Page 3 of Highlander’s Fated Bride (Troubles of Highland Lasses #1)

3

The Wedding

D akota’s heart fluttered wildly as she stared out the window. Her eyes shifted across the wide-open plains, hoping to catch some glimpse of Delilah. Yet, there was nothing but green trees and rolling hills stretching out as far as she could see.

"Dominic, please tell me, ye at least ken where Delilah is," Dakota asked over her shoulder.

"As I said before, I daenae have a clue. It was her choice to up and leave. And who am I to stop her?" Dominic said.

"I think she did the right thing," Daisy mumbled as Dakota turned around and pressed her lips into a tight line. "I mean really, what did faither expect? He cannae just go and dole us off to the highest bidder. We deserve to find love, dae we nae?"

"And what dae ye ken about love?" Dakota asked as she folded her arms over her chest. She couldn’t help but find her younger sister amusing seeing as how Daisy’s head was filled with childish nonsense.

"A great many things," Daisy countered. "I ken that I love bein’ out in the sprin’ and pickin’ the flowers."

"Tis one thin’ to love somethin’ ye dae, and another to love a person," Dominic said. "Takes time to love another. And clearly Delilah didnae want to waste her time tryin’ to love Larid Rottrich."

"And what issues dae ye have wit’ the man?" Dakota asked as she stepped away from the window. Dominic shrugged as their father scurried into the room. Dakota’s attention shifted from her brother the moment she noticed how distraught her father appeared.

"Is everythin’ all right?" Daisy asked as the Laird rushed into the room and quickly glanced around.

"Dominic, please ensure that our guests are settled in their seats," the Laird said. "Daisy, I’ll need ye stay and help yer sister."

"Faither? What’s goin’ on?" Dakota asked as she stepped closer and craned her neck to get a glimpse of the hallway. "Has Delilah returned?"

The Laird shook his head nervously as Dominic paused at the doorway. "Nay. She has nae. But a weddin’ we’ll be havin’."

"Who’s gettin’ married then?" Dakota asked as she glanced at Daisy.

"Ye are, my dear," the Laird said and cleared his throat from the nervousness clogging his windpipe. Dakota’s eyes widened, and she stumbled back.

"Beg yer pardon?"

The Laird shoved Dominic out of the room and quickly closed the door, sealing Dakota in the room. Her heart fluttered wildly as the room started to spin. It felt like the air was being pulled out, and nothing she did would make the chaos swirling within her stop.

"Laird Rottrich isnae pleased wit’ the fact yer sister has left," McGunn said as he cleared the space between him and Dakota in two steps. He curled his fingers around her shoulders and gazed deep into her eyes.

Dakota couldn’t help but see the panic in his gaze. It was the same terror she had, and she saw it all too clearly through the reflection of her father’s eyes.

"What will happen now?" Dakota asked. She knew the answer before she even asked the question.

"He’s to marry ye," McGunn said.

"But—" Dakota started to protest as her mind reeled over what was happening. She swallowed hard as she glanced at Daisy. Daisy covered her shock with her hand as tears pooled in her blue eyes.

"Yer a McGunn, and it is yer duty as such to uphold the family name," the Laird said.

"This is madness," Dakota said, pulling out of her father’s grasp. "How can he be so callous and exchange one sister for another?"

"Tis his right under the contract we’ve signed," McGunn said.

"And if I were to say nay and run off? Would he turn to Daisy?"

McGunn’s eyes dropped to the ground, and Dakota’s chest tightened.

"Nay, he would nae turn to Daisy, thank the Lord. But, I plead with ye, Dakota, nae to tempt fate and run off. It is embarrassing enough that Delilah has run off, and I will have words with her when she returns." The Laird paused for a moment. "I hope she does return. It doesnae matter right now. We need this for the clan ."

"So, I have to do it because Delilah doesnae want to?"

"I ken this is nae what any of us wanted, but we cannae afford to withdraw, and Laird Rottrich has taken a likin' to ye."

"A likin'? He doesnae even ken me!"

Dakota’s body shook as she tried to wrap her head around what was happening. She’d woken up with the fact she’d be losing her sister. It was set in stone, the paperwork signed, and arrangements made. Yet, now, her whole world seemed to crumble around her. Swallowing hard, she stared at her sister, wondering how it came to pass that she was the one who would be saying goodbye.

"Nay," Daisy said, clinging to Dakota. "I’ll nae let ye go."

"Yer sister has an obligation to this family," McGunn said. Dakota’s lips drew into a tight line as she glared daggers at her father.

"It was Delilah’s obligation to this match, nae mine."

"And she’s nae here. Ye are. I ken this isnae what ye wanted to hear, but it is our only option. The family will be ruined. Nae to mention the clan will never respect me again if we daenae go out there and unite with Laird Rottrich."

