Page 11 of The Cruel Highlander (From Enemies to Marriage #3)

CHAPTER 10

The next morning, Valorie cradled Willow as she watched the servants take her things into Aiden’s castle. She was officially doing this — moving into the Castle O’Donnely.

Valorie never imagined the solution to her problems would be pretending. But still, yesterday in the woods, Valorie was skeptical. A fake betrothal? Surely people would realize or be suspicious. And yet, with Aiden’s mysterious reputation and the apparent desperate position she was in — no one would likely question them. Valorie almost wished she had thought of it herself because Aiden’s plan seemed kind of perfect — at least for now.

They would need to come up with a believable story to explain why they were ending their betrothal. She wondered if Aiden would be willing to fake his death because a newly widowed Valorie could remain alone for a while. But he probably wouldn’t go for that. Valorie would keep thinking about it.

The coach that she arrived in now sat empty in the front of the sprawling keep. All of her precious few belongings were being loaded into Aiden’s castle by Aiden’s servants. For all intents and purposes, it was now her castle too.

After Aiden had left her father’s yesterday, Valorie spent her last night in her own bedchambers for who knew how long. She bid farewell to Lorna and Skye and the rest of the servants before taking one last nighttime stroll throughout the grounds and gardens that she grew up on. She passed by the archery set up and would probably always think of Aiden standing there with his arms crossed, playing her as she tried to play him.

All throughout the grounds, actually, she was remembering their competitions and teasing. Aiden was forever ingrained in the memory of her father’s castle now. Thankfully, her horse, Bluebell was being brought to Aiden’s stables. She could never have left him behind, especially not after he helped prove her riding skills to Aiden so thoroughly.

Still standing in the castle’s drive, Valorie watched silently as the last of her belongings disappeared into her new home, and she was left holding just Willow. Sadly, Valorie was used to this part — she had moved away from her home and into another laird’s castle three times now, but it didn’t get any easier.

There would be a handful of new people to meet, and they would all expect Valorie to act a certain way. New hallways and layouts to memorize, a new bedchamber to get used to. The first couple of nights, Valorie would likely wake up disoriented, not recognizing her new surroundings. That was the worst part — the immediate panic upon waking from not knowing where she was.

Valorie’s parents had accompanied her this morning, their third time moving her out. Both of them wore matching pleased grins — her father because he believed that he had somehow successfully married her off, merely days after she called off a different betrothal. She was Aiden’s problem now in his mind.

Valorie suspected, though, that her mother’s smile was far more scheming. Grace Grant had her own games, and she clearly thought she had won this one — likely because she suspected Valorie had found a true match, and she had a hand in it somehow.

Standing beside the empty coach, Valorie clung tightly to Willow. Besides her horse, Willow would be her closest friend in this castle, plus Willow still needed her — she was far too young to fend for herself. Valorie turned to say her goodbyes to her parents, once again.

“Let’s make this one last, all right Valorie?” Laird MacCrimmon scolded. His wife playfully slapped his arm and turned to give Valorie a big enveloping hug. Valorie would surely miss her mother’s hugs in the coming days. The first couple of days at a new castle were always lonely, but especially so when your betrothed didn’t even come to greet you.

“Valorie, remember what I said about Aiden,” her mother said pointedly. She finally pulled back from their long hug and tilted her head to look seriously at Valorie. “I love ye darlin’.”

“I love ye too, Maither,” Valorie responded, not commenting on Aiden; she could barely look her mother in the eye knowing the deceit she was hiding from her. Her mother was one of her closest confidants, but she couldn’t know this.

“Faither,” Valorie nodded respectfully to her father. Suddenly, he too pulled her in for a tight hug. It had been far too long since her father had embraced her.

“I really do want the best for ye,” her father said quietly just to her.

“I ken, Faither.” Valorie believed her father meant it, too; they just had very different opinions about what was best for her. Laird MacCrimmon’s ideal life for his daughter included a strong laird and a brood of children, and Valorie’s true dream was freedom.

Finally, her parents climbed back into the carriage and drove off. Valorie stood watching until they were out of sight. As they left, she couldn’t help but wonder how long this betrothal would last and whether her parents would welcome her back when it ended. Aiden mentioned a year, but as he said, a lot could happen during that time.

Speaking of Aiden, he still had not come to greet her or welcome her to his home. In his place, standing in front of the castle, were Aiden’s two sisters, Keira and Astrid. The pair of them looked slightly formidable, staring down at Valorie from the top of the stairs, and Valorie took a fortifying breath before heading towards them.

