The Bride Chooses a Highlander Read online

  “Dearest Katherine. ’Tis joyful to see that ye are unharmed,” Hamish gushed.

  Instinctively, Katherine pulled back, not allowing the embrace. Hamish’s grin quickly vanished and his brow narrowed with displeasure.

  Ignoring him, Katherine faced her brother with a broad smile. “I’m safe, Graham. The MacTavish have treated me well.”

  He gave her a puzzled stare. “How did ye come to be here? Did one of the MacTavish men rescue ye from yer kidnappers?”

  “Nay.” Aiden stepped forward, planting himself in front of her brother. “We were the ones who took her.”

  Katherine nearly groaned. Did the man have no sense? Provoking her brother would merely serve to escalate a situation that had the potential to be most dangerous to the MacTavish clan.

  “Ye dared to take my sister?” Graham growled.

  “I’m fine,” Katherine insisted.

  “’Tis not yer place to defend yer kidnappers,” Graham snapped.

  “I’m offering ye the facts, Graham, nothing more.”

  She could feel the blush rising up from her neck and invading her face, yet Katherine’s eyes blazed as she bristled under his chastisement. One would think her brother would express joy and relief at finding her safe and unharmed.

  Instead he appeared angry with her! God’s teeth, Hamish Drummond had demonstrated greater delight in laying eyes upon her than her own flesh and blood.

  A calculating look crossed Graham’s face as he turned a hard stare upon Lachlan. “My father was very specific in his instructions. Once I found my sister, I was ordered to dispense justice to the men who kidnapped her.”

  “What sort of justice?” Lachlan asked.

  “Whatever I deem appropriate.” Graham’s face tightened. “Knowing my father that could easily mean having ye gutted, then castrated, drawn, quartered, and burned.”

  Katherine flinched, her stomach turning at the gruesome image. “I’ve said time and again that I have not been harmed,” she insisted, hardly believing such brutal words sprang from her brother’s lips.

  Where had the sweet lad who used to follow her around and beg for cream cakes and buns gone? In his place was a stranger, a hard, shrewd warrior.

  “’Twas not Lachlan who took Lady Katherine,” Aiden interjected. “I did. Against his specific wishes.”

  Graham turned suspiciously toward Aiden. “Ye acted against yer laird’s orders? Yet ye appear to be suffering no discomfort fer all the turmoil that ye have caused.”

  Aiden shrugged. “’Tis our business.”

  Graham grimaced in disgust. “Why did ye not send word and request a ransom? At least then we would have known she was alive.”

  “It was never my intention to demand payment fer Lady Katherine’s return,” Lachlan answered. “She was ill fer a short time. I was waiting fer her to fully recover before taking her home.”

  She could see that Lachlan was making a great effort to be civil, a fact that appeared to make no impression upon her brother.

  “My father has no tolerance fer action taken against our clan,” Graham informed them. “Nor fer those who defy his will. Including his kin.”

  The last comment was directed at her. Katherine could feel every muscle in her body seizing as she struggled to keep her expression impassive.

  “Graham, it appears that no real harm has been done,” Hamish interjected. “I fer one rejoice at being united with my betrothed and now that she is found, I fully intend to keep her.” Hamish braced his feet apart and crossed his arms. “I’ve thought and prayed upon the matter and under these circumstances the best way to preserve Lady Katherine’s reputation is to find a priest to marry us before we return to McKenna Castle.”

  Katherine fell silent, staring up at Hamish, trying to remain calm, while inside her mind tumbled with dread. His features were harsh, his determination evident. A sense of unease swept through her. She had not come this far, endured so much, to once again be facing a marriage that she knew she could not accept.

  “I’ve made my feelings about this matter well known to ye,” she hissed at him. “I’ll not wed ye, Hamish. Ever.”

  He uncrossed his arms and seized her hand, stroking her palm gently with his thumb. “Ye are too cruel, milady.”

  “Nay, too honest.” Squirming, Katherine pulled her hand away and stepped back.

