Her Highlander's Promise (4 page)

“Isla is right, best we do as the mistress asked. There is no point in feeding her fury. If you’ll come with me, I will help you change,” Mairi offered.

Laurel agreed, but could not purge Deirdre’s threats from her mind. She was not worried about her own fate, but was concerned about what lay in store for Angus and Isla.

Chapter 5

Blair heaved a deep sigh as he skipped a smooth pebble across the loch, then watched it drop beneath the surface—similar to how his heart had sunk when he watched Laurel’s carriage pull away. While only a couple of hours had passed since he’d bid her farewell, it seemed like an eternity.

On the other hand, he could not believe his fortune. For years he had attended the festival hoping to speak to her, and was about to give up the quest when there she was. He was more determined than ever to honor his promise and make her his bride.

His pulse hammered and his groin stirred when he thought about her slender figure and feminine curves, her breathtaking features, and delicate scent. He’d often wondered if she’d be as beautiful as he imagined, dreamed about taking her to his bed and making love until they were both spent.

“There you are. We were beginning to think you’d met with bandits or mayhap were warming the bed of some serving wench.” James, his oldest brother, sauntered toward him.

“As you can see, I’m fine. There is no need to
fash
. I’m a grown man and can take care of myself,” Blair replied and patted the sword at his side.

James tended to fret like a mother hen when he, or his other two brothers, Ian and Keenan, strayed too far from his sight. Nor did he miss an opportunity to taunt his three younger siblings.

“Everyone knows you can handle a blade better than most, but you said you were going to fetch some ale over three hours ago and never returned.”

“I dinna need a nursemaid. And if you were that thirsty, you could have fetched it yourself,” Blair snapped, then picked up another stone and lobbed it into the water. “Can’t a man have some time to himself without his brothers fearing the worst?”

“Wait. Dinna tell me.” James took a step back and raised both hands. “You’ve been looking for Laurel MacClay again. When will you learn that she isna going to be at the festival? Nor will you ever be in a position to marry her. Like a fool, you’ve pined for her since the day her father died. About time you found another woman and settled down.”

“You are hardly the one to give me advice about courting, James. When do you plan to marry? As the oldest son, you will someday be laird of Clan Cameron and are the one expected to choose a bride and produce an heir.”

James spat on the ground and shook his head. “Da is a strong, virile man, and has a long life ahead of him. I have no desire to wed at this time. There are places I wish to visit and many things to do before I settle down. Right now, I have no time for a wife and bairns. Besides, I much prefer to sample the wares of many ladies. Those who dinna care about commitments.”

“You’re known to be a scoundrel when it comes to the ladies. It surprises me that no jealous husband or irate father has run you through,” Blair replied.

“And you my brother were cursed with the soul of a bard and are destined to follow your heart rather than your head. I still canna believe a lad of thirteen summers would fall for a lass of ten, then promise to marry her. Let alone expect her to still be waiting eight summers later.” James thumped Blair on the back. “Yet, every fall you come to the festival hoping to see her and leave disappointed. Take my advice, little brother, and forget about Laurel MacClay.”

“If you must know, I saw her today and she is neither married nor betrothed,” Blair blurted.

James placed his hand on Blair’s forehead. “Are you ill and seeing things? Where is she?” He glanced around, then shrugged.

Blair swatted his brother hand away and took a step back. “She was here, but had to leave. However, you can mark my words, we
will
marry,” Blair growled. Anger squeezed his chest. He wanted to prove his brother wrong, to tell him about his arrangements to meet with her again on the morrow, but decided it best not to reveal their plans to anyone.

“That may be, but I’ve heard rumors that her cousin Murray keeps her locked away, and some say he plans to see her marry his son so he can maintain control of the clan. The man wouldna let you get within a mile of Thistledown Castle.”

“I willna listen to you prattle on anymore. Rumors are for old women. Where are Ian and Keenan?” Blair changed the topic of discussion and headed toward the festival grounds in search of his brothers, anything to end the discussion with James.

