The Highlander's Taken Bride (Scottish Highlander Romance)

by Kaley McCormick

  “I appreciate that you are always there for me, Tina, but this time I have to go this alone. I’m not leaving there, until I get the money that I’m looking for. A thousand dollar plate dinner is an extravagance by anybody’s standards. For them to fork out that kind of cash, only means that they have more money than brains. There are many causes in this world and everybody knows that each one has its merits. We all have the one that is dear to our heart and this one makes me want to do the impossible. Those billionaires don’t stand a chance. I’m going to bat my eyelashes, show some skin and get them to throw their hard earned dollars in my direction.”

  The dress was amazing and turning one way or the other would show more of my body than I had ever shown before. Even going out on dates, I never really went all out. Casual was my claim to fame. I think that I might have gotten some of those guys back to my one bedroom flat by putting myself out there. I wanted people to know who the real woman was and to accept me for what I brought to the table. I didn’t want to put on airs or make them think something that wasn’t true. I had no interest in pulling the rug out from underneath their feet after the fact.

  “It’s a good thing that you’re using my car, because nobody would take you seriously, if you showed up in your heap. That thing should be registered, as a health scare. You have exhaust leaks and the smoke that you forcefully put into the air is atrocious.” I was all about the environment, but the one thing that I couldn’t afford was a good vehicle. Thankfully, I only used it on those occasions that were absolutely necessary. Otherwise, I would resort to taking public transportation in the form of a bus or taking the subway. I liked mingling with the locals and I imagined what their lives would be like and I put myself in their shoes.

  “I think that by being an only child, I was given too much attention. I started to see that others didn’t have it that good and I did my best to make their lives better. Christmas to me was taking my toys that my parents had given me to those that were less blessed. My parents had a lot of money and they were all about luxury.” By the time that I was old enough, I left home and never looked back. I had no interest in inheriting that kind of cash. I became of age two years ago and I shocked them by giving up my fortune to charities. I only took what I needed.” I’d told Tina that story and she had shook her head with disbelief that I would actually let go of the kind of money that could keep me happy, until the day that I died.

  “Don’t get me started on that subject. We all struggle from day to day to make ends meet and you had everything given to you on a silver platter. I don’t know that I would’ve been, so callous to give away all of that money. I do have to praise you for your giving nature. You came from a house that wallowed in their wealth. You could’ve become ego driven, completely devoid of human emotion and yet you turned into a woman that has the interest of the entire world on your mind. You wear your heart on your sleeve and sometimes that is going to come back and bite you on the ass.” I put on the high heels and the black wrap around my shoulders and I knew that I was ready to mingle with those that were more influential than they realized.

  “I’m very grateful for your assistance, Tina. I need to make an entrance that is going to make it impossible to deny me entry. I’ve put into place a plan of attack and according to my watch, things should be coming to a head very soon.” I doubt that my mother and father would approve of my methods, but this was my life and I wasn’t going to let anybody dictate the terms. “Jamie should have everything prepared and all I have to do is show up at the right time. If I can time this right, then they won’t even ask me for identification. They’ll be too busy putting out a metaphorical fire to worry about party crashers. Besides, I’m not going to look like somebody off the street.” Just looking in the mirror, I felt different, almost privileged and deserving of the kind of accolades that would come my way.

  “You don’t look like the same person. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you were one of those over privileged rich kids. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say that you were a trophy wife for one of the many men that have decided to take their midlife crisis in a different direction. Instead of buying a car that’s an extension of their manhood, they indulge in their sweet tooth by grabbing on to something pretty and a little bit too young for their own good. I would say that you’re going to fit in nicely.” I had been training myself. I’ve gone over all the etiquette about what spoon and what fork to use for any circumstance.

  I knew how to carry myself with a regal bearing, instead of somebody that was walking hunched over like some kind of Neanderthal.

  “I think that the only thing that I’m going to have to be careful is about security. Everybody else will accept me, but some of those security guards can be very detail oriented. Most of them come from a line of work that involves the military. It’s the kind of discipline that’s going to be hard to maneuver behind. I can’t help the person that I am and I’m not going to allow others to tell me how to act. I don’t mind putting on a show, especially for a good cause, but this is definitely not me.” Even wearing this dress felt like it was cutting off my supply of oxygen.

  “I know that you’re not gonna wanna hear this, but you tend to put your head in the noose too often. You don’t know when to quit and you don’t even know the meaning of the word no. I sometimes think that you go overboard, but it’s always for a good cause. I’m going to say a silent prayer that you make it out of their without being found out. These people take these fundraisers seriously.” I wanted to scream at her, but she really did know that this was how living a life of luxury had caused me to react.

  “I don’t know why, but I feel guilty about how I was raised. I need to find some way to cleanse my soul. This is my way of helping those less fortunate with four legs. Humans are going to kill each other and there’s nothing that I can do about that. What I can do is make sure that animals are given the respect that they deserve. There is an animal hospital nearby that is begging for an influx of cash and I plan to give that to them. There will be no strings attached and they can do with the money what they see fit.” Getting those with money to pry open their pocketbooks with a crowbar was not going to be easy. I had to play this just right, or my ruse would be found out and everything that I was working for would go up in flames.

