Page 10 of Surrendering to her Highland Captor
Just as rumors of her had traveled, word of an English Lord wreaking havoc had spread too. Though her parents had done their best to keep her from hearing any of them, they could not stop the maids from whispering in the corridors.
Lord Dudley was said to have burned homes with women and children stuck inside. They said he made war with whomever he pleased, so long as he got what he wanted. Worst of all, many suspected that his first wife’s accidental death was no accident. He was so feared that the girl he had been engaged with shortly after had fled. Some suspected that he hunted all throughout the Highlands to find her, and that was what had driven him to their borders.
“He is a Baron! A man of title. Ye will be a part of the English nobility,” her mother preened, avoiding the answer in a telling sign.
“His name?” Taryn tried again, more sternly this time.
“Lord Vernon Dudley.”
Her father’s indifference was a cut deeper than any Taryn had felt before. He would not look her in the eye, making Taryn believe that all those rumors the maids whispered were more than rumors. Horror welled up until Taryn couldn’t stop the words from pouring out of her.
“Nay. I will nae marry him. Nay! He is a murderer. A savage, nay matter what his title is.”
“Taryn,” Rowena hissed. “Calm yerself.”
“He killed his first wife and is hunting for the last woman who spurned him. And this is who ye have promised me to?”
“Those are just rumors, vile slander,” her father placated.
“Are they?” Taryn questioned defiantly, an eyebrow arched.
When neither her mother nor father promised her the fallacy in the rumors, Taryn stood, sure she was going to be sick.
“How could ye?” she breathed.
“That is enough,” Jonah ordered with a sternness that proved he would have made a fearsome Laird if he had ever been given the chance.
Standing to his full height, Jonah braced his hands on the desk. His fingers splayed, knocking over the little figurine that marked the McGregor Castle they were in.
“Word has already been sent to Lord Dudley. Ye are expected to be at his side in his lands within a fortnight. Between now and then, ye will head yer mother’s every word. She will see to yer wedding trousseau and what is left of yer training. There will be nay more excursions out of the castle or sneaking off. It is time for ye to grow up, Taryn. The decision has been made by me and yer Laird.” A hand sailed through the air, cutting off any further arguments. “I will hear no more on the matter.”
Her teeth clacked as she slammed her jaw shut.
“Good. Ye are nae to leave the castle walls until it is time for ye to depart to yer husband’s lands. If I find out ye have disobeyed me, the consequences will be swift and harsh.”
Taryn tucked her chin in a feeble attempt to hide her tears.
“We all have our duty to do for this clan. This is yers.”
She knew it was her father’s attempt at comforting her, but it only made her feel worse.
“That is all.”
Dismissed, Taryn rose slowly and turned from the room. She was careful to move gracefully, keeping her shoulders back with only her iron will. As soon as the study door was closed behind her, Taryn let the first tear fall.
