But neither of them moved.
They stood there in the cold garden, close enough to touch, while the sounds of the feast drifted through the night air.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
"Ishould change into me night shift."
Ada stood in the middle of the chamber—theirchamber now—her hands twisting in the fabric of her wedding gown. The door had closed behind them with a finality that made her heart hammer against her ribs.
This was it. Their wedding night. The moment that would seal their marriage in the eyes of the Crown and the Church.
Magnus moved to the hearth, adding wood to the fire. "Aye. Go ahead."
Ada waited for him to turn around. To give her privacy.
He didn't.
"Could ye—" She cleared her throat. "Could ye maybe look away?"
Magnus glanced at her, and something flickered across his face—amusement, maybe, or resignation. "We're married now. I'll see ye eventually."
"Aye, but—" Ada felt heat flood her cheeks. "Nae right now. Please?"
Magnus sighed but turned to face the fire. "Better?"
"Aye. Thank ye."
Ada moved quickly to the chest where Isla had placed her things. Her fingers once again fumbled with the laces of her gown.
She managed to get the gown off, folded it carefully despite her shaking hands. The night shift Claricia had given her was finer than anything Ada had ever owned—soft linen with delicate embroidery along the neckline. She pulled it on quickly, acutely aware that the fabric was thin. Almost sheer in the firelight.
Claricia's advice echoed in her mind.
Just breathe. Let him lead. It'll hurt at first, but it is quick. And fer God's sake, dinnae be completely silent—men like tae ken they're daein' somethin' right.
Ada's stomach twisted with nerves. She'd never done anything before. Never been with a man. Never even been properly kissed until Magnus at the festival.
And now she was expected to?—
"Are ye decent?"
Ada jumped. "Aye. I suppose."
Magnus turned. His gaze swept over her once, then away quickly. But not before Ada saw something flash in his eyes—heat, want, quickly suppressed.
So hediddesire her. That was something, at least.
"Ye should get intae bed," Magnus said, his voice carefully neutral. "It's cold."
Ada moved to the large bed that dominated the chamber. Someone—Isla, probably—had turned down the covers and left candles burning on the side tables. The sheets were clean and white, ready to be stained and inspected in the morning.
Proof of her innocence. Proof that the marriage had been consummated.
Ada's hands trembled as she climbed under the covers. The bed was enormous, easily large enough for two people to sleep without touching.
She waited for Magnus to join her.
Instead, he moved to the narrow window, pulled a chair closer to it, and sat down.
