My Daring Highlander

by Vonda Sinclair

  “Aye, Father.” Her stomach felt queasy and she wished she hadn’t eaten a bite. She proceeded into the smaller room, just off the great hall, which contained a table covered in papers, a desk, and all sorts of books. The fire had burned down to embers but the room was still warm. Too bad her father was not. Nay, the look in his dark eyes was cold.

  He took a seat behind his imposing oak desk. “So, why is it that you return to me unmarried to the MacKay chief?”

  Oh heavens. How was she supposed to respond to that without making Dirk out to be a villain?

  “He did not wish to marry me.” ’Twas the only reason she could think of. And the truth.

  “Why?” he demanded.

  “I explained in the missive I sent—”

  “I had an agreement and a written contract with his father, Griff MacKay! Why did they choose to break that oath?”

  Seona drew in a deep breath, then released it, forcing herself to remain calm. “As you ken, Chief Griff MacKay passed last fall. There was some dispute as to which of his three sons would be the new chief. We all thought Aiden was the eldest living son. He, in fact, became chief for about a month. Then Dirk MacKay returned. He is the eldest son, but everyone thought him dead for twelve years. Because he is more suited than Aiden to be a chief and ’twas proven he was indeed the eldest son of Chief Griff, the clan appointed him the new chief.”

  “And why did you not marry this Dirk MacKay? Why did he not honor the contract his father sighed five years ago?”

  “He was already…” How should she say this? Already in love with Lady Isobel? Nay, that wasn’t good enough. Emotion held no sway for her father.

  “Well, come on, lass. Spit it out! Already what?”

  “Already betrothed to another lady,” she said. Her chest tightened with the lie. It was the only excuse she could think of at the moment. Dirk had not been betrothed to Isobel at that point, but he was in love with her. That was no doubt a stronger pull for him.

  “Already betrothed?” her father thundered.

  “Aye.”

  “To who?”

  “Lady Isobel MacKenzie.”

  “You did not mention this in the missive.”

  He had a point and she knew not how to counter it. “They married very soon after they arrived.”

  That much was true. Though it was a few weeks.

  “Anyway, Dirk MacKay knew naught of the contract before he arrived in Durness,” she added. She’d had to tell the fib about Dirk and Isobel being betrothed; otherwise, her father might grow enraged with Chief MacKay and attack. The last thing she wanted was clan war. She wanted Isobel, Dirk and all the MacKays to be safe. They were like family to her… more so than her own clan. Nor did she want her father to take his wrath out on Keegan, who was acting as Dirk’s representative.

  But what if Aunt Patience told her father a different story? Saints! Had she made a terrible mistake with that white lie? It didn’t hurt anyone. In fact, it kept everyone safe. Mayhap the warning she’d given her aunt about exposing her affair with MacMillan would still hold in this case as well. She needed to talk to her again.

  “This whole story sounds far-fetched to me,” her father grumbled. “The MacKays know not how to keep their word.” He rose from his chair and moved toward the door. After yanking it open, he told his personal bodyguard, standing just outside the door, to fetch Lady Patience.

  Mo creach! Seona would be in trouble if her aunt told a different story.

  Aunt Patience entered and her father closed the door.

  “Sister, explain the MacKay situation. It makes no sense to me,” her father said.

  “I told Father how Dirk was already betrothed to Lady Isobel and this is why I couldn’t marry him,” Seona rushed to say, giving her aunt a meaningful look while her father’s back was turned.

  Her aunt sent her a narrow-eyed glare.

  “Let her explain it. I’ve already heard your side,” her father ordered.

  “Aye,” Patience said hesitantly, her expression shifting from angry to pleasant. “I heard that some of the clan thought they were already married when they arrived in Durness. There were abundant rumors that they’d already been intimate and a bairn might result.”

  “Damned barbarians,” her father said gruffly. His gaze shifted between Seona and her aunt for a long tense moment. “That will be all, Seona.”

