by Fiona Faris
“My eyes must be deceiving me, but is that young Millicent MacGille here in Mackenzie Castle, quite grown? Milly, is that you?”
Milly rolled her eyes at the overly embellished greeting before turning around. That voice, with its affected English accent could only belong to one man, Nathan’s no-good cousin, Elias.
“Good evenin’, Elias. I hadnae ken ye were back at the keep.” She did her best to keep her voice light and plastered a wide smile that anyone who knew her would see from ten miles away was not genuine and didn’t reach her eyes. “What happened to yer speech? Ye sound like a right proper English gentleman, now.” She didn’t mean to come off as rude, but all trace of his brogue had vanished. She could’ve as easily been speaking to a lord of parliament rather than a man whose roots were in the Highlands.
“Thank you for noticing. I have worked hard to shed the country burr of my speech. I’m an educated man, and should speak as such, do you not agree?” He laughed. It was a strange sound that sent a small chill of apprehension up Milly’s spine. All with Elias was not as it seemed, and she was not inclined to stick around longer than necessary to learn what he was up to.
“Och, whatever ye like,” she replied, turning back to her plate.
“Well, yes. Unfortunate about Uncle Ham, but also your poor father. Please accept my sincerest condolences.” Milly gave the tall, thin man a polite curtsy. She couldn’t help but think he looked nothing like Nathan. They were blood, but where Nathan was muscular, sturdy, and dark, Elias was thin, all bones and joints, and too fair for her liking. Nathan’s eyes were deep-dark blue, like ice on a loch under moonlight, where Elias’ eyes were no easy to determine shade. He favored his mother’s people, English, more than he favored the MacKenzie blood that ran through his veins.
“Thank ye, Elias. It has been rough.”
“I am glad to see you, Milly. Awful business about Thomas. I’m guessing that is why you are here. To get him released? I trust you’ve met with Nathan and he has agreed?”
“Yes, of course Nathan has agreed to let Thomas out of the dungeon. The man has done nothing wrong.” She recognized the cavalier change in his tone. It wasn’t sitting right with her and his proximity caused gooseflesh to rise on her arms and a small trickle of sweat to trail down her back. He looked at her intently, but with no feeling or emotion. She avoided his gaze.
“I am glad of it. I am also glad to have run into you here. I’ve been meaning to speak with you. You’ve saved me a trip to Cadney.”
“Whatever for?” she asked timid, treating Elias as if he were a venomous snake poised to strike.
“Well, about your brother Gavin, of course.” Milly didn’t try to hide the shock on her face at the mention of her missing twin. What would Elias know of Gavin? He paused, and it felt like an eternity before he started to speak again. “I learned a great deal whilst I was in England. You did know I was in England, did you not?”
“Yes, yes, Elias, I ken ye were in England. Everyone kens ye were in England. I don’t mean tae be impatient but what of my brother?”
“Well, yes, very well. I can see you are impatient, indeed. And not without warrant. But when I was in England, I’d heard of a Highlander who had been captured at the Battle of Dunkeld. He was described to me as having a shock of red hair, being a strong warrior, and difficult for the guards to handle, always poised for a fight. It seems he was driving the guards at the border prison quite mad, so they moved him back to an English controlled prison here in Scotland. At first, I thought it could only be Lucas, but upon learning your elder brother was home and had taken up his father’s place as Laird, I realized it couldn’t possibly be.” Milly’s heart began to beat with a thunderous speed. She knew Elias must be able to hear it. He was taking so long to get the point she would go mad herself if he didn’t speak of what she wanted so desperately for him to say. If what Elias was implying true, then Milly’s gut had been right. Gavin did not die with their father in battle. He was alive. All thoughts of Nathan, and his odd behavior in the library, left her mind. Gavin! Could it be that she was about to have every prayer she had uttered within the last six months answered by Elias Mackenzie, of all men?
“Elias, what are ye sayin’?” He took her free hand in his own, and Milly was too terrified by his words to think of pulling away from his paltry, wet grasp.
“Milly, sweetest girl, I’m saying I believe your brother Gavin is alive, and being held in an English controlled prison in Perth.”
She dropped into the bench behind her. Tears filled her vision as she looked up at Elias. She may have never liked the man, but at this moment she could have kissed him. Gavin, alive? She’d known in her heart it was true, but hadn’t known where to begin, or how to begin to look for him. “Oh, Elias. I am so verra grateful to ye for this information. What’s the prison called? How can I get him out? I must get Thomas. We have to tell Lucas. We must rescue Gavin!” The words came out in a rush. Blasted snow. She wouldn’t be able to leave right away. Maybe Nathan would help? He was friends with her brother, surely, he would want to see him rescued and returned home to his family. Possibly he could send MacKenzie men, carts, horses, or anything really. She must get to Gavin.
“Eh eh eh…sweetest, not so fast,” he interjected, patting her hand tenderly. “No need to rush or act brash. We can’t stage a coup at the prison after all. The Crown considers your brother a criminal. Part of an uprising. We cannot just simply go to the prison and demand his release. I, of course, would be willing to use my connections with the Crown to help secure the release of your brother.”
