Her attention was on Kayden as the priest pronounced them man and wife. He brushed a kiss against her knuckles, and she blinked up at him as the hound let out a quiet woof, as if to declare them man and wife too.
The crowd erupted in applause.
Well, at least somebody is happy about this.
She could not help but notice that Kayden was as somber as she was. His mouth was a straight line, and his jaw was tight. He seemed even more unhappy about this turn of events than she was.
I am a married woman now. This is my husband.
Her heartbeat quickened, and her chest tightened. She felt as if she could not breathe. She was Lady McGill now.
Dark spots dotted her vision, and she began to feel dizzy. Her body swayed as her knees went weak. She did not want to think anymore. She did not want to feel. When the darkness called for her, she willingly went to it.
The last thing she felt was strong arms holding her tightly as the world around her slipped away.
4
Kayden carried his bride in his arms, walking slowly up the stairs while her lady’s maid followed anxiously behind.
Lilliana had regained consciousness only for a moment, looking discomposed and befuddled.
“Here,” Moira said, and gave her a cup of laudanum to calm her down.
“Thank you,” Lilliana had managed to eke out before fainting again.
Kayden did not want to look down at her, but could not help himself. She felt so soft and small in his arms. And warm.
He felt a curious protectiveness take root in his chest, seeing her curled up into him, her long lashes covering her expressive eyes. It was strange, feeling protective of a woman who had literallyfainted because she had married him, but this was different from the obligation he owed to her father. Now, he owed it to her and only her.
This is me fault.
Kayden took a deep breath as he stopped at her door and let the lady’s maid step around to open it for him. He walked over to her bed and laid her down gently. He stared down at her for a moment, her body loose and sprawled out.
He could not help the way his eyes raked over her. He bent down again and ran a finger down her face.
“Ye will be fine, lass,” he whispered before straightening.
He shifted his gaze to the lady’s maid, who was discreetly trying to take Lilliana’s shoes off. “Let me ken when she wakes, Betsy,” he said.
She nodded. “I will, My Laird.”
He inclined his head before crossing to the door. He hesitated another moment, looking back at his wife. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and left her to her maid’s ministrations, against his instincts.
Lilliana startled awake, looking around in bewilderment before realizing she was lying on her bed, in her chambers, in Malgrave Castle. Movement in the periphery of her vision made her jump before she realized that it was just Betsy standing up from the chair. Her maid looked anxious and scared.
“My Lady! How are you feeling?” she asked.
Lilliana reached a hand up to rub her forehead. “What happened, Betsy?”
“You fainted!” Betsy cried in what could be misconstrued as an accusatory tone, but upon closer examination, Lilliana heard the panic underneath.
“I am sorry. I…” she trailed off, not knowing what to say. “How did I get here?” she asked instead.
“The Laird carried you!” Betsy said with a little skip, her eyes glinting.
Lilliana’s brow furrowed as she remembered the strong hands around her waist. She also remembered thinking she had imagined that. Her stomach churned with confusion and disappointment as she realized that a man had held her close for the first time and she had missed it.
Then she pushed that thought awaybecause why in God’s name should she care?
