Page 9 of The Beast

Moments later, she waited impatiently for Orla to finish braiding her hair. When the maid was finally done, Beatrice smiled widely. “I love it.”

The tray was cleared, and Beatrice took a deep breath before leaving her bedchamber. Hoping to find Ella, she hurried down the corridor.

To her chagrin, Ella was nowhere to be found. Not in her bedchamber, the great hall, or the family dining room. Finally, Beatrice walked into the kitchen. “Has anyone seen Miss Ella?”

The cook, Greer, and the helpers all shook their heads.

“I believe she may have gone to greet her brothers,” a chambermaid said.

Beatrice hurried back through the great hall and out to the front door to keep watch. They would be arriving any moment and she had to know what would happen to her.

A thought struck. Perhaps they’d sent one of her brothers to fetch her. Beatrice lifted her skirts, ran through the great hall and back up to her bedchamber. She was not ready to return. Not yet.

As the party got closer, Beatrice took in each person. Stuart rode ahead, Ella beside him. There were several guardsmen who rode behind them, everyone riding at a slow leisurely pace.

Neither Duncan nor her brothers were with the arriving party. Beatrice let out a slow breath. Perhaps all was well. No one came for her and therefore her mother must have decided to let her remain for a while longer.

This would give her time to write another letter to let her know there was no courtship, and all would end well.

With a wide smile, she made her way down the stairs to greet Stuart and get information about her family.

Stuart entered, his hazel gaze meeting hers with a curious look. “My brother wishes to speak to ye. He had to go to his home, but will return in a day or two.”

“Oh,” Beatrice pretended to be surprised. “Why would yer brother wish to speak to me?”

Stuart shrugged. “From yer mother.” He handed her a wrinkled letter that he pulled from a sack he carried.

“Ye must see what yer mother wrote,” Ella said tugging her to the parlor. “I wonder if she is cross?”

“In all probability she is furious. I feel a bit guilty for not returning home,” Beatrice replied and meant it.

Before tearing the letter open, she let out a deep breath. “I hate to disappoint my parents.”

“Read it,” Ella prodded.

The letter was short. The words were troubling.

“She will come to fetch me shortly. She waits until after a visit from the MacLeod.”

Ella waited quietly, so Beatrice continued. “She is angry and points out that my overextended visit is very rude.”

“I am sure all will be well once she sees that we wished for ye to remain,” Ella said with a bright smile. “Do not worry yerself.”

When Ella left to see about a meal for her brothers, Beatrice continued reading the letter.

Yer father and I think it best that ye marry a MacLeod. Ye must put off any plans between ye and Duncan Ross.

For now, we will not discuss a marriage agreement while the MacLeod’s visit. However, once ye return it will be the first thing to be dealt with.

End things immediately and do not give Duncan Ross any reason to think ye and he will marry.

Beatrice stared at the words and pondered at marriage to a MacLeod. Which one did her parents plan to marry her to? She couldn’t picture what the MacLeod’s sons looked like. When younger, they’d been unremarkable.

The alliance between her clan and the MacLeod’s had become stronger since they’d united to fight against northern aggression. As expected, since Isobel had married a Ross, it was she that would be offered up to a MacLeod.

Like a form of payment, she would be offered as a token.

She’d speak to Duncan as soon as possible. Perhaps convince Ella to take her to his home the following day. It was best to clear things up and ensure there were no misunderstandings. Already she’d acted like a spoiled child by remaining at Keep Ross much longer than necessary. Now it was time to act like an adult and face the consequences of her actions.