“Look, the prodigal brother has returned,” Ian, the second oldest, said as he lumbered toward them. “Where did you find him?”

A bull of a man, he stood well over six-foot-tall, sported broad shoulders, arms as round as tree trunks, and a heavily muscled frame. A tangle of blond hair hung loose around his shoulders.

Blair rolled his eyes and braced for another inquisition, but luckily his other brother, Keenan, joined them.

“They are about to hold the finals in the stone throw. Are you coming or are you afraid you might lose to me?” Keenan puffed out his chest and planted his hands on his hips.

Both tall, strapping men, they had an equally good chance of taking home the prize. For the last five summers, Ian won the overall competition, coming first in all of the events he entered. But Keenan was determined to better him this time. Regardless of who won, there would be no living with the victor. But listening to them boast was preferable to being harassed about his love for Laurel.

Ian’s brows knit together and his face contorted with anger. “You dinna stand a chance of beating me,” he growled.

“That remains to be seen. I think you’re hiding so you dinna embarrass yourself.” Keenan threw back his head and laughed.

“The only one who will be red-faced is you. Let’s go. Loser buys the ale,” Ian said, then strode toward the festival grounds.

“You have a wager, brother. I hope you brought plenty of coins. I’m verra thirsty,” Keenan shouted after him.

“What could be taking her so long?” Laurel muttered aloud. After Mairi helped her to undress and brushed out her hair, she’d gone to retrieve a wooden tub and water for her bath. Worry knotted her gut as she awaited news of her friends’ fate. Her own punishment was of no concern, but she hated to think Isla and Angus would suffer because of her tardiness.

She anxiously paced her chamber. Pausing by the window, she peered into the bailey, surprised to see a steady stream of people enter through the portcullis. Guests attending the feast she surmised. She must have returned from the festival a lot later than she’d thought and likely the reason for Deirdre’s angry.

“Lady Laurel. I’ve brought the tub. May we enter?” Mairi asked.

Laurel secured a length of plaid around her shoulders. “Aye, come in.”

The door opened and Mairi stepped into the room. Three burly warriors placed the tub by the hearth, while several servants filled it with hot water from the buckets they carried.

Laurel waited for them to leave before approaching the maid. “What news do you have? I’ve been beside myself with worry.”

“Only rumors, m’lady.” She lowered her gaze.

Unable to contain her emotions, she grasped Mairi by the shoulders, forcing her to look at her. “Tell me what you’ve heard. I must know what punishment Deirdre has ordered. Maybe I can speak to her, explain that I am responsible.”

“It will make no difference. Once the mistress sets her mind to something, there is no changing it.”

“I could try.”

“You truly have a kind heart, m’lady, but best you hold your tongue. The mistress has yet to declare what she has in store for you.”

“I care not what she does to me, but canna bear the thought of my friends being punished because I dinna abide by Deirdre’s orders.” Laurel released Mairi and began to pace again.

“Neither Isla nor Uncle Angus would want you to shoulder the blame. They are adults and knew the consequences. I remember my mam telling me about the time that she broke Lady Deirdre’s favorite pitcher while cleaning the great hall, one she’d gotten from her mother. To protect her, Uncle Angus said he was at fault and took the reprimand. As her older brother, he always looked out for her. He thinks of you like a daughter and would never allow you to suffer.”

“My father always spoke highly of Angus. He not only considered him a fine warrior, but a dear friend as well. When I turn eighteen and take my place as lairdess, the first thing I will do is see him reinstated as captain of the guard. An honor he deserves.”

“That would be wonderful, But—” Mairi dropped her chin and shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

“But what?” Laurel asked. “Is there something I need to know?”

“Nay. I’ve heard the
palver
bandied about the keep, but wouldna set any store in it. Best we get you bathed and dressed for the feast. The guests are already arriving and the mistress wants you to join them as soon as possible. No point in feeding her ire.” With her head down, she moved to the tub, added some lavender oil to the water, then went to a shelf in the corner of the room.

