"I'll tell her meself." Magnus moved around the desk. "Where are the weddin’ clothes? The documents that need tae be signed?"
"In me chambers. I'll have them brought tae ye."
"Dinnae bother. Just tell me when and where I need tae be, and I'll be there." Magnus headed for the door. "Now if ye'll excuse me, I have a bride tae inform that her weddin’ date has just been moved up by nearly two weeks."
He left before Brian could respond, taking the stairs to the east tower two at a time. His mind was already spinning through everything that needed to happen in the next days. Witnesses tae gather. Documents to prepare. A chamber to ready for the consummation that would seal the marriage in the king's eyes.
And he had to tell Ada. Had to see her face when he explained that they'd be married in two days instead of ten.
He reached her door, raised his fist to knock?—
He should knock. Should wait for permission to enter.
But the king's messenger would be leaving within the hour, and Ada needed to know before the whole keep started gossiping about it.
Magnus pushed the door open.
"Ada, I need tae?—"
He stopped dead.
Ada stood in the middle of the room, her back to him, wearing only her shift. She'd been in the process of changing. It looked like she had just finished having her bath and she was reaching for a clean dress when the door opened.
She spun around with a startled gasp, clutching the dress to her chest. "Magnus! What are ye… ye cannae just barge in here!"
Magnus's brain stopped working for a moment. The shift was thin, too thin. He could see the outline of her body through the linen, the curve of her waist, the pale skin of her shoulders and arms. Her blonde hair was still damp from washing, falling loose around her face. He could see the pink color of her nipples.
"I—" He forced himself to look at her face. Only her face. "I knocked."
"Ye did nae!"
"I meant tae knock."
"That's nae the same thing!" Ada's face was bright red, but she lifted her chin defiantly. "What if I'd been completely naked? What then?"
The image that conjured in Magnus's mind was so vivid, so immediate, that he actually took a step backward. "Ye're nae naked."
"I'm nae exactly dressed either!" She gestured at herself with her free hand, nearly dropping the dress. "God, ye're impossible.”
Ada turned away from him, still holding the dress against her chest. "Just close yer eyes or turn around or somethin'. I need tae finish dressin'."
Magnus should have left. Should have stepped back into the corridor and waited like a gentleman.
Instead, he found himself saying, "I've seen women in shifts before."
"Well, ye shouldnae be seein' me in one!" Ada's voice went higher. "We're nae even married yet!"
"We will be in two days."
There was a long silence. Then Ada turned slowly to face him again, the dress still clutched to her chest. "What?"
"That's what I came tae tell ye. The king sent word this mornin'. He wants the marriage completed sooner." Magnus kept his gaze fixed on her face—her eyes, her flushed cheeks, anywhere but the expanse of pale skin visible above the neckline of her shift. "Two days from now. Brian's makin' the arrangements."
Ada's mouth opened. "Two days? But that's too close. We were supposed tae have time."
"I ken. But it's nae negotiable." Magnus finally had the presence of mind to turn partially away, giving her some privacy. "I'm sorry. I ken this is nae what ye wanted."
"Ye're sorry?" Ada's voice held a note of hysteria. "Ye just barged into me chamber while I was half-naked tae tell me I'm gettin' married in two days, and ye'resorry?"
