Page 24 of The Son of a Highland Witch
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Finn didn’t expect Erica to show up for dinner. In fact, he half expected her to send someone to tell him they were heading back to her own home as soon as they could gather enough provisions for the trip.
As it turned out, Lady Erica was made of sterner stuff than this.
That night, she came downstairs with her maid, looking glorious in a dress he hadn’t seen before, an ivory cream brocade with lace at the wrists and neck. Conversation stopped when she came into the room and didn’t resume until she’d taken her place next to Jamie at the head table. Her head was high, and her regal manner gave every appearance of a woman firmly in control of her emotions.
Her face was pale, though, and her hand shook when she lifted her flagon to drink.
Finn’s knife clattered to the floor. The meat he’d been about to cut had become entirely unappetizing. He glanced from Erica to Jamie. The acting laird seemed engrossed in conversation with one of his men, oblivious to Erica’s distress, but then Jamie looked over at Finn and gave him the evil eye. The laird’s proxy hated Finn for being the escort to Erica, he hated him because he was a threat to him, and after yesterday’s incident, Jamie was worried that Finn and Erica would come closer. Finn gave Jamie a wide smile and flexed his shoulders, thrusting his jaw out a bit. What could such a runt of a man do about the insult? Jamie Buchanan was a lecherous dog and an inveterate imbiber; he would never dare challenge a man who had made war his craft since he had been old enough to hold a sword.
As he bent to retrieve his blade from the rushes scattered at his feet, Finn reminded himself that none of this was his affair. That he had almost kissed the lass had been a matter of circumstance. She’d looked so wounded, so lost standing there outside her own door, lips parted in dismay, he’d thought to comfort her. To let her know that she was a desirable woman, one worthy of so much more than what he was getting.
That he’d come to his senses before consummating the action had been an act of God, a moment of holy clarity where he realized just what he would stir up if he took the delectable and, at times, frustrating, Lady Erica to bed.
Now, as he watched her tug at the sleeve of her betrothed to get his attention, speaking urgently into his ear, it was all he could do to keep from rushing over there to drag her from the laird and his company of barbarians. There wasn’t a man at that table who wasn’t already drunk, Jamie included.
Whatever she’d said had an effect, though. Jamie smiled suddenly and lurched to his feet, shouting above the melee to get the attention of the crowd. The room fell silent for a second time that night, upturned faces expectant as Jamie opened his mouth to speak.
“I want to thank ye all for bearing witness tonight to this momentous occasion. The good Lady Erica has consented to become my bride at this time tomorrow. There shall be a feast the likes of which will make tonight’s meal seem paltry in comparison.”
As such, it was a glorious statement, broadly cheered from all quarters despite the fact the table was already groaning under an embarrassing abundance of food. With the old laird ill, Jamie had been liberal in the table he set and in the drink brought up from the cellars. He would be hard put to make good on his promise.
But it was not the food or drink which had his attention. It was Lady Erica herself who looked far from delighted at the news. If anything, her expression seemed more suited to the gallows.
The girl was obviously frightened to death and despairing besides. It had been her idea, though. Hadn’t it?
Finn could bear no more. He slipped away from the table while the crowd still cheered. He doubted she even noticed he’d gone.
* * *
After a wee while,there was a knock at the door, “No,” Finn’s voice from inside sounded.
The visitor, though, didn’t mind his desire to be left alone.
“Master Buchanan! What are ye doing here?” Finn asked with amazement.
“The question is, what areyedoing here, Finn? What is yer job actually? To ruin my wedding with Erica?” Jamie asked as he was approaching him. His eyes sparked with fury.
“My intentions are not that, Master. My intentions are to keep the lady safe and to be treated with kindness and respect. But what are yer intentions, Master?” Finn asked him as he stood up in front of Jamie, flexing his muscles and torso.
“This is not yer business, Finn. Stay out of this. Yesterday ye almost ruined everything, but Lady Erica heard me apology, and we will proceed to the marriage. I want ye to stay away from her!”
“It is not ye who will decide that. I have clear instructions from her father, and I will follow these exact instructions. I’m here to serve Lady Erica and not ye!” Finn said as the two men were looking into each other’s eyes with hatred. “I want ye to step out of me chamber right now, Master!”
“Listen well…” Jamie said.
“I hear none!” Finn told him, and he grabbed him by the wrist and took him out of the chamber. When Finn closed the door, he could hear Jamie barking like a mad dog.
* * *
He left.Erica couldn’t believe he’d just walked out.
She stared at the food set before her in consternation. It wasn’t that she’d expected him to do anything, to protest or take a stand or anything. In truth, she’d rather hoped he wouldn’t. She’d spent the entire afternoon soul-searching only to come to the same conclusion time and again. Her father had needed this alliance, else he would not have sent her here to wed this man. For the sake of her family, she would have to carry this through, despite whatever misgivings she had.
The whole thing was making her sick.
In fact, if she stayed here another minute, she would embarrass herself before the entire clan.
