Page 4 of Never Marry a Highlander

Chapter Two

Lorenawastoldbythe maid who summoned her that she was to see her brother in his study.Taking a deep breath, she left her bedchamber and tapped on David’s study door.Being summoned to enter, she opened the door and came to an abrupt halt.

Expecting to see the MacKay Laird, she was startled to see his brother, Craig sitting there.He rose when she entered, while her brother did not.No surprise there.He had the manners of a goat.

David waved her to a seat and leaned back in his chair and nodded at Craig.“’Twill be yer duty to tell the lass.”

Confused at her brother’s words, she turned to Craig.She’d forgotten how very handsome the man was.When she had visited the MacKay brooch, the maids were always trying to get his attention.He seemed like a nice enough man, but his appearance here was confusing.Had the laird been injured?Or dead?She shivered since she did have a liking for Robin MacKay, even though she didn’t want to marry him.

“Sit down, Lorena,” David said with a wave of his hand.“This is Craig MacKay, the laird’s brother.”

“I ken that.Do ye no’ remember I was with ye when ye tried to foist me off on his brother?”She smoothed her skirts, avoiding both men’s eyes.She knew she sounded a bit like a shrew, but she’d used that form of defense since she’d been a young girl.She found it better to attack before being attacked.That kept most people—particularly men—away from her.She didn’t need a broken heart.

Craig cleared his throat and looked at David.“I would like to speak to Lorena in private.”

David pushed his chair back, a bit more enthusiastic than needed and stood.“I’ll give ye five minutes and then I’ll send a maid to show ye to a bedchamber so ye can clean up before the evening meal.”

Even more confused, she turned to Craig.“Is all well with yer brother?”

“Aye.”When she didn’t say anything else, he took a deep breath and said, “Laird MacKay has broken the betrothal agreement.”

Lorena jumped up.She’d told the man what she would do if he didn’t marry her.Apparently he was a man who cared so very little for her that he didn’t mind if she jumped into a swollen river.She raised her chin.“Verra well.”

When she turned to leave, he stood and reached for her hand to stop her.“Wait.There is something else I need to say.”

“What?”She snapped, sneering at him.Was he now going to offer some insipid apology and ask her not to kill herself?She bit the inside of her cheek to keep the tears from falling.She would never show a weakness in front of any man.Hadn’t she put up with beatings without a tear?Hadn’t she saved them for when she was alone and in pain?

She sighed, pretending complete indifference.“What is it?I have many things to see to before the evening meal.”

He tugged her hand and sat, pulling her with him so she sat back on her chair.“I am going to take my brother’s place.”

She stared at him, not quite understanding.“What do ye mean?”

“I mean precisely that.If ye agree, I will take my brother’s place in the agreement and marry ye.”

She laughed, the bitterness in her voice ringing in her ears.“If I agree?Is that what ye said?Do ye think I have a choice?This mon, that mon, it matters no’.Ye are all the same.Bullies, the lot of ye.”

“Settle down, Lorena.”His soft voice grated on her nerves.She wanted him to lash out at her so she knew where she stood with him.Those deep green kind eyes meant nothing because in a fit of temper they would darken, and he would strike.

She stood again.“Verra well.I agree.”Tugging her hand as hard as she could, she turned her back on him and left the room.

***

Craig blew out a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair.Aye, Lorena Gordon was just as he remembered.A shrew.Life with her would be difficult at best.‘Twas a good thing his plan had been to marry her, bed her—which would not be a chore given the beauty that she was—and then drop her at Dun Ugadale and be on his way.

A maid entered the room, and her eyes grew wide as she said, “My laird asked that I show ye to a room where ye can clean up for the evening meal.”

He was used to that reaction from the lasses.But this was certainly not the time to encourage the lass.Craig slapped his hands on his thighs and stood.“Aye.”

He used the bowl of warm water, and clean linen cloths to wash the road dust off him.He noticed his satchel was already in the bedroom, the laird apparently ignoring his request to sleep outside with his men.He looked around the room.After a few nights sleeping outdoors, it would be nice to have a comfortable bed to lie in.Mayhap he’ll leave Giles outside with the men and make use of the bedchamber.

Lady Lorena had said she agreed, so he was thinking The Gunn would go along with his plan to substitute for Robin.Lorena was certainly a bonnie lass.Her flaming red hair went right along with her disposition.Those deep blue eyes would probably darken when he drove into her.That is if he could mayhap stuff one of his stockings into her mouth before he started.He pulled out a clean tunic and chuckled to himself.

The great hall was already filling up when Craig arrived.Giles was at a table with the men who’d rode with them.As he headed in that direction, The Gunn called out to him.“MacKay.Just us here.”He waved at the table on the dais.Lorena sat alongside him, a glower on her face.

He sighed inwardly.Whatever was he getting himself into?The wedding, bedding, and leaving couldn’t happen soon enough for him.

The Gunn slapped him on the back as he sat next to him, with his bride-to-be on the other side of the laird.“Lorena tells me she accepted yer offer.”