"Goodnight, Sophie,"Kenneth replied, his voice low and strained.
As sleep claimed her,Sophie's last coherent thought was a mix of hope and uncertainty. She might not have Kenneth's heart yet, but perhaps, just perhaps, this was a start. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for now, safe in her husband's arms, Sophie allowed herself to dream of a future where this could be more than just a marriage of convenience.
The next morning,Sophie awoke with a pounding headache and a churning stomach. The events of the previous night came rushing back, bringing with them a fresh wave of embarrassment and despair. She turned her head cautiously, wincing at the movement, and found Kenneth's side of the bed empty and cold.
Slowly,she sat up, fighting against the nausea that threatened to overwhelm her. A servant had left a tray with water and some bread by the bedside, and Sophie gratefully sipped at the cool liquid, trying to piece together her fragmented memories of the feast.
She remembered dancing with Kenneth,the brief moment when she thought she'd seen something soften in his eyes. But then came the wine, and her ill-advised confessions, and finally the crushing disappointment of their wedding night.
Sophie groaned,burying her face in her hands. How could she face Kenneth now, after making such a fool of herself? Would he ever be able to look at her with anything other than pity or disdain?
A soft knockat the door interrupted her self-recrimination. "Come in," she called, her voice hoarse.
To her surprise,it was Colette who entered, carrying a steaming mug that filled the room with the scent of herbs. "Good morning, me dear," she said kindly. "I thought ye might be in need of this."
Sophie accepted the mug gratefully,inhaling the soothing aroma. "Thank ye, Colette. I fear I may have overindulged last night."
Colette saton the edge of the bed, her eyes filled with understanding. "Aye, it's nae uncommon for a bride to seek a bit of liquid courage on her wedding night. "
Sophie felther cheeks burn with shame. "I made a complete fool of meself, Colette. I told Kenneth... I told him I cared for him, that I wanted our marriage to be real. And he just... dismissed it. Dismissed me."
Colette reached out,patting Sophie's hand gently. "Oh, me dear girl. Ye mustnae be too hard on yerself. Or on Kenneth, for that matter. He's nae a man who finds it easy to express his feelin's."
"But that's just it,"Sophie said, frustrated tears welling in her eyes. "He doesnae have any feelings for me. This marriage is nothing but a duty to him, a way to secure the clan's future. And I was a fool to hope for anythin' more."
Colette's expression turned thoughtful."Are ye so sure about that? I've kenned Kenneth for a long time, and I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at ye."
Sophie shook her head,unwilling to let hope take root again. "Ye're kind to say so, Colette, but I think last night proved otherwise. He couldnae wait to be rid of me, to turn his back and pretend I wasnae there."
"Perhaps,"Colette said softly, "he was afraid of what might happen if he dinnae."
Before Sophie could askwhat she meant by that, there was another knock at the door. This time, it was Arabella who entered, her face a mixture of concern and amusement.
"Well, sister,"she said, plopping down on the bed beside Sophie, "ye certainly ken how to liven up a weddin' feast. Half the clan is talkin' about yer passionate declaration of love for me brother."
Sophie groaned,pulling the blankets over her head. "Please tell me ye're jokin'."
Arabella laughed,tugging the covers back down. "I wish I was. But daenae worry, most of them think it's terribly romantic. The stern laird and his spirited new bride, fallin' madly in love despite themselves."
"If only that were true,"Sophie muttered.
Arabella's expression softened."Give it time, Sophie. Me brother is many things, but he's nae a fool. He'll see what's right in front of him eventually."
As Colette and Arabella left,promising to send up some food once Sophie felt able to eat, she found herself torn between hope and despair. Could they be right? Was there a chance that Kenneth felt something for her, something he was too afraid or too stubborn to admit?
Or wasshe simply setting herself up for more heartache by clinging to false hope?
CHAPTER NINE
Kenneth stood at the window of his study, the first light of dawn breaking over the misty hills. Sleep had eluded him, his mind filled with memories of Sophie from the previous night. The way her eyes had sparkled in the candlelight, the soft curve of her smile, the warmth of her body as they danced - each recollection sent a jolt of desire through him.
"Damn it all,"Kenneth muttered, running a hand through his hair. He had thought he could keep his feelings in check, but Sophie was proving to be a formidable opponent to his self-control.
A knockat the door interrupted his thoughts. "Enter," he called.
Lachlan stepped in,eyebrows raised at Kenneth's early rising. "Me laird, the repairs in the village are ready for yer inspection. Perhaps... perhaps Lady Sophie might like to accompany ye?"
Kenneth'sfirst instinct was to refuse, to maintain the distance he'd been trying to keep. But the thought of spending a day with Sophie, away from the pressures of the castle, was tempting. "Aye," he found himself saying. "I'll ask her."
