Over the years, Fergus had gotten quite old and exhausted. He knew he should take a step back and relax, allow himself time for rejuvenation. Yet, his work was the only distraction from his loneliness. He didn’t know what else to do to save himself, if it is not to lead his people.
His only responsibility now was Isla, and he had found a suitor for her. Luckily, he had managed to find the perfect match for her. Someone strong and powerful, who would look after her even when Fergus was gone.
“Sophie said yer looking for me,” Isla spoke, sitting down in front of her father.
“Aye, I wanted to discuss something with ye,” Fergus started, hesitantly.
“What is it, Da?” Isla asked, perplexed by his tone.
“Ye know I recently won land in war,” Fergus stated, simply.
“Aye, Ewan says ye were so brave on the battlefield,” Isla said, proudly.
“He is too kind.” Fergus chuckled. “How is he? We’ll go to the celebration tonight.”
“He is good and aye, we will,” Isla said, surprised that her father was not being awkward.
Perhaps he was going to understand their love easily.
“I was hoping we could move to the new castle, to settle there for the winter, at least,” Fergus told her, casually.
“What…why?” Isla queried, turning pale.
She didn’t want to move away to anywhere, as it would take her away from Ewan.
“To make sure the castle isn’t taken over by nomads or other enemies,” Fergus said, akwardly.
“Why not ask someone from yer men to stay there?” Isla retorted, not willing to skip out on her plans.
“It’s our castle. We’ll move back soon enough.” Fergus said, “I want ye to meet someone there.”
“Who?” Isla asked, suspiciously.
“The Earl of Edinburgh,” Fergus informed her.
“Why do I have to meet him?” Isla asked, confused.
“Because he is a dear friend of mine and an important figure with the British troops,” Fergus explained and Isla felt her blood boil.
Why was her father being like this? Did he not understand that she wanted to stay here and didn’t want to move, not even for a bit? Her whole life was in these lands, she had never lived anywhere else. How could she think of going to a place without her home, Aunt Agatha, and worst of all, Ewan?
“I don’t want to meet him,” Isla snapped, feeling furious.
“Isla, this is not a discussion. We are moving there for the winter season, and that is it. I expect ye to be prepared to depart in three days,” Fergus ordered, himself feeling angry.
Isla gave him a broken look before turning and leaving the room. She didn’t look back as she carried on towards her chamber and fell on her bed, breaking down in tears. What had suddenly gotten into her father? He knew how close she was to Ewan and Aunt Agatha. Then why was he asking her to leave them behind?
Even though her father had not said it out loud, Isla understood why he wanted her to meet the Earl of Edinburgh. It seemed Isla had assumed everyone saw hers and Ewan’s love. Her father clearly didn’t notice it, and perhaps that’s why he wanted her to meet the Earl, a British man. Unlike her father, Isla didn’t favor the British. Whenever that argument came up, Isla would side with her Uncle Jon and Ewan about the British and that they were using the Scottish to acquire land and power.
Isla knew her father was too naïve to see it, but she didn’t give in herself. Except now, he was being completely absurd. Isla racked her brain to try and find a way to stall her father. She would have to talk to Ewan tonight and ask him to talk with her father about their marriage. In that way, Isla would not have to leave her home nor leave Ewan. Everything would be perfectly fine then.
Little did Isla know that things were already taking a turn for the worse without her knowledge.
Ewan raced his horse through the grounds of the castle, galloping towards the stables as he racked his brain to figure out a way to end his dilemma; his dilemma being the only one. How to convince Isla’s father for marriage? Ewan knew the task would not be easy as rumor had it he was searching for an English man to wed Isla to gain the favor of the British troops.
Ewan loved his Uncle Fergus; everything about him was admirable except his naivety about the British, who were clearly using the Scottish and him to gain power and land. Ewan had had multiple conversations about this with his father, who had merely stated Fergus would never change his mind. Ewan wondered if this would cause hindrance in his union with Isla, something he waited so long for.
He knew he didn’t have much time before her father would find someone and hence decided to act fast by proposing in a day or two. Ewan halted the horse at the entrance of the stables, leaving it with the stable boy and walking to the castle. He reached the castle and immediately decided to seek out his parents, to discuss his plan with them.
The most difficult part in all this was lying to Isla, making her believe that things were going to be perfect. Ewan doubted she even knew about the British man her father was searching for as her husband. Ewan could feel his blood boil at the thought of his Isla with another man, a man who would only use her to gain her father’s vote.
Sometimes, Ewan couldn’t understand how foolish Fergus was being, but then again, he couldn’t stop respecting his uncle either. That much his mother had taught him. Ewan continued inside the castle, up to the second floor, where the private parlor was. He found his parents seated on the plush ottomans, talking together and it made him smile.
His parents were the perfect example of true love and compatibility. He had never seen them quarrel. They were always supportive and taking care of one another. Ewan aspired to become like them, to have a marriage like theirs. He knew if someone like him could get a happily ever after, it would only be with Isla, a woman that understood him completely, inside and out.
Ewan was difficult sometimes when he would lose his temper or be stubborn. Yet Isla would never give up or get tired. She would always be patient with him. This is why he couldn’t lose her. He loved her too damn much to let her go. Happiness and Isla were synonyms for Ewan. Taking one away meant taking the other away. He just couldn’t bear it, and he didn’t want it to come to that either.
“I am going to ask Uncle Fergus for Isla’s hand in a day or two,” Ewan declared, entering the private parlor and sitting down opposite to his parents, who were giving him a puzzled look.
“Son, ye can’t ask him so quickly,” Jon said, looking at his wife for back up.
“What happened suddenly?” Agatha quizzed.
“I fear Uncle Fergus will find an English man soon,” Ewan told them, honestly.
“Ewan, ye must not allow fear to guide ye. Everyone knows Isla and ye are meant to be,” Jon said.
“Ewan, a new Laird must at least serve his people for a while before focusing on such matters. Matters that can wait, me son,” Agatha advised, not wanting her son to lose favor with his people.
“And what about Isla?” Ewan fretted.
“Isla is our daughter-in-law, and Fergus can’t take her away from us,” Agatha calmly reminded them both.
Agatha remembered the promise Helen and she had made to each other. It was the only thing she held onto after letting go of her friend.
“I can’t lose her,” Ewan told them.
“Ye won’t,” Agatha promised, determinedly.
She loved Isla as much as he loved her. How could she let him lose her?
Want to know how the story ends? Tap on the link below to read the rest of the story.
http://lydiakendall.com/xl73
Thank you very much
Also by Lydia Kendall
Thank you for reading The Highlander's Enigmatic Bride!
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Lydia Kendall
About the Author
Lydia Kendall has always been passionate about medieval romance. Having traveled to the Scottish Highlands several times as a young girl, she has always been drawn to their unparalleled beauty and history. A history that inspired stories of love and passion, mixed with tradition in the most appealing way for every hopeless romantic - much like herself.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Lydia Kendall has a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and over the last decade she has been writing non-stop for several clients - that is until she decided to start publishing her own work. When she isn’t writing, Lydia loves spending her time on the beautiful outdoors with her loving husband and baby daughter.
Follow Lydia on this sensational journey of hot highlanders, bonny lassies and fierce passion...and find sheer pleasure in the magnificent world of the Scottish countryside - one that will sweep you off your feet and keep you begging for more!
The Highlander's Enigmatic Bride: A Scottish Historical Romance Novel Page 32
