Page 28 of Highlander’s Beautiful Liar

When Cora let out a dry laugh, he gave her a sharp look. “That amuses ye?”

“I am the daughter of my father’s mistress. I don’t think anyone will find it amusing that I’m getting married in his wife’s dress.”

“I see yer point. Well, if this was a true love match, I’d worry about the bad luck it might bring. But since ’tis not, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

The pain that crossed her face struck a nerve with him, but he refused to acknowledge it. The lass had all but confessed that no one would have her in England. Now she was to wed a laird. It should please her. “Ye can make things easier on ye if ye just tell me what I want to know.”

“I’ve told you everything,” she whispered.

“No. Ye haven’t. Not that it matters. Soon it won’t matter anymore. Do ye want to write to yer family and let them know that yer alive?”

“No,” she said quickly. Too quickly. “It’s best if they don’t know what I’ve been through. I fear Lord Thistle would not endure the news well.”

“They really care for ye?”

“Does it really surprise you that someone might love me?” she said bitterly as she slid off the bed. “May I be excused so that I may get ready for my wedding day?”

“Get Mary to help ye,” he said gruffly. “I’ll have the dress sent to ye room. I want to get this done by breakfast.”

“Your impatience to marry me warms my heart.”

Before he could reply, she’d slipped out the door. Running his hands over his face, he went to wake up his friends and Kane MacKay so that they might serve as witnesses.

Half an hour later, they were all gathered in the great hall with annoyed looks on their sleep-deprived faces. He had no doubt that they were still suffering from hangovers. From what he could tell, the celebration went well into the night.

Father Kevin Donnelly looked entirely too nervous to suit his needs. From what he knew, the Englishman was hoping to convert the Scottish heathens although he always looked terrified when he traveled from clan to clan. “Laird Sinclair, this is most unusual,” he said after he cleared his throat.

“But Father Donnelly, I am in love,” Alec drawled. “What could be more unusual about that?”

“Ye do realize that I must hear the bride’s consent before the ceremony can begin, yes?”

“Father, ye wound me,” Alec said with a grin. “Do ye really think a woman would turn all of this down?”

His friends, and even Kane, chuckled. Jamie stepped forward and leaned in close. “Alec, when I told ye to find a way to dispense of yer obsession with the lady, I did not mean for ye to marry the wench. Are ye truly in love?”

“In the audience of the King, I am. Doonae worry, Jamie. I have not lost all my senses. My motivation will be revealed in the King’s presence.”

“Did ye get her pregnant?” Stephen asked as he sauntered closer. “The whole hall saw ye run after her like a madman last night.”

That was even more perfect. More support for this ridiculous idea of a love match.

Kane suddenly cleared his throat, and Alec whipped his head around. Cora was dressed in a gorgeous green silk dress that dipped low over her bosoms and fit to every curve in her body. Her auburn hair was coiled in a braid around her head, and when she walked, she commanded the attention of everyone in the room. Never had Alec seen anyone look more beautiful in his entire life. At that moment, he couldn’t imagine anyone in England not thinking that she was a lady.

She looked like a goddess.

“Miss Claire,” Stephen said as he bowed. “Ye look breathtaking.”

“Actually, since you have all magnanimously agreed to attend my wedding, you should know that my name is Cora. Cora Isles.”

Alec watched Kane’s expression closely, but there was no surprise. The man had no idea that Duncan had a daughter.

Father Donnelly walked over and took her hands. “Lady Isles, I am Father Devin Donnelly. I will officiate your wedding, but first I must have a private word with you.”

“Father, if you are concerned that I am here against my will, I can assure you that I am not. From the moment I laid eyes on the Laird Sinclair, I was drawn in by his kindness. He rescued me from dire circumstances, and I have adored him ever since. He is a gentle, kind, and fair man. I am overjoyed to be his wife.”

Her loud declaration was followed by a deafening silence. Even Alec could only stare at her. She slipped into the role so well that even he believed it for a moment.

“That must have been some night last night,” Stephen whispered in his ear.