Page 5 of A Highlander's Vow

She was in the middle of an argument with Anthony about not wanting to marry the old Gunn laird and this one showed up with a note that, he told her, said that as Robert’s widow, she had to marryhim.

At least he was young, handsome, and had all his teeth. But she didn’t want another husband. At least not now. She would like some freedom. And she was tired of being told what shehadto do and whoshehadto marry. Robert was a husband who she hadn’t chosen either.

Now this man cleared his throat and stood before her, his giant hands on his hips. “Is there a problem, lass? Is there another mon ye are hoping to marry?”

She slowly shook her head. “Nay. I doona wish to marry anyone. My husband is in his grave less than one moon. I am trying to explain that to the laird, who wants to ship me off to another husband of his choosing right away.”

Gregory nodded. “Aye, I agree with ye there lass. ’Tis too soon for another husband. But my pledge is to keep ye safe, so ye will return with me to Castle Leod and we can marry when yer feelings have settled.”

She sucked in such a huge breath at his arrogance that she began to cough. He looked at her with alarm. She pointed to the table near her small desk where a cup of ale sat.

He brought it to her and she drank it down, her throat easing.

The man walked in circles. “I doona think I did this the right way.”

“I hate to discourage ye further, but there is no right way.” Her voice still sounded scratchy.

He nodded at the message in her hand. “Do ye recognize yer husband’s handwriting?”

She shrugged. “I guess. I doona think I saw his handwriting more than a couple of times.”

“Can I ask ye this, lass. Do ye want to marry this mon yer uncle has chosen for ye?”

She shook her head vigorously. “Nay! I doona want to marry any mon that someone picked for me.” Her voice became a whisper, “Especially that one.”

Gregory tried to hide his grin but was not successful, which appeared to anger her further. “Ye are like all men. Ye think women have no brains and can’t make decisions for themselves. I ken who I want to marry and who I doona want to marry. I doona need another mon totell me.”

“Then who is it ye want to marry, lass? As long as I see ye settled with a good mon, I will feel as though I have fulfilled my obligation to Robert.”

She stamped her foot. “That is what I mean. Ye will decide who will suit for my husband.” She poked herself in the chest. “That decision will be mine.”

The door to the sitting room opened and a man entered. “Who is this mon who sent for ye? And why are ye meeting him in yer sitting room with no chaperone?”

Megan closed her eyes and sighed. “This is Gregory Mackenize. He has come to marry me.” She stated it that way only to get a reaction from Anthony.

Which she did.

“Nay!” He waved his hand around. He turned toward Gregory, his hands fisted at his side. “What right do ye have to claim my niece?”

He nodded to the note in Megan’s hand. “An agreement between myself and Robert Sinclair.”

“Laird Robert Sinclair is dead. I am the new laird and all agreements must be approved by me.” Anthony pointed his finger at the parchment Megan clutched. “How do I ken this is real? It could be something ye made up when ye heard about my nephew’s death. What is in it for ye? Have ye always been sniffing around Megan’s skirts?”

When Gregory made a move to go after Anthony, two of the laird’s men pulled their swords and stepped forward, placing their swords on his chest.

Anthony waved them back. “Even if it is real, ’tis no’ a formal betrothal. She is going to marry Laird Gunn.”

Gregory looked between her and Anthony. “I doona think the lass agrees with that.”

Anthony pounded his fist on a nearby table. “She has no choice. Imade the agreement with The Gunn. We leave tomorrow first light to bring her to Clyth Castle where she will honor the betrothal I made.” He pointed his finger at Gregory. “Ye will leave now.”

Megan felt her first flash of panic. As much as she had no interest in marrying again, if she didn’t go with Gregory, she would be swept away by her uncle and married to The Gunn before the sun set the next day.

She looked frantically at Gregory Mackenzie with hope. The lesser of two evils.