Bride of Vengeance (Highland Romance Series Book 1)

by Pruitt, Anna

  Nathanial walked passed Duncan at the gate of the keep. “Make sure she makes it back.” And then he disappeared into his home.

  Lydia watched him leave. Anger, humiliation and deep sadness took over when she saw her husband whisper something to his right hand man. Duncan was bid to come collect her.

  “Lass,” Duncan tried to smile as he approached the girl.

  “Don’t worry about me, Duncan.” Lydia walked right past him, head held high. “You can go along to your other duties.”

  Slowly, painfully, mostly awkwardly, Lydia made her way back to her new home. As she entered through the kitchen she made eye contact with both the women who were gossiping about her before. They took one look at her and Lydia could immediately see the pity in their eyes.

  “Come, dear.” One of them called to her. She pulled out a stool for her to take a seat. The other one worked fast, making her a cup of what was supposed to be tea; mostly it was just boiled water. Lydia accepted it anyway.

  Together, the three women sat in complete silence. Lydia was not sure how much time had actually passed before the older of the two Highland women finally spoke.

  “He’s a good man.” Her voice was sure. “That’s not to say you aren’t a good and gentle lady.” She hurried on. “It’s just that… this is a bad situation for a lot of people.” The older woman looked to her friend for some help. The younger woman sighed before she spoke.

  “We’ll make sure you have an easy time here.”

  “Of course we will.” Lydia was suddenly in the arms of both women. “And who knows, you’ll probably be going home in no time.”

  All good feelings Lydia might have been holding onto vanished. She closed her eyes and willed herself not to cry again. “I am not feeling well.” Lydia managed to say without sounding emotional. “I need to lie down.”

  “Of course you do. The Highlands are no place for a gentle lady.”

  “Thank you.” Lydia stood. “I’ll just be on my way.”

  “I’ll see you to your room, dear. My name is Hannah, by the way.” Hannah, the older of the two women led Lydia out of the kitchen. “That one there is my daughter, Elizabeth.”

  “Nice to meet you both. I can find my way.” Lydia meant it as a farewell. She was not sure how much more she could take.

  “I doubt it.” Elizabeth was now walking with them. “Laird just now moved you to another room.” Mother and daughter continued on. Neither seemed to notice that Lydia had stopped cold. “It’s on the other end of the castle.”

  Hannah noticed Lydia’s absence first. She turned and saw the girl simply staring. Was she daft? The English were always funny.

  “He moved me?” Lydia finally asked.

  “I told you he was a good man.” Hannah took Lydia’s hand and started walking again. “My husband would never take my feelings into consideration like that.”

  “I see.” Lydia forced a smile. It was weak and sad, but it was a smile. It was the best anyone was going to get right now. Her husband banished her to the other end of his home.

  The room was about as far away from Nathanial as she could get. It was bigger and much nicer than the one she had spent so many nights with Nathanial. It was lonely. Lydia walked inside and sat on the bed, leaving the two hovering women staring after her.

  “You’ll feel better with some sleep, dear.” Hannah shut the bedroom door and sent a frown to her daughter. “Poor girl.”

  “He gives her a reprieve and she still is unhappy.” Elizabeth answered as the two walked away.

  Inside the room, Lydia stayed sitting in the same position the women left her. She sat for hours wondering if her husband was going to bother coming to see her again. Deep inside she knew the truth, the man wanted nothing to do with her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Laird Garrison did nothing to ease Lydia’s fear for the next several weeks. In fact, it seemed like the man was doing everything in his power to avoid his wife. The first few days of his callous behavior was agony for the young bride. After the first week, though, she grew thicker skin. In fact, she grew angrier, hateful skin towards the man she was forced to marry.

  Lydia’s days were filled with long walks and exercise, trying to gain her strength. Then she would help the kitchen staff all through the afternoon, much to their dismay at first. Within the first few days, however, Hannah and Elizabeth looked forward to the time spent with their mistress. They still found her to be terribly emotional and bothersome, but she was a joy to be around as well.

