Page 21 of Claimed Highland Brides

THE HORROR

Daividh could not help loitering about the castle even though he really should have gone back to his own quarters, changed his clothes, and had his own bath. His fellow soldiers called out in greeting when they caught sight of him while the serving girls cast him coquettish or suspicious looks depending on what they thought he wanted from them. He wandered down the corridor until he came to the chapel and stepped in, if only for a moment of solitude.

He leaned back on the bench, thinking hard. Undoubtedly he was in disfavor with the McCormick after their last interaction but he did not know how this might affect his employment. Would the laird send him away? While he had not failed his mission, clearly he had fallen below expectations although Daividh could not, for the life of him, fathom what was so urgent.

Perhaps the other laird is dying and wishes to be wed before that happens.

Daividh knew that was wishful thinking but he could not help but hope that it was true. He could stand to come in second place if that was what it would take to keep Fiona. And he so wanted to keep her for himself. It felt like a gaping hole in his chest to think of her gone from his life, living a life of watered milk when he was ready to give her full cream.

He laughed softly at the dramatic nature of his thoughts before bending his head and burying it in his hands.

I need to get a hold on myself. These musings will get me nowhere.

He did have some savings, but not enough to keep Fiona and her sisters in the life they were used to. He sighed, knowing it was hopeless, but unable to let go of that last sliver of hope—that something would happen, and all of his dreams would come true. Fiona would be his and they would live happily together with all the sisters she spoke so fondly about along their journey.

His thoughts were interrupted by the pitter-patter of running feet and he turned his head to watch the door, wondering if Mrs. O’Brien had sent a small boy after him. Probably to tell him to vacate the premises before she had to cast him out. So it was with great surprise that he saw someone much taller than a small boy, and much prettier too. Her fiery mane lay in disheveled disarray about her shoulders, she seemed to have lost her cap somewhere. Her ample bosom was heaving and her face drawn in utter despair. He took a step towards her, hand already outstretched. “What has happened?”

A lone tear trailed its way down her cheek and he watched it with trepidation, taking another step towards her. “Fiona! What’s wrong?”

“I...he…” She made a sound of distress and threw herself into his arms. He could do nothing but catch her, and hold her as she sobbed hysterically. His heart squeezed with worry for her. She did not seem to be physically hurt, at least he could see no bruises or blood.

Surely her uncle would not harm her?

He could not help but wonder if he had brought her here only to lead her into some trap.

“Fiona, please tell me who has hurt ye so that I may avenge ye. Or what has happened to cause this distress. Please, tell me sae I can make it better.”

Her crying petered off and she looked up at him, viridian eyes wide with despair. “H-He is...he is so old, Daividh. I dinnae think I can marry him.”

His back stiffened as he understood the source of her distress. “Yer husband-tae-be ye mean?”

Her eyes narrowed at him even as they were still brimming with moisture. “Who else?”

Daividh relaxed, feeling so many emotions that he did not know what to say for a moment. He was relieved that she was repulsed by her betrothed while also annoyed that her objections would be so shallow. A hot rod of possessiveness made him tighten his hands around her even as the cold wash of reality overwhelmed him with the knowledge that this marriage was indeed happening.

He sighed.

“Fiona…”

She looked into his eyes, her own filled with a hope that he did not understand. “Yes?”

He hesitated, torn between desire and duty. But in the end, duty won out. “Ye’re acting like a wee bairn, Fiona. Ye must ha’ kenned that yer uncle would chuse a man of worth, sufficiently well-tae-do as tae take care o’ ye and yer family. This isnae cause frae despair.”

She tore herself out of his arms, glaring all the while. “Is that all ye have tae say tae me? I am acting like a wean? What do ye ken aboot it eh? Have ye ever been forced tae marry an auld man?”

Without waiting for an answer, she flounced out of the room, every hair on her body bristling. Daividh slumped back down on the bench, exhaling sharply as he covered his face with his hands.

* * *

Fiona banged into her chambers, startling Julieta, who dropped the spoon she was using to eat. She slammed the door behind her and dove onto the bed, covering her head with the pillow as she huffed and puffed with anger. There was a loud silence in the room and then the rustling sounds of Julieta bending down and picking up her spoon before there was a splash of water into the basin, and the sound of scrubbing before the sounds of eating resumed.

Julieta began to hum, and the more she did not ask what the matter was, the angrier Fiona became.

Nobody cares about me!

There was the sound of a spoon hitting an empty bowl and then footsteps before the dull thud of the tray placed on a wooden surface.

“Ye want tae tell me what the matter is or should I guess?” Julieta’s calm voice had her sitting up sharply to glare at her servant.