Page 21 of Taken by the Highland Villain (Breaking the Highland Rules #2)

Soon. She will be here soon.

Nathan Cullen stared out the window of his borrowed room, his eyes sharp with anticipation as he scanned the road for the first sign of an approaching rider.

That beast, Jude Reid, thought he could keep them apart by threatening him, ordering him off his lands. As if such foolishness would prevent him from claiming his prize.

Likely, the brute had never realized that Clan MacOlley was tied by bonds of kinship and marriage to one of his close neighbors. Nor that his man-at-arms harbored a secret Nathan could use to his advantage.

It was a simple matter to arrange a visit to his sister and his brother-in-law. A few words, a warning, and a whisper in the proper places, and everything was planned.

His sister had sent a letter to the ‘gifted seamstress,’ asking to come fit her for a new gown, and Valerie had accepted, none the wiser as to the true nature of the request.

She would come, and he would be waiting, ready to whisk her away to where she belonged—in his home, amid his art collection.

Valerie Blackwood would be the jewel of his collection. Once he had her, it would not take long to ensure that she knew her place and fulfilled her duty to acquiesce to his desires— all his desires. She would learn what was proper and what was not, and all would be perfect.

And if Jude Reid decided to protest… well, he was little better than a beast, and beasts were best handled by being put down.

A warrior, the man might once have been, but he was still injured.

In a fight against a proper opponent, when Nathan was prepared for the challenge, he would fall quickly. Of that, Nathan was certain.

The man-at-arms might defend him, but one word in the proper ear would see Laird MacAllister demanding his death or banishment, and then Jude would have no defenders left.

Yes, it was a pleasant thought.

Nathan rubbed his fingers together, idly contemplating the idea. It had merit. He could always use more territory. Perhaps he might enact the plan against the man-at-arms no matter what transpired between himself and Laird MacFinn.

If he played his cards right, he might see the man-at-arms banished or hanged, and be able to have Laird MacFinn declared unfit to lead his clan.

With no heirs, it would be a simple matter to convince the Highland Gathering that he or Laird MacAllister was the proper caretaker. And even if Laird MacAllister absorbed the lands, the two of them had an understanding. Arrangements could be made.

Yes, it was an excellent plan—a proper punishment for the way Jude Reid had humiliated and intimidated him at the market a few days ago. He would see it set in motion at the first opportunity.

But first, he would claim his Valerie. Nothing, not even vengeance, could come before that.

Valerie’s first impression of MacAllister Castle was one of severe, almost oppressive coldness and austerity.

Her first impression of Lady MacAllister, with her flame-colored hair, warm brown eyes, and welcoming smile, was that such a vibrant and gentle-looking lady did not belong in such a place.

Standing in the entry hall of MacAllister Castle, the slender figure reminded Valerie of a candle flame surrounded by cold ash and on the verge of dying out.

Lady MacAllister’s smile was tired as she clasped Valerie’s hand in welcome. “Thank ye for coming. I’ve been meaning to visit a seamstress. So many of my dresses need to be fitted better these days…”

Standing so close, Valerie could see the too-prominent collarbones, the shadows under Lady MacAllister’s eyes, and the edge of a bruise on one thin wrist, which Lady MacAllister moved to hide as soon as she saw where Valerie’s gaze had wandered.

“It is nothing. I’m fair clumsy sometimes.”

Valerie nodded and smiled, but behind the smile, a small spark of anger flared. She’d seen plenty of clumsiness before—Brigid had never been the most graceful child—but she’d also seen marks like the ones on Lady MacAllister’s wrist.

If someone left a mark like that on me, I’d drive my dagger in their ribs. And if a man ever laid a hand on my sisters like that, I’d drive the dagger somewhere lower and far more vulnerable.

Still, she had no idea what had happened, and even if she had known the truth of how Lady MacAllister had gotten that bruise, it was not her place to interfere.

Unless Lady MacAllister was harmed directly in front of her, or asked her for aid, then all she could do was offer her services as a seamstress.

Craig, however, seemed very familiar with Lady MacAllister, and she could see that he was concerned. The sharp-eyed man-at-arms had likely noticed the same things she had.

Perhaps a word to Craig and Jude might afford Lady MacAllister some protection.

And if I see or hear someone so much as raise their voice to her, they’re getting needles in their most painful place.

Mayhap I could find some way to get her out of the castle and convince her to go to visit my sister Brigid. Emily or Lily would take one look at her, and she’d be safe behind the walls of MacKane Castle for as long as she wished.

Aye, if I can convince her to visit me, to finish some aspect of the fitting…

With that plan in mind, Valerie gathered her courage. “Do ye want me to take yer measurements first, or would ye like to show me a dress and have me alter it while ye wear it?”

“Och, the latter would be easiest, if ye would. I wouldnae wish to take up more of yer time than necessary, and that seems fastest.” Lady MacAllister smiled softly. “This dress fits well enough, though, so I would have to change.”

“It is nay trouble. I can wait.”

“Och, if ye would… my braither is visiting. He’s currently in the Great Hall. Perhaps the two of ye could keep each other company while I gather the garments I need ye to work on?”

