greeted with a crooked smile. “I heard ye speakin’ of a rose garden. There is just the place for it ahead of us if ye’ll allow me the liberty?”