  Lydia was fine spending time with everyone in the village except for Laird Garrison. She had seen him twice since their last argument. Both times she was getting to know another one of his followers. One of these occasions, Lydia even made eye contact with him. Would he have addressed her had she not turned her nose to him and walked the other direction? Most likely not, she assured herself. He was as stubborn as a daft mule.

  Funny, Lydia thought one night as she was falling asleep, she had had so many opportunities to run away since she had been there, and not once had she tried anything. Yet.

  Sure, she had Hannah and Elizabeth commission some new boy’s riding clothes for her. She had to promise they were not really for her, of course. In reality, Lydia was more than prepared to flee the Highlands and never look back. Yet, she had not. Maybe knowing that Nathanial did not want her actually eased her need to run. Maybe she could live the rest of her life as a stranger to the man she married. His people were marvelous, and she enjoyed being with them. Perhaps, just perhaps, after she killed Baron Fane, she would come back and live with them in peace. Nathanial was not a threat to her anymore.

  ****

  The nights were the hardest on him. Nathanial Garrison stood outside his wife’s room as he did almost every night since they stopped speaking. He stood there and prayed for the strength to walk away. Daytime was the easiest for him. There was so much to be done in his land, so many of his people depended on him. Sure, Lydia was always on his mind, but he was busy enough not to dwell on it, not to act on it.

  Nighttime was an entirely different species of hell. Laird Garrison would return home to find not a soul in sight. How easy it would be for him to sneak into his wife’s room and seduce her before she could get angry enough to throw him out. He knew he could always count on her passion. Even if the girl wanted him dead, there was no hiding the way she felt about him. Lydia consistently gave him all of her. Was it because she did not know any better? Of course it was. Women were a fickle sex. Once Lydia knew the power she had over him, she would use it.

  And still, on this night in particular, he simply did not care. Nathanial told himself that if Lydia had locked the bedroom to her door, he would leave her alone. He knew it was a lie even as he reached for the handle. Luckily for all of them, the door was unlocked. The Laird would not have to embarrass himself by kicking in her door tonight.

  He’d been weeks without her. It had to end tonight. He would say whatever she needed to hear to get her back into his arms. Nathanial would declare his love for her. It would not be a lie. The realization hit him as he stared down at Lydia as she slept.

  His wife, for one of the first times since he’d known her, looked to be at peace. He thought not to disturb her, even as he was lying down in bed beside her. Lydia’s dark lashes fluttered open, her eyes found his immediately, even in the darkness. It was not hard; his face was so close to hers she could feel his breath on her.

  Nathanial braced himself for the hatred, the anger and the screams that would surely follow. He was ready to combat them. They never came. Lydia slowly, lovingly reached up and touched his cheek. She then placed a kiss on his mouth and looked up at him.

  “I’m very angry with you.” Lydia confessed.

  “I figured.” Nathanial was able to admit before his mouth found hers for a hungry kiss. Their lovemaking was fast, passionate and fearless. When they were both spent, satisfied, Lydia lay in her husband’s arms and fell asleep.

  Nathanial took much
longer to let himself go. However, he would not find the peaceful sleep his wife found. An hour after she had fallen asleep in his arms, Duncan came to stand in the doorway. The look on his face told his Laird there was serious trouble afoot.

  ****

  Lydia opened her eyes after about ten minutes of sleeping in her husband’s arms, or so it felt. In truth, she had been sleeping over an hour and her husband had just left her. Why in heavens was her door opened? It was only cracked, but it was enough to make Lydia feel like she was naked in front of the entire world. Lydia arose from her bed and quickly put on her wrapper. Then she walked to the door ready to close it. It was her husband’s voice that stopped her. It was muffled, but it sounded stressed and worried. It made the hairs on Lydia’s neck stand.

