A Promise for Tomorrow by Michele Paige Holmes

Author:Michele Paige Holmes
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Scottish Historical Romance, Historical romance, Christian Historical Fiction, Victorian Romance, Clean & Wholesome Romance
Publisher: Mirror Press, LLC
Published: 2017-11-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-seven

It was near midnight when I ascended the stairs to return to my room. The celebration below didn’t seem to be ending anytime soon, but I’d no desire to be a part of it. The week of profound grief and tension had left me exhausted, and I was still feeling the effects of Bridget’s special poppy seed brew, though nearly two full days had passed since I’d consumed any.

I’d done my best tonight to meet members of my own clan and to welcome the MacDonalds, doing my best to act as the lady of this castle and my clan. The last I’d seen of Ian, he and a group of men had been headed outside, presumably for the watch. As before— the first time I’d wed— it seemed I was to be granted a night to myself.

I opened my door and stepped inside, then turned to secure the bolt behind me. When it was in place I pressed my forehead to the cool wood and released a weary sigh.

“Was it that awful?”

I whirled to find Ian lounging casually on the bed in the near dark— legs crossed, hands behind his bald head. A low fire burned in the grate, and two glasses stood beside a tall bottle and a tray of bannocks on the table.

“You hardly ate anything tonight,” he said, following my gaze. “I thought you might be hungry.”

“I’m not.”

“In that case.” He lowered a hand and patted the spot beside him. “Change out of your gown and come to bed.” It was an order, not a request.

“I’ll do no such thing. Not with you.” I reached behind me for the crossbar.

Ian’s brows rose. “You prefer sleeping elsewhere? With someone else?”

“The man I preferred is dead.”

“Be that as it may,” Ian said. “It is within my rights to order you to come to bed with me.”

I stared at him blankly, doing my best to conceal my fear beneath a mask of anger. “I need not stay with you.”

“True enough,” Ian said. “In a year’s time you may choose to end our agreement. But until then...”

I was as good as wed to him and subject to his law. I’d just hoped he wouldn’t care to impose it quite so soon. So much for his promise to Alistair.

Ian uncrossed his legs, and I caught him wince. His injuries still pained him. There was something in my favor at least. My fingers closed over the bar, and I pushed it up.

“Change and come to bed, Katherine.” He spoke more sharply than before, as if he had guessed my intent. “If you try to leave this room, I’ll only come after you. And neither of us ought to be chasing about while we’re still healing. Not to mention that I doubt you’d like putting on a show for the crowd downstairs.”

And no one will dare to help you, he might have said. Bridget the brave feared him, and Alistair had bade me to do Ian’s will. What closer allies did I have?

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