"Aye, 'twas not expected! I thought you and Da cared… enjoyed having me here with you. Do you wish me gone? Is that it?" Katherine fisted her hands on her hips and darted an angry glance at her parents. "If so, there are many suitable men of my acquaintance. I have oft spoken well of Sir Linden of Glen Heath. Daniel and I, that is, Sir Linden and I have known each other for years and are in… well suited. Why should I marry a stranger? I know naught of him or his people."
Angus' voice grew brusque. "'Tis enough that I know them and call them friends. You willna question the MacGregors' honor. The wedding will take place within a sennight."
"In a week? 'Tis madness! What bids you rush so to be rid of me? Even if I agreed to wed this person, I would not do it so soon."
The scowl on her da's face turned grim. His eyes darkened with a hard look she'd never seen before. "You forget your place, daughter. You do not have the choice to agree or disagree. Your mother and I have discussed it and Ian MacGregor has approved the betrothal. 'Tis done."
Monique reached out toward her daughter. "Cheri, you'll be happy there once you have come to know the MacGregors. They are fine men."
Katherine shook her head. "Maman, please, 'tis too soon. I need more time to think about this, to accustom myself to the idea of such a drastic change in my life. I have… friends here I do not wish to leave."
"Katherine Gordon," Angus' voice rang out. "We leave on the morrow, so set your mind to it. You'll have a lifetime to become accustomed to your husband. Your mother and I know what is best for you and we willna change our decision."
She frowned back at him and stamped her foot. "'Tis absurd. I—" The fierce expression on his face halted the words on her lips. Arguing would get her nowhere. She must take action, do something. Marry some stranger? She'd rather eat a garden slug.
Yanking her hands from her hips, she grabbed up her skirts, and rushed from the solar. Katherine descended the stairs and hurried to the stables. Darting a quick glance about, she saw her saddle on a stone shelf nearby. The bridle hung on a peg near her mare's stall. There was no time to find a groom to saddle her horse. She would simply do it herself. Da had taught her how to saddle and ride years ago. Aye, and to protect herself. What did she need of some demanding husband she knew naught of? She wanted freedom. When she chose to marry, it would be for love. To marry Daniel.
Within minutes, she'd saddled her horse and rode silently out the far postern gate. She rode for a time within the edge of the nearby woods watching the castle gates to see if anyone followed her. When no one approached, she turned her horse toward the place where she and Daniel often met.
'Twas true, she and Daniel were not betrothed, but he had spoken of it often enough. Aye, he simply wished to wait to speak with her father until he had acquired a larger land holding, but surely once she told him of her parents' plans, he would change his mind.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Katherine waited, hoping to see Daniel. Eventually, she saw his mount approaching on the local tavern road that passed by their meeting place. Urging her horse to a brisk canter, Katherine breathlessly rode up to him. "Daniel!"
He clumsily reined in and drew his sword with a shaky hand. "Who… Och, Katherine, 'tis you. What are you doing here without sending me word? I might have harmed you."
"There was no time to send word. I had to speak with you today. Now."
Nodding, Daniel managed to sheath his sword after the second attempt and then led her to a secluded grove beyond the road. As soon as they dismounted, he took her into his arms, eagerly covering her mouth with his.
Katherine coughed and drew back from the reek of whiskey on his breath. "Daniel, please, we must talk. My parents have betrothed me to a Highlander and we are to leave on the morrow! You must come back with me and speak to Da today."
"What? That canna be. You must have it amiss. Och, lass, you know so little of the world and men's minds." Patting her hand as if she were a child, he added, "My little love, come sit and I shall explain such things to you."
"No, Daniel, Da spoke of it not two hours past. If you truly care for me as you say, you must speak to him before we leave on the morrow."
Daniel shook his head, leaned down and picked a small stalk of heather and handed it to her. "Wheesht, little love. You worry yourself over naught. Dinna fash, I will speak with your sire soon. 'Twill not be much longer before I have a large enough holding to claim you for my own. You are too fine a lady to live in a small manor house such as mine." With that, he pulled her down to the ground beside him, leaned over, and wrapped his arms around her, near smothering her in his pungent embrace. As his tongue played over her lips, he ran a hand down the front of her gown, cupping her breast.