  She headed toward the door, then realized Patience hadn’t been dismissed. She let herself out, praying her aunt didn’t reveal anything that would anger her father. If he knew the truth of it, he would be enraged.

  As Seona waited a few yards from the door for her aunt to emerge from the private conference with her father, she thought of her sister, glad she was still staying with Cousin Genevieve. At least she hoped she was, but she would love to see her. It had been many months.

  When one of the kitchen servants passed nearby, Seona asked, “Is my sister still with my cousin?”

  “Lady Seona.” The maid curtsied. “Nay, Lady Talia is in her bedchamber.”

  What? Seona frowned. Why had she not joined them for supper?

  “I thank you for telling me.” Seona rushed up the narrow spiral stair to the floor above and knocked at Talia’s chamber door. They were so close that normally they didn’t knock; they simply barged in. Impatient, she tried to open the door but it didn’t budge.

  Why had her sister locked the door?

  “Talia? Are you in there?” Seona tried to keep her voice low.

  “Who is it?” The mumbled response sounded sleepy. Was her sister napping?

  “’Tis Seona.”

  “Seona?” Talia’s tone was more excited now. “You are home?”

  “Aye. Unlock the door.”

  “I cannot. Father locked me in here.”

  An icy shock went through Seona. “Why?”

  “I angered him,” she said in an uneven voice.

  “Are you crying? What happened?” Heavens! How she wished she could get inside and see her sister. “Did Father hurt you?”

  “Aye,” she said low, very close to the other side of the door. “He hit me and I fell.”

  Seona clenched her teeth. Damn the man. Though she might be breaking a commandment and dishonoring her father, the man was the very devil.

  She blew out a breath and tried to sound calm. “How badly are you hurt?”

  “The maid said it looks worse than it is.”

  Dear heavens, it had to be bad, then. “How does it look?”

  “I have a bruise on my face,” Talia said.

  “What else? Any cuts or broken bones?”

  “Nay, but I have another bruise on my arm where it struck the bed frame.”

  Saints! Seona wished she could lash out at her father in the same way, but he was strong and stocky. He had knocked her down before. When she was a wee lass, she remembered him treating her poor mother the same way. She had to get Talia away from him.

  “What was he trying to make you do?” Seona asked.

  “He wants me to marry Chief Comyn. He is an old man, Seona,” Talia sobbed.

  Not only that, but the man was notorious for being ruthless and vile. What could she do to help her sister? She well knew fathers in the Highlands chose husbands for their daughters, but hers was determined to find the worst possible husbands for them to ensure their lives would be hell on earth.

  “Since he received your missive months ago, he has been hunting a husband for you as well,” Talia said.

  Dark dread slammed into Seona’s gut. “Who has he mentioned?”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Seona stood outside her sister’s door, waiting to hear the name of the man her father planned to marry her off to. Although a title meant naught to her, at the moment she wished Keegan had the grandest title in the land, simply so she’d be allowed to marry him.

  “Talia?” Seona asked, moisture burning her eyes. “Tell me who.”

  “Laird Wentworth from further south. He is a baron.”

>   She didn’t know whether to be relieved that he was none of the horrid chiefs she knew, or more terrified of the unknown. “I have never heard of him. Have you seen him?”

  “Aye, he visited. He is not terribly old. I would say thirty summers. But you would not like him. He is pompous and arrogant.”

  “Perfect,” Seona muttered, hating her father more with each second that passed.

  Footsteps clomped up the stairwell behind her.’Twas Fleming, one of the guards who had worked here forever. Although his hair was mostly gray, he was still a brawny man. “What are you about? Oh. Lady Seona, welcome home.” He bowed.

  “I thank you, Fleming. I wish to go in and speak to my sister. Have you the key?”

  “Aye, but I must ask Chief Murray.”

  “Please do.”

  Fleming disappeared down the stairwell.

  Seona turned back to the door. “How long have you been locked in there?”

  “Five days,” Talia said.

  “Good Lord. Have the maids brought you food?”

  “Aye.”

  “And are you eating?”

