Page 6 of The Cruel Highlander (From Enemies to Marriage #3)

CHAPTER 5

“Say one of yer people is unable to pay their tithe this year — what would ye do?” Aiden asked as he walked beside Valorie. He felt the strongest urge to reach out and take her hand in his own, but he refrained. Attempting to remain cold around Valorie was testing the limits of Aiden’s willpower.

Without missing a beat, Valorie responded, “I would waive it.” So would Aiden.

“If you waive the tithe for one, you might have to for everyone.” Aiden countered, despite the fact that he routinely exempted people from having to pay.

“I would hope that me people ken me well enough to ken that I wouldn’t impose a tithe that we didn’t all need to thrive. And if everyone requested an exemption, we would all suffer. But ye aren’t running a clan right if we can’t survive without one person’s tithe for a year,” Valorie elaborated.

Searching for any flaw, Aiden continued to push and asked, “Aye, and if the council tells ye that ye do need that money?”

“I’m sure I could work with the councilors to determine where we could make it up. For one, I ken that the castle could probably go light on luxuries for a while,” Valorie said with finality. Her answer was very similar to Aiden’s own plan that he enacted just last year. He did not need extravagance living alone, and his people all benefitted from his sacrifice.

Another strong answer from Valorie then. Aiden’s little scenarios were having the unfortunate side effect of endearing him further to Valorie. She was turning out to be incredibly capable. Valorie’s responses to his questions were thoughtful and clever. Often, she acted in a way he would never have considered on his own, and on major issues, they were frequently aligned.

Valorie seemed to complement his strengths perfectly. Where he was cold and serious, she was light and joyful. She approached conflicts and situations with grace and kindness. Aiden knew with certainty that his people would love her. She would bring a warmth to his lands that Aiden just didn’t possess.

While Aiden was distracted with thoughts of her, Valorie’s foot caught on a raised root on the path. Before he could reach out and stop her fall, Valorie tumbled to the ground, landing harshly on her hands and knees.

“Valorie, are ye all right?” Aiden shouted, rushing to help Valorie up off the grass. How had he missed her fall? He should have been paying better attention to the lass and not daydreaming about her.

“Oof, I’m fine, me laird; just a few scrapes,” Valorie grunted as she started to right herself. Aiden was having none of that though and reached down to grab Valorie’s arm; the least he could do was help her up. Firmly but gently, Aiden brought Valorie back to standing. That was when he noticed her hands.

“Nay, yer not fine! Ye need to see a healer lass; yer bleedin’!” Aiden shouted at Valorie again, looking at the scratches all over her hands. She probably had similar scrapes on her knees as well! Valorie looked down at her hands, seeming surprised to find the cuts covering them.

“Is me laird worried about me?” Valorie taunted. Aiden continued glancing on in concern, not in any mood to joke about it. The lass was hurt under his care.

Valorie turned serious and assured, “I’m fine Aiden, really. It’s just a few scrapes, nothin’ serious. I’ll just clean them off in the river. I had much worse growin’ up.”

“That does not make me feel better, lass,” Aiden said, still hesitant to drop it. He wanted Valorie to at least get some bandages. How did lairds live with this constant worrying? If Valorie was his wife, he’d need to be watchful all the time. Aiden didn’t think he could manage it.

Aiden watched as Valorie made her way to the riverbed and carefully ran her hands through the flowing water to clean off the dirt and blood.

“Yer knees too, lass!” Aiden commanded.

Valorie laughed and taunted back, “Are ye tryin’ to see me legs, me laird?”

“Just clean them off lass, I’ll turn around if I must.” Before she could deny him again Aiden turned to face away from Valorie. He didn’t want to give her any reason not to at least clean those scrapes. “I’m not hearing a lot of splashing, lass! Are ye cleanin’ everythin’ well?” Aiden shouted over his shoulder.

“Aye, Aiden really, I’m fine. Washed everythin’ off — good as new,” Valorie said from right behind him. Turning back around Aiden began a careful inspection of the lass. This was nothing like his heated perusal from before; Aiden was looking for any signs of injury.

“Really, Aiden, I’m fine — continue with yer assessment,” Valorie demanded sternly.

Not truly paying attention, Aiden began his line of questioning again. He asked Valorie something about a battle plan; he couldn’t be sure because all he could see was her red and battered hands.

Aiden needed to stick to the plan. Despite her many strengths, Valorie could never be his wife. Sure, she seemed more competent than most, but so was Aiden, and look at what happened to him.

Aiden was far too confident as a young lad; he was so sure of himself and his ability that he strolled through the world without a care. That na?ve confidence had given his captor, Myles, the opportunity to steal him away. Ten years Aiden lived as a prisoner, at least partially because of his foolishness. Could he have somehow avoided the ten years of torture with just a little more concern? Aiden would never know.