  Hamish’s expression hardened as his eyes raked over her. “I willnae insult either of us by asking ye to want me or care fer me,” he said. “The betrothal contracts have been signed, we’ve pledged our intentions in front of our families and our clans. We will marry.”

  Tears threatened, but Katherine contained them. The situation was more intolerable than ever. Hamish’s gaze was unnerving, filled with callous intent. Any kindness he might have felt toward her was clearly gone.

  “Ye cannae force me,” she insisted, her voice wavering.

  “There will be retribution if ye dinnae honor the agreements,” Hamish lashed out. “A Highlander doesn’t tolerate betrayal.”

  “How dare ye!” Katherine gasped. “I wasn’t the one who professed a great love fer another. Ye betrayed me and thus the bargain between us dissolved.”

  “Nay,” Hamish retorted sharply. “It stands. Now stop acting like a spoiled brat.”

  He started toward her and she backed away, shaking her head. Katherine turned a nervous eye to her brother. “Graham! Do something.”

  Her brother let out an impatient oath. “Father has ordered me to allow Hamish to decide what to do about the marriage. If he still wants ye, then ye must wed him.”

  Katherine felt as though her heart had stopped. “I dinnae believe it! What of my wishes?”

  “Father wanted to marry ye by proxy to Hamish before the search began.” Graham turned his head aside and mumbled beneath his breath. “Mother wouldn’t hear of it.”

  Her father was willing to let the marriage take place? Even after she had explained in her letter why she fled to avoid the union? A wave of misery engulfed Katherine. She took a deep breath, seeking to hide her hurt and desperation.

  She had badly miscalculated her father’s reaction and would now suffer the consequences. But not without a fight. Shaking, Katherine pulled herself together. She still had her mother’s support. All was not completely lost.

  “A swift marriage is best fer all,” Hamish declared. “In time ye shall thank me, Katherine.”

  Never! She compressed her lips in frustration. Even in her wildest imagination Katherine could not conceive of such a thing. She opened her mouth to tell him, but held her tongue when she caught sight of the malicious cast to Hamish’s eyes.

  Why had she never noticed it before?

  Knowing that she could not let him best her, Katherine found her voice. “Despite what my father might wish, I’ll not be shackled to ye by vows of marriage.”

  “Ye act as though it will be a terrible hardship to have me fer yer husband,” Hamish said, moving toward her again.

  Katherine returned his glare even as she scrambled away, then suddenly ran into something solid. Startled, she turned and found herself staring up into Lachlan’s eyes.

  There was a sudden crack of thunder so loud it made Katherine’s ears ring. In moments, large pellets of rain fell from the sky. Everyone scrambled in separate directions seeking shelter.

  Katherine had taken only a few steps before someone grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the stables. Instinctively she shied away from her captor, feeling only a slight sense of relief when she saw it was her brother who held her hand so possessively. At least it wasn’t the loathsome Hamish.

  The horses paid them no mind as Graham dragged her to a protective corner of the stable. Clamping her jaw tightly, Katherine tried to leave by going around him, but he blocked her path.

  “Let me pass,” she said. “I wish to go into the great hall with the others.”

  “Hush, Katherine, we have but a few moments of privacy,” Graham said sternly.

  Katherine blinked
. His voice sounded so much like their father’s it made her shiver.

  “How dare ye speak to me as though I were a dim-witted child,” she cried, hurt edging her anger. “I’ve never been so humiliated in all my life.”

  “Sister.” Graham reached out and pulled her into his arms, enveloping her in a wide hug, so tight it nearly crushed her ribs. “Saints be praised that ye are alive and unharmed,” he whispered. “Fer days we feared the worst.”

  Relief surged through Katherine and for a moment she clung to her brother, then suspiciously drew back. What sort of game was Graham playing now? She opened her mouth to berate him. However, the sincerity in his eyes moved her, causing a bit of her pain to fade.

  “All are well at home?” she asked.

  Graham smiled. “They will be once they learn that ye are safe.”

  “What of the McKenna men who aided me when I fled from Drummond Castle?” Katherine asked. “A few were wounded in the scrimmage.”

