Page 29 of Taken by the Highland Villain (Breaking the Highland Rules #2)

Lily took one look at Valerie’s face when she arrived and pulled her immediately into the small suite that had been given to the sisters while they were visiting Brigid. Ten minutes later, Brigid joined them, her expression slightly pinched with worry.

“Lily said ye werenae doin’ well.”

“I’m all right.” Valerie tried to force a smile on her face, but it faded the moment she saw her sisters’ expressions. “It is… It isnae because of Laird MacOlley.”

“Then what is it?” Lily sat beside her and took her hands. “I thought it was a good thing when ye went off to Laird MacFinn’s lands and left a message that ye’d be working as his seamstress. I thought ye’d found a way out of yer troubles.”

“I wasnae seekin’ a way out of my situation. I just wanted some space to think, breathe, and try to find a way to escape. But I kenned it was impossible when I saw him in the market on my second day at MacFinn Castle.” Valerie shivered. “I kenned then he’ll follow me wherever I go.”

“Then what happened? Ye look far too pale and upset, and if it wasnae Laird MacOlley… Was Laird MacFinn that much of a beast to ye?” Megan scowled. “If he was, then I’ll drive an arrow in his guts—ye just tell me what ye need.”

“Nae for ye to drive an arrow in his guts.” Valerie shook her head.

She tried to laugh, but it came out as a half-choked sob.

“He was gruff, but it was grief and anger because someone crippled him. And he was surprised and annoyed because he hadnae actually asked for a seamstress. His second-in-command was the one who spread the word. But after I showed him what I could do, he was… he was… he was… kind… gentle…”

“He made ye feel safe and valued, and he made ye feel like the sun was shinin’ a little brighter and the world was a little better for meetin’ him.” Brigid’s voice was gentle with sympathy and understanding.

“Aye. I didnae want to care for him, but then he stood up to Laird MacOlley for me the second day after we met, and he saved me from bein’ hurt, and… I came to respect him and enjoy his company, and then… then…”

All of a sudden, tears were streaming down her face, and her chest was aching, her throat closing around the words she could barely even acknowledge, let alone say.

“Ye found yerself fallin’ in love with him, even though ye didnae intend to.” Brigid’s hand touched her arm, even as Lily wrapped her in a protective, gentle embrace.

Valerie couldn’t speak, but she could nod, and she did.

“Och, Valerie… And he didnae feel the same way?”

“That’s where it gets worse. I thought he did. He said he would write to Conall and offer a fake betrothal. He offered to protect me, but he wouldnae… He said he couldnae be with me.”

“I’m putting an arrow in his bollocks. He’s clearly nae makin’ use of them,” Megan declared. The words were enough to coax a watery, weak laugh from Valerie. “Dinnae tell me he doesnae deserve it, if he’s nae willing to hold onto ye, even though he kens yer worth.”

“I… I just… I…”

Her sisters gathered around her and wrapped her in their arms.

Valerie fell silent, basking in the warmth and support of her family. Slowly, the ache in her chest eased, and her tears ebbed.

I have my sisters. Nay matter what happens, even if I never find a man I love and who loves me in return, I have them. It is enough.

A knock on the door startled all of them. Lily frowned, while Brigid extricated herself and went to the door.

Oliver was standing in the doorway, his expression grim. His scowl deepened as he beheld the expressions on their faces. “I came lookin’ for Valerie. Am I disturbin’ ye?”

“Nay.” Valerie freed herself from her sisters’ arms and came to the door. “What brings ye?”

“Laird MacOlley refused to leave, and he and Conall have requested yer presence.” Oliver’s eyes flicked over her face, taking in the tracks of tears and her red eyes. “Conall will understand if ye’re feelin’ tired and dinnae wish to come down…”

“Nay, I’ll be right there.”

Valerie felt her heart sinking. She was certain she knew why Laird MacOlley had remained, and why the two lairds were asking for her presence. Still, she knew there was no point in trying to delay matters. It would only anger Laird MacOlley and encourage him to do something awful to force her hand.

“We’ll be right there. Tell Conall that we’ll all come, as soon as Valerie’s had a chance to freshen up,” Brigid spoke up.

Oliver nodded before disappearing back into the hall without another word.

Brigid immediately turned back to Valerie. “Ye dinnae have to go, Valerie. I ken that horrible man has been tryin’ to pressure ye into marriage… We’ll help ye avoid him if ye wish.”

It was tempting, but Valerie shook her head. “There’s nay reason.”

What is the point of delaying or hoping for something else? I ken there’s nay chance anything better will come if I wait, and there’s nay escaping, as I’ve already seen.

Lily brought her a damp cloth for her face, and Valerie wiped away the traces of tears and fixed her hair. Once she felt presentable, she turned and made her way down the stairs, her sisters clustered around her.

Together, the four of them made their way to the Great Hall, where the men were waiting.

Oliver and Conall looked grim. Laird MacOlley looked smug, and Valerie felt her heart sink even further.

Even so, she stepped forward, her head held high. “Ye wanted to see me?”

“Aye.” Laird MacOlley strutted forward. “I wish for ye to ken that I have officially asked Laird MacKane for yer hand in marriage, and as part of an alliance between our clans.”

The words said one thing, but his eyes said another, and she heard similar words he’d spoken before, when they were alone—the words he truly meant.

“Accept my suit, or I will declare war on yer kinfolk and the clan that has taken ye in. Agree to my terms, or I will bring battle and death to everyone ye care for.”