If it could happen to Aiden, it could happen to anyone. Besides, there were always accidents. Which meant he would spend his life worrying. Aiden would not have a moment of peace or rest if he cared for someone so deeply as to wed them. Living each day, knowing that at any moment his love could be stolen from him would be unbearable. Look at what had already happened. The lass was assaulted one night and bleeding the next.

Aiden was already failing at protecting the lass. The simple truth was that Aiden did not trust anyone. Not his councilors, not his clan members, not a woman he just met, and certainly not himself.

Valorie was in the middle of another clever answer, but Aiden needed to regain control of the day because he sensed it slipping away from him with every brilliant word out of Valorie’s mouth. He was either enraptured by her or fretting over her, and neither were part of his plan.

“Very well, let’s move on,” Aiden cut in abruptly. He had heard enough.

* * *

Valorie did not understand this laird. One minute, he was listening to each word she had to say or fretting about a minor injury like a nursemaid. Then the next, he rudely cut off what was likely to be her best answer yet.

Throughout the series of scenarios from Aiden, Valorie had begun to imagine what life would be like as the Lady O’Donnely. Consulting with Aiden on clan issues, standing before the counsel in his place, continuing her riding — it all seemed too good to be true. And in a single moment, she learned that it was.

Aiden’s abrupt interruption only proved to show that he was feigning interest in Valorie’s responses. Honestly, what laird would actually give up some of his power to his wife? Not one that Valorie had ever met.

Valorie would do well to remember that while Aiden seemed to be different from other lairds at times, he was likely raised on the same ideals. A wife’s place was not by the laird’s side but at his feet or in his kitchens.

Thankfully, Valorie was saved from having to remain conflicted in Aiden’s presence. Skye, one of the castle’s servants, approached them swiftly on the walking path.

With a giggle in Aiden’s direction, the young woman announced, “Miss, the Lady MacCrimmon asked me to fetch you both for some lunch.”

Fighting to roll her eyes at Skye’s reaction, Valorie responded, “Aye thank ye, Skye. Tell me maither, we’ll be along shortly.”

As quickly as she approached, the servant turned around and made for the castle. Valorie was sure that everyone would hear all about the Laird O’Donnely’s eligibility as soon as Skye returned.

“Shall we?” Aiden asked, gesturing for Valorie to lead the way. No longer interested in walking beside him, Valorie strode ahead for the doors to the main hall. Lunch would be the perfect time to get her thoughts sorted.

Back inside the castle, there was a flurry of activity. The few servants they had were moving quickly around the castle, chittering excitedly to each other. Valorie didn’t see her parents anywhere, but she left Aiden standing in the great hall to see what all the fuss was about. Valorie found their head servant, Lorna, in the kitchens. She was a portly older woman, who had been with them all of Valorie’s life.

“Valorie, there ye are! Congratulations!” Lorna said as she mixed up something in large bowl.

“What do ye mean?” Valorie asked.

“Oh — we heard ye were to be wed! Yer father came to tell us the good news. And Skye saw the lad earlier and told us all about how tall and handsome he is.” Skye moved very fast.

“Hmph,” Valorie responded noncommittally.

“Is it true, child? Yer finally gettin’ married?” Lorna asked, the excitement evident in her raspy voice.

“Laird O’Donnely asked for my hand…” Valorie said warily. That part was true, and it was probably best not to inform anyone of the multiple plans she had in place to get out of it. She hated the lie of omission though.

“Oh, how wonderful, Valorie!”

When Valorie didn’t respond, Lorna continued, “Ye ken that I have friends in castles all throughout the Highlands, aye?”

“Aye, I ken, Lorna.” The woman had worked in half the castles over her long life and had friends or former lovers in the other half. She was something of an institution around here.

“That laird is a good one, I tell ye. That’s why we are all so excited for ye. He’s not like the other two.”

Respect for those who served beneath them was the mark of a good man in Valorie’s opinion. For Lorna to say this about Aiden was a ringing endorsement indeed. As one of the oldest clan members, Lorna was undoubtedly a good judge of character. None of the servants had congratulated her on either of her previous betrothals. Kenneth had been kind, too, but the servants likely knew that his heart lay elsewhere.

“Aye, that’s good to hear,” Valorie said, still not completely convinced of Aiden’s merits.

“Och, we’ve heard all about his reputation too, of course, but the rough edges are just that… edges. He’s got a soft center child; I’m sure of it.”

Valorie just nodded. This was the second time she had heard that maybe Aiden was more than he appeared. Was it possible that Aiden was really just as misunderstood as she was? Was the cruel and terrifying laird simply an act?

Lorna waved Valorie off with a towel and said, “I need to get back to work, and ye need to go see that laird.”

“Aye, Lorna.” Lorna was fierce with that towel, and Valorie had no desire to be whacked with it.