Of course, he was right. She wasn’t thinking clearly. She needed a plan. Oh, but Gavin was always the one that was so dreadfully good at planning. If he were here, he could plan his escape from prison far better than she. But if Elias was willing to use his English connections, maybe no plan would be needed?
“Oh, Elias, that is so very kind of you.”
“…but I will need something from you in return.” His eyes grew dark and more unreadable than before. A pit fell into the hollow emptiness of her stomach.
Oh God, what was wrong with the men in this castle? She knew without asking what was coming next. If only because she had just suffered through a lesser version of it with Nathan. Although not over her brother, Nathan would never be so heartless with regard to his friend’s suffering. Nathan had also not gone through with his threat and agreed to release Thomas without a promise of her hand. But Elias was different than Nathan, in every way. It seemed in this moment, Milly knew without a doubt in her heart Elias would not agree without something precious in return. “Elias, please, it would be cruel of you…”
“Milly, I aim to be Laird of Clan MacKenzie, but in order to secure my claim, I need a bride.”
“Ye can’t be serious! He is my brother, Elias. My twin! Hasn’t he suffered enough? Hasn’t my family suffered enough!?” Anger boiled inside her. How dare Elias try to play God with people’s lives, with her brother’s life, or her own? At least Nathan had the decency to be embarrassed about it when he attempted to secure her hand in marriage. Elias looked none too pleased with himself, quite like a feral cat who’d found the cream. It was Gavin’s life. She recoiled from his grasp. “Will ye really hold Gavin’s life at a dangle tae try an’ force me intae a loveless marriage?”
“My lady, it brings me no pleasure…” Milly highly doubted the truth in that. Elias seemed like the type of man who took immense pleasure in winning and getting her to agree to this would be winning over her, over Gavin, and over Nathan. “I’m afraid I will. You see the stakes are high, and if you love your brother, surely marriage to a Laird is not too much a price to pay, is it?”
Before she knew what came over her, she’d raised her hand and swung, hard. Never having struck another person before in jest or in anger, the movement was foreign to her, but in that moment she could think of nothing other than the need to make Elias pay for what he was doing. She watched in horror as his head recoiled. Her palm stung,
and she shook it out hoping to alleviate the pins and needles. When he came to face her again, something in his eyes had changed. The pale blue had somehow become dull. Red anger rimmed his irises. It looked to Milly as if all life had drained from his gaze.
“Think on it, lass,” he said through gritted teeth, rubbing his cheek where her palm had been. “I have ways to push your decision, but hopefully after a full night’s rest you will choose correctly.”
“Ways? What ways?”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to finding out, shall we?” He ran a finger down her cheek. She flinched and she braced herself should he strike her in return, but the blow never came. The tone in his voice was menacing in a way Milly had never experienced. She had no doubt he meant every word. Milly backed away from him slowly, afraid of what he might do. Her plate forgotten on the table, she could only think to get to the safety of her bedchamber as quickly as possible. She needed to think. She needed a plan. There was no telling what Elias MacKenzie was capable of.
Chapter Three
Nathan watched in rapt silence as Milly slapped Elias, hard, across his cheek and then fled the main hall, leaving her plate of food behind, untouched. He stifled a grunt. The lass impressed him. When Elias first approached her, she had smiled a wide and welcoming smile. But Nathan wondered if his cousin noticed is wasn’t genuine. No, when Milly gave a genuine smile, it lit up her whole face. The smile she gave Elias was pleasant enough, but there was no generosity since it didn’t reach her eyes.
He had been floored when he saw her this evening in the library. His father’s library, now he supposed it was his. The capricious free spirit she’d been in her youth had slid away, leaving a strong, beautiful woman in its place. But a slight trace of the fire in her still existed. He’d always thought the lass was pretty. It would frustrate him no end when they were young. She was always around and when a lad is coming of age, it’s hard enough to keep his urges under control. Having Milly always underfoot was maddening. He tried everything to keep his distance. He was sour, treated her as if he never noticed her, and on the rare occasions when it was just the two of them, he would create an excuse to leave. Until the one day he couldn’t take it any longer.
When they’d kissed by the loch she did something to stir him. He’d been young and afraid. He’d pushed her away, dismissing her as nothing more than a foolish girl. He’d seen the hurt in her eyes and knew he was the cause, but thought it was for the best. He wanted to see the world, she wanted a marriage. He was a damn fool. Now, fully grown, she was exquisite and had nearly taken his breath away when he found her sitting, waiting for him, arms folded in anger and irritation rising off her like steam from a cool bog.
He’d had to choke back his initial shock at how her gangly, awkward youthful body had filled in, giving her gentle, sloping curves in all the right places. Her once ruddy brownish red hair, a mess of tangles and knots from afternoons spent in warfare with him and her brothers by the loch, had become a deep shade of auburn that only added highlight to the rich emerald of her eyes. In just three years, the duckling had turned into a swan. She had always been adventurous, keeping up with the lads but by the looks of what he had just witnessed, she was also as impetuous and courageous as she was lovely. She would make a fine lady of the keep. He choked back a laugh at his own ridiculous thought. After what he’d just witnessed, she’d not be marrying anytime soon.