“Get intae the tub before the water grows cold. I will fetch your gown and slippers,” Mairi said, but she did not turn to face Laurel.

While she wanted to pursue the questions, to learn what Mairi had overheard, she could tell by the maid’s slouching stance, inability to look her in the eye, and sudden uneasiness, this conversation made her uncomfortable. Uncertain if she wanted to know the answer, Laurel decided to let it drop for now. She’d find out soon enough.

She climbed into the tub and allowed the warm, fragrant bathwater to envelope her. She sighed and closed her eyes, determined to clear her head of all worry and the events of the day. Even if only for a few minutes. But the image of Blair’s handsome face and memories of his touch, the softness of his lips, and the way he made her feel, filled her mind.

She could never forget what they’d shared. Her heart clenched. Who was she fooling? They would never wed. Chances are they would not see each other again. Deirdre would forbid it, even if he did try.

But she’d worry about that later. Now she had to face what Murray had to share at the feast. An ache formed in the pit of her stomach. Something told her it would not be pleasant news.

Chapter 6

Preparing for the feast took longer than Laurel anticipated, and she was in enough trouble already. She quickened her pace. Being late again wouldn’t bode well with her cousins.

She entered the great hall, coming to an abrupt halt when she spied Deirdre, a scowl contorting the woman’s face. Since there was no point putting off the inevitable tongue lashing, she inhaled and squared her shoulders before approaching the dais.

“About time you made an appearance,” Murray grumbled.

“It wasna my intent to cause you any inconvenience. But it takes time to bathe and dress. I apologize if I have kept you waiting.”

“Well, you have. Again. Sit! We’ll deal with this later.” Deirdre pointed to an empty seat beside Allan.

Laurel rounded the corner of the table, the knot of dread tugging at the pit of her stomach tightening. Finding it impossible to ignore the overwhelming feeling that all eyes were upon her every move, or the dead silence that fell over the hall when she first arrived, she did her best to focus on her destination. Holding her head high, she walked toward her chair.

“Good evening, Allan. I hope you are well,” she said.

He grunted, but never looked up from his trencher.

Just as well. Beyond a simple greeting, she had no idea what to say to the man. They had nothing in common. While close in age, they’d never played together as bairns, and there was absolutely no physical attraction. But then again, nothing could rival the heat of passion she experienced with Blair.

She closed her eyes and sighed. If she tried hard enough, she could still feel the press of his lips, recalled his woodsy masculine scent, and the way his touch set her body ablaze.

“Stop your woolgathering and eat your meal,” Deirdre commanded. “You’re thin as a pike. A strong breeze could knock you over. I willna have people saying we never feed you,” she continued in a hushed voice meant only for Laurel’s ears.

Laurel pushed venison and turnips around on her wooden platter, but couldn’t bring herself to eat. She glanced around the room, searching for Angus and Isla, but neither attended the feast.

She feared the worst.

When Murray rose, then banged his tankard on the table several times, getting everyone’s attention, her breath caught, bile rising in her throat. She clenched her fists at her sides. This was it. The axe was about to fall.

“I invited you here not only to enjoy this fine food, but to make an announcement that has a bearing on the future of Clan MacClay. As you are aware, when my cousin Brandon lay upon his deathbed . . . may the Almighty rest his soul.” Murray paused and crossed himself. An act of reverence Laurel believed was meant to impress the guests and not out of genuine sentiment.

“He asked me to care for his daughter until she was of an age to assume her role as lairdess or was ready to take a husband. In a sennight, she will turn eighteen, and I have come to a decision.” When the din in the room reached a level too loud for him to continue, her cousin held his hand in the air, then waited for the groans and muffled comments to die down.

Laurel shifted nervously in her chair, the anticipation of his dreaded final words almost too much to bear. It took every bit of self-control she could muster to remain seated, to refrain from running out of the hall.

“I have decided Laurel and Allan will marry three days hence.
Slainte
!” He raised his mug in the air, but the news did not elicit a cheer from the crowd. Instead, a dead silence hung over the room like a shroud.

