Page 105 of Taming the Highland Misfits

Freya drifted off to sleep again and remembered nothing until she woke up. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a strange room, and looked around frantically to see where she was. After a few moments, she breathed a sigh of relief as she remembered what had happened the previous evening; however, as she turned her head, she realised that she was now the only occupant of the bed.

She was confused; where was Alex? She propped herself up on her elbows and looked around, and it was then that she saw the note on the bedside table.

Freya laughed softly as she studied it. Alex’s handwriting was so untidy that it was akin to a code that had to be deciphered. She had to read it three times over before she managed to piece together what it said.

Freya,it said,thank you for being with me last night. It was the best night’s sleep I have had in weeks, and it was wonderful to hold you in my arms. I am sorry to have to leave you, but I have been called away on a matter that needs my urgent attention. I love you, Alex.

“I love you too, Alex,” she said aloud. He had not answered her question about the wedding, but she was reassured by his professions of love. As long as they were true, she knew that they could somehow work things out.

Freya read the note again, then tucked it into her chemise and dressed quickly. She judged by the position of the sun that it was still early, but she knew that most of the servants would be awake and tending to their duties already. How was she going to sneak back to her chamber without being seen?

It would reflect badly on her reputation if she was found in Alex’s room, even if he was her betrothed. Strangely enough, a man’s reputation would only be enhanced by such a situation, but a woman’s would be irreparably tarnished. It was so unfair. She did not care what anyone else thought of her, but she did not want her father to be ashamed of his daughter.

She crept out silently, looking around her to see if she was under observation by any of the servants, but as soon as she arrived in the public part of the castle, she relaxed and strode out confidently. No one would question her presence there.

All she had to do now was wash and change her clothes and she would be ready for the day, but first she had to face Caitrin and Mhairi. She paused before her bedroom door, rehearsing what she would say, then it came to her. She would tell them the truth; neither of them would betray her–of that she was certain, since both of them were unshakably loyal.

However, Freya had no sooner put her hand on the doorknob when it was wrenched out of her hand and she almost collided with Mhairi, who was barging out from inside the chamber.

Mhairi skidded to a halt and grabbed Freya’s upper arms to steady herself. “Where have ye been?” she demanded frantically. “Caitrin an’ I have been worried sick!”

Freya hesitated for a moment then she lifted her chin and looked steadily at the other woman. “I spent the night in Alex’s room,” she said firmly. “And do not give me a lecture, Mhairi. We are going to be married.”

“Dinnae tell me ye—” Mhairi broke off, looking horrified. She had not finished her sentence, but it was obvious what she had been about to say.

“In case you were about to ask if we made love,” Freya was stern as she glared at her maid, “no, we did not. We slept together for comfort because we both needed it.”

Mhairi breathed a sigh of relief. “You must be more careful, Freya,” she said gently. “Ye take too many chances.”

“In ten days’ time I will be married to Alex,” Freya pointed out. “And after that, I will have no cause to worry at all, Mhairi, so calm yourself.”

At her words, Mhairi’s eyes widened. “I was just comin’ tae try tae find ye,” she said urgently. “The Laird is lookin’ for ye, an’ he is very agitated. He says ye must go an’ see him. I think it is quite important.”

Freya growled. “What does he want?” she demanded.

“He says it is about Alex,” Mhairi replied. “He didnae tell me any more, but he looked very upset.”

“I see.” Freya looked down at herself. She looked wrinkled and untidy, but she could see by Mhairi’s demeanour that she would have had no time to bathe or even change. This was beyond urgent; it was desperate.

She turned and swiftly made her way to the Great Hall where she found her father waiting for her, but he was not alone. Aidan, Gerald Patterson and Bearnard were there too, and there was a strange, heavy atmosphere in the room, as though a conversation had just stopped because of her arrival.

As soon as she stepped through the door, everyone looked up at her, and Bearnard rushed to fetch a chair for her. Freya sat down and frowned at all the men who were looking at her. She had an awful premonition of doom. The Laird looked extremely nervous, and he avoided her eyes as she accepted a glass of ale from Bearnard. Her younger brother’s face was distraught; clearly, he had heard what the Laird had to say and it had upset him greatly.

There was a deafening silence for a moment, and Freya lost patience. “Is anyone going to tell me what is going on?” she demanded. “Or can I go and eat my breakfast now?”

“Stay here, Freya,” the Laird said. He sounded both sad and weary, and Freya felt sorry for him, because he suddenly looked old; much, much older than the father she knew.

Freya’s heart began to hammer, and she was assailed by the thought that she was being prepared for something, and it was not anything pleasant. She leaned forward on the table and looked into his eyes. “You said it was about Alex,” she reminded him. “Tell me, please, Father. You are scaring me.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Father!” Aidan snapped. “Tell her or I will!”

“Tell me what?” Freya asked as she looked from one to the other.

“Freya,” her father began, “there is no easy way to tell you this, so I will get straight to the point. Alex is not who you think he is; in fact, everything he told you was a lie.”

Freya stared at her father, frozen, for a moment, then she burst out laughing. “Father, have you gone mad?” she asked. “I have never heard you say anything so stupid in your life! Alex is the most loyal of all the people who work for you.”

At that moment, Gerald tried to butt in. “Freya— ” he began, but he got no farther.