Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

The clan had, and they were rejoicing.

Any thought of ending her marriage was impossible now, not that it had been much of a thought. It was one that had struck her out of hurt and anger. It also had pained her heart to think of never seeing John again.

Ruddock.

It would take getting used to calling John by another name. She feared each time she did that John, the man she had come to love, would slip further and further away from her. That was a good reason to get to know Ruddock better.

Shouts of joy brought her out of her reverie and she saw two Northwick warriors carrying the cleaned carcass of a deer through the village.

“Your husband didn’t waste a moment in seeing that the clan is looked after,” James said after stopping beside her. “He has also ordered more cottages to be built for the warriors he will leave behind to protect the clan. You have done—”

“I haven’t done well by the clan. I married John, a common man who brought nothing with him.”

“That’s not true,” James argued. “John brought honor to our clan by marrying you and not letting your good name be ruined.”

“Or I could argue that he wed me to expand his father’s holdings in this area.”

“Something I questioned myself and asked him, and he claims it is not so,” James said. “Will you protest the marriage?”

Did she trust Ruddock had spoken the truth, when there had been so many lies?

“How can you ask me that when you see for yourself what my unexpected marriage has brought to our clan?” She shook her head. “No, I won’t protest the marriage. I am wed to Lord Ruddock, our vows sealed, and I will remain wed to him.”

James’s shoulders sagged in relief. “I know you will do well with Lord Ruddock and just think of how your marriage benefits your sisters. Lord Ruddock has ordered that Willow is to wed a man of her choosing, and Snow will always be protected.”

“I am more than pleased for my sisters,” she said relieved Willow would not suffer a forced marriage and Snow would be kept safe.

“The Great Hall will fill with celebration tonight. Lord Ruddock has ordered food and drink for all. You should go prepare for it.”

She nodded and saw what James meant. Fire pits had been built for the meat that would be roasted over them and torches had been attached to thick tree limbs that had been stuck deep in the ground. Ale was flowing freely and laughter spreading.

All would celebrate her wedding… all but Sorrell.

Night was fast encroaching on dusk when Sorrell entered through the keep’s kitchen. She purposely avoided the Great Hall, having heard laughter and song coming from it. She had no desire to participate in the festivities. She preferred what her husband had often wanted for himself… solitude.

She hadn’t seen John… Ruddock. Would she ever get used to calling him by that name? Since he had left her in the Great Hall to go off and speak with James and Tarass, he had made no effort to see her at all. She also had made no effort to seek him out. She hadn’t wanted to see him, and she still didn’t want to see him.

Frustration, anger, disappointment, they all continued to haunt her in various ways. It was better if she were alone. She had no idea how she would receive him if she were to see him. Her bedchamber was where she sought solace when her thoughts overwhelmed her, but if he did look for her, he would surely go there.

Instead, she went to the one place she knew would be empty. A place where no one went anymore… her parents’ bedchamber.

She climbed the stairs to the third floor. No other rooms occupied this floor. Her father intentionally wanted it kept private, a place that he and his wife could go to and be alone, separate from everyone but each other.

Sorrell stopped as she got closer to the door, thinking she heard something. She scrunched her eyes when a flickering light at the narrow space at the bottom of the door caught her attention. It couldn’t be. It was impossible. No one came to this room. It had stayed closed and untended since her father’s death. And though James was entitled to make it his own, he had chosen not to and she and her sisters had been grateful. He had told them that in time, when he wed, he would make use of it. Until then, it sat unused, nothing more than memories to keep it company.

That her parents’ sanctuary had been invaded infuriated Sorrell and she rushed at the door, words already on her lips as she swung it open to take to task the person who had the audacity to do such a thing.