Page 28 of Taken by the Highland Villain (Breaking the Highland Rules #2)
The ride back to MacFinn Castle was silent, and Valerie was content for it to be so, lost in her thoughts as she was. It had been some time since she had last thought of Archibald, and though she cared little for the memory itself, she did cherish the laughter it had elicited.
The warmth of smiles and laughter suited Jude well, far better than the dour appearance he usually sported. And yet the smile was such a fleeting thing.
She had hoped, when he asked her to remain a while longer and offered to show her what was clearly a private and important spot for him, that it meant he was reconsidering his decision.
That he might ask her to stay, and ask her for more than empty words and falsehoods, such as the fake betrothal he had suggested the night before.
But Jude was nothing if not stubborn, and his refusal to risk his heart was as unwavering as the day she’d first arrived at MacFinn Castle.
Perhaps it is just as well that we didnae make love. It is hard enough to contemplate goin’ to another now, I dinnae think I’d survive if I had to face it after being allowed to love him properly, as a woman loves a man.
The two of them rode into the courtyard of MacFinn Castle. Valerie blinked at the sight of an unfamiliar horse, still saddled and waiting by the stables, but she thought nothing of it until an unwelcome voice greeted her cheerfully from the castle doors.
“There ye are! I was beginnin’ to worry that ye might have… run away again.”
“Laird MacOlley.” She struggled to find words to say, but Jude found them for her.
“What are ye doin’ in my castle? I told ye, ye’re nae welcome here.”
The words were practically a snarl, the anger and dislike in them thick and heavy enough to be mistaken for stone.
Laird MacOlley, however, only smiled, completely undeterred by Jude’s anger.
There was a cold, vicious smugness in his eyes as he replied, “Och, why would I nae be? When my sister went missing yesterday, her husband asked me to help him find her, so I did. I was surprised when her tracks led here, but, of course, I couldnae turn away once I kenned where she was.”
Valerie wanted to snarl, too. She’d seen what Laird MacAllister had done, and it was clear that neither husband nor brother cared one whit for Ailsa. She swallowed back her anger, knowing it would do no good, and adopted a neutral tone.
“Yer concern does ye credit, My Laird, but surely ye ken that yer sister is safe—though fair weak and unfit for travel.”
“Aye, I saw as much when I spoke to her upon my arrival.”
There was an expression of mock sorrow on his face that Valerie didn’t believe any more than she would have believed a pooka’s offer of a ride.
Nay, I’d rather ride the pooka. At least then I’d ken what I was in for, and the only thing I’d need to fear was how it would try to kill me.
Laird MacOlley was speaking again. Valerie refocused her attention on the conversation just in time to hear him say, “… in yer care, Laird MacFinn, while I escort Valerie back home to her kinfolk.”
“I beg yer pardon?” She blinked at him. “I never said I was ready to return.”
“But of course ye must be. I ken from the servants that ye’ve finished yer work for Laird MacFinn. And I heard that yer betrothal was also nae formalized, so my claim and my right to present it to yer braither-in-law are still intact.”
How did he ken? Ailsa…
The lady’s stricken expression the night before flashed through her mind, and Valerie knew, with a sick sense of certainty, what had happened.
Moira would have had nay reason to keep them from speakin’. Ailsa must have told him the truth about me and Jude. He might even be holdin’ something over her, like he is with me. If that’s the case, then she likely told him that I was plannin’ to return home today.
Valerie was tempted to bluff, perhaps even make up another lie, but she could see the smug self-assurance in Laird MacOlley’s eyes. He knew the truth, and if she tried to say something different, he would know for certain that she was attempting to avoid fulfilling their agreement.
And then war would come to Clan MacKane. And now, through her actions, most likely to Clan MacFinn as well. She couldn’t let that happen.
Valerie forced a smile on her face. “Ye’re right, of course. I had almost finished packin’ when Laird MacFinn asked me to go out on a last ride with him.”
“Then ye’re ready to return? Nay more delays?” Laird MacOlley’s tone was smooth and bland on the surface, but Valerie heard the impatience and barely concealed menace underneath.
