Chapter Two Painted Ceilings #2
She carefully pulled her hands together, grasping them tightly to stop the shaking and began whispering prayers. What else was she to do in this moment?
After leaving his bride by herself to get acclimated with her lodgings, Evander descended the stone stairs that led back toward the Great Hall.
Inside, Evander sat across from Leopold, the two once again with drinks in front of them.
Watered-down ale again. The good food and drinks would be brought out for the wedding, not for the likes of Leopold Crimmons.
“Ye willnae be staying long after the wedding?” Evander asked with a raised eyebrow.
“No,” Leopold huffed. “She will be your wife. I will have no reason to be her keeper anymore. I will spend but a few days here and then I will be back to Yorkshire. The less time I am here, the better.”
“She is yer sister,” Evander said, glaring at him. “And ye’re leaving her behind in a strange land with a man ye clearly dislike.”
“I like you as a business partner,” Leopold corrected. “But those feelings do not extend to our personal relationship. Besides, I believe you know from our joust my feelings on the Scottish in general. Unfortunately, you fall into that category.”
“I suppose I do,” Evander sighed. “So. Tell me about yer sister.”
“What is there to know?” Leopold asked, rolling his eyes. “She is a meek little thing, as you have seen. She is obedient. She is quiet. She will not cause you trouble. Is there anything else to know about her?”
“What are her likes?” Evander asked. “Does she have interests? Should I be aware of anything when it comes tae the food she will or willnae eat?”
“Do not bother with such questions,” Leopold rolled his eyes. “You did not ask for a companion. You asked for a wife. She will obey and make heirs.”
Evander furrowed his brow, his nose scrunching slightly.
“Ye speak of yer sister much like ye speak of the horses I have sold ye,” he growled slightly. Leopold laughed.
“I suppose there is not much difference between the two,” Leopold grinned. The man threw his head back and finished his drink in one go before slamming the tankard back onto the table. “I am exhausted from the ride. I will go and rest in my usual chambers. Good day to you.”
“Good day,” Evander said, watching him go. His hand tightened around the tankard. He was not used to this English coldness, and he did not believe he ever would be. His free hand drummed on the table, his mind spinning.
The way she acted was not like the spoiled young woman he had expected to be engaged to judging from her brother and father.
No, that would have made the whole thing easier.
The more she had acted up, the easier it would have been to explain to the clan why he was keeping her at arm’s length. Instead, he was facing a mouse more than a woman. It was the kind of meekness one had forced into them, not the kind that grew naturally.
He shook his head. He should not be worrying about such things. There was one thing Leopold was right about: Alice was not there to be a companion but to be a wife and produce heirs. He sighed and ran a hand down his face.
He could not make the same mistake again, he told himself, his mind drifting back to his past. To happy smiles in beds of heather and warmth in his chest.
He stood abruptly, his chair shuddering against the stone floor, and then he began to ascend the stairs toward Alice’s chambers.
He needed to see her. Prove she was still there. Remind himself of everything this arrangement stood for, not whatever his foolish heart seemed to be implying it could be.
He knocked on the door, pushing it open and—
She was still sitting on the bed.
He frowned. Had she not moved? He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
“Are the chambers tae yer liking?” he asked.
“Yes,” she nodded with a slight whimper. He frowned, watching her.
“Are ye sure?” he asked again. She nodded quickly. “I see…” he glanced around the room. “Ye should make the room tae yer liking.”
“I should…?” she asked, her eyes tightening with confusion. He took a deep breath.
“If ye want something changed,” he said slowly. “Then, come tae me,” he continued, waiting for her to nod with understanding. “Ye can change anything about this room should ye want tae.” he was bubbling at this point.
“Thank you, my Laird, I understand,” she said, her eyes widening with clarity.
“Good,” he nodded. He looked at her again. The way her hands twisted in her lap. The way she looked away from him. She was terrified. “Ye should rest. The minister will be here in the morning.”
“I will try to,” she murmured.
“Alice,” he said firmly. His tone made her sit up a little straighter, and he immediately regretted the firmness.
He sighed. “I am serious. Rest. Tomorrow will go on nae just through the day but possibly into the night. While I have preparations to complete, I would nae want my clan to see my bride falling asleep. So please, rest.”
Her heart hammered in her chest and she nodded weakly. Evander took that as a good enough response, leaving her for the night. She listened to him go before curling into herself on the bed, closing her eyes tight.
Tomorrow would be long. She was glad to be told. It was the first helpful information she had been given in weeks.
Below her, Evander was hard at work to make sure the wedding would go to plan. He checked the kitchens, the Great Hall and gave one last briefing to the servants before moving to his own chambers. As he passed hers, he paused briefly.
He thought perhaps he should go to see her. Then he decided against it and walked on.
Sleep.
He needed sleep.