Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
“Look at me, Ari,” Hugh said. He turned, guilt written plain on his face. “I should’ve stopped this, should’ve found a way to shield ye from it.”
Arianna reached across and touched his arm gently. “It isnae yer fault,” she said softly. “Ye did all ye could.”
The carriage rocked along the rutted road, its wheels groaning as the countryside slid past the small window.
Arianna watched hills roll into forests, heather bending beneath the wind while stone cottages and grazing sheep dotted the land.
A river flashed silver in the distance, winding like a living thing through the valley.
This was the land as she had always known it, wild and beautiful, and she wondered when it would cease to feel like home.
Inside the carriage sat her family, close enough that their knees nearly touched. Her mother’s hands twisted in her lap, her eyes red-rimmed and shining with unshed tears.
Hugh stared straight ahead, jaw clenched, while Marcus shifted restlessly beside him. The air felt heavy, thick with words none of them wished to say.
This marriage isnae only loss but purpose, a bridge between clans that would bring strength and gold to me people. If I must be given, then let it mean something.
Her mother suddenly grasped her hand, fingers trembling as they tightened.
“I daenae want to part with ye,” Eilidh said, her voice breaking. “Ye’re me heart, Arianna, and I cannae bear to leave ye in a stranger’s keep.”
Arianna squeezed back, forcing a small, steady smile. “I daenae want to part with ye either,” she said, “but I must do me duty.”
Eilidh’s tears spilled then, silent and unrestrained. Arianna leaned closer, resting her head against her mother’s shoulder.
“I’ll be well,” she murmured, though she did not know if it was true. She stroked her mother’s hand, offering comfort she herself sorely needed.
Marcus cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “Ye must write to me,” he said firmly, meeting Arianna’s eyes. “Often.” His expression darkened. “And if this Laird McGuire mistreats ye in any way, ye tell us at once.”
Arianna blinked, startled. “Mistreat me?” she asked. “Is he known for such things?”
Marcus nodded once. “Aye,” he said. “He’s a beast of a man, scarred by war and undefeated in battle.”
The words settled cold in her chest, and Arianna felt the carriage lurch as though the road itself had shifted.
She folded her hands together to keep them from shaking.
She knew of the stories about the man, but she didn't think that it meant he treated his close relations with the same hostility he showed in battle.
Hugh shot Marcus a sharp look. “That’s enough,” he said.
But Arianna lifted her chin. “Nay,” she replied quietly. “I should ken what awaits me.” She looked back out the window as the distant shape of Castle McGuire began to rise on the horizon.
Whatever waited beyond its walls, she would meet it with open eyes and unbroken resolve.
The carriage slowed, and Arianna leaned forward as Castle McGuire rose before her, stealing the breath from her lungs.
It stood vast and commanding, its stone walls climbing high with towers that caught the pale light like watchful sentinels.
The gate alone dwarfed anything she had known, iron-bound and carved with sigils worn smooth by time.
She felt suddenly small, as though she had stepped into a story older and far sterner than her own.
“Oh my,” she murmured to herself.
Beyond the walls stretched gardens unlike any she had seen, wide and carefully tended despite their scale.
Box hedges traced clean lines beside gravel paths, and winter-bare trees stood patient and proud.
A river cut through the grounds, its dark water moving swift and sure, bridged by pale stone arches.
The sound of it reached her even from the carriage, steady and alive.
The castle itself loomed above it all, layered with battlements and narrow windows like unblinking eyes.
Smoke curled from multiple chimneys, proof of life and warmth within those unforgiving walls.
Banners bearing the McGuire colors snapped sharply in the wind, bold and unapologetic.
Arianna swallowed, awe tangled tight with unease.
“It is certainly a sight,” Marcus said.
“Aye, a place of riches taken by the hands of a long line of cruel Lairds,” Hugh said.
Her gaze drifted past the towers to the mountains rising behind the castle, dark and rugged against the sky.
They stood untamed and distant, their peaks dusted pale, promising both danger and freedom.
A strange longing stirred in her as she studied them.
She wondered if one day she might walk those slopes and breathe without the weight of duty pressing her ribs.
For now, the castle called her forward, and the future waited within its walls. Arianna squared her shoulders and drew a steady breath. Whatever life awaited her here, she would meet it with quiet strength.
The carriage ground to a halt in the vast courtyard of Castle McGuire, its wheels groaning against the cobbled stones.
