Page 55 of Hunted By the Hard Highlander

“Aye, the household just finished unloadin’ their belongin’s right before ye joined me,” Willy confirmed. He met Hendry’s eye then, taking in his appearance. There was a knowing glint in his eye, one that told Hendry he’d seen Aurora as she sneaked back into the castle. “I trust ye got enough rest.”

“The amount of rest I get isnae any of yer concern,” Hendry said, his reply automatic. “Ye are beginnin’ to sound like Mrs. Duncan.”

“It is an important day,” Willy replied before he turned his attention back to the crowd of people the staff was expertly handling. “And ye arenae kent for yer friendliness.”

“Me friendliness is the concern of nay one,” Hendry said flatly. He gestured at the maids who were leading the guests inside with smiles on their faces. “Besides, our staff seems to have more than enough happiness to make up for me lack of warmth.”

Willy laughed, shaking his head as if he was expecting that exact answer. “Aye, they are quite excited about the gatherin’. Ye ken they are goin’ to want more after this one is through.”

“They will simply have to want.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his jaw tightening as he watched the procession of joy filter into his castle.

It should not have unsettled him so much, seeing the way the guests spoke and celebrated with such ease. They did not understand the work that had gone into ensuring their safety, the safety of the people inside. Their carefree nature was only possible because of the sacrifices he had made to his own mind. All of the stress, all of the planning, all of the looking over his shoulder, and he still could not be sure if his people were completely protected from threats.

“Ye should try lookin’ a wee bit less like ye are intendin’ to throw anyone that sets a toe out of line into the dungeons,” Willy said, finally turning his head to meet Hendry’s gaze. His expression became more serious, his voice dropping low enough that no one would overhear them. “Our guards are on their highest alert. Nae a thing will slip past them. Ye have me word.”

Hendry nodded, not caring for the platitude. Words were not necessary; actions were. And he trusted his men to act as they’d been trained to. He trusted his allies to step in if the castle were to come under siege while they were open and vulnerable.

If I dinnae have to worry about entertainin’, this would be easier to manage.

“I trust that ye will remain here until the last of our guests arrive,” Hendry said, rolling his shoulders back as he prepared himself for the day that awaited him. “I must prepare meself.”

“Aye, I have observation duty handled,” Willy said, the corner of his mouth quirking just slightly. “Ye arenae nervous about the ceremony?”

“Daenae ask me foolish questions,” Hendry scoffed, raising his hand when he spotted Laird O’Kingsley riding into the courtyard. “A handfastin’ ceremony isnae somethin’ to get meself nervous about. Ye speak as if I am a child.”

“I speak as though I believe ye are a human.” Willy looked ahead, his expression unchanged as though he had not said something uniquely devastating. “I also ken that ye arenae a fan of crowds. I doubt ye are excited to have so many eyes on ye.”

“It doesnae matter if I am lookin’ forward to it or nae,” Hendry sighed, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. Though Willy could get beneath his skin, he supposed he should be thankful that the man was able to pull a reaction from him that had nothing to do with duty nor impending danger. “I daenae feel a single bit of nervousness.”

Willy made an infuriating noise, something that sounded almost like a laugh. Deciding that it was not worth arguing over, Hendry rolled his shoulders back, turning his face toward the sun and letting the warmth wash over him. He drew as much strength from the simple, unimposing presence of the sun. Then, taking a deep breath, he lowered his head.

“I must prepare for the ceremony,” he said, beginning his walk back to the castle. Without turning around, Hendry added, “Remember what I told ye last night.”

“Aye, me Laird,” Willy said, his voice easily sliding back into the professional, almost stiff tone. He shifted back into being a warrior so easily, and it was something that had always impressed Hendry. “I will see ye at the ceremony.”

Hendry grumbled loud enough for Willy to hear him without bothering to turn around. With his jaw set tight, Hendry continued on his path to the imposing castle doors. Steeling himself for the bombardment of questions he was sure would come his way, he pushed the doors open and stepped inside.

Chapter Twenty-Six

“And there is Laird Anderson!” Alba said, turning away from the group of women when she saw Hendry. “Lady Aurora was just tellin’ us that she wasnae sure if ye would be comin’ to join us at all.”

“Of course I am,” Hendry grunted, his eyes focused on the way his castle had transformed overnight.

It was decidedly a place of celebration; rich red and forest green banners hung from the rafters, emblazoned with the Anderson crest. Staff moved seamlessly between groups of guests, attending to their questions as if there had never been anything more interesting to them. He could see that even the corridors had been adorned with their finest tartans and flowers fresh from the gardens.

“I assumed that ye would spend more time in yer cabin,” Aurora said, her cheeks turning pink when she met his eyes.

“Aye, I considered it,” he said, keeping his gaze on hers. Acknowledging anyone else would only invite conversation he was not ready for. Even now, he could feel the way the women surrounding Aurora were looking at him. “But it is me duty to be present for me guests.”

“Well, we will leave ye to the guests,” Isobel said, placing her hand on Aurora’s elbow. “I do believe that every Highland bride deserves a mornin’ surrounded by people that understand exactly what she is feelin’.”

“But—” Aurora began, looking as if she could not fathom having all of the attention on her. Her protests fell short when she was pulled away.

Hendry stood in place as his bride-to-be was dragged away. After letting two beats pass, he started up the stairs to his own chambers. When he got there, he made quick work of dressing, putting on his finest kilt. Then, knowing he was dressed acceptably for his guests, he steeled himself against the onslaught of attention and returned to the foyer.

Even more guests had arrived, and the sound of their voices was swelling. Laughter came easily; discussions about inconsequential things flowed freely. Despite his earlier hesitations, he felt a bit of pride. He was the reason that so many could feel so comfortable, and his staff continued to make him proud with their attentiveness.

It looks as though we have been doing this since forever.