Page 3 of Taken By the Highland Villain
Nathan laughed and reached out his hand to caress her cheek. “Ye see, it really is for the best. I will give ye a little more time to spend with yer sister—I am nae heartless, after all. Seven days, perhaps? But then I expect to see ye at my side, and my castle.”
Valerie swallowed hard. “Seven days? It is scarcely enough time, especially if I’m to prepare for a wedding and gather my things to move. Besides, the bairn willnae even get to ken who I am if I leave so soon, and there will be questions if I leave so abruptly—a season would be better.”
“A season is far too long, especially when I ken how… spirited ye can be.” Nathan’s expression hardened, showing a glimpse of the cold viciousness under the mask of smooth politeness. “Seven days, my dear lass, or I will be forced to come and fetch ye.”
She wanted to protest, but she knew it would do no good. Worse, if she provoked him further, he might harm someone in the castle. It would appear accidental, but they would both know it was his retaliation for her refusal to bend to his whims.
“I understand.”
“I kenned ye would.” He bowed to her with mock politeness, that cold, covetous snake’s smile once more firmly in place. “Until then, I wish ye a good day. And Valerie… do try to moderate yer expressions, my dear. Ye ken I much prefer yer usual calm demeanor to such vehement emotional outbursts.”
Then, he was gone, leaving her heart in turmoil and heavy with resignation.
I must find a way. I cannae marry that man, but I cannae let him attack my family either!
CHAPTER 2
Lily foundValerie a short while later. Her eldest sister was weary but pleased.
“Maither and bairn are both doin’ well. The little lass just woke up and had her first meal, and everything went smoothly.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Valerie took a deep breath and tried to smile, but her elder sister was already looking at her intently. Even exhausted from several hours of assisting Brigid through labor, Lily had a keen eye.
“Are ye all right? Ye look…” She pursed her lips, her gaze flicking toward the Great Hall. “That disturbance earlier. Did something happen?”
Valerie sighed, knowing there was no point in trying to fool her elder sibling. “Laird MacOlley was here, demandin’ I accept his proposal. I tried to put him off, but… Lily, he threatened Brigidand the bairn. I cannae let him harm the bairn or kill Conall. He demanded… nae more than seven days, and I must go to him.”
“That doesnae mean ye have to go.” Lily shook her head. “Ye ken well enough that we would all fight for ye—all of Clan MacKane and anyone who pledged loyalty to the Blackwood name. Ye dinnae have to…”
“Aye, I do. I ken ye’d fight for me if I asked, but I also ken this—Clan MacOlley has as much wealth and resources as Clan MacKane. And they can be more ruthless. Laird MacOlley could easily purchase the services of enough mercenaries and brigands to outnumber Conall’s men two or three times over. I dinnae want to—nay, I cannaeriskthe confrontation.”
Lily tried to say something, but Valerie rose and dusted off her skirt.
“If I’m to make a wedding dress, I’ll need to get started soon. And if I’m to find a way out of this—though I dinnae see how—then I need some time to think.”
“Valerie…”
She offered her sister a brave smile that they both knew was false and embraced her gently. “Stay here and look after Brigid and the bairn. I’ll nae be gone long—just into town.”
The trip into town was not a long one, and soon she’d arrived at the seamstress’s shop.
The shop boasted a fairly large selection of fabrics—some from traders that Conall supported, some recycled from the castle, and some that had come from the folk of her village and the few who remained loyal to the Blackwood name—gifts and tributes to the new Laird of their territory.
Valerie browsed through the selection, but none of the fabrics appealed to her. Either they were too plain, or the color was unsuitable for her complexion, or they were too ornate and uncomfortable-looking.
Or maybe I hate them all because of what they represent. A loss of my freedom and my independence. And likely, my family, for I dinnae believe that Laird MacOlley will let me visit my sisters or receive them. He’s far too possessive and controlling for that.
The words rang true in her mind, and she forced herself to push them aside. After all, it didn’t matter. Laird MacOlley was a determined man, and if she could not find a way out of his clutches, then she might as well choose the fabric for her wedding gown.
Her meanderings took her close to where a group of seamstresses—the town seamstress, her two apprentices, and a traveling seamstress from the south who had come into town with the latest cloth merchant—were deep in conversation.
Valerie paused, listening with idle interest to their conversation as she continued browsing the fabrics.
“… heard he’s a perfect beast—nae even his clansfolk can stand to be near him. Ye couldnae pay me to endure his presence for a day, let alone a week.”
“Aye. And he’s so violent… they say he tossed his last tailor out of a window! There’s nae a seamstress or tailor within three leagues who would dare go near him! Why, one accidental stab of a pin and ye might get killed!”