Astrid really was the spitting image of her brother; her golden hair was shining brightly in the sun, just as Aiden’s had in the garden yesterday. How Valorie did not make the connection sooner was a mystery. She should have known who Aiden was the moment she met him.

Valorie slowly approached the two sisters with her head up but stroking Willow for comfort. She had only minimal interactions with both of them, but she was sure they knew all about the fickle Valorie Grant. Without Aiden to act as a buffer, she did not know how this more formal introduction was going to go.

“Welcome to Castle O’Donnely, Valorie,” Astrid said brightly as Valorie reached them at the top of the large steps up to the front door.

“Aye, thank ye Astrid; it’s good to be here and to see ye both again.” Valorie smiled at both Astrid and Keira while she said this. Astrid’s warm face smiled back at her, but Keira just stared. A long pause followed Valorie’s statement as they all looked around to each other, no one knowing exactly what to say or do next.

Finally, Astrid looked sharply at her sister before turning back to Valorie and offering, “I can take ye to yer chambers.” Keira, on the other hand, continued to eye Valorie suspiciously. Off to a great start, then.

“I’ll go and get Aiden,” Keira said shortly, stomping away before anyone else had a chance to move or respond.

“Ignore her,” Astrid suggested conspiratorially. “She’s always been a bit of hellion.”

Valorie, not feeling like she could yet poke fun at the sisters, merely nodded as she followed Astrid into the massive castle.

Castle O’Donnely was enormous; the great hall was nearly double the size of her family’s castle, but there was something missing. The clan banners hung proudly on the stone walls, and there were elaborate designs on the tiles below their feet, but the castle felt… empty. No bustling servants, no sounds from the kitchens or the receiving room, the place felt… incredibly lonely. Valorie continued to look around, expecting to encounter some activity.

Astrid, apparently noticing Valorie’s inspection, explained, “Aiden is… particular about his privacy. He doesnae like people to have access to the castle. There’s only a handle of servants, and they ken to stay out of his way.” Interesting. Aiden loved his clan, Valorie knew that, but he clearly kept himself separate. Likely that was part of how he got his fearsome reputation; people often feared what they didn’t understand or know.

Was Aiden doing it on purpose to encourage his reputation, or did he merely like the solitude? Valorie wondered.

Again, though, Valorie just nodded. Walking through the castle, she felt the lack of activity acutely. If Aiden turned out to not be a companion, Valorie didn’t know how she would remain here a year. Thank goodness for the little puppy in her arms, but how did Aiden survive it? Her father’s castle seemed like a small city compared to this.

Up the grand staircase and down to the end of a long hallway, Astrid led them to two doors next to each other.

“Here ye are; these are yer rooms, and Aiden is obviously just there next to ye,” Astrid said, opening the door to a comfortable but spacious sitting room. Valorie’s belongings were already stacked up on one side of the room. They looked quite sparse compared to the sprawling room before her.

The sitting room led way into the actual bedchamber which was far grander and more beautiful than the one she had at home. It was filled on one side by a massive four-poster wooden bed and a matching ottoman. The whole thing looked decadently plush with numerous pillows and blankets; Valorie sighed thinking of climbing into that bed after a long day.

Dark shades of brown wood made up the primary color scheme of the room, but there were a few red accents throughout. Valorie’s eyes found the candle chandelier next. It hung above the bed, and the arms of it were crafted to look like antlers. On the other side of the room from the bed was a wardrobe with detailed carvings — Valorie would have to get closer to inspect them, but it seemed to depict numerous woodland creatures. It was also massive and would easily fit everything Valorie owned.

Willow gave an excited yip from her arms; clearly the room suited her.

“Someone will be up to put away yer things while ye are out of the room; I’m sure it won’t take long,” Astrid informed her, glancing at the small pile of Valorie’s things.

“Aye, thank ye, Astrid; I appreciate ye showin’ me up here,” Valorie said courteously, scratching Willow behind the ears, who cooed happily.

"Who’s that wee one?” Astrid asked.

“This is Willow,” Valorie said smiling at the puppy in her arms. “We found her trapped in a bush in the forest last night.”

“We?”

“Aye, Aiden and I,” Valorie clarified.

“And Aiden agreed to keep her?” Astrid asked sounding equally shocked and skeptical.

Valorie laughed, “Aye, I convinced him.”

Another long silence filled the room; Astrid stood by the door pointedly, looking like she had more to say but deeply uncomfortable with the topic.

