Page 14 of To Claim His Highland Bride

“Leave it loose,” Gwendolyn suggested. “Rowena looks perfect, except the dress needs one more thing.” Gwendolyn stood and came towards Rowena holding out a small folded piece of linen. “A gift for you from your brother.” Pulling back the edges of the linen, Gwendolyn revealed a strand of pink pearls. “These were your mother’s. Alastair wanted you to have them.”

Fiona took the necklace and fastened the pearls around Rowena’s neck.

Despite her attempts to be strong and brave, tears burned at the back of her throat. “Thank you for your efforts. I hope they are enough to convince Marcus we belong together.” She brought her fingertips up, running them over the pearls.

“The final touch,” Fiona said, producing a pair of pink slippers.

Rowena held back the edge of the gown and worked her toes into the slippers. Her sisters-in-law had made her feel feminine and beautiful, but would it be enough to make Marcus desire her with the same intensity as he had not so long ago?

She drew a deep breath and headed for the door. There was only one way to find out.

Chapter Six

At the top of the stairwell, Rowena drew a steadying breath before proceeding to the first floor and down a long hallway until she reached the doorway of the great hall. One glance inside the chamber revealed Marcus near the hearth. He had changed into a pair of dark breeches and a crisp white shirt, no doubt offered to him by one of her brothers. He moved with a restless grace; a deeper, powerful energy. At her entrance, he stopped and turned towards her, waiting for her to join him.

Now that the urgency of their previous reunion in the loch had faded and her emotions had settled, Rowena was able to see the true man before her. He had changed in the time they’d been apart. He had always been tall, at over six feet, but his physique was more mature now, his chest wider and deeper, his shoulders broader. The muscles of his thighs were heavier and clearly delineated by his attire. He must have endured heavy physical work during his time away.

She brought her gaze to Marcus’s face. His eyes connected with hers and her body warmed. Some things about him had not changed at all. He was still handsome, and his gaze still had a slightly wicked appeal that was revealed in the soft candlelight. His long dark hair was neatly pulled back in a queue. Sideburns accented the high cheekbones of his slightly elongated face, his strong jaw, and deeply bronzed skin.

But it was his eyes that drew her in. Their green depths held her hostage as he waved her into one of two chairs set before the hearth. His eyes used to look at her with warmth and passion. There was nothing warm about him now. His gaze was cold and stark, almost haunted. “I’ll admit I had imagined our reunion in a slightly different way than it played out this morning.” He took the chair opposite hers.

Her fingers stretched towards him before she curled them against the arms of the chair, fighting herself. Once, he had swept her into a whole new world where nothing existed but their feelings for each other. Her surname hadn’t mattered, and she’d clung to him, believing in hope and possibility. She’d been consumed by his brushfire passion and had been transformed by his devotion.

Rowena closed her eyes, mourning the loss of what they’d once had. If a spark of desire still remained, Marcus would have taken her in his arms by now. All of Fiona and Gwendolyn’s efforts had gone to waste. He wasn’t here to resume their interrupted hopes, he was here to say goodbye.

“Rowena?” Marcus’s voice cut through her memories.

Rowena opened her eyes, shaking off the heaviness that had invaded her soul. Her gaze connected with his, her control once more in place. They sat staring at each other in awkward silence until Rowena said, “Your mother and father will be—”

“I saw them while you were dressing. They are pleased I have returned safely.” Marcus’s expression was tight, pained.

“Did you find what you were looking for on your quest?” Rowena asked, wanting to talk about anything but the two of them.

He nodded. “More than I ever could have hoped for, and yet it came with a terrible price.”

Rowena frowned. “Then why did you not pay my ransom?”

“It’s complicated.” He stood, pacing before his chair like a caged animal. “My apologies,” he said after a long silence and stopped before her. “I am not used to sitting, much less being inside. Would you care to go for a walk in the gardens?”

“We will be outside the castle walls.” She got to her feet, maintaining her distance from him. “Are you worried that Bryce might return?”

His smile was the first honest emotion he’d shared since his return. It warmed the chill in his eyes. “I’ll be there to protect you.” He patted the broadsword at his side.

She crossed her arms in front of her but when she realised the action only pushed her already revealed bosom higher, she dropped her hands to her sides. “I am quite capable of taking care of myself.”

“Then why did Bryce apprehend you?”

“He drugged me.” She pressed her lips into a hard line as she headed for the door, needing to walk off some of her own pent-up tension.

Rowena stomped all the way down the stairs and out into the courtyard before her emotions settled. She wasn’t really angry about Marcus thinking he could protect her better than she could herself. She was angry that he hadn’t come for her immediately, for not paying her ransom, for not looking at her the way he used to. For changing everything.

She slowed her pace, allowing him to catch up with her until they stopped before the gates.

Aria stood guard. “Where are you two heading?”

“We needed to walk. The gardens seemed like the safest place,” Rowena replied, expecting the portcullis to open.

Aria stepped before Marcus, staring him in the face. “Alastair asked me to monitor who comes and goes while he calls off the search for you.” Her gaze narrowed on Marcus as her hand moved to the sword at her hip. “Besides, I do not know this man other than that he arrived along the shoreline this morning. Who are you and what are you doing with Rowena?”