Arianna’s heart beat fast as her brothers reached down, steadying her as she stepped onto the uneven ground.
The chill wind whipped through the open space, ruffling her skirts, and she took in the towering walls, banners snapping above the great gate.
The castle felt alive and watchful, and her stomach tightened with anticipation and dread.
A young woman approached quickly, her posture straight and careful, and Arianna noticed the way her boots tapped softly against the stones.
“Good day, me Laird, me ladies, sir” she said, curtseying slightly. “I am Melissa, and I am to serve as yer maid while ye are in Castle McGuire.”
Arianna inclined her head politely. “Thank ye,” she said, her voice steady though tight with nerves.
Melissa’s lips curved in a small, knowing smile.
“I will see ye all to yer rooms,” she said, glancing at Marcus and Hugh.
“Ye must be weary after such a journey, and ye’ll need rest and food afore the wedding on the morrow.
” Arianna nodded, shoulders straightening, though her eyes darted around the courtyard once more.
They passed through the great doors and into the interior of the castle, the hallways high and narrow, walls lined with tapestries of battles long past. Candlelight flickered along carved beams, illuminating the worn stone floors beneath their feet.
Arianna’s breath caught at the echoes of their boots and the low murmur of voices from unseen servants.
“This place… it is magnificent,” she murmured under her breath, half to herself.
Melissa led Marcus and Hugh first, pausing at two separate rooms. “Here,” she said, opening the first door, “is yer chamber, me Laird. Comfortable enough, and ye’ll find fresh linens, some refreshment, and a fire to warm ye.”
Marcus gave a curt nod, while Hugh muttered a quiet “Thank ye,” before entering. Melissa closed each door gently behind them.
“Yer ladyship,” Melissa said, turning back to Arianna, “ye and yer mother shall be shown next to a pair of adjoining rooms. Ye can rest, and I’ll see ye prepared for the weddin’ on the morrow.”
Arianna swallowed, nerves tightening, but inclined her head. “I am grateful, Melissa,” she said quietly.
“Thank ye for making sure me room is near me daughter’s,” Eilidh said.
“Of course, I ken how important it is for a mother to be with her daughter on her weddin,” Melissa smiled.
Melissa opened the door to Arianna’s room and stepped inside, gesturing for her to enter.
“This will be yer chamber,” she said. The room was airy and spacious, with a large four-poster bed draped in pale linens, heavy curtains at the tall windows, and a small writing desk tucked in the corner.
A fireplace stood cold but ready, and a chest of drawers sat neatly against one wall, polished and welcoming.
Arianna stepped inside, taking in the quiet comfort. “It is… lovely,” she murmured, voice soft, half in awe.
Melissa nodded approvingly. “Ye’ll find all ye need here, me lady,” she said. “A place to rest, to dress, and to gather yer thoughts afore the big day.”
Arianna wandered over to the desk, running her fingers along the smooth wood. “And… me trunks?” she asked.
Melissa smiled patiently. “Aye, me lady, the servants will have them comin' up any moment. Ye will want for nothin' here, I promise.”
Melissa guided her to the adjoining door. “And yer mother shall be close by, me lady, so ye’ll have comfort of her presence. We will see ye both settled before the morn.”
Arianna nodded once, giving a small, resolute sigh. “Very well,” she said, “thank ye, Melissa.”
“And the trunks?” Eilidh asked.
Melissa inclined her head. “Here are yer trunks now.” Melissa nodded at the servants approaching the threshold, holding four trunks. They set them down gently.
“The Laird has offered his personal solar for the McDonald clan to dine together this evenin’.” Melissa paused, letting the words settle. “Ye shall be called when it is ready, so ye can rest until then.”
Arianna’s mother, Eilidh, straightened, smoothing her hands over her skirts. “That is very thoughtful of him,” she said, her voice tight but measured. “It is best we keep to ourselves this night, separate from the clan, until the weddin' unites us fully.”
Arianna nodded quietly, sensing the careful diplomacy in her mother’s words.
Melissa inclined her head, pleased at the understanding. “Aye, me lady, it is meant to give ye time to recover from yer journey, and to prepare for the morrow.”
Arianna felt nerves and anticipation move through her. Her mother lingered a moment, squeezing her hand.
“We’ll face this together,” Eilidh whispered.
Arianna nodded, letting the warmth of her mother’s presence settle around her like a shield, knowing that after the wedding, she would not see her for a long time.