“Of course, I would be happy to…” The words died on Valerie’s tongue as the door opened and an all-too-familiar voice filled the hall.

“My dear Valerie! So pleasant to see ye again!”

Ice filled her blood. Beside her, Craig stiffened as well. Valerie gestured for him to stay back as she turned to face the speaker, forcing a smile on her face as she did so.

“Laird MacOlley. I confess, I am most surprised. What brings ye to MacAllister Castle?”

“Och, I was visiting my sister, Ailsa. It was the same reason I happened to be in the market the other day.” Laird MacOlley smiled. “I wanted to speak to her afore our wedding. I didnae realize till I met ye then that ye were visitin’ the neighboring clan.”

Valerie didn’t believe him for a moment. Lady MacAllister might be his sister, but that was the only truth in his words. She doubted he was there just for a familial visit—he showed no concern for his sister’s condition, obvious as it was.

And there’s another reason I dinnae like the man.

What sort of braither is he, nae to be worried about her?

Conall might be a bear and a brute sometimes, but he’d have the head of any man who looked wrong at Brigid.

In fact, he did take the head of a man who hurt her, and that was when they were strangers to one another!

Valerie longed to call Laird MacOlley a liar, but she knew that doing so would only invite trouble, for Lady MacAllister as well as herself.

She might have taken the risk on her own behalf, but she would not risk the safety of the other woman.

So she forced herself to continue smiling, as if she believed every word.

“It is very kind of ye.”

“Aye, and fortunate as well. I will be visiting my sister for a few days, and then the two of us can return to my castle together to prepare for the wedding.” The look on Laird MacOlley’s face was enough to make her stomach clench.

She had meant to say something polite and innocuous. What slipped out instead was rather hurried. “I’m sorry, I cannae.”

The false smile on Laird MacOlley’s face vanished as if it had never been. “I beg yer pardon?”

“I cannae return with ye.” Valerie swallowed hard, her mind racing as she tried to think of a plausible excuse. “I… cannae return with ye. Ye see, I…”

“Aye?” Laird MacOlley’s voice was low, smooth but menacing.

She had but scant seconds to say something convincing. Desperate, Valerie said the first thing that came to mind.

“I’m sorry, My Laird, but I am betrothed to Laird MacFinn, and I have already agreed to remain at his castle for the duration of our engagement and the negotiations.”

The silence that fell was almost deafening. Valerie could have sworn that the occupants of the hall stopped breathing, including herself.

Laird MacOlley looked as if he’d bitten a thistle. Craig looked both surprised and as though he was struggling to hold back laughter. Lady MacAllister, who had returned with the dresses, looked completely dumbfounded.

Finally, Laird MacOlley broke the silence.

“What are ye saying? I cannae help but think that I misheard ye.”

There was nothing for it.

Valerie offered him a smile that she hoped looked commiserating and apologetic. “I’m afraid ye didnae. I am betrothed to Laird MacFinn, so I cannae return with ye.”

“Ye cannae be betrothed to Laird MacFinn.” Laird MacOlley stalked forward, only to come to a halt when Craig coughed and shifted his weight in a pointed reminder that Valerie was not alone. “We have an understanding.”

Valerie raised an eyebrow. “Och, I ken ye’ve always felt so strongly, but… tell me, My Laird, have ye ever spoken with my braither-in-law, Laird MacKane? Or with my sister Lily, who was the matriarch of my family between the time my faither passed and our acceptance into Clan MacKane?”

Laird MacOlley scowled but didn’t answer.

Valerie bit the inside of her lip to keep her satisfaction from showing. They both knew that he’d never dared to approach either her sister or Conall, preferring instead to threaten her into compliance.

Finally, when the silence had stretched out for so long that it was becoming stifling, Laird MacOlley responded, his words muffled by his gritted teeth.

“Nay. But ye?—”

“I am sorry, My Laird, but without formal negotiations, it isnae a binding agreement, and I am free to make my own choice.” She tipped her head, offering as much false sympathy as he’d offered false courtesy before.

“But I ken that ye understand, My Laird. Ye’ve always been so worried about me.

I’m sure ye wish for my happiness, just as I wish for ye to find someone who is truly a good match for ye.

I am certain there’s a lass better suited for ye, just waiting for ye to recognize her. ”

For so long, she’d swallowed back her words, choosing conciliatory words to keep him from lashing out at her family. Perhaps she had only earned a brief respite, but still, it lifted her spirits to see their roles reversed.

For a moment, she thought he might protest some more, but then his gaze flicked to Craig, who was still standing at her side. She watched as he took a breath and visibly collected himself.

“Of course. If that is the case, then I shall nae stand in yer way.” His gaze darted between her, Craig, and Lady MacAllister, and then he bowed stiffly. “If ye will excuse me, dear sister. I will be in my quarters if ye need me.”

He turned on his heel and stalked away, his back stiff with anger and bruised pride.

Valerie waited until he was gone, then breathed a sigh of relief.

Craig stepped forward and murmured in her ear, “An interesting ploy, Miss Blackwood, but I wonder what ye plan to say to the Laird.”

Valerie’s amusement vanished, replaced by a vague sense of panic.

God save me… what am I going to tell Jude when he hears about this?