Katherine pushed at him, but he gripped her tighter. "Ah, my little love, you worry overmuch. You know how I love you. Let me comfort you and ease your fears."
With that, he pushed the hem of her gown up and lay across her. Katherine shoved him off and rolled away. "No, Daniel. I won't do this. We have waited too long to share our love to do so now with no marriage vows spoken."
"Katherine, I tell you there is no need to speak yet. I will soon. I vow it." Pulling her to him again, he added, "Now, come here to me and let me prove my love."
"No, you've said this for nigh on a year. If you truly wish me to be yours as you vow, you must convince my father this day. Then we shall be free to wed as we want."
Daniel released her and rolled onto his side. "Nay, Katherine. I canna do so now. My endeavors to increase my wealth have nay gone as I had hoped. If you will but wait a while yet, I will convince my sire to entrust my mother's keep to me. She has no need of it."
"We have no need of it," Katherine said. "I would be happy to live anywhere with you as long as I have your love."
Daniel sighed and stood slowly, looking down at her. "Alas, my dearest, I could not be content in such a meager holding as I now own, even with you. Go home and let your parents think you are in agreement. Be content and bide your time. Trust me. I will come for you soon. I vow it."
Katherine sat in shocked silence, watching him ride away. How could he do this? For months, he had sworn his undying love. She had paid no heed to other men willing to court her, had waited only for him. 'Twould seem she had been played the fool! Aye, Daniel loved her well enough to dally, but not to marry. In truth, he cared far more for wealth than for her. Daniel's deception struck a blow to her heart as surely as if he'd hit her.
Katherine cast an angry glance about her. She'd been such a fool to believe in his love. She picked up the stalk of flowers he'd given her, broke it in half and flung it to the ground. Then she mounted her horse.
For hours, she rode her mare over the surrounding hills and forests, thinking. Her thoughts tumbled end over end and her anger intensified. Finally, as the setting sun lashed the sky with fiery streaks, she headed her mount toward home. After she turned her horse over to a groom in the stable, she went to her chamber. Her troubled thoughts churned inside her. A knock at her door drew her attention from her troubled contemplation.
"M'lady, yer parents await ye in the great hall. They bid ye join them for the evenin' meal."
Katherine shook her head. "I'm not hungry. Tell them I will break my fast with them on the morrow."
"Aye, m'lady."
After the servant left, Katherine sat beside her writing desk and opened a hidden drawer. Lifting out the parchment where she had foolishly practiced writing the name Lady Katherine Linden, she stared at it in displeasure. Her fingers clutched the vellum tightly as she looked upon the proof of her misguided trust. "By Saint Bridget, I will never be so deceived again!"
Angrily, Katherine wiped a tear from her face, crushed the parchment into a ball and flung it into the flames in her fireplace. Watching it wrinkle, blacken and burn to ash strengthened her resolve. Never again would she let her heart be foolishly swayed. Never. She would find a way to live as she chose.
Rising from her desk, she walked over to her open window and stared out in
to the darkness. Sweet Mary, she must think of a way to change this untenable situation. She stood quietly, forcing her breathing to slow, emptying her mind of its useless fury and listened to the sounds of the night. Wind whistled through the trees carrying the solitary cry of an owl as it flew across the night sky.
She envied its freedom. How wonderful it would be if she could simply fly away and leave this foolish marriage behind. Or better yet, have this unknown MacGregor carried off and leave her in peace. A smile curved her lips. Aye, that would suit her well.
She wasn't sure how long she stood there, staring into the blackness of the night. Eventually, the wind died to a gentle breeze and the owl called out again. Its cry drifted through her mental fog. When its mate answered the owl's call, she frowned at the confining walls of her room. She grabbed a cloak and climbed the stairs to the battlements to breathe the night air that blew across the land she called home.
If she were forced to marry and live in the remote Highlands, would she ever see her parents again? Even though their plans angered her, she loved them. And what of her dreams of a life with Daniel? Did wealth truly mean more to him than having her as his wife? Perhaps she had misjudged him in her despair. Had he not asked her to trust him and sworn to come for her before the wedding could be forced upon her?
