Page 63 of Taken By the Highland Villain
“Nathan Cullen, Laird of Clan MacOlley.”
“Valerie Blackwood, of Clan MacKane.”
The priest nodded. “And who presents these two to be wed?”
“I, Laird MacAllister, present my friend to be wed here this day.”
Lily hesitated, and Valerie shot her a look.
Her mouth tightened, but she did step forward with Valerie to place her hand in Nathan’s. “I, Lily Blackwood, present my sister to be wed this day.”
Laird MacOlley’s hand was cold, dry, and almost reptilian. It took everything Valerie had not to pull her hand back and spit in his face. She bit the inside of her cheek and tried to maintain a bland smile that might be mistaken for nerves.
“And do the two of ye come together of yer own free will?”
Nay. Nae at all.
“Aye.”
“Aye.”
“Very well.” The priest cleared his throat again and looked over the small congregation. “We have gathered to witness the union of these two individuals. If there is anyone here who feels this wedding shouldnae occur, speak now, or hold yer silence forevermore.”
A voice rang from the far end of the hall, familiar and wholly unexpected. “I object to this marriage.”
Valerie whirled around, unable to do anything more than stare in amazement as Jude marched toward her.
CHAPTER 27
His leg hurtfrom too many hours in the saddle, and his sword was a heavy weight against his hip after so many months of sitting on one side. Jude forced himself to keep his back straight and his jaw tight.
Valerie was wearing the dress she’d made for their dance. The sight of it made him smile grimly.
Everyone looked as if he’d dropped a wall on them as he strode up to the dais. He took a moment to note the emotions simmering beneath the shocked silence.
Laird MacKane and the man beside him looked startled, as if they weren’t certain what to think. Laird MacOlley and Laird MacAllister were rapidly turning crimson with fury. As for the three women closest to Valerie and Valerie herself…
The youngest of the women—and the stoutest, though she was still beautiful—looked hopeful. The other two looked as if theywere glad to see him and ready to kick him at the same time, especially the red-haired one, who was glaring at him.
And Valerie… Valerie was staring at him with tears and what might be hope, even joy, in her eyes.
The priest cleared his throat. “Ye… ye said ye oppose the marriage, Mister…”
“Jude Reid, Laird of Clan MacFinn.” Jude stopped at the foot of the dais. “And I do.”
“St-State yer reasons, My Laird.”
Jude curled his lip. “Because Laird MacOlley’s a blackguard and a coward who’s blackmailing the lass into marrying him.”
Nathan’s jaw clenched as he stepped forward. “I only offered to spare the lass’s family a feud. Many lasses have married when facing such choices.” His voice was smooth, trying to win over the onlookers, but Jude could see the fury in his eyes.
“Still doesnae count as willing, especially when ye’ve scarcely given her a moment’s peace, ye bastard,” Jude retorted. He stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Ye’ve tormented her long enough, stalkin’ her and threatenin’ to kill her kinfolk. I’m here to tell ye that ye’ll stop, one way or another.”
The priest tried to interject. “I… Have ye any other reasons?”
“Aye, I do.” Jude took a deep breath and turned to face Valerie. “Valerie… lass… I’ve told ye more than once that I couldnae—that I shouldnae claim ye as my own. And yet, now… Now I realize that I should never have let ye go.”
He would have said more, but Nathan’s patience shattered, his temper making him appear half-mad as he snarled, “Ye willnae!”