"I daenae love him," Dakota announced.

"True, and neither did Delilah, but I cannae scold someone who’s missin’," McGunn said.

"So ye take out my sister’s punishment on me?"

"I ken this is painful for ye. Believe me, it is for me as well. I didnae think I’d be losin’ two daughters this day." McGunn reached for Dakota, but she backed away from him and shook her head.

Her lips twitched as her heart turned to stone. "Because I daenae want Daisy apart of this, I’ll dae as ye say. But I’ll never forgive ye for puttin’ me in this position."

McGunn rolled his shoulders back and gave a stiff nod. He stepped back from his daughters and took in a deep breath.

"Get her in a dress," McGunn ordered Daisy. "I’ll nae have her goin’ out there in such an outfit."

"That dress was made for Delilah, if there is one thin’ I have a say in, it’s this. I’d rather die than put that dress on."

"Fine, go as ye are then. We daenae have time to make ye one. We’ve got two clans downstairs waitin’ on ye. I’ll be right out this door waitin’ for ye."

The moment the laird stepped out of the room, Dakota crumbled to the floor. Tears fell down her cheeks as Daisy dropped to her sister’s side.

"What will ye dae?" Daisy asked, holding onto her sister for dear life.

"I will dae what I must," Dakota sniffled. "There’s nay escapin’ this fate."

"Ye can climb out the window," Daisy suggested. Dakota glared at her.

"And brin’ even more shame to our names? Nay, Delilah has smeared our name enough for one day. I’ll go out there, but I’ll nae give me heart to this man."

Dakota stood and packed away every emotion she had. She tucked all the anger for Delilah into a box and put in the darkest recesses of her mind. As for her irritation with her father and the loss of her family, it all was boxed up and set aside the moment Daisy handed her the bundle of heather Dakota had gathered for Delilah.

"Are ye sure ye’ll be able to dae this?" Daisy asked.

"Nay, but I will," Dakota said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "Please ken that if ye need me for anythin’ I’ll be there for ye. Ye understand?"

"Aye," Daisy said, giving her sister a huge hug. Dakota didn’t want to let her sister go. But the rap on the door signaled her time was up.

"One step at a time," Daisy mumbled. "Just get through this day and maybe things willnae be so bad."

"Doubtful," Dakota said and sighed as she stared at the door. Putting one foot in front of the other, Dakota moved to the door. The world around her faded away as she focused only on what was right before her. She couldn’t handle looking at anything else, for she knew the moment she did, she’d break down.

The door opened, and it wasn’t her father’s face she saw, but Dominic’s. His eyes were full of compassion and sorrow. He reached for her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I didnae ken this would happen to ye," he mumbled.

"How could ye?" Dakota asked. "Let us get this over wit’ already. The longer we prolong it the worse it’ll be."

The wedding was a blur. Even the faces that surrounded Dakota were blotched out from her view. She could hear the chatter around her, but nothing seemed to resonate with her. The only thing that registered was the searing heat from the cut her new husband gave her and the burning of his skin on hers.

Her chest tightened to the point she thought her heart had stopped beating. Dakota wanted the moment to end. She wanted to be able to step away and breathe . But the air in the room grew thinner and harder for her .

Dakota looked at Laird Rottrich. His dark hair and cold demeanor rattled her. Although handsome with his square jaw and broad shoulders, his touch was rough and cold. It was as if he were a living statue, unaffected by the situation. She couldn’t help but wonder if he even cared who he married. His face was expressionless as he rambled off his vows.

Dakota tried to sound confident, but each word scraped her throat as she repeated the words to him. The whole thing was surreal, as if she were dreaming and would wake from this nightmare at any moment. Only when the crowd erupted around her did she realize there was no getting out of this arrangement. What was done was now set like the cornerstone of the chapel.

"Shall we?" William asked as he grabbed her hand. He didn’t give her a chance to protest before starting down the aisle. Dakota practically tumbled over her feet as he led her outside.

The sun blared overhead and washed the world in a brilliant white light. She lifted her hand to shield her eyes until they could adjust to the courtyard. Dakota glanced around the open space. It was only yesterday she had placed the flowers on the fence in preparation for her sister’s wedding.

Behind her, Dakota heard the whispers of the clan members; their accusations cut deep into her. But she couldn’t say a word as her husband pulled her to the Great Hall . Her heart sank as they stepped into the grand room. In the corner of her eye, she caught glimpses of the servants. The shock on their face couldn’t be hidden or denied.

Following beside her husband, Dakota tried to keep control of her body. Every nerve crackled and her limbs trembled as they walked toward the dais she had decorated. Every moment was like she was stepping on thorns that jabbed deep into her soul and festered.