  “They’ve recovered. Malcolm has assigned the lot of them to duties that will keep them out of Father’s sight.”

  Katherine was relieved. She shared a smile with her brother and then unwittingly her anger resurfaced.

  “Why have ye been acting like such an arse?” she demanded. “And why the hell does Hamish Drummond ride with ye?”

  “Father thought it best. We scattered to the four winds once we learned that ye had been taken. Malcolm to the south, James to the west, Father to the east. I was sent north. Since it seemed least likely that ye’d be found here, I was given the task of bringing Hamish with me. The Drummonds are vexed and I was charged with making them believe that we agree they have been gravely wronged.”

  Katherine caught the flicker of distaste in her brother’s eyes when he mentioned Hamish. Perhaps her cause was not as dire as it first appeared. “Do ye think I should wed him?”

  “My opinion has no bearing on yer situation. If ye want to break the betrothal, then ye must convince Father.” Graham’s expression darkened. “And I warn ye, it willnae be easy.”

  “What about Mother?”

  Graham smiled. “She’ll forever be yer champion, but even her power has limits. Her hope was that ye’d be found unharmed, and Drummond would decide that he no longer wanted ye.”

  “Well, that hope is well and truly dashed.” Katherine sighed bitterly. “Hamish appears more eager than ever, if fer no other reason than to spite me.”

  “Aye, that seems to be his way.”

  Katherine stared back at the sympathy in her brother’s eyes. “There has to be some way to escape from him.”

  Graham slowly released his breath. “He might not want ye if he thought ye were unfit to be his wife.”

  “Unfit?” Katherine scoffed. “Isn’t running away from him reason enough?”

  “Hamish expects his bride to be pure. Ye were taken from us by a group of Highlanders and traveled with them without any female companionship fer days. If something happened, ’twould not be yer fault.” Graham’s face heated as he sent her a knowing look.

  Katherine’s eyes widened as she caught her brother’s meaning. “I’m still a maid, if that’s what yer asking. Even Aiden, fer all his arrogance, treated me with respect.”

  Graham sighed. “Though it could have solved yer dilemma with Drummond, I am relieved to hear it. I dinnae fancy having to challenge the MacTavish laird or his brother to atone fer yer dishonor.”

  “There has been no dishonor,” Katherine replied. “Och, Graham, ’tis all such a quagmire. There has to be a way to escape from Hamish!”

  Graham inhaled. “Well, Mother did have one idea that she passed along to me, though it’s far-fetched and nigh impossible to accomplish.”

  “Tell me.”

  Graham reached out, took her hand, and looked directly into her eyes. “Sir Hamish cannae marry ye if ye are another man’s wife.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  There was an air of tense anticipation in the great hall as the McKenna retainers joined the MacTavish clan for the evening meal. Concerned that normally there was barely enough food to adequately feed the usual number who attended, Katherine had instructed her brother to relinquish whatever food stores they could spare and promptly brought those items to the kitchen.

  Graham had raised a questioning brow at her odd request, but complied. Fortunately, his men had been successful in their hunt last night and earlier that morning. A grateful Lady Morag had overseen preparations of the fresh meat they provided and the result was an ample amount of simple, well-prepared food for all.

  Katherine remained quiet throughout the meal, her mind consumed with thoughts of her future. ’Twas a relief to know that her brother—and mother—didn’t expect her to be submissive and meekly comply with an unacceptable arrangement and marry Hamish Drummond.

  Unfortunately, her father had other ideas and it appeared Katherine would not be afforded the necessary time she needed to change his mind. Instead, she would need her wits and cunning to escape that fate.

  Graham’s remarks had firmly planted two seeds of ideas in her mind of how she could accomplish that task. The more she considered them, the faster they grew.

  Lose her virginity or marry another before returning to McKenna Castle. Both were appalling in their own way, with challenges and consequence, yet each were surely a means to an end. There was little doubt Hamish would abandon her if either occurred.

  If she returned home no longer a maid she could very well remain unmarried for the rest of her days. No self-respecting noble would eagerly take another’s leavings, no matter how large her dowry.