  Chapter two

  I got to the charity and I checked my makeup in the mirror. I’m not one to put any on and even looking at myself now, I felt like a common streetwalker. I did not want to call attention to myself, but this was the only way to get past those that were looking for anything that was unusual. I heard what sounded like a backfire and then a canister of tear gas was released into the crowd. Two more were shot off simultaneously and Jamie had certainly come through in the pinch.

  I stepped out of the car and looked at the reflection of the woman that I was supposed to be. In place of my dark hair, I had colored it blonde, turned up and showing the sensuous part of my neck. I was hiding the fact that I was only 5’4 by wearing 4 inch heels.

  People were screaming and the smoke was burning their eyes. Security was now taking action, pulling out billy clubs and their walkie talkies to coordinate some sort of rebuttal.

  Holding a handkerchief over my face, I climbed the stairs in between two security guards that had no idea that I was there. I followed the railing, holding onto it for support. I got to the front door and there was nobody manning the booth with the names currently written down. Everybody that was on that list would have to check in, but this distraction was the perfect way to slip in unnoticed.

  “I have no idea what’s going on out there. I can’t see a damn thing. There seems to be some kind of protest. The guards are trying to clean things up, but it appears that we’re going to have to call the authorities to make an appearance. If I was out there, I would hog tied the lot of them. I know the Mayor personally. I’ll give him a call and see what he can’t do to expedite things.” This guy was what was wrong with society today. He was wearing his bl
ack cowboy hat, his bolo tie and looking every bit the billionaire cowboy. “I pay good money in taxes and I reckon that I can get the Mayor to see my way of thinking. If not, then I’ll just give a sizable donation to the police mans ball. That should suffice to make them get off their asses.”

  I hated people like this and they really did get on my last nerve. I wanted to slap the taste out of his mouth, but doing something like that would only put my actions on display. I needed to fly underneath the radar and make it appear that I was one of them. It felt distasteful for being dishonest, but I couldn’t see any way around it.

  “We shouldn’t concern ourselves with something that is below us. I intend to enjoy the dinner, no matter if the steak is too tough. I could probably get something better back home. My cook makes an amazing array of foods. She is always surprising me with one culinary delicacy after another.” This man had a bit of gray in his hair, but there was still youth behind his eyes. “My name is Wilma Amherst.” He turned his attention away from what was going on outside and followed my slinky self into the dining room. I had taken him away from calling the Mayor, which should give Jamie enough time to wrap things up.

  “I’ve been to a lot of these things, but I think that I would remember somebody like you. I also know the Amherst family.” I thought that my ruse was going to be discovered. I was sweating. It was a good thing that I put on an extra layer of deodorant, before coming here. “They are good friends of nine and what side of the family do you come from?” He was a little suspicious, but I was going to have to put his mind at ease. I had done my research and I knew that a distant cousin had been pretty much out of the limelight for a few years. There was only one photograph of her and Wilma liked to keep things more private than public.

  “I’m sure that you’ve heard of me and I don’t make many appearances, but sometimes for a good cause I will go against my basic nature. I’m not one to mingle and I’d rather stay in the comfort of my luxurious home than to venture out into the public eye.” I was acting like I was better than everybody else. It hurt me to say the words and I thought for sure that my face was going to crack.

  “I agree. I have an estate a few miles away. I’m always flying from one location to another, but this will always be my home. I may like the finer things in life, but there are simpler things that make me smile. The sound of hooves hitting the ground, as I push Rodrick to his limit is like music to my ears. I hear him exerting himself, breathing heavy and he makes me feel at one with nature. Animals are the lifeblood of any community.” His love for his four legged friends was admirable and I felt like we had a connection that went beyond this type of atmosphere.

  “I own three of my own horses and they are the love of my life. My dearly departed husband never really had any love lost for animals. He would rather buy expensive toys, than to give the horses the time of day. He’s not much for giving at all. I understand his reasoning and there are a lot of people that have their hand out. I just don’t have time for any of that. I would rather ride into the sunset, until I found a suitable spot to sit and take photographs. My love of photography has grown over time and my subject has always been those of the animal variety. I find a certain charm and life behind their eyes that I don’t find with anything else.” He was hanging off of every word and he was sipping that champagne and making a face. I could see that he was more at home with a bottle of beer in his hands.

  “I don’t know why they don’t have more variety at these things. We’re paying $1000 a plate. There has to be three or four dozen people here. Do the math and you know that they could afford a lot more than what they are offering. I guess I can’t blame them and the money that they fork out to feed us is money that is not going to find its way into the hands of those that need it the most. I don’t care about any of that. I want what I want and I have the kind of money to get it. I don’t know about you, Wilma, but I get a little sick and tired of coming to these things. I have more important things to do. There is a party that is going to be off the chain. I’m leaving here shortly and maybe you should join me. You don’t want to be here, anymore than I do.”