  Lydia slowly opened the door and took a few steps into the hall. She could not hear the words, but she could tell there were several men in the great hall. Lydia took her time down the hall; she used the tricks Callum had taught her all those years ago. She did not make a sound as she came to the entrance of the large room. She could hear them now.

  “When is the wedding?” Nathanial’s voice was calmer now. Lydia could almost feel her stress ease. Almost.

  “In two weeks time.” It was a voice Lydia had never heard before.

  “He lies.” Duncan now spoke up. “It’s obviously a trap.” Duncan was ready to kill.

  “It is obviously a trap.” Nathanial agreed. “But for who?” His last words trailed off.

  When the stranger spoke again, the truth and severity of the situation hit Lydia like a slap to the face. “I’ve been asked to deliver this message to lady Lydia.”

  “You’ll do no such thing.” Duncan was outraged.

  “I cannot leave until I have done so, sir.”

  “Even in the face of certain death, English?” Duncan pulled his sword from his sheath. The sound was eerily sinister to Lydia.

  “Englishmen are known for their honor.” The voice contradicted. “Lydia’s mother begged me to deliver the message. She said…”

  “What?” Nathanial was deep in thought as he spoke. “She said what?”

  “She said she knows in her heart Lydia would not allow this to happen to Mary. She is afraid of what Baron Fane will do to her youngest if they are married.”

  Lydia’s hand flew to her mouth. Oh God, Mary.

  “You will consider the message coming to me good enough.” Nathanial was standing now. Lydia hurried and hid herself behind the mantle leading upstairs.

  When the three men came into view, Lydia was immediately seen by the Englishman. The man who was so close to arguing with Laird Garrison and getting killed was now nodding. He averted his gaze from the Laird’s wife, keeping her location secret.

  “Is there a message you would that I return?”

  “Tell Lydia’s mother that she will not win.” With that, Nathanial turned back towards Lydia’s room.

  “Laird,” The Englishman hastened. When Garrison turned back around, the Englishman regretted it. “I was hoping not to return this night.” English turned to Duncan now. “The ride, you see, was difficult.”

  “Aye, I bet it was.” Nothing but disdain laced Duncan’s voice.

  Nathanial took a step towards English. Lydia snuck out from behind the banister and walked backwards until she could not be seen anymore. She had made her getaway.

  “Duncan, find him a place to sleep away from the others.”

  “I promise to leave at first light.” English was loud in his declaration. He even smiled. “Thank you so much for your hospitality.”

  “Never mention it again.” Nathanial said before walking away from both men.

  English, for some reason, looked like he had just won, Duncan puzzled as he led the man out of the holding.

  ****

  Lydia was barely able to get back in bed and close her eyes before her husband was lying next to her once more. Was this the end of discussion for him? He was just going to pretend it never happened? Lydia raged inside, she struggled to keep her breathing normal as he wrapped her in his arms. Lydia feigned waking up. She was even able to smile at her husband and kiss his lips. Then she closed her eyes again and pretended to drift back to sleep.

  Inside she was dying. Was Nathanial going to save her sister? It did not seem so. What did he mean by sending her mother such a message? What game? Was all this still a game to him? Mary was going to be married to Baron Fane. He would ruin her life, or worse. Something had to be done.

  “I love you, Lydia.” Nathanial whispered in her ear. It took everything in her to pretend she was sleeping.

  He what? Lydia’s heart leapt out of her chest. Seconds later, her husband was resting her back in her bed and leaving the room. He shut the doors behind him this time.

  Lydia was once again alone with her thoughts. Mary. Oh, God. Mary. Lydia sat up in bed and stared out the window. Something had to be done. Lydia was not going to stand idly by and watch her family crumble to pieces. It might be a game to her husband, but she was going to end it once and for all.

