by B. J. Scott
“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.
Chapter 7
Laurel tossed and turned, sleep evading her as Deirdre’s threats and insinuations kept running through her mind. While she found the idea of being married to Allan deplorable, the comment about her parents learning their lesson troubled her even more. Judging by the swift way her cousin had ended their discussion and exited the chamber, it was clear she had disclosed more than she intended.
Laurel had heard rumors about Deirdre’s obsession with her father, fits of jealous rage, and hatred for her mother, but no one dared challenge her. Not even when those servants who worked directly with her mam had mysteriously disappeared right after her death. She was but a wee bairn when her mother passed, and her da was so overcome with grief, he asked no questions.
The morning sun had yet to rise when a soft rap on the door disturbed her musing. “Lady Laurel, are you awake?” a woman asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Isla, is that you?”
“Aye. Are you able to come closer to the door? I dare not shout for fear someone will hear me. If the mistress finds out I’ve left the kitchen, there will be hell to pay.”
Laurel sprang from her bed, then began to shiver. The room was so cold she could see her breath. After wrapping a length of plaid around her shoulders, she hurried across the room. “Deirdre has locked the door. Can you let yourself in? She could come along at any minute. Finding you here would not bode well for either of us.”
“Och, Mairi told me you were confined to your chamber, but I’d hoped it was just hearsay. The key is not in the lock. The old hag must have taken it with her.”
“Are you well, Isla? I have been beside myself with worry. I am so sorry they punished you for my tardiness.” Pressing her ear to the door, she waited for a reply.
“I’m fine, m’lady. The mistress has me doing the work of three people, but so far, I have managed to finish all the tasks she has thrown my way. You are not to blame,” the maid answered. “What about you? I canna believe she is going to make you marry Allan. I cringe just thinking about it.”
“Then you’ve heard the dreadful news. The wedding is set for three days hence.”
“Is there nothing you can do? Mayhap speaking to your cousin Murray would help. Surely he wants his son to be happy.”
“My cousin knows nothing about happiness. I’ve tried to reason with him, but he willna listen or challenge his wife’s decisions. Besides, Deirdre refuses to let me out of here until the morn of the nuptials. I’m afraid there is nothing I can do.”
“What about Lord Cameron? Is there a way to get word to him? Perhaps he could intervene.”
“I never told you this yesterday, but Blair asked me to meet him in secret by the postern gate this evening. But there is no way I can be there,” Laurel said.
“You must try. Maybe he can help you to escape. You could return after your eighteenth Saints’ Day. Being spirited away by the man you love sounds so romantic,” Isla said, sighing.
“I am confined to my chamber so canna meet with him. But maybe that is for the best. Murray and Deirdre will never reconsider their decision, and I wouldna do anything to put Blair in danger.”
“What if I were to meet him for you? I’ll tell him you are imprisoned in your chamber and need his help. I am sure he will come to your aid.”
“Nay, Isla. It would be too risky for you and Blair. I shouldna have agreed to see him in the first place. If Deirdre finds out, there is no telling what she might do.”
“I believe the two of you are meant to be together. So whether you give me leave or not, I plan to meet with Lord Cameron on your behalf. Best you tell me what to say,” the maid replied adamantly.
Laurel could almost picture her friend standing with her hands on her hips, the proud jut of her chin confirming her conviction. There was no mistaking the determination in Isla’s voice, so Laurel finally relented. “You’re a thrawn lass. If you insist on this fool’s mission, inform Blair that I have decided to marry Allan. Tell him he must forget about me,” she replied, but failed to hide the tremor in her voice.
“Please dinna ask me to lie, m’lady.”
“Deirdre threatened to punish me further if I chose to defy her. We both know she will make good on that promise. I care not what she does to me, but fear she might take her anger out on Blair.” Laurel began to pace nervously. “When last we spoke, she mentioned some things that left me wondering if she may have done something to harm my mother and father. While I have no proof, I willna risk putting anyone I care about in danger.”
“Like you, I was a wee lassie when your mam died, so remember verra little about that day. However, I once overheard my own mother talking to another maid. She said
that the mistress was born in the depth of the netherworld and practiced witchcraft. She claimed that anyone who had dared speak against her was sent away or disappeared altogether.”
“Alas, I’ve heard similar rumors.”
“When I questioned my mam, she refused to talk about what happened. Like most Highlanders, she is verra superstitious. And like many of the servants, fears the mistress’ wrath. Do you think your cousin’s wife was responsible for your parents’ deaths?”
“I canna be certain, but my mam was a young, healthy woman. There was no reason she couldna carry a babe, in fact, many babes. Yet, she was as weak as a newly born colt when she passed. I’m told that on their wedding day, Deirdre made no secret of the fact that she thought my da should have married her instead. Because she dabbled in potions and called herself a healer, my father asked for her help when my mother experienced an upset stomach upon rising, as many women do when they are breeding.”