Page 3 of A Highlander's Vow

And there in his hand was the note from so long ago, with the words of the pledge and his signature, along with Robert’s scrawl.

There was no mention of bairns, so Gregory was left to wonder if he was bringing back an entire family or one woman.

*

Lady Megan Sinclairsat on her bed and studied the tree that grew outside, right in front of her window. Again, she wondered if she should crawl over the opening and climb down the tree to escape.

The first clumps of dirt had just hit her husband’s body when his uncle, the new Laird Anthony Sinclair, told her without any care that he was arranging a marriage for her.

When shock and anger had overtaken her, she’d lashed out at the man. For her trouble, she had ended up in her locked bedchamber with no more information on Uncle Anthony’s announcement. Since that day, she’d been ordered to remain there with meals sent up to her.

She didn’t want another husband. Robert had not been a mean man, but she had never felt a connection between them.Aloof, indifferent, cold.Any one of those words would have fit her husband and their marriage.

She and Robert had been married to fulfill a betrothal between Megan’s da, Laird Monro, and The Sinclair, Robert’s father. She’d reluctantly accepted it. Although ’twas not an uncommon practice, shehad hoped to skip her obligation to her clan and choose her own husband, someone who would love her and accept her love for him.

No more than a few months after their marriage, the laird died from the heart issues he’d been suffering with for years. Robert was then immediately thrust into the position of Laird Sinclair. He had not been properly prepared for the role and she oftentimes thought that was when he had begun to withdraw from her.

Although her husband had known all his life that he was the next laird when his da passed, he had not been given enough training for the position. Robert had seemed to use his title as laird to impress the clan members and, she was certain, to attract a number of lasses to bed. He strutted around, seeming to forget he had duties to go with the title.

Robert’s Uncle Anthony took over the role of laird, claiming to offer advice to Robert to such an extent that her husband eventually stepped back and let his uncle take over.

Freed from the responsibilities, Robert continued to spend his time visiting the local ale house, training on the lists, and taking a tumble with one or more of their maids.

A few times Robert made the effort to take back his duties, but power-hungry Uncle Anthony was not willing to step back.

In the almost two years of their marriage, no bairns appeared, which became another point of contention between them. Despite Robert’s claims to the contrary, if she was indeed barren as the healer had suggested to her, it was not something she planned, or did on purpose.

She sighed, going over those things in her mind when she was interrupted by a knock on her bedchamber door. It was not time for supper yet, so she was surprised to be disturbed.

The locked turned and the door opened. One of the young chambermaids stood there. “The new laird wishes to see ye in his solar.”

The new laird.

She shook her head. No, with Robert not willing to do his duty, Anthony had been laird since Robert’s da had died.

Megan wiped her damp palms on her dress and followed the maid to the solar. She should have freshened up and brushed her hair, but with her lack of interest in Anthony, she didn’t care.

The man sat at the desk in what should have been Robert’s solar, that he had seldom visited.

“Ah, my dear niece.” He waved to one of the chairs in the solar. “Please have a seat.”

She raised her chin and looked him in the eyes. Remaining standing, she said, “What is it ye want with me?”

Anthony leaned back and studied her. “Ye are a pleasant-looking woman. Yer attitude could use some attention, but in any event, I have arranged a marriage for ye to Laird Stephen Gunn. Yer marriage to the laird would make for a strong alliance.”

“The Gunn is a small clan, how would ye benefit?”

“It will strengthen us against the encroaching Sutherlands, who are causing issues on the border with us.”

“Ye’re no’ as wise as ye think. The Sutherlands could wipe ye out without the help of any other clan. Uniting with the Gunns gives ye no advantage.”

Anthony slammed his fist on the desk, his face twisted and red with anger. “Ye think ye ken so much. As a woman ye need to learn yer place.” He stabbed himself in the chest with his thumb. “I am yer laird and I make the decisions.”

Not one to submit to this man’s demands, she narrowed her eyes. “What else are ye gaining?”

“’Tis none of yer business. Now prepare for yer marriage. We leave first thing in the morning.”

“I think no’.” Megan shook her head. The Gunn was old enough to be her grandfather. He was smelly, almost bald, and had sausage fingers that she couldn’t imagine touching her. He’d already gonethrough two wives in the hopes of a son, and Megan wasn’t convinced he didn’t “help” them to meet their end when he grew tired of them.

Before Anthony could reach across the table and use his fist on her—which he had done before—she added, “’Tis too soon after Robert’s death. The priest willna’ allow it.”

“I’ll see that he allows it.” He slammed his hand on the desk again, almost rattling her teeth. “He needs an heir.”

Megan tilted her head and looked at the man. “Dinna’ ye accuse me of being barren? Did ye share that information with The Gunn?”

A knock on the solar door had them both turning toward the maid standing there. “My Laird, there is a gentleman here asking for Lady Sinclair.”