  “I would love to skip out of this place, but I think it might be rude to the other guests. I may be a socialite, but I don’t feel that way deep down. I would rather throw down cash and walk away from all of this. Perhaps, if you give me your donation, I can slip it in with the rest of them. I’m just going to leave a blank check with the amount of $200,000. If you could do the same thing, then we won’t feel, so guilty about leaving in the middle of everything.

  “Wilma, I like your style.” As he pulled out his pocketbook, I had to stop myself from staring in disbelief that he was actually going to follow through on my request. “I’m going to do you one better and put in $500,000. I’ll make that back by morning. I’m sure that dress you have on would look great on my bedroom floor.” I had to be careful and the way that I felt about him made me want to place a very distinct knee into a certain part of his anatomy. “That kind of money should get them off my back. I’m going to make the rounds quickly. Put that check into whatever pile you find and let’s get the hell out of here.” I couldn’t believe my luck and the fact that I had this money in my greedy little hands was almost like a dream come true.

  “I’ll be right back and don’t you go away. I’m going to need a few minutes to make an appearance, but then I should be able to slip out.” I noticed that the guards were now looking around the room. It was a good thing that the place was dimly lit and seeing anything in this crowd was like finding a needle in a haystack. I had noticed that the young man with the name tag of Paul Winchester had been looking at me like a rare steak ready to be devoured.

  The check in my hand made me visibly shake with giddiness, as I made my way over to the other side of the room. I made small talk with a couple people, while pocketing his check. I would sign the name of the animal hospital to the amount and that should be more than enough to keep them with their doors open for quite some time. I really didn’t need to bother anybody else and I had a feeling that I was taking things a step too far. If I were to make any more requests, I’m sure that it would have gotten back to somebody on the security force.

  “Young lady, your work ethic is absolutely amazing. I wish that you could teach my daughter a thing or two about the value of a dollar. Your contribution is much appreciated and the money that we raise here will go a long way to finding a cure once and for all.” This guy was pompous, full of himself and was only puffing out his chest to be heard. “I’ve been coming to these things for years and I have not seen a better turnout in some time.” His words were laced with education and he had no problem lording it over others. He wanted everyone to know that he was in there and somebody important and he made a point of almost waving a hand in the air and telling people that he was the best there ever was.

  “We all have to do our part that if we don’t, then we may as well just hide inside our $1,000,000 homes and eat our expensive caviar and not bother with anybody.” He seemed confused and I had a feeling that I needed to do something to dissuade his opinion of me. “I’m just teasing and everybody needs an Olympic size pool and a man that is on call 24 hours a day. I myself can’t go without the hands of Raul on my back in the middle of the afternoon.” Those that were standing around began to nod their head politely. The jewelry that these people wore made mine like a drop in the bucket. I had selectively borrowed these from another friend that I was house sitting for.

  They were in the Caribbean and enjoying a respite from having to work 24 hours a day and seven days a week at their fledgling company.

  “I agree with you. My gardener needs a good talking to and there really is no accounting for taste. His idea of topiary is appalling. I’m beginning to think that he doesn’t even know what he’s doing. I shouldn’t really cast aspersions. It’s not like he has the privilege of growing up with everything that he has ever wanted. I should give him a break and maybe a few days will make a world of differenc
e.” I had no idea who this girl was, but it was obvious that her money was from the old way of thinking.”

  “If you want, I’ll be more than happy to take your donation and give it to those that are in charge. That way, you don’t have to dirty your hands. I know that if somebody had offered me that suggestion, I would’ve jumped at it.” Those that were standing in the circle looked at each other and then began to write out their check in the amount that they were going to give. I handled them with care and looked at each one, as I moved away from them and into a darkened alcove.

  The amounts were not extravagant and I knew that they could afford a whole lot more than that. At the very least, Paul has gone above and beyond, but I don’t think that half a million was going to take much of a punch out of his revenue stream. I knew all about Paul Winchester and he came off as magnanimous, but I had learned quite recently that he was a little bit opinionated about himself and of those that he gave to charity.

  Chapter three

  I had about $700,000 and all of it was ear marked to the animal shelter. I would do it anonymously, because having my name in lights was not my idea of giving to charity. I didn’t want anybody patting me on the back or telling me that I was doing a good thing. I didn’t need their praise and I wasn’t looking for anybody to make me feel good about myself.

  I felt the hand on my wrist and looked up into the face of Paul. He did not look at all happy and I realized that I had gone a little too far. By staying around and milking these people of their donations, I had put a spotlight over my head and made it possible for Paul to figure out that I wasn’t on the level.

  “You’re nothing, but a con artist and you should be ashamed of yourself. If you don’t give me half of what you got here tonight, then I’m going to turn you over to the authorities. He didn’t need the money, but apparently his greed was more than he could handle. He wanted what he could get his hands on and he didn’t care how he got it. He would probably turn his mother into the police for stealing a bag of groceries, just for the reward.