* * *

Aiden stood in the great hall of Castle MacCrimmon and waited for Valorie to return. As the servants bustled about the castle, Aiden caught snippets of their conversations.

“He’s a real tall lad,” Aiden heard one say, sounding impressed.

Another voice responded, “Aye, nice and strong too.”

“Good for our girl, Valorie,” a third voice chimed in.

“Aye, I agree.”

So, Aiden had the servants’ approval then. That was never a bad thing. Servants had a tendency to talk, and it was very possible his own servants were to blame for spreading his virtues.

Aiden strived to make his castle and clan good for all because he knew the power that he had as laird was only his because he had his people’s blessing. Maybe people in other clans were starting to hear about it, and Aiden could really make a difference.

Still waiting for Valorie to return and bring him to the dining room, Aiden admired the great hall. Clan MacCrimmon was certainly doing well for themselves by the look of things.

Instead of Valorie, it was Lady MacCrimmon who found Aiden in the hall.

“Oh, Laird O’Donnely, there ye are — come to the dining room. Valorie will be along shortly I’m sure,” Valorie’s mother said. Now that he was looking closer, Aiden could see features of Grace Grant in her daughter. Valorie had her mother’s eyes, but where Valorie’s warm green eyes sparked with mischief, Lady MacCrimmon’s were homey and kind.

“Thank ye,” Aiden said kindly. He had a feeling that Valorie’s mother would be a little harder to win over than either the servants or the Laird MacCrimmon.

“Ye have beautiful gardens,” Aiden complimented.

“Thank ye, laird.”

“Och, Aiden is fine, Lady MacCrimmon.”

“Aye, it’s Grace then,” Valorie’s mother insisted on the informal as well. Before they entered the dining room. Grace stopped, blocking the door, and turned to face Aiden.

“I’ve heard of ye, ye ken?”

“Aye,” Aiden said cautiously, concerned about the direction this conversation seemed to be headed.

“I ken of yer reputation,” Grace paused, and Aiden began to sweat, “but I also ken yer history.” Aiden was sweating in earnest now. “Yer faither was a good friend when we were younger, and I heard about what happened before he passed,” Valorie’s mother continued.

Aiden was not ashamed of his past, but he hated it when someone he barely knew was aware of his most traumatic experiences. He felt oddly exposed standing before Lady MacCrimmon.

How much did she know? Did Valorie know? And if she did, why hadn’t she said anything?

“Valorie doesn’t know; that’s yer story to tell. I’m sorry to even bring it up, lad. But I want ye to ken, I ken ye’re a good man and a fair laird. I’ve seen it meself. And I owe it to yer faither to tell ye, I will be here for ye in any capacity I can. Be that as a mother-in-law, an ally, or a friend.”

Aiden’s emotions flopped again. Having spent most of his life alone, Aiden didn’t know how to respond to the generosity being offered to him. He barely knew this woman, and she was offering her full support. He suspected Grace Grant was a far better person than he.

“That being said, lad, that’s me daughter in there, and I won’t see her harmed. Physically or otherwise.” Aiden had no desire to see harm come to Valorie either, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be hurt. That very thought was what held Aiden back from most relationships these days. Friends, family, and lovers could all be irreparably harmed, and you couldn’t always stop it.

Valorie’s mother continued to stare Aiden down though, and he knew he needed to respond to her thinly veiled threat. He wasn’t sure what Grace planned to do if Valorie was harmed, but he was fairly certain he didn’t want to find out.

“Aye Grace, ye have me word, I’ll protect her.” To the best of me ability, Aiden added in his mind.

“Hmm, see that ye do. Now about these tests of yers,” Grace said.

“Aye, just a wee bit of fun. I ken that Valorie is more than worthy,” Aiden explained.

“Aye of course ye do, ye wouldn’t be standing here if ye didn’t. Nae, it’s not that — I have ideas is all,” Grace said with a wink. “Ye should try archery next.”

With that final parting comment, Grace finally turned to enter the dining room. Aiden was still reeling from the emotional turmoil that conversation had wrought when he followed Grace inside. Laird MacCrimmon and Valorie were already seated. Both smirked at the likely shocked face Aiden wore.

“Did ye have a nice chat?” Valorie taunted with laughter.

Thankfully Valorie’s mother responded, “Aye very nice and informative.” Aiden wasn’t sure “nice” was the word he would use, but he nodded along anyway.

Laird MacCrimmon laughed good naturedly at his wife and addressed Aiden, “Apologies lad, me wife can be a tough lass.”

“Aye, she is certainly something.” Aiden replied.

Valorie’s father stared at his wife with admiration and said, “That she is.”

The love and care between Valorie’s parents were so evident in that moment that Aiden wanted to look away. He felt like he was intruding on something private and sacred just by being in the same room as them. With his embarrassment, Aiden also felt a twinge of jealousy. That kind of love would never be in store for him.