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never go smoothly.”
    Rachel thought of her wedding day to Danny when his cousin Jake had tried to stab her with a broken bottle, Frank’s funeral when Danny got into a fight with Ryan over her and the fallout with Alex at Martina’s funeral.
    “You’re right.”
    He propped himself up on one elbow so he could see her face. “I’m sorry sweetheart, I should have kept my big mouth shut. Everything will be fine tomorrow. The worst that can happen is Amber loses the plot and has a huge tantrum. We’re far away from any trouble up here in the highlands.”
    “Glasgow’s not too far away and there are still plenty of McVay’s kicking about.”
    He hugged her tight and she turned over to nuzzle her face into his bare chest.
    “Everything will be fine, honestly,” he soothed, running his fingers through her hair, cursing himself for an idiot. After the nightmare Alex Maguire had put them through they were still getting back to normal. She needed to feel safe again and she’d just been getting there until he’d opened his mouth and stuck his great big foot in it. Rachel had an astonishing inner strength but that didn’t stop the bad dreams, the horrific memories. Sometimes he caught her glancing over her shoulder, eyes clouded with fear, convinced someone was watching her. She would realise she’d been caught out then smile, dispersing the shadow hanging over her but he knew it was still there, that awful dark thing Alex and his psychosis had planted there. She’d started to beat all that and his stupid thoughtless comment had set her back. He just hoped Rick was wrong and by coming here they hadn’t placed themselves in danger.
    “It’ll be alright,” he whispered into her hair. “We’re due a break.”
    She nodded into his chest, nestling in closer and his arms engulfed her, protecting her from the world. He held her this way until he felt her relax, heard her breathing slow as she drifted off to sleep. Only then did he allow his grip to loosen, laying awake for a while to watch over her, for some indefinable reason afraid to end his vigil until his eyes grew heavy and he too was fast asleep.

CHAPTER 5
     
    Rachel left Ryan with his brothers after enjoying a late breakfast to join Amber and Cathy in the bridal suite to prepare. The only problem was she took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up completely lost, wandering about on the second floor of the castle, passing a bewildering array of doors, none of which announced they were the bridal suite with a helpful little sign.
    “Can I help you?”
    Rachel whirled round to see a tall man with thick jet black hair and stormy dark eyes frowning at her. She had to tilt her head up to look him in the face. Big. Very big. He wore black trousers and a white shirt open at the neck. A waiter or porter or something, she assumed.
    “I’m lost,” she replied.
    When he saw her beauty his frown fell away. “Yes you are. These are the private quarters,” he said in a strong Scottish lilt.
    “I’m so sorry, I don’t know how I ended up here. I’m with the Maguire wedding party and I’m supposed to be at the bride’s suite right now helping her get ready.”
    “It’s easy to get lost here, it’s a big place. I’ll escort you. The laird gets upset when members of the public find their way into this wing, although I’m sure he’d make an exception for you.” His smile made his eyes twinkle. “Still, better safe than sorry. Let’s get you out of here before he sees you.”
    To her surprise he took her arm and steered her back the way she’d come.
    “So, are you the bride?” he said.
    “No, maid of honour.”
    “You’re married then?”
    “I am.”
    “Shame,” he grinned. “My name’s Thane.”
    “That’s a fabulous name.”
    “I like it. What’s yours?”
    “Rachel.”
    “Where are you from Rachel?”
    “Devon.”
    “That doesn’t sound like a Devonshire accent.”
    “It’s not. I’m originally from Manchester.”
    They chatted