Katherine swallowed against the tight lump in her throat. By the saints, she wanted no part of this foolish betrothal to some Highland stranger. The mere idea of it had nearly destroyed her faith in love. In Daniel. She must be more fervent in her trust. If she thought hard enough, she would find some way to change things. She had to.
The chill air sent a shiver through her. She tugged her cloak tighter and stared at the heavens until she was too weary to think. A good night's sleep would help. Taking one last look about her, she descended to her room.
**
Katherine had risen and dressed by the time the first pink glow of sunrise bathed the castle in its faint light. Her tossing and turning in worry during the night had left her tired and unsure. She took a deep breath and forced herself to think calmly. If she let her dismay take control, all would be lost. She would face the day and its challenge head on, not shrink away from it like some meek maid too slow witted to know her own mind.
The sound of a knock at her door drew Katherine's attention. She smiled at the young serving girl who entered.
"M'lady, yer parents await ye in the great hall to break yer fast before ye leave."
"Aye, please tell them I will be down in a trice."
After the girl left, Katherine looked around her chamber. A bittersweet longing rose in her chest. She had lived here all of her life, surrounded by her parents love for her and for each other. Ever since she'd begun to take notice of the young men around her, she'd hoped to marry for such love. There must be something she could do to convince her parents to change their minds.
Frowning, she wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and walked over to the wall mirror to smooth her hair in place. Fie, her frown looked sour enough to clabber cream. It wouldn't do to antagonize her parents this morn. Not if she hoped to persuade them to undo their decision. She must do as Daniel asked and let them think she had accepted the idea… for now.
Pinching her cheeks for a spot of color, she pasted a smile on her lips then gathered up her skirts and hurried downstairs.
When she arrived in the hall, her parents were just finishing their meal. Smiling, she walked over and kissed each of them on the cheek. The apparent look of relief on her father's face when she greeted him as she always did, nagged at her conscience.
He nodded. "Good morrow, Katy. I didna know how you'd be feeling toward me this morn."
Swallowing against the lump in her throat, she managed to find her voice. "Oh, Da, I admit your news shocked me. I still do not quite know what to think of it. But it doesn't change the way I feel about you."
Angus' eyes glistened with moisture and he cleared his throat. "Well, now, come sit beside your mother while I see to the horses and wagons. We shall be leaving soon." He ruffled her hair as he had when she was small, gave her mother a quick kiss on the cheek and left.
Monique reached out and gently squeezed her hand. "Darling, you made your da very happy, just now. He worried half the night you would be angry with him."
Truth be known, she was. Afraid her face would give her away; Katherine quickly scanned the contents of the table. Sighing, she looked back at her mother. "'Twas no need. I love him as I do you."
Monique's chin quivered. She nodded and stood. "Eat quickly." Wiping at her eyes, she turned away, silently motioned to the servants to follow her and walked out of the hall.
Katherine took a few bites of a bannock and sipped her watered wine in pained silence. She glanced about the empty hall. On the far wall, was the small tapestry on which she'd first learned to stitch. And over there, in the deep windowsill, were her small pots of herbs. They'd soon need tending. But she wouldn't ask to take them. For surely, she'd be back before—
The familiar sound of heavy footsteps approached the table, echoing in the large room. Katherine clenched her hands in her lap and looked up as her father approached. She bit her lip to keep from shouting her anguished thoughts and slowly rose to face him.
His deep voice sent a tremor of anxiety ricocheting down her spine as she heard his fateful words, "Daughter, 'tis time."
Chapter Two
Sharp pin pricking sensations ran down Katherine's arms to her fingertips. She loosened her tense grip on the reins and tried to calm her emotions as the scenery dipped and swayed in time with the throbbing in her head. Grasping the pommel of her saddle with one hand, she closed her eyes for a moment and drew a deep breath.
For the last two days she had discussed, cajoled and even demanded that her parents withdraw their plans for her marriage. All for naught. And with each mile they traveled, her trust in Daniel's love dimmed. No matter how many times she looked behind her, he did not appear riding hard to catch them, vowing his love and offering his name in marriage.