Panic squeezed her chest. She was about to realize her worst fear and had no idea how to stop it. But she had to try. She would rather Murray banish her or send her to a priory than condemn her to a loveless marriage.

“You dinna want this betrothal any more than I do,” she whispered to Allan. “Please. I beg of you. Speak up and let your parents know that you wish to select the bride of your choosing when the time is right. We wouldna be happy together.”

“You should know by now that my mother gives the orders and Da follows them like a faithful old deerhound. When she makes up her mind to something, there is no use trying to change it. She has been planning this union since the day your da died. Best you get accustomed to the idea fast.”

She placed a trembling hand on Murray’s forearm. Maybe he’d listen. “Please, m’lord, I must speak with you in private.” If only she could reason with him, make him see what a mistake this marriage would be.

“There is nothing to discuss,” Deirdre responded on her husband’s behalf.

“Please, m’lord, you must hear me out. This marriage isna what my father would have wished for me.”

“Your father died and left you in our care. This union will take place, and there is nothing you can say or do to change that. Best you accept Murray’s declaration and
haud your wheest
,” Deirdre hissed.

“I willna hold my tongue.” Laurel stood and planted her hands firmly on her hips. “For eight summers I have abided by your rules because it was my father’s last request. But I willna marry a man I dinna love. I—”

“Enough!” Deirdre climbed to her feet with her fists balled at her sides. “We have guests and this isna the place to cause a fuss.”

For the second time, a hush fell over the great hall.

Agreeing it was fruitless to discuss this any further in front of the guests, Laurel bit back the urge to continue. Instead, she ran out of the room and down the hall, nearly knocking one of the servants over as she rounded the corner.

“Is everything well, m’lady?”

She heard him ask as ran up the stairs, but she didn’t reply. When she reached the sanctity of her chamber, she hurled herself on the pallet and released a torrent of tears.

But her moment of solace did not last for long. The door swung open and Deirdre stomped inside. “You ungrateful lass, how dare you embarrass your cousin Murray and I in front of our guests. Not to mention insulting my son. What have you to say for yourself?”

Laurel dragged the back of her hand across her damp cheeks, then stood. “I merely spoke the truth. Had you asked me before making the announcement, I would have told you that I wasna ready to marry.” She decided it best not to mention her son’s name, for fear of fueling Deirdre’s ire.

“You mean you dinna wish to marry, Allan,” Deirdre snapped, then grabbed Laurel’s arm.

“You’re twisting my words. I am not prepared to take any husband at this time.”

“You’ll do what I say or suffer the consequences. And you know I will make good on my promise. I’ll won’t tolerate defiance from anyone.” Deirdre tightened her grip, her nails digging into Laurel’s flesh. “If you dinna believe me, ask Isla and Angus what happens to those who dinna follow my instructions.”

Laurel’s thoughts returned to her friends. “What have you done to them? They are not to blame for my tardiness.”

“My orders were clear and they disobeyed them. I dinna give Angus permission to join in the competitions or to leave you unattended. Had I known you would show your gratitude for my kindness by acting like a wanton whore, I would never have agreed to let you go in the first place.”

“You only allowed me to attend the festival so the clan wouldna question my absence or accuse you of being cruel or unjust. Not out of the goodness of your heart.”

“I dinna care what the clan members think or say. I am in charge. Had you followed my orders instead of rolling in the dirt with anyone who gave you a glance, you would have returned on time. Have you no shame, no regard for your reputation? Angus was sent to keep you in line, not to let you run wild.”

Laurel wrenched free of her cousin’s clutches, then stepped away, putting some distance between them. “I told Angus he could take part in the games while Isla and I purchased the vegetables. We had no idea those three drunkards would attack us. He isna to blame, and neither is Isla. What horrible thing have you done to them?”

“He is at fault. Besides which, I give the orders here. You had no business granting him leave to disobey me?”

“In a sennight I will turn eighteen. At that time, I will become lairdess of Thistledown Castle, relieving you of your burden.”