He had remained hidden in a small, shadowed stone alcove just off the main room. It wasn’t his intent to spy on the lass, but when he saw Elias approach her, as she prepared what Nathan thought must have been a meal for five strong Highland men and not one small lass, he was eager to learn more.
Being too far away to make out the words, and not wanting to be seen, he keenly observed the turn in tone of their conversation. There was no doubt, Elias was making a bid for Lady Millicent’s hand in marriage. And poorly enough to be roundly rejected.
She had rejected him as well, not ten minutes prior, but at least Nathan had only incurred the wrath of her sharp tongue. Whatever Elias had said not only caused violence from the woman but had given her need to flee from the hall in tears. A burning flame hit Nathan in the pit of his stomach. What had his cousin done to upset the lass so thoroughly? He clenched his fist. As much as he despised Elias and his machinations, he could not be willing to start a war with his cousin over her, just yet. Rather, he would take this opportunity for what it was, an opening.
His uncle had warned him that Millicent MacGille was the only eligible Highland born lady of age in the area. Knowing their history and the way she had thrown herself at him years before, begging him to marry her after one foolish kiss, Nathan had thought he would have nothing to worry about. Surely, she would say yes to his proposal with no heed. He’d planned to take his time and court the lass properly. It was after all, what she deserved being the only daughter of a strong clan family, and sister of a new, but well-respected Laird. After learning his cousin had put the Graham lad in the dungeon for no apparent reason, he’d thought of writing to Lucas apologizing for his cousin’s rash behavior. He’d hoped the slight didn’t mar the relationship between the two clans too poorly, and he could use the man’s release to begin to build a relationship between him and Milly.
When she’d shown up unannounced with her maid, and a month’s worth of luggage in tow, he had quickly changed his plan and course of action. Keeping the Lairdship out of his greedy cousin’s hands was his highest priority. Within the short month Elias had already had at the helm, he noticed a sharp decline in productivity, as well as morale among his people. Nathan recognized the opportunity of Milly being in the keep for what it was. Obviously, so had Elias.
“I shouldnae hae been so rash with the girl,” he muttered to himself.
“No, you shouldnae hae, my Laird,” came a small, meek voice from behind him. He spun and turned to see a slight, young woman with large doe-shaped lavender eyes staring back at him. She was dressed plainly, and wore a small lace cap. This must be the maid, he thought, and smiled at the lass. “I dinnae yet ken what happened between ye and mi lady, but I intend tae find out. And I hope ye’ve seen good enough sense tae release my man, Thomas from yer dungeon… he’s done nothin’ wrong!”
“What’s yer name lass?” he asked gently.
“Violet, my Laird.”
“Well, Violet. I wasn’t the one who made Milly cry, it was my cousin, Elias… there,” he said pointing Elias out, who was still fuming and pacing the floor of the main hall. “I was hoping to avoid upsetting the lass. And I fully intend tae keep my word. I’ve already given the order for Thomas’ release. He will be given a guest chamber in th’ servants hall. He’s welcome to stay out the storm in comfort as a guest of MacKenzie, as are you and Milly. Once ye’re done with whatever it ’tis yer doin’ here, ye may go tae him.”
“Ahhh thank ye, mi Laird.” She bent down and kissed Nathan’s hand. He had never been kissed on the hand before, it was strange for him, but didn’t want to offend the creature so he simply smiled.
“I’ll trust you tae not let my cousin ken I was here,” he said. Violet shook her head in firm agreement.
“I ken ye couldnae be all bad! I only need tae get some food for mi lady, she hasn’t eaten all day!” Her words came out hurried and her guarded gaze quickly turned to one of relief. She gave Nathan a quick curtsy and scurried away to grab Milly’s forgotten plate of food.
Nathan watched the maid as she skirted around Elias, who paid her no heed. In his foul mood, Nathan half expected he would lash out at the lass and was ready to jump in to protect her if necessary. He couldn’t let Elias do anymore damage to their neighbors than he already had. In his grief and urgency, he went about his proposal to Milly all wrong. He should have been honest, and less of a horse’s ass with the woman. He owed it to her to apologize. In the morning he would approach her again. This time he’d do what he should’ve done from the beginning and explain everything. All he could do was hope not too much damage
had been done and she would at least hear him out.
Chapter Four
“Why are you smiling like that, Violet?” The last thing Milly was in the mood for was cheerfulness. There was absolutely nothing to be cheerful about. She had failed at securing Thomas’ release. She had failed at learning the location of her brother beyond a prison in Perth. Elias Mackenzie was a vile, evil man. What kind of man would use a woman’s own brother as a means to force her into a loveless marriage? She saw nothing in the circumstances of the last few hours even remotely worth smiling about.
“I just spoke with Laird Mackenzie, Milly. Oh, he is a wonderful man.”
“Which Laird Mackenzie? It seems the job has more than one person filling it at the moment.” Milly rolled her eyes. She knew Violet was talking about Nathan. After her encounter with Elias had left her so shaken, she hadn’t spared a moment to think about Nathan and his own proposal of marriage. Two proposals in one night, one ridiculous, and one filled with rage. Wasn’t she a lucky lass?
