Page 26 of A Laird and a Fugitive

“I am nae keeping anything from ye. I intended tae tell ye when we returned tae the castle. I dinnae see that there’s any way tae get out of it. But things hae changed. I learned why he wants tae marry me.”

“Why?” Tara asked.

Caroline took a deep breath. “It all gaes back tae Da. Apparently there was a battle and Da killed the old Laird Knox, and Ryan’s brother. Ryan was just a lad, a wee bit younger than ye, Tara. Ever since that day he swore revenge on our clan and when we arrived, well, he sensed an opportunity. He wants me tae provide an heir for him sae that he can wrest control of the clan away from uncle.”

Nessa and Tara fell silent. Caroline’s legs ached. There was a dull throbbing sensation in her head as well. She rubbed her temples, but the crown of tension didn’t seem to dissipate. She felt her way to the bed, bumping into the frame of it before sinking onto the hard mattress. Her chest rose and fell with heavy breaths.

She was still reeling from her encounter with Ryan and all the strange, conflicting emotions that arose because of it. In one moment she thought about the way he held her cheek and tenderly asked her why she was so kind to him; then in the next she saw him storming towards her, rage flaring in his eyes, pressing her against the wall and telling her that there was no escape. Which was the true Ryan? Could they both be real?

“Then it’s even more certain. We need tae find a way tae escape before the wedding,” Tara said with an urgent tone to her voice.

“Maybe he can gae and fight with uncle, and they will both kill each other,” Nessa said, taking no joy in contemplating two deaths.

“I believe Ryan is daeing this sae he will nae hae tae fight,” Caroline replied.

Nessa scoffed. “Ye think uncle is gaeing tae give up the clan without a fight? If Ryan thinks that, then he’s a bloody fool. Ye should hae let him die, Caroline. We would nae hae been in this situation if ye hae just let that bandit run him through. What were ye thinking? Ye could hae prevented yerself from haeing tae be his wife.”

Nessa didn’t sound angry anymore, it was more that she was dismayed and rued that things had not worked out differently.

“I was nae thinking, that was the problem. I saw a man in danger of being stabbed in the back and I just… I just reacted. It seemed like the right thing tae dae at the time. He hae come tae our rescue after all,” Caroline remarked in a weak voice.

“Aye because he wants ye as his wife. It’s nae as if he did this out of the kindness of his heart. I’m nae sure such an emotion lives within him.”

“Dinnae speak like that, Nessa,” Tara interrupted, “Caroline did the right thing. We cannae simply let people die if we can prevent it. It’s nae noble.”

Nessa waved a hand in the air. Caroline could just about see the movement amid the darkness. “Ach, ye need tae learn a lesson from the wild. It’s all about survival. That’s what our lives are now. It’s what they hae been since we left home. We cannae afford tae be noble because that’s how we end up like this.”

“I’m sorry,” the words dropped out of Caroline’s mouth like heavy stones. “I dinnae mean for this tae happen. I dinnae know it would be like this. I thought we would find kindness and shelter. I thought we could find a new beginning. I promise that I will dae everything in my power tae see that ye are safe. I dinnae care what I hae tae dae for Ryan. I will dae anything he wants as long as ye get tae enjoy yer lives.”

The softness and vulnerability that was evident in her voice elicited sympathy from her sisters. Nessa set aside her anger for the moment. She and Tara moved closer towards Caroline, and they all embraced again. Caroline closed her eyes and enjoyed the solace of being with her sisters. She didn’t know how long she had left to enjoy quiet moments like these.

“We still need tae escape. I appreciate ye offer, Caroline, but ye dinnae need tae sacrifice yerself for us. We are all adults now, and we can make our own decisions. As ye said, whatever fate awaits us, we will meet taegether. While we are here, we should try to find a way tae escape,” Tara said with surprising maturity.

Sometimes it was difficult to realize how much she had changed over the last few years, and this ordeal had again forced her to grow up quickly. For Caroline, who had practically raised Tara after their mother had died when Tara was very young, it elicited a feeling of immense pride.

“Tara is right. There must be a way. Perhaps we can give her plan a try, even if the chances of it succeeding are slim,” Nessa added in a gentle tone, perhaps trying to make amends for her earlier harsh reaction.

“I appreciate ye both, and while I’m willing tae try, I’m nae sure we hae the energy tae make another attempt taenight. It hae been a trying time for us and if we are tae get through this we need tae rest and make sure we hae our wits about us. Let us try tae eke out some sleep from what remains of the night,” she suggested.

Tara and Nessa made no objection to this. Caroline went to move off the bed and sleep on the floor to give the others more room. However, Tara and Nessa kept her held in bed. They pulled her under the covers and all squeezed together in the narrow bed. The younger sisters were not going to allow Caroline to suffer for them any more than she already had.

Although Caroline’s head and heart were reeling with wild emotions, she fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. It was a sudden collapse into slumber, a much-needed state for her exhausted body which had been put through the wringer.

Unfortunately, there were not many hours of the night left, so when Caroline awoke, her eyes were heavy and bloodshot. The door burst open and light from outside spilled in. Three maids arrived with bustling energy. They carried two large lanterns, which pushed the darkness of the room away. Caroline rubbed her eyes as she roused herself, but it was not the lanterns that caught her attention. It was the other thing the maids were carrying, a white gown.

A wedding dress.

Her wedding dress.

“What is this? Am I tae be fitted for a dress?” Caroline asked.

She knew that a wedding would likely happen sooner rather than later. She didn’t get the sense that Ryan was the type of person to let things linger. But she barely had a chance to catch her breath.

“This is yer dress, ma’am. I am tae tell ye that the wedding is tae take place in an hour. The Laird will be waiting for ye.”

A look of horror came upon her face. Her features became drawn and the last semblance of color drained from her cheeks. Tara gripped Caroline’s wrist. Nessa reacted with shock. She leaped up from the bed and confronted the maids.

“How can ye say that? It’s nae fair!” she shouted, which alerted the guard outside. He came to the door and brandished his sword.