“If you think I would permit that to happen, you are sorely mistaken. You will never be in charge, so best you make your peace with that,” Deirdre replied. “As for their punishment, Isla has been assigned to work in the kitchen, cleaning the hearth, scrubbing floors, toting water, and scouring the cookery.” A wicked smirk tugged at her lips.

“Angus is spending some well-deserved time in the pit. He will weigh my words more carefully in future.”

“How awful!” Laurel gasped. “The pit is for thieves and our enemies. I wouldna allow a vicious dog to stay there for one minute. And Isla’s reprimand is equally deplorable and undeserved. I demand you release them both immediately.” The words escaped before she could temper them.

“Demand?” Deirdre’s brows knit together as the grin of satisfaction quickly left her face. “You will demand nothing. Once you marry Allan, your only concern will be making him happy. You’re lucky I dinna see you flogged for your despicable behavior in the village.”

“I did nothing to be ashamed of. The three scoundrels who accosted us were well in their cups and we dinna encourage their advances in any way. We tried to leave, but they wouldna permit it. Good thing—” Laurel chewed on the inside of her mouth in order to keep from saying any more. If Deirdre found out about Blair, she would be even more upset.

“Had Angus been doing his duty, you would not have been attacked. But I am not talking about your attackers. Was the tryst with Blair Cameron planned? I know you saw him in private.”

Laurel fought to keep her mouth from dropping open. “I dinna know what you’re talking about,” she fibbed. Heat rose in her cheeks and she refused to look at her cousin. “I dinna arrange a meeting with anyone. Where did you get such a notion?”

“Come now, you dinna think I would send you to the village with Angus and Isla without having someone else watching you? I am not that foolish.” Deirdre threw back her head and laughed.

“Who told you these lies? I have a right to know.”

“Clive. I ordered him to follow you, and he told me exactly what went on. Including the fact that you were alone with Blair Cameron while Isla and Angus went to fetch the produce. There is no point in denying it. You, my dear, were caught it a web of deception and lies.”

Laurel’s stomach churned with anger. She’d never trusted Clive. Deirdre had commissioned his services after her father died, along with several other men of questionable repute. He befriended no one and was forever skulking in the shadows.

“I have no reason to lie to you. Blair came to our rescue and nothing more. I was as shocked to see him at the festival as he was to see me. We never planned to meet. How could we? When I am not in my chamber, you dinna allow me to go anywhere without an escort. Until today, I had not seen or heard from him. Not since the day we buried my father.”

“It matters not how you arranged the meeting. You threw yourself at him, allowed him to take intimate liberties, and who knows what else. Poor Allan will be made a laughing stock if word gets out.”

“Had Blair not come along when he did, there is no telling what might have happened. I havena been intimate with him, with any man, and if given the chance to confront Clive face-to-face, I would call him on his lies.”

“You’ll speak to no one until the day of your wedding. I plan to lock you in your chamber so I dinna have to
fash
over what you might do when no one is looking.”

“You canna lock me in.”

“I’m afraid you have no say in the matter. Until you turn eighteen, you are under Murray’s rules. In three days you will marry Allan, and that will be the end of it.”

“I dinna love Allan and he can hardly stand the sight of me.”

“Love.” She laughed. “The useless sentiment has nothing to do with my decision. And what you want matters not. The sooner you learn that, the easier your life will be. I get my way, no matter the consequences and will stop at nothing. Your parents learned that the hard way and so will you if you dinna mind what I say.”

Laurel’s heart slammed into her ribs and her mind raced with questions. “What have my parents to do with any of this? Tell me,” she demanded. “What did you do to them?” She balled her fists, then took a step in her cousin’s direction. She’d tempered her emotions long enough.

Deirdre didn’t reply. Instead, she left the room, locking the door behind her.

Laurel pounded on the solid oak slab. “I willna marry your son. Do with me what you will, but I refuse to cower to your threats. Open the door!” she yelled, but her protest went unanswered.