Dakota climbed onto the stage and took her place beside Laird Rottrich as the crowd filled the room. Her gaze drifted over the sea of faces, hoping to catch a glimpse of a friendly face. Through the parting crowd, she spotted her father marching toward her, their family sword in hand. For a moment, she wondered if her father had come to put her out of her misery.

"To Laird Rottrich," McGunn said as he extended the sword to Dakota’s husband. "May our families and our clans forever be united this day."

The moment Laird Rottrich dropped her hand, Dakota’s body shook. She didn’t know if it was fear or betrayal that consumed her. All she could think of was Delilah and how it was her sister’s fault this was happening. She knew she shouldn’t be standing there beside Laird Rottrich. Nor should she have nicked him and joined her life to his. But it was far too late now to do anything about it. Her fate was sealed.

"Sit," Laird Rottrich said to her. Dakota cleared her throat as she studied him for a moment. His voice was harsh and demanding. Dakota arched her eyebrow and thinned her lips into a tight line.

"I think I’ll join my sister for a dance instead," she said as she bowed to her new husband and quickly darted to Daisy’s side. She didn’t give her husband any time to protest her decision, and hoped he wouldn’t make a scene as she scrambled away from him in desperation.

"How are ye holdin’ up?" Daisy asked as Dakota rushed to her sister’s side.

"As well as to be expected," Dakota answered.

"I must say, ye look a bit pale."

"Ye would too if ye had to go through what I am," Dakota said as she glanced over her shoulder to steal a glimpse of her new husband. Laird Rottrich sat in his seat of honor, his eyes shifting over the crowd.

"Come now, it cannae be all that bad," Daisy said, trying to be as optimistic as she could. Dakota shook her head as a chill coursed through her.

"I’m afraid it might be worse," Dakota said as she curled her fingers around Daisy’s wrist. "But it matters nae. Dance wit’ me sister so that I may forget my troubles for a time."

Daisy’s lips curled up into a smile, and gave her sister a nod. With a light laugh from Daisy, the girls took to the dance floor as the music started. Dakota tried not to let her thoughts linger on anything other than Daisy. She spun around, letting the music fill her with joy and push out all her fears. But she couldn’t help thinking of how Delilah should have been here, dancing and laughing.

"I’m goin’ to miss ye," Dakota mumbled as the music stopped. She threw her arms around her sister’s neck and held her close.

"It’s nae like we willnae see each other again," Daisy whispered.

"I ken. But I wasnae prepared to say goodbye to ye today. Or Faither. I think I might even miss Dominic."

"That might be a bit of a stretch, daenae ye think?" Daisy laughed. Dakota glanced at her brother, who had slipped behind the banquet table and was nibbling on the smoked duck.

"Maybe a wee bit," Dakota laughed. The music started again, and Daisy nudged her head.

"Who is that?" Daisy whispered into Dakota’s shoulder. Dakota couldn’t help but notice the thin man walking toward her. A smile played on her lips as the man stopped before them. Dakota stepped aside, expecting the young man to request a dance with Daisy.

"Good day," the man said with a bow. "I’ve come to ask ye to dance."

"Go on then," Dakota said, pushing her sister toward him. The man blinked and cleared his throat.

"Actually I was hopin’ to dance wit’ ye," he said as his eyes fell on Dakota. She swallowed hard and nodded. As she started to slip her hand into the stranger’s, she felt a firm grip around her wrist, and her hand pulled back.

"I’d thank ye kindly to leave."

Dakota’s eyes widened as she glanced over her shoulder to find Laird Rottrich at her side. She hadn’t even seen him move through the crowd. Yet, there he was at her side. His eyes burned with rage as he glared at the man.

"I was merely requestin’," the stranger started.

"I ken what ye were plannin’," Laird Rottrich said.

"Truly," the man said, glancing at Daisy. "I meant no harm."

"Go, before I make ye leave here wit’ out a hand."

Dakota’s eyes widened as she stared at her new husband. She shook her head as she watched the stranger step away and disappear into the crowd.

"What was that all about?" Dakota asked as Daisy slipped back.

"Yer my wife," Laird Rottrich whispered so low Dakota had to lean in to hear him.

"Aye, it’s the reason we’re all here, is it nae?"

The Laird twisted Dakota’s hand to reveal the angry red cut along her wrist. He stared at it a moment before drawing his eyes to Dakota. A cold chill raced through her as she tried to pull away from his grasp but was unable.

"I dinnae want either of us to be embarrassed in front of our clans. It's our wedding day, after all, and it's expected that we dance together. Yer sister is one thing, but a stranger asking for yer hand is not to be tolerated."

"It was just a dance."

"And I’ll nae have another man touch my wife. It may nae be clear to ye yet, but yer father agreed for ye to wed me. I daenae care what happens to others, but yer my wife now, and I'll nae have another man try to take advantage of ye."