Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 161(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
…Even if it stings a little, considering what just happened with the man I’m to marry.
“You’re right,” I mutter quietly, forcing a smile at my friend before I arch a brow at her. “Now, are you going to tell me what you’re being so elusive about?”
Ailith stiffens, swallowing. “I’m am not.”
I laugh. “Ail, you ran in here like something was chasing you.”
She blushes, her gaze darting to the floor.
“It’s nothing, Una.”
Except, that’s not true. I know my friend pretty well, and I know she’s lying, or avoiding something. And she’s dreaming if she thinks I’m letting it go that easily.
“Ailith…”
She groans. “It’s honestly nothing, okay?”
That flush blooms in her cheeks again, and my brows knit.
“Hold on, you’re not scared, you’re flustered. Now what on earth has you so—”
Suddenly, my eyes go wide. I know that flustered look, because it’s the exact same excited, nervous, and scandalized look I had on my own face after running from Hamish.
“Ailith!” I hiss, my eyes wide as saucers. “Tell me right this instant!”
“What?!” She pales, her eyes as wide as mine as she shakes her head. “I—what are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the man that has you all flustered like this!”
She grows even whiter, shaking her head. “No, it’s… no,” she stammers before she lowers her head. “Ailith, I’m engaged to Lord Carson.”
Yuck. Lord Carlson is almost three times Ailith’s age, and a notoriously angry drunk of a man. He also has a sordid history of fathering bastard children with his household staff. Even scarier, his four previous wives all found themselves dead under bizarre circumstances before the age of twenty-five.
…As much as I want to complain about being betrothed to Lord Ballentyne, my situation is nothing like Ailith’s. So needless to say, her being all flustered over a man, when I know Lord Carson isn’t at this wedding, has me intrigued.
“You have to tell me!”
She shakes her head vigorously. “Una, you’re imagining things.”
I sigh heavily, glaring at her through my grin. “Fine, keep your secrets, you hag.”
She snorts a laugh at the insult that’s become somewhat of a joke between the four of us.
“Let’s just get through your wedding first, and then we can figure out what I’m going to—” her mouth snaps shut, and she quickly takes a breath.
“Today is about you, Una. Let’s keep it that way.”
I smile, shaking my head as I give in. “Okay, okay. Fine.” I sigh, glancing around my quarters. “Can we get out of here for a bit? Maybe go find Cat and Rhona?”
“But you need to get ready!”
I shrug. “How long does it take to put one dress on?”
Ailith sighs, giving me a look.
“Una, it is your wedding day.”
“And you’re worried that I’m not taking it seriously?”
“Something like that? Una, Lord Ballentyne is supposed to be a good man.”
He’s a WICKED man is what he is. A filthy, sinful, wicked man who put his mouth between my legs and made me see stars.
I swallow back the blush as I shake my head. “Can we just go for a walk? I need to clear my head.”
She smiles. “Sure.”
Ten minutes later, I’m already feeling better. After not being able to find Cat and Rhona in their guest quarters, Ailith and I are strolling through the vegetable gardens near the eastern wall of Dungow. My mind is clearer, and I can tell hers is too.
“You know,” she finally says, grinning at me conspiratorially. “I still don’t think you’re telling me the whole truth about where you were.”
I stammer, shaking my head. “I told you, the—”
“The bathhouse, I know,” She stops and turns to arch a brow at me. “Now, was it the baths that somehow gave you a kiss-mark on your neck, Una?”
Heat rushes through my face, and my hand darts to my neck before I realize what she’s done.
“Oh, you horrible friend!”
Ailith hoots with laughter, having totally just tricked me into putting my hand where Hamish’s lips were an hour before.
“Okay, story, now!” She giggles.
I glare at her, and I’m about to give her another piece of my mind when I hear footsteps behind us. We both turn to see a stunningly beautiful woman with deep chestnut hair, flawless pale skin, and glowing blue eyes. There’s a severe and drawn look to her, with the hint of a sneer on her lips, and her mere presence is suddenly chilling.
“Ahh, well now,” she purrs with a voice like honey. “If it isn’t the blushing bride-to-be.”
I let my shoulders droop a little. She must be one of the ladies in waiting in Hamish’s court.
“Una,” I say politely, curtsying and smiling at her. She doesn’t smile back, and if anything, her frostiness only intensifies.
“Gwendolyn,” she purrs back, her sneer staying right where it is.
“How do you do,” Ailith curtsies politely. “I’m—”
Gwendolyn waves a hand dismissively, cutting Ailith off so fast my jaw drops.