  “Aye.”

  Seona was glad for that at least, but she needed to see if her sister had lost weight. When Talia was upset, she would sometimes avoid meals. “Why did you not remain with Cousin Genevieve?” She would’ve been safe and cared for there, at least.

  “I did for several months, but when spring arrived, Father came to retrieve me.”

  “I see.”

  “So he could find me a husband.” Talia started crying again. “I won’t marry the beast!”

  Footsteps echoed on the stone steps.

  “Shh… the guard is returning. Move away from the door.”

  Fleming came into view. “Your father said you could visit with your sister.” He unlocked the door.

  “I thank you,” Seona said, then entered the room.

  The lock clicked behind her, giving her a cold chill.

  Talia lit a candle from the hearth fire and placed it on a nearby table. Seona hurried to her and, when Talia faced her, Seona couldn’t believe the bruise covering the left side of her face. Her cheek was purple with tinges of green and yellow. At least it appeared to be healing.

  “Oh, heavens, Talia.” Tears filling her eyes, Seona stroked the uninjured side of her sister’s sweet face. ’Twas almost as if they were wee girls again, huddling in a chamber, hoping their father stayed far away.

  Talia grabbed her in a hug and sobbed against her shoulder. Seona embraced her tightly and stroked her back. “Shh, tis all right.”

  Never had their father given Seona such a huge bruise, though he had slapped her hard four different times. Seona had always tried to protect her younger sister. She regretted that she hadn’t been here this time, but she’d had no choice in the matter.

  Talia pulled back and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. “I’ve decided, if I can get out of this room, I’m going to run away.”

  “What? Where would you go?”

  “I know not. Anywhere.”

  “Talia—”

  “Nay. Do not try to talk me out of it.”

  Certainly Seona had dreamed of running away, too, but she had never seriously considered it because she had to stay and protect her sister. Plus, as women, they had no means. No money, aside from what their father gave them. They had no relatives in distant villages who might hide them. All their relatives were close-by, and worst of all, they were loyal to her father… or they feared him.

  If only Seona could have married one of the MacKays. Keegan, of course, was the man she wanted so desperately to marry, but she feared her father would not even consider it. If she could’ve married a decent man, she’d hoped to bring her sister to live with her. But now she knew that might not be possible, if her father was bent on arranging a marriage between Talia and the Comyn chief.

  Seona’s stomach pained her for she was trapped just as she’d always been.

  “We must think of a solution,” she told Talia.

  “I have. I’m running away.”

  “Do you have a plan? How will you support yourself? Where will you stay? How will you buy food?”

  Talia crumpled onto the bench near the hearth. “I know not,” she sobbed.

  Seona sat beside her and rubbed her back. “Shh. We must think.”

  Heavens! If only Seona could marry Keegan, she could take Talia with her to Durness and keep her safe. Away from old, beastly chiefs who wanted to marry young girls. Talia would love staying with the MacKays. They were a lively and considerate group. The man Seona loved and her best friend were among them. To think of never seeing them again broke her heart. They were her true family.

  Keegan had said he was going to ask her father for her hand. Would he still do this after having met her father? Keegan was a strong, brave man and Seona couldn’t see him being intimidated by her father. Although perhaps he should be, given her father’s ruthlessness.

  If only Laird Rebbinglen could convince her father to see Keegan’s merits. Tanist was no small position within a clan. But more importantly, Keegan was an honorable, protective, and responsible man. Unfortunately, these admirable qualities were not of utmost importance to her father.

  Her stomach knotted when she imagined Keegan standing before her father, asking for her hand. She feared her father would fly into an instant rage and try to hurt Keegan.

  “I’m tired of thinking about all this,” Talia said. “Tell me of your adventures in the north and why you didn’t marry the MacKay chief.”

  There was so much. How could Seona possibly tell her sister of everything she’d seen and experienced since last autumn? “You must promise not to tell anyone.”

  “Of course I won’t tell. I promise.”

