Page 13 of Fearless Heart
Chapter Four
The great hall filled with people. Lillia was surprised to find her parents entertaining considering their earlier talk. With the present company it was unlikely she’d be reprimanded for leaving the keep. Many people gathered and there was even a few musicians playing their instruments in the corner. The table filled with various trenchers and the scent of roasted boar reached her, causing her stomach to rumble. She hadn’t eaten all day.
Were they celebrating her betrothal? Her stomach rumbled for a completely different reason with that thought. Lillia slid into the hall unnoticed. She shuffled forward until she stood beside her father and Laird Fraser. Engrossed in their discussion about the king’s absence, neither noticed her until her father took a moment to observe the room.
“Lillia, you’re here. We shall discuss your earlier disobedience later. This night is one to rejoice for you’re about to meet your betrothed. I will hear no rebukes this time. You cannot and will not refuse this suitor, Daughter. I’ve given you years of choice, but no longer. This night you will finally be betrothed. I want your agreement.”
She lowered her gaze. “Aye, Father, I understand.” He sounded too excited for her to argue with, and she was resigned to obey him. She didn’t pretend to be shocked by his announcement and he didn’t show his astonishment at her acceptance. “Where is he?” Lillia decided to get it over with. It was best she meet the man at the soonest so she might go to bed and more than likely dream about Heath.
“I shall bring him to you.” He turned to his great ally and said, “Simon, make sure the lass stays put. She makes a habit of disappearing.”
Laird Fraser bellowed. “Worry not, Aylmer. She’ll be here when ye return.”
As soon as her father left them, she faced Laird Fraser. “I’m sorry he bid you with such a mundane task as watching me, Laird.”
“Standing with a bonny lass in a hall filled with envious men, I deem not so mundane. I’d always hoped your father and I would set a brothel betwixt you and Heath. Now it is not so.”
She kept her tone low when she spoke. “As did I. I saw him.”
“You saw Heath? I’m astounded for he hides to keep his life intact.” Laird Fraser perused his eyes around the chamber, but stood close to her.
“He did not speak of that matter. Heath looks well, and yet he is still somber. I had always hoped you and my father would betroth us too. It appears I won’t have my wish, will I?”
“You’re dismayed, lass, and I can understand why.” Laird Fraser motioned to the opposite end of the hall. “The wily Sinclairs. Your betrothed is called Angus. He’s the behemoth alone by the ale barrel. Nay, lass, ye won’t have your wish for your father is intent to ally with the Sinclairs. Foolish man.”
Lillia wanted to gag when she saw the man he motioned to. The man she was to wed was worse than a … a heathen. His manners were atrocious, his dress deplorable. He was as far from handsome as a man could be. Did her father really expect her to marry such an uncouth, vile man?
Laird Fraser set his arm around her back. “Are ye unwell, lass? Ye look like you’re about to swoon.”
Heat spiraled in her chest and wound its way to her throat. “I, I … am well.”
“Ye don’t lie well, lass.” He grinned. “Your father is making a grave mistake by joining with the Sinclairs. There are other ways to keep ye safe. If you wish to avoid the marriage, you only need to secretly abscond to my land. We’ll hide ye from the Sinclairs.”
“That is a comforting thought, my lord. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t ever do something so rash and ruin your alliance with my father.”
The laird laughed. “Alliances have a way of remedying themselves when mishaps … happen. You’re a gallant lass. Och, I mean what I say. We’d hide ye well. Ah, your groom comes. Best consider my offer, lass, and take it to heart.” Laird Fraser stepped back when her father approached.
Lillia peered at the banners hanging high in the rafters above them. Their colors blurred. Heat intensified and constricted her throat. She’d never experienced such a malady.
“Daughter, I present Angus Sinclair, your betrothed.”
The man stepped forward and belched. “Well now, she’s as bonny as ye said, Laird Hunter. I’m pleased with her. Aye, I accept her.”
Lillia swayed on her feet. It took all she had not to fall to the floor a wail like a bairn. How she maintained her decorum was beyond her. And yet she wanted to act childish and throw a tantrum of the like they’d never seen. Her mouth went completely dry and she couldn’t speak to the behemoth to voice her abhorrence.
Her father peered and her and pressed her for a reply. “She accepts you, do you not, Lillia?”
She stumbled backward and held her throat, certain she was about to retch. The man, her loathsome betrothed, was not only uncouth, but he reeked of an odor she couldn’t place. His smell was so ungodly awful that she wanted to pinch her nose closed. Laird Fraser took hold of her waist and kept her from falling backward.
“Daughter, are you unwell?”
She nodded. No words would form on her lips. She wouldn’t marry the man. Even if she was outcast, she’d rather face the uncertainty of banishment than be wed to such a vile man. Lillia wondered were she to refuse the man if her father would banish her. Certain that would be the price for such embarrassment. How in God’s name did he expect her to joyously proclaim acceptance of such a sordid man? Did her father not care for her future, for her well-being, for her happiness? What of her children?
Dear God Above! The last thing she’d ever do was allow that retched man to touch her. There’d be no begetting of children if she married him. Her breath quickened and she was certain she’d gag. Heat wound its way to her cheeks and her head spun with deplorable thoughts.
Her father raised his hand and signaled her mother. “She accepts you, Sinclair. We’ll send for the clergyman and when he arrives, we shall settle the matter.” Her mother arrived and took hold of her elbow. “Wife, our daughter is unwell. Take her to her chamber and allow her rest. I shall call when all is readied.”
Lillia leaned against her mother as she led her from the hall. Once up the stairs and when the door to her bedchamber was firmly closed, she fell to her knees, held her stomach, and wept.