Page 58 of Taken By the Highland Villain

“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.