As the afternoon sun rose high in the sky on the third day, they road free of the forest and her dreaded destination lay in sight. Even from a distance, its enormous size and massive blocks of cold stone overwhelmed her. Her hand trembled slightly as she wiped a fine sheen of sweat from her forehead and her chest ached as a painful jab tore through it, chased by her frenzied pulse. Tormented thoughts cried out to turn her horse back in the direction from whence they'd come and gallop away, leaving this place far behind. She took one last look behind her and forced her heart to accept the truth. A man's words of love were not to be trusted.
Her future was up to her. She must save herself.
"Maman, Da, surely 'tis no need for such hasty actions." She paused and looked over at her parents' faces, praying one last time to dissuade them. "I have no need of a husband. I can take care of myself and my healing skills are needed at home."
Angus Gordon scowled. "Nay, lass. 'Tis no discussing to be done. You will do this. And as to your work as a healer, 'tis happy the MacGregors will be to have you amongst them. Now, dinna be poking your lip out at me. You are not a wee lass anymore to be pouting to get your way. 'Tis decided, and that is the end of it."
She turned her beseeching gaze on her mother, but Monique shook her head. "Your da is right, mon cheri."
Katherine's shoulders drooped and she nodded in bitter silence. She pulled back on her reins firmly, slowing her mare's progress to prolong the moment as long as possible before she rode through the MacGregor's castle gates and her life changed forever.
As she rode beside her parents, the empty quiet of the glen only served to strengthen her unhappy thoughts. Blinking back the angry tears that threatened to spill over her cheeks, she drew a deep breath and shifted in the saddle. Straightening her back, she forced herself to look at the castle ahead of her.
Within a few minutes, they rode under the portcullis and into a large courtyard. Katherine dismounted, rubbed her pounding te
mples and darted a quick glance about her as her parents and she were led into the great hall. Her throbbing headache and tense nerves only heightened her anxiety as she was introduced to Laird MacGregor.
He had a broad muscular build like her father. But instead of being clean-shaven, the man had a thick red beard that moved when he talked. "Welcome, Angus. 'Tis been a long time."
Her father smiled and grasped his friend's forearm in greeting. "Aye, too long." He released his hand and motioned to his family. "You remember my lady wife, Monique. And this is our Katherine."
Ian MacGregor bowed gallantly. "Welcome to During Castle, ladies. I must apologize that my sons are nay here to greet you. My elder son, Sir Alexander, is uh… trainin' in the tiltyard. I have sent his brother, William, to fetch him."
Katherine felt her face warm in embarrassment. She had heard the castle's trumpets sounding their approach and later, heard Da tell the head guard of their arrival. Everyone there should have been waiting to meet them. Was her arrival the cause for Sir Alexander's absence? She cast a nervous smile at Laird MacGregor.
"Ah, Angus, she's a bonnie lass. My son's a lucky lad, to be sure. Lady Monique, you are as lovely as I remember." Ian nodded to his friend. "Our Highland air seems to agree with her, eh?"
"Aye," Angus replied, tenderly wrapping his arm about his wife's waist. "But, 'tis been a long journey here. I'm sure Monique and Katherine would be grateful to refresh themselves and rest while you and I discuss matters."
"I agree old friend." Motioning to a servant standing nearby, he added, "Gillian, lassie, come escort our guests to their chambers."
A plump servant girl, with a freckled face and cheery smile, came forward and curtsied. "My ladies, if ye'll follow me, I'll be showin' ye the way. Mind yer steps, the stairs are steep and twistin'."
They climbed the steps and walked down a long corridor until they came to a thick wooden door studded with iron. The girl curtsied to Monique and opened it. "This one is fer ye and yer laird, m'lady."
Katherine followed them into the large room. Its gray stone walls were covered with several wall hangings. Fresh air and light streamed through a small window above a table and two chairs. Crossing the chamber to the far wall, she ran her hand down a brightly woven tapestry that depicted a hunt in progress. The stag being pursued was dashing frantically through the trees.
Highlander's Bride (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 1) Page 2