  Seona told her of how beautiful Durness was in the spring, but how harsh and cold in the winter, and how she and their aunt had traveled from Tongue to Durness in the bitter cold. She told her of the friendly, fun-loving MacKay clan and how she envied Dirk and Isobel’s love match. She told her of the battles they’d endured on their journey south again and how Haldane MacKay wanted to kidnap her. Seona knew not how long she talked. She could go on for hours about the MacKays and Isobel and how she enjoyed spending time with them.

  “What are you not telling me?” Talia asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I can tell you’re keeping a secret.”

  Keegan was her secret. A few of the men knew, of course. But dare she tell her sister? She had always kept her secrets. Talia disliked Aunt Patience’s spying as much as Seona did. And how could Seona not tell her sister the most amazing thing that had happened to her—she’d fallen in love with a most remarkable man.

  “What is that grin?” Talia asked.

  Seona hadn’t realized she was grinning. She immediately tried to control her expression.

  “Is it a man? You met someone in Durness and fell in love,” Talia said in an excited tone, her eyes wide.

  “Aye,” Seona admitted in a low voice, her face burning.

  Talia grabbed Seona’s hands. “Tell me about him! What is his name?”

  “You must promise to tell no one. Lives could be in danger.”

  “I promise not to tell anyone.” Talia almost bounced upon the bench.

  “Very well. His name is Keegan MacKay,” Seona whispered. “He is the cousin of Chief MacKay and the clan’s tanist.”

  Talia grinned, her dark eyes alight with excitement. “What is he like? Is he handsome and kind?”

  “Aye, indeed. The kindest and most handsome man I have ever laid eyes upon. He protected me during the journey here.”

  “What does he look like?”

  “He has a beautiful, charming smile, pale blue eyes, and tawny-brown hair. He is tall and strong. A warrior.”

  “He sounds a dream! How old is he?”

  “Six-and-twenty. He has told me he loves me.”

  “Oh, Seona. I’m so happy you found someone.” Talia hugged her.


  “He asked me to marry him, but I fear Father will not allow it.”

  Talia pulled back, her expression somber. “’Tis unfair. You must find a way to be with him.”

  “More than anything, I wish there was a way. Keegan is tanist and next in line to be chief, but you know as well as I that is not enough for Father.”

  “He is obsessed with wealthy lairds and chiefs.”

  “Aye, and I fear when Keegan asks him for my hand, he will insult Keegan horribly, or try to hurt him.”

  ***

  Unable to believe his good fortune, Chief Ambrose Murray showed Laird Rebbinglen into his private meeting room and they took seats near the warm hearth. During supper, he’d learned that Rebbinglen was unmarried. To have one of his daughters marry an earl would be more than he could’ve imagined. He poured two small crystal glasses of whisky and gave one to the dark-haired young man. He remembered seeing the lad when he was around five summers. ’Twas hard to believe he was such a big strong man now and obviously well-liked and respected.

  “Slàinte.” Murray swallowed a generous gulp of the fiery liquid, enjoying the burn and trying to think of the most diplomatic way to bring up this most important subject. “Laird Rebbinglen—”

  The earl held up his hand. “I’d be pleased if you would call me Rebbie as my friends do.”

  Murray smiled. ’Twas almost as if they were family already. “I would be honored. Everyone calls me Murray, friends and enemies alike.”

  “Murray.” Rebbie lifted his glass again.

  “Rebbie,” he began again, though he felt awkward not calling the esteemed man a more formal name. “I thank you for bringing my daughter home and keeping her safe.”

  “Well, I—”

  “Nay. I ken you will deny it, being the good man that you are. But I’m certain my daughter felt much safer with you than the rest of those men.”

  Rebbie shrugged. “In truth, I wasn’t the one guarding her. ’Twas Keegan MacKay who kept her safe during the entire journey. He is the best of men, highly honorable like his cousin, the chief. They were practically cut from the same cloth.”

  Murray waved off his humility. Besides that, he didn’t want to hear any more about the detestable MacKays—men who couldn’t keep their word.