Aiden pushed himself to his feet, wincing as pain shot through his leg. He tried hard to ignore it, determined to walk off the anxiety gnawing at him. He couldn’t stay in this room any longer, couldn’t sit with his thoughts any further without losing himself entirely. He needed air, space, something to clear the apprehension that consumed his mind.
He limped out of the study, his steps slow and heavy as he made his way down the hall.
Aiden turned a corner and came to an abrupt halt, his breath catching in his throat. There, at the end of the hall, stood Katie. Although she was facing a mirror and had her back to him, he could see the soft white fabric of her wedding dress and the delicate lace that cascaded down her shoulders and her slender arms. The dress hugged her figure perfectly, and its skirt flowed around her in gentle waves that brushed the floor.
Her hair had been expertly styled into a chignon and was adorned with delicate, tiny white flowers that complemented the simple elegance of her gown. She looked like an angel, like something out of a dream, and Aiden felt his heart expand in his chest at the breathtaking sight of her.
He didn’t deserve her. He had known it before, but seeing her like this, so beautiful, so pure, the realization struck him with such an intensity that it nearly brought him to his knees. He couldn’t condemn her to a life with him—a man so broken and so tainted by his past. She deserved so much more. She deserved afuture filled with joy, with peace, with a man who could give her everything she needed without having to endure the constant conflict and chaos that surrounded him.
Katie turned then, her eyes meeting his, and she smiled a smile so full of love and warmth that it nearly broke him. “There you are,” she said softly, her voice like a balm to his aching soul. “I’ll be your wife soon, Aiden.”
Aiden nodded, his throat too tight to speak. He crossed the distance between them, his heart pounding in his chest. When he reached her, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, lingering there for a moment as though trying to imprint the feel of her on his lips.
Katie looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. “Where are you going?” she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a tinge of concern.
“I need a walk,” Aiden replied, his voice rough. “To calm me frayed nerves.”
She tilted her head back and narrowed her eyes slightly as she studied him. “You’ll be back soon, won’t you?”
Aiden hesitated, his hand coming up to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing softly against her skin. “Of course,” he said, the words catching in his throat. He forced himself to smile at her but knew that it looked hollow.
Katie leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, her gaze soft and filled with trust. “I’ll be waiting,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Aiden nodded, but he couldn’t bring himself to meet her eyes again. He turned away, walking down the hall without looking back. Each step felt like a betrayal, like he was leaving behind the one person who had ever made him feel whole. But he knew he couldn’t remain there while the shadows inside his soul threatened his sanity and colored everything going on around him.
As he walked away, her voice echoed in his mind, a soft plea that cut deeper than any wound he had ever received.
“You’ll be back soon, won’t you?”
The words haunted him as he stepped out into the daylight, the cool air brushing against his skin. He had made promises to her, but deep down, he wasn’t sure he could keep them. He was deeply uncertain that he could ever become the man she needed him to be.
CHAPTER 20
Katie turned backto the mirror, her heart fluttering with excitement and disbelief. The day had finally arrived. Today she would marry Aiden, the man who had surprised her in ways she never could have imagined.
She had been very apprehensive at first, unsure of what she could expect from him and their arrangement, but Aiden had gradually dispelled all of her doubts and misgivings and had given her the hope of a beautiful life together as a true husband and wife.
His kindness, his strength, and the way he looked at her as if she were the most precious thing in his world… these things had melted her reservations and left behind a deep, enduring affection for the man she would soon call her husband.
She smiled at her reflection, her eyes tracing the delicate lace of her wedding dress. It was a masterpiece, lovingly crafted by Griselda’s artistic and gifted hands. Griselda had been aconstant source of support and guidance since Katie had arrived at MacNiall Castle. The dress was a beautiful blend of English elegance and Scottish tradition, with intricate embroidery that caught the light and bathed Katie in a radiant glow.
The bodice hugged her frame, cinching at the waist before flaring out into a full skirt that brushed the floor with her every movement. She loved the way the dress made her feel like a true lady, ready to take on the responsibilities and joys of being the wife of a Scottish laird.
As she admired the gown, Katie couldn’t help but think about how far she and Aiden had come. Their relationship had started out as a tentative dance, each unsure of the other, but over time, they had found a rhythm. Aiden had warmed up to her in ways she hadn’t expected, showing her sides of himself that he had kept hidden from the world. In return, she had opened up to him and permitted herself to be vulnerable in his presence in a way that she’d rarely been with anyone else. It had been a gradual process, but now, about to become his wife, Katie felt nothing but gratitude and care for the man who had so unexpectedly captured her heart.
A gentle knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Katie turned her head toward the sound, a smile already forming on her lips. “Come in,” she called, her voice light and cheerful.
The door creaked open, and Griselda entered, followed by several ladies. They were all carrying baskets filled withwildflowers and hairpins, and their faces were lit with warm, excited smiles. Griselda herself was a vision of motherly pride, her eyes shining as she took in the sight of Katie in her wedding dress.
“Ye look bonnie, lass,” Griselda said, her voice thick with affection. “Like a faerie queen in her finery.”
Katie blushed at the compliment, her smile widening. “Thank you, Griselda. It’s all thanks to you and your magnificent taste. I couldn’t have had all of this without your help.”
“Nonsense, dear.” Griselda waved a dismissive hand, though her eyes sparkled with pleasure. “Ye had the vision, I just helped bring it to life. Now, let’s add some finishing touches. The flowers are perfect for yer hair.”
The ladies bustled around Katie, their hands deftly weaving the wildflowers into her long, shining locks. Griselda took a seat behind her and combed smoothly through the strands, her touch both firm and gentle. Katie closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of being pampered and cared for.
“How are ye feelin’?” Griselda asked, her voice soft as she began braiding Katie’s hair. “’Tis a big day, to be sure.”
