Hearts of Highland Fire

Chapter 5

5

Gretna stood by the dirtied window and watched as the lightning streaked across the sky, jumping as the thunder rattled the inn shortly after. She could still hear the ruckus, laughter, and squeals from the patrons below, but she didn’t dare go to satisfy her curiosity. The inn made her nervous, so nervous that she had already counted every dress in her trunk that Remy had ordered to be brought up half a dozen times, refolding her ribbons so that they were in the order she preferred, and tucked the blanket from the carriage around the sagging bed frame at least three times.

Nothing she did soothed her rattled nerves and Gretna worried if she would even get a wink of sleep tonight.

With a sigh, she turned away, finding Remy in the chair that he had occupied for the last hour, his sword resting across his lap. “Wot?” he asked, shifting his large frame against the creaking wood.

She shook her head, tapping her foot nervously. “I donna understand why we wouldna take the chance rather than stay here.”

“Because,” he said. “I only have three Scots with mah and the carriage has already seen the damage from the journey. Tis best tae wait til morning, lass.”

Gretna glared at him, her body restless and her mind exhausted. “Then why do ye have tae stay in here?” If she had to spend the evening in this horrid room, the least he could do was give her the privacy she sorely craved.

Remy arched a brow. “The lock is busted and I donna trust any of those men downstairs.”

His words were simple and honest, traits that she was rapidly learning about him. Though he had been around her family all her life, Gretna couldn’t remember ever wanting to study him as she did now. He had always seemed so jovial to her, his wide smile causing any lass in close distance to simper and blush. She had never seen him alone like he was now, without the companionship of a lass on his arm or jesting with her brothers.

That was Remy that she didn’t understand.

Huffing a breath, Gretna forced herself to sit on the bed, the straw poking up through the blanket.

“Ye might as well get some sleep,” Remy said after a moment, crossing his arms over his chest. “While ye can.”

She didn’t bother to remove any of her clothing, not even her boots as she rested her back on the wall and stretched her legs out before her. “Wot aboot ye? Donna ye need tae sleep?”

“Worried aboot mah, are ye, lass?”

Gretna looked away. “Nay, of course not.”

Remy’s chuckle slid through her body, warming her insides and calming the frazzled parts of her. “I’m fine. I’ve gone days without sleeping. Donna worry. I willna fall off mah horse come morning.”

Morning. There was little doubt that they would arrive at their destination by tomorrow. Gretna had to be refreshed and ready to meet her intended. What if he didn’t like her? The thought had crossed her mind more than once. There was a great deal of things for her own clan riding on this marriage, but what would happen if it didn’t work the way they had all intended?

“Wot is going through that head of yers?”

Remy’s voice shattered her thoughts and Gretna looked at him, finding him watching her. “Wot?”

“Ye looked troubled,” he answered, shrugging one of his shoulders. “Donna worry aboot this place. I can protect ye.”

She knew that. She knew that Remy or any of his warriors would die protecting her. “I was thinking of tomorrow.”

“Ah,” Remy said. “Yer nervous.”

Gretna twisted her hands in her lap, avoiding his gaze. “I was wondering wot would happen if, never mind.” He was going to laugh at her stupid worries!

She heard Remy shift in the chair once more. “Go on, lass. Tell mah.”

Drawing in a breath, Gretna forced herself to look at him. There was no mirth about his face, only concern. “Wot if he doesna like mah? Wot if this entire journey was for naught and I have tae go back tae Ian a failure?”

Remy’s mouth worked and for a moment, Gretna thought he was going to laugh at her. “That is wot ye are worried about?” he asked.

She nodded and he let out a slow breath, his eyes boring into hers. “Lass, one look at ye and he will be dumbstruck as tae whether or not he’s worthy of ye .”

His voice was low but Gretna heard every word, her lungs stilling in her chest. There was something about the way he said it that made her, for a moment, wonder if he had ever said the words to one of his lassies before. Surely not or he would be wed to her. They made her feel special.

He gave her a small smirk, the seriousness leaving his expression and another Remy took his place. “Go tae sleep, Gretna.”

The tension was high in the room and while she wanted to delve deeper into Remy, Gretna decided that it mattered not. There was nothing between them nor should be. So, she slid down onto the bed until she was lying down, tucking her hands under her head and turning away from him as she worked to slow her hectic breathing. Every move he made she heard, her mind telling her to take one more glance at the man she was starting to figure out.

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 fare waiting 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.

He patted her hand. “Tis in the past, but this garden serves as a memory. I can only hope tae be remembered with such fondness when I go tae meet the heavens one day.” A smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Of course, I would need someone tae remember mah.”

Gretna blushed. “I’m sure ye aren’t easily forgotten.”

“James,” she added, pausing.

“And I couldna forget ye easily, Gretna. Ye are verra lovely, much like the flowers in this garden.”

His compliments caused her to smile and some of the tension left her shoulders. “Ye are too kind.” He was charming and handsome, traits that she could see as being a draw to any lass. “May I ask a question?”

“Of course,” he smiled.

“Why havana ye wed before now?” It was bold of her, but Gretna didn’t want to find herself being the second lass in his life because he was pining after another. If they were to consider marriage, she would want him to be honest with her and she with him.

James laughed, his grin widening. “I like that ye are forward with yer words, Gretna. Tis refreshing.” He covered her hand with his. “Perhaps, I was waiting for the right one tae come along. Is that so difficult tae believe?”

Gretna’s heart squeezed in her chest. “Nay,” she said softly. “Tis not hard tae believe at all.”

They shared a smile before he moved them on, his hand still resting over hers. “Come. There is much tae show ye before the feast tonight.”

“Feast?” She had anticipated that they would dine together, but a feast meant that the clan would be there as well.

“Aye,” James replied. “How else am I tae show ye off tae mah clan?”

How else indeed? Gretna fought a smile, already thinking about what dress she would wear for this evening. She was ready to impress whoever she needed to in order to spend more time with the handsome Scot at her side.