Page 41 of Taken By the Highland Villain

“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 mybraither-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?

CHAPTER 18