But her heart, oh, her heart told her to focus on what was important, meaning the man who was waiting for her.
It was a long time before she fell asleep.
The next day, Gretna grabbed the seat beneath her as the carriage took a sharp turn, looking out the window as the keep finally came into view. After an arduous morning of travel on wet roads, she was glad to finally see that they were nearing their destination. She was utterly exhausted, her sleep fitful but more so, she had been worried about Remy all night and how he had been forced to sit in front of that door, protecting her while she slept.
True to his word, he was there when she woke, only stepping out so she could tend to her needs and don the gown she had brought to meet her suitor in. Wordlessly, he had taken her trunk downstairs and then retrieved her, guiding her through the great room, which was less crowded for the early morning hour, and seeing that there was a bundle of breakfast farewaiting for her in the carriage. Gretna had been far more pleased than she had realized when the village was far behind them.
Drawing in a sharp breath, she felt the carriage start to slow as it entered the charming village, the smell of burning wood and clean air greeting her through the open window. They had made it.
She was on McCellan land.
Gretna touched her hair, making certain to tuck the loose strands back into place, and slid her feet into her slippers, her heart pounding fiercely against her chest. In mere moments she would be face to face with her suitor and the real work would begin.
She had never been more nervous in her life.
When the carriage finally shuddered to a stop, Gretna put on a smile and controlled her breathing, knowing she had to look like the confident woman that any laird would want by their side. She couldn’t be weak and she would have to mind her words, but Gretna had been preparing for this her entire life and had had more practice with it than she cared to admit.
This had to be the end of her journey. It had to be.
When the door opened, Remy stood there, his expression impassive. Gretna faltered for a moment, seeing the exhaustion in his eyes. “I’m sorry,” she blurted out, unable to help it.
His expression faltered. “For wot, lass?”
“For wot ye had tae do last night,” she said quietly. “For the sheer fact that ye had tae protect mah. If it wasna for mah.”
He shook his head, stopping her words. “Nay, lass. Tis was an honor tae bring ye here.” He extended his hand. “Are ye ready, Gretna?”
She wasn’t ready. Panic started to well inside her and she shrank inside the carriage, wanting to disappear into the wood paneling.
“Gretna,” Remy said, his voice firm yet soft as he took her hand. “Breathe, lass. Ye are ready for this.”
His touch was comforting, his grip strong with his thumb brushing over her skin in a soothing motion and it forced Gretna to take a steady breath, then another. “I’m fine,” she finally forced out, clinging to his hand. “I’m fine.”
Remy didn’t look as if he believed her but he helped her out of the carriage anyway, releasing her hand the moment her feet touched the ground. Gretna mourned the loss instantly, gripping her skirts instead so that she wouldn’t reach for his hand.
“Gretna Wallace! Welcome.”
She turned her head to find an older man standing a few feet away, a younger version of him to his left side. Remembering her manners, Gretna bowed her head. “Laird McCellan, tis a pleasure tae be invited tae yer clan.”
When she lifted her head, she saw the pleased look on his face. “Mah son, James,” he said, gesturing to the man. “I’m certain ye would rather meet him than mah anyway.”
James stepped forward, a smile on his handsome face. He had dark hair and green eyes that reminded her of a rolling meadow in the summertime, towering over her by a good many hands. “Gretna,” he murmured as she held out her hand. “Finally, ye are here and worth the wait.”
His touch wasn’t like Remy’s, but Gretna forced that thought away when his lips brushed over the back of her hand, maintaining her smile. “I’m verra happy tae be here.”
James didn’t release her hand, instead tucking it onto his arm. “Shall I show ye the keep?”
Gretna glanced at Remy, who was standing still near the carriage. “Mah men.”
“Will be taken care of,” James said smoothly, eyeing Remy. “As well as yer things. I am eager tae show ye mah home and mah clan.”
It was what she was there for. “Of course,” she said, forcing her gaze away from Remy and onto James. “Please. I’m verra excited tae see it.”
They walked away from Remy and the carriage, through the archway that led to the courtyard, where flowering bushes and the like graced the area. “Och, how lovely!” Gretna called out, taking in the wide array of colors as they passed.
“Tis was mah mother’s,” James offered up, a note of sadness in his voice. “She loved tae grow beautiful things. Alas, the lung sickness took her when I was just ten summers.”
“I’m verra sorry,” she replied, looking up at him. She knew the sting of loss as well.