Finally, Astrid broke the silence and confessed, “I’m happy Aiden’s found a companion; he’s been alone for far too long.”

Valorie swallowed her guilt once again for the lies. Astrid had welcomed her into Aiden’s home, and here she was lying to Astrid and the rest of Aiden’s family. They all, even Keira she suspected, wanted the best for Aiden, and Valorie was letting them believe she was going to be his bride. Astrid wanted something real for Aiden, and Valorie was only pretend.

Although if their kiss in the clearing was any indication, perhaps it wasn’t as fake as they both claimed. Everything about that moment had certainly felt real. Valorie wasn’t sure it was possible to fake that kind of passion. She knew that she couldn’t.

“Aye, Aiden’s a good man. I’m glad to be here,” was all Valorie could respond.

That part was true at least. Despite the emptiness of the castle, of all the places Valorie could have ended up, Castle O’Donnely was one of the better ones. It was one of the main reasons she accepted Aiden’s fake betrothal. If her first betrothed had offered her a way out with a similar proposal, she’s not sure she would have taken it.

Aiden, while mercurial, had never been truly dangerous to Valorie, only towards others that threatened her. And now, with their agreement in place, Valorie would hopefully be able to maintain the independence she desperately craved.

“We all worry about Aiden,” Astrid commented quietly as she made her way to one of the sitting room chairs. “He has had a hard life, and we are a little protective of him now. As a boy, Aiden was the sweetest child, a cheeky menace, sure, but he was kind and warm… and ye obviously ken how he is now.”

“Oh…” Valorie said tentatively, flopping down into the chair opposite Astrid. Valorie wrung her hands in the fabric of her dress nervously. She was feeling more uncomfortable with their deception after each moment chatting to Astrid. There was clearly something Valorie was missing here, but she didn’t want to pry further into Aiden’s life or hear something she shouldn’t, so Valorie stayed quiet.

“Ye may ken about the old conflict with Clan O’Donnely and my husband’s clan, Clan MacKie?” Astrid asked.

“Aye, I’ve heard some things,” Valorie agreed.

“We kept the reason quiet because my father didn’t want us to appear weak at the time, but we suspected Clan MacKie of kidnapping and holding Aiden.”

Valorie blinked a few times and scrunched her eyebrows in confusion. She sat stunned for several long minutes, “Aiden was kidnapped? By your husband?”

“Oh no, no, we suspected Clan Mackie, but Flynn and his family had nothing to do with it,” Astrid clarified a little, not nearly enough to be making sense though, “but yes, Aiden was kidnapped and held for ten long years. We were beside ourselves, not knowing where he was or what had happened. We still don’t know all that occurred during that time, but it wasn’t…pleasant,” Astrid trailed off.

Valorie’s eyes were wide with horror. She had no idea, and she could hardly even imagine what Aiden had lived through. Valorie wanted to run to him and provide whatever comfort she could, but knowing Aiden as she did now, that would likely only inspire his anger. She settled for stroking Willow tenderly; maybe the wee thing could give him some comfort if she could get Aiden to warm up to her.

“I’m only tellin’ ye because I know Aiden is too stubborn to do it himself, and ye need to know that there are lasting… impacts from that time.” Astrid was apparently still speaking. “I think ye’ll be good for him, but you’ll have to talk to him for any more details,” Astrid finished, apparently undeterred even despite Valorie’s shocked silence.

“Aye, thank ye for telling me…” Valorie said, staring intently at the fluff ball in her arms. Willow was the only thing keeping Valorie in place at that moment.

Valorie was horrified at the thought of what Aiden had survived, and she was sure it showed on her face. Ten years! She was going to parties and feasts, and Aiden was held somewhere horrible. Her own problems seemed trivial now in the face of everything Aiden had likely experienced. The fact that Aiden could laugh and joke with her, despite his past, was nothing short of a miracle.

Astrid’s eyes narrowed when Valorie remained quiet. Aiden’s sister said sternly, “Now, he wouldn’t want ye to treat him any differently, ye hear? And ye best not pity him.” Valorie eyes flashed up to look Astrid in the eye.

“I could never pity him,” Valorie croaked harshly, anger and tears equally close to the surface. “I could never pity him,” she repeated slower. “Aiden is a survivor — I have always known this. I feel heartbroken and appalled and angry but not pity, never pity.”

“Good.” Astrid smiled primly at Valorie. “Then ye’ll be perfect for him.”