Conall stepped closer to put a strong hand on her shoulder. “He’s offered me an alliance for yer hand, but the choice is yers, lass. Tell me whether ye want me to accept or nae.”

Nay. Nay. I dinnae want to be shackled to the bastard!

Her gaze flicked to Laird MacOlley, to the cold, confident smile on his face. As she stared at him, her mother’s words echoed in her mind.

“Never let any man steal yer independence, my lovely daughter. Always fight for yer freedom, as ye did when ye were a young lass.”

No. She couldn’t discard her mother’s advice. Not now. And not when she knew deep down that Laird MacOlley was a snake in pretty clothing, hiding behind an urbane smile.

She drew in a breath, prepared to voice her refusal, and Laird MacOlley shifted. His eyes met hers, and his mouth formed soundless words—words she understood, nonetheless.

“Think of yer niece.”

The words he’d spoken before she left for MacFinn Castle resonated through her thoughts.

“Ye dinnae want yer niece to grow up without a faither, do ye?”

No. She couldn’t risk Brigid losing her husband or the father of her child. She couldn’t risk bringing war to Clan MacKane, especially not when their grandfather had been the source of so much heartache and loss for the clan already.

Because of her grandfather, Laird MacKane had lost a brother. She could not— would not—be the reason he lost his second brother, or worse, his life.

Valerie swallowed hard, then met Conall’s gaze, hoping she looked braver and more confident than she felt. “Of course ye should accept the contract, My Laird. Laird MacOlley and I have been discussin’ it for some time.”

“Aye. I’ve been patient with Valerie, kennin’ she had a sister who was with child. But I confess, I dinnae wish to wait much longer.”

The words seemed courteous, but Valerie heard, once again, what Laird MacOlley didn’t say.

“I willnae wait any longer. If ye want to avoid war and strife, then ye will bend to my will, without any more delay.”

Conall frowned but then nodded. “In that case, I will present the contract to the council, and we’ll sign and have the wedding within a fortnight.”

“A fortnight is far too long.” Laird MacOlley stepped forward, his expression set in a polite mask that nonetheless gave off an air of challenge and menace.

“Why should we wait to sign the contract? What has yer council to do with a marriage between me and Valerie? She is yer sister-in-law. Ye are her only male kin, as well as her Laird. There is nay reason to delay—nae when I have pursued her for so long already.”

Conall’s scowl deepened, but he looked at her. “Valerie?”

She wanted to beg for a delay. She wanted to run out of the room and hide. She wanted to flee to the nearest port, jump on the first ship she saw, and sail away somewhere, anywhere, where Laird MacOlley could not find her.

Valerie took a deep breath. “Laird MacOlley is right, I think. It has been a long delay since he first asked for my hand.” Because I refused him. “I see nay reason to wait.”

“But preparations for the wedding—” Lily interjected.

Valerie shook her head and gave her older sister a brave smile.

“I have a new dress that I made from some fabric Laird MacFinn gave me as a gift for services rendered. Ye, our sisters, and our kinfolk are already here as witnesses. The ceremony doesnae need to be overly formal—surely all we need is witnesses for Laird MacOlley and a priest to officiate the wedding.”

“My braither-in-law can be here as soon as midday tomorrow, if ye will permit, Laird MacFinn.” Laird MacOlley smiled. “My sister is sadly indisposed, but he can surely stand as a witness for me.”

“Then…” Conall hesitated.

It was clear that he sensed something was amiss and was waiting for Valerie to protest, or for one of her sisters to speak up.

When none of them spoke, he sighed and nodded reluctantly. “Then we will sign the contract tonight, and tomorrow at midday, we will hold the wedding.”

“I await yer signature with pleasure.” Laird MacOlley bowed, and Valerie saw the same triumph in his cold eyes as she’d seen when he had outbargained another man for some artwork years ago.

I’m nothing more than an acquisition for him.

The knowledge made her feel cold, almost sick.

She couldn’t stay, no matter how much she knew she should, or how much Laird MacOlley might desire her presence—though she doubted he cared, now that he had gotten what he wanted.

She swallowed again and looked at Conall. “If ye will excuse me, I am afraid I am quite fatigued. It has been a long and difficult seven days.”

Conall nodded.

Laird MacOlley did not even look her way, too engrossed in his victory and the contract that symbolized it, sitting at the table between him and Conall.

With a final glance between the two men who held her future in their hands, Valerie turned and left the hall, her sisters still gathered around her in a strong, supportive group.

The silence lasted until they’d returned to her room. Then and only then did Lily break the silence, wrapping her in a tight hug. “Och, Valerie, what are ye doin’?”

“What had to be done.” Valerie swallowed back the tears and bitter disappointment. “If I hadnae agreed, he would have brought his warriors and all his allies against the clan. I couldnae let it happen—I couldnae risk ye.”

“But ye shouldnae have to protect us. Especially nae this way, and nae for the second time.” Lily’s voice was firm. “It was a mistake for ye to wed that brute Faither chose for ye, and it is a mistake to wed this man now. Ye arenae responsible for keepin’ us safe by sacrificin’ yer happiness.”

“It is too late. And even if it werenae, I would make the same decision.”

Lily started to speak, but Valerie shook her head to cut her off.

“Ye say it isnae my position to protect this family. But if it is me he wants, then whose position should it be?”

Her sisters started to protest, but she only smiled sadly and went to change for bed.

I love my family. If weddin’ another brute is what it takes to secure their safety, then I will wed him and live with the consequences. Nay matter what those consequences might be.