  What had English said? And wasn’t it to her? He would leave at first light. By God she would be leaving with him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Laird Garrison was gone just before first light. He would ride to his brother’s land with a handful of men and come up with a plan then. It had never failed him before. It was the exact same method that led Nathanial to Lydia in the first place. Chaim knew a thing or two about revenge. He was also the only person Nathanial could trust to keep him level headed at the moment. Chaim would know what to do.

  Lydia watched Nathanial, Duncan and Quinton leave the keep after making sure English was off their land. For a moment she had hoped her husband was going to save her sister. Hannah drowned any hope as soon as she saw Lydia. Laird was going to see his brother. When Lydia dared ask for what purpose was their Laird leaving, she was on the receiving end of a good lesson in minding her own business. Hannah did let her know the men liked to go hunting together, and Lydia filled with tormented rage.

  Those words made Lydia’s mind up for her. They went hunting together? It was time for her to do some hunting of her own. She was dressed in her new riding clothes in minutes. As she snuck out of the keep and into the tree line, she wondered if she was making a mistake. Maybe she should have told one of the women where she was going.

  Lydia thought back on Hannah’s advice. One must learn to mind their own business, so she would do this on her own.

  “Lady Lydia.” English stood behind her. “My name is William.” William offered a hand. Lydia did not accept. “What are you wearing?”

  “It’s no concern of yours, William.” Lydia felt her face heat with embarrassment. “Anyway, two men riding together is far less interesting than a man and a married woman. Wouldn’t you say?”

  William, put in his place, simply nodded. Now he was the embarrassed one. “Your mother needs you to come home. Mary is in grave danger.”

  “Then I haven’t much time.” Lydia mounted one of the horses and stared down at her guide. “I have no interest in traveling with you. I must be honest. The English I have met are not subtle in any way, nor are they trustworthy.”

  William looked dejected. “I assure you—“

  “I’m sure you would.” Lydia liked this side of herself. Why was it she could never be this assertive with her husband? He would likely break her neck, she knew. “I do not trust you.” Lydia started away. “Thank you very kindly for the horse, but I must be on my way.” Lydia left the handsome, dumbfounded man behind her wondering what had just happened.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Traveling through the Highlands was like trudging through the gates of hell, Lydia decided. Day two was the hardest so far. Her body was not as strong as it used to be, that much was evident. The horse she commandeered was not at all strong, either. It was a miracle they made it to the end of the day together.

  In the evening Lydia made a small fire and hunted for something to
eat. She shook from nerves as she ate. Had Nathanial returned from his brother’s land yet? Had he learned of her betrayal? If he had, there is not telling what he would do. Nathanial had to have known this was coming, but would he know why she left?

  Would he come after her?

  It was a horrifying thought to her that he might not. He might consider this the end of their bargain. After all, he had promised. But he had lied. Nathanial told her he loved her. A lie as well? Matters of the heart had never been something she enjoyed dwelling on. Her marriage, at this point, was most likely over. She was most likely riding to her end, one way or another. And what mark would she have left on the world? No one would remember her. Mary might be better off, and their mother. Would Nathanial mourn her?

  Thinking was never a friend to her when she was tired. Lydia put it all out of her mind. When leaves rustled in the distance, Lydia was standing with her knife drawn. It was not Nathanial. He would never have made a noise.

  “Show yourself!” Lydia shouted. Her voice was strong, lethal. It was enough to make her want to smile with pride, but not right now. Whatever was stalking her had been doing so for at least half a day. No animal was so disciplined to stay hidden for so long.

  “I said show yourself!” Lydia tried one more time. Her nerves were getting to her now.

  Slowly, painfully slow, William emerged from the trees. His hands raised; a foolish, sheepish smile on his face. His blonde hair was a tad disheveled, but all in all he looked in place. It was suspicious to Lydia.

  “It’s just me.” William lowered his hands.

  “Keep them in my sight.” Lydia was even more petrified now. “What do you want?”

  “Lydia, take a breath. It’s been a long few days… a long few months for you.”