  ’Twas the height of hypocrisy, of course, as men had the freedom to do whatever they wished with the opposite sex before and even after their marriages. Women, however, were judged differently. They were expected to remain pure until they married and faithful after they had spoken their vows.

  Nay, the more she thought about it, the more Katherine realized that surrendering her virginity merely for the sake of escaping Hamish was too high a price to pay. Personal repercussions aside, she could not inflict that dishonor upon her family, her clan, or herself.

  That left one other possibility. She would have to wed another and return home a married woman. But who would take her as his bride?

  Her eyes instantly turned toward Lachlan. God’s bones, he was magnificent. Her breath caught just looking at him. But she could not let attraction and desire rule her head. She must be careful and considered and look to all possibilities before making a choice.

  To that end, Katherine’s eyes drifted over the McKenna retainers seated together at the trestle table closest to the door. She knew nearly all of them. Several were unmarried; two had lost wives to illness last year. If she married one of them, their lack of property would not be a hindrance—as a wedded couple they could live at her dower estate, a half day’s ride from McKenna Castle.

  Her estate was a prosperous fortification, with fertile farmland and a breathtaking view of the Scottish hills. Any man would be proud to call the place home, especially a landless one.

  In theory it sounded so simple. Yet would any of these men be willing to stand strong and face her father’s ire? She didn’t doubt their courage, yet she feared they were too loyal to cross him and marry without his blessing.

  Her gaze turned away from the McKenna men and came to rest at the others seated on the dais. That her eyes again fell first upon Lachlan was no surprise. ’Twas inevitable. Ever since she had awoken from her fevered sickness she had been drawn to him in a way she didn’t completely understand.

  ’Twas more than his handsome face and impressive physique. More, too, than the fluttering of desire that washed over her when he looked at her in a certain way. There was honor and empathy in him, coupled with strength of character.

  His life had been harsh, but his heart was pure, his sense of humor intact. Aye, he was poor. His clan had neither stature nor wealth, two things her father respected, two things her father would expect in a
ny man who became her husband.

  But she was not her father.

  Katherine couldn’t take her eyes off Lachlan as her mind started spinning. Most would regard it as a very bad bargain on her end, but this was hardly a conventional situation. The prospect of being his partner, sharing his life, his bed, and if God was merciful, one day mothering his children, filled her with restless excitement.

  This would be a good match for her—and him. With Lachlan as her husband she would face whatever struggles they encountered with strength and hope. They could build a life together with meaning and laughter and love.

  It was possible. Her heart thumped, her breath quickened. Truly.

  All she need do was convince him.

  * * *

  Sleep was impossible for Katherine that night, despite the comfort of the bed and the warmth of the chamber. Graham had declared that they would depart at first light, leaving tonight the only time to speak with Lachlan and put forth her proposal of marriage.

  By necessity it had to be a private conversation, one she wanted no one to hear or witness. That meant waiting until the household slumbered and then sneaking into the chamber where Lachlan slept.

  Katherine sat on the edge of her bed and stared into the darkness, straining for sounds of the household. All was quiet, letting her know that everyone had taken to their beds and pallets. Graham and Hamish had left the keep and slept in tents with the rest of their men in the bailey, so thankfully she wouldn’t have to worry about accidentally encountering either of them.

  Taking a final deep breath for courage, Katherine resolutely opened her bedchamber door and carefully made her way into the corridor. Gripping a stubby tallow candle at the base, she moved slowly toward Lachlan’s door.

  Black shadows loomed all around her and Katherine’s heartbeat quickened. The steady sound of a heavy rain pelted the roof. She cringed at a sudden clap of thunder and turned her head away from the flash of lightning that momentarily illuminated her path.

  She was dressed in the thin night rail Lady Morag had lent her when she first arrived. Due to the differences in their height, the garment swirled around her calves, leaving her ankles and feet bare and chilled. She had hastily thrown a blanket over her shoulders, but it was worn and thin and offered little protection against the cold and dampness of the hallway.