“Aye.” She nodded. “It willnae take more than half an hour for me to be ready. And my horse is already saddled.”
“As is mine,” Jude gritted out.
Valerie turned to look at him, puzzled. “Why would ye be needin’ yer horse, My Laird?”
“Because I’m of a mind to accompany ye, and make sure that nothing untoward happens.”
The glare he shot Laird MacOlley made his meaning clear.
Laird MacOlley’s response indicated that he was aware of Jude’s meaning as well.
“And why would ye need to accompany us? Are ye implying that I cannae protect my betrothed? And do ye truly intend to leave my sister undefended, even though she is yer guest? Truly, I didnae think ye would be so careless of her safety. I wouldnae have agreed for her to remain here, had I kenned that.”
Valerie’s breath caught in her throat. She wondered if Jude heard the double threat in the seemingly casual words.
If Jude comes with us, he’ll use the perceived insult to his skill to challenge Jude, and he’ll nae care if he kills or completely cripples him.
He’ll also use the supposed neglect to send Ailsa back to her husband.
And if what I suspect is true, he’ll be sure to tell Laird MacAllister about Craig.
Like as nae, Craig and Ailsa both will be dead afore Jude can return… assumin’ he ever does.
I cannae let that happen.
She stepped forward between the two men. “There’s nay need for ye to join us, Laird MacFinn. I appreciate yer effort at courtesy, but I am certain that Laird MacOlley, as my intended, is more than capable of ensuring my safety.”
Jude stiffened. “Valerie…”
“Miss Blackwood would be more appropriate, My Laird.” She shook her head, offering him a soft, fond, and slightly melancholy smile. “It has been an honor to serve ye, and I have enjoyed my time here. However, it is time for it to end.”
“Ye… ye dinnae…”
Valerie turned away from him to face Laird MacOlley with what she hoped was a happy and grateful smile. “I thank ye for indulging my desire for a last adventure, My Laird, but ye are right. It is time I return home to my kinfolk and my duties.”
She could feel Jude’s outrage, his hurt, and his confusion, but she dared not turn around and face him. She knew that if she did, her resolve might falter, and she might return to him for help. And that, she was certain, would be every bit the mistake that her mother had warned her it would be.
She had shown her preference, offered herself to him, and he had remained steadfast in his decision. That he wished to protect her now was too little, too late.
She turned back to him long enough to bob a curtsey, head down to hide the aching grief in her eyes, then swept inside. Packing her bags took very little time, and by the time she had finished, both Craig and Moira had come to see her and wish her a safe journey.
Craig also handed her a pouch full of coins—payment for her services.
Valerie took it and tucked it into her skirt, resolved to give it to Lily or Megan.
She wanted none of it for herself, and had Jude been the one to give it to her, she might well have thrown it back in his face and attempted to break his nose with the weight.
She returned to the courtyard to find her horse beside Laird MacOlley’s, and Jude nowhere in sight. Her heart sank like a stone, but she forced a faint smile on her face. “Are ye ready to return to MacKane Castle, My Laird?”
“Of course. I have been waiting for such a long time, after all.” Laird MacOlley offered her a smile she knew was as false as her own, though for different reasons. “It appears that Laird MacFinn has chosen nae to see us off.”
“That is his choice, My Laird. And perhaps it is his normal behavior, for he didnae greet me all that warmly either.” Valerie gave a stiff, nonchalant shrug and nudged her horse into a slow walk toward the gates. “In any case, I am anxious to see my sisters, My Laird.”
“And I am anxious to speak to yer braither-in-law.” The oily smile he gave her made her stomach lurch.
“As ye say.”
They left the castle with no fanfare and no sign of Jude, though Valerie spotted Craig and Lady Ailsa nearby, both watching her with worried expressions.
She could not help but take one last look at the walls of the place that had been her sanctuary for the past seven days, but then she turned and squared her shoulders, ready to go home.
She couldn’t afford to dwell on the past or unfulfilled, hopeless desires and dreams. Her fate was what it was, and it was better to do what she could to survive it.