Page 19 of The Dark Highlander’s Heart (Thorns Of The Highlands #2)

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D uring the next few days, Katherine largely busied herself by spending time with Isla, or making more trips to the surrounding villages so she could acquaint herself with the Oliphant clan members who lived there. She won them over slowly, with patience and kindness, and with Isla’s aid, who encouraged them to trust her despite her lineage.

More than anything, Katherine did all she could to avoid running into Bryan Black. She feared that he might once again plead with her not to marry Kirk, and she did not trust herself to continue to deny him.

All she could do now, she reasoned, was make the best of her situation by enjoying her new friendship with the laird’s wife, and wait for word to come from her father regarding the proposition of the marriage.

As it turned out, she did not have to wait long.

After three days had passed, a McGregor messenger rode up to the gates of Castle Oliphant, carrying a missive from Laird Angus. She watched his approach from her window. She even recognized the man—Bram, one of her father’s closest and most trusted advisors. Angus had heeded his counsel less and less of late, as the laird’s mind frayed at the prospect of war with the Oliphants. If Bram were the one who’d been sent, then clearly, Laird Angus meant business.

Katherine ran down the steps and into the courtyard just in time to see Bram finish conversing with Laird Alex, Kirk, and Bryan. Alex nodded and gestured that the messenger was dismissed.

Bram mounted his horse once more, and he glanced at Katherine. His eyes narrowed, and though his expression was largely unreadable, it was not difficult for her to divine what he was looking at. Knowing her father, he had told Bram to report back regarding her appearance and temperament.

Tae determine where my loyalties are , she thought grimly. Tae see whether they are treating me as a captive or a collaborator .

She was suddenly acutely aware of the fact that she was wearing one of the beautiful dresses Isla had given her. Would Bram report that back to her father as well? That the Oliphants had furnished her with fine new clothes, to purchase her loyalty?

But she knew that fretting about the conclusions her father would jump to was largely a waste of time. He would do as he pleased. Her feelings on the subject had never swayed him before, and she doubted they would do so this time either.

Bram rode off, and the heavy gates swung shut behind him with a clang that sounded darkly final.

“What news, Laird Alex?” Katherine asked. Her voice trembled slightly. “Did my father agree tae yer terms?”

Alex shook his head gravely. “He says that he intends tae come and discuss the matter in person tomorrow. He sent the messenger ahead so that, upon seeing him and his guardsmen, we wouldnae assume we were under attack. But…” He trailed off and sighed.

“What?” Katherine demanded.

“The man he sent informed us that Laird Angus didnae look upon the proposal favorably,” Kirk said quietly. “He said that the laird would sooner fling his clan into war, see them cut down tae the last man, than find himself related tae an Oliphant.”

“I see,” she answered bleakly. “Is there no chance tae avoid bloodshed?”

“That is what our meeting with him shall determine, I suppose,” Bryan observed. He was having difficulty looking Katherine in the eye.

Not knowing what else to do, Katherine returned to her chamber. She tried not to stare out the window, knowing there was no point, that the sun would set and rise again before she’d catch sight of her father and his men coming over the hill.

Still, she could not help herself. In her anxiety, she did not know what else she could do. She went to the castle’s library a couple of times, hoping to find a book there which might distract her. But she found she could not focus on the words on the pages, and with each new trip, she became increasingly worried that she might run into Bryan.

She could not bear to see the mournful look in the captain’s eyes again. Not when their future was so uncertain.

Katherine received an invitation from Isla to dine with her and Laird Alex, but she politely declined, knowing she would be poor company due to her stormy mood. Isla understood, and had supper sent up to her.

“Remember, if ye change yer mind and would care for some company,” Isla said, “ye need only ask. I know how much ye have on yer mind right now, lass, but ye needn’t bear it alone.”

“That’s kind of ye, thank ye,” Katherine replied.

She sat and ate, and as she watched the sun sink over the horizon, she wondered what the next day would bring. If her father rejected the betrothal between her and Kirk Oliphant, what would happen then? Would she be free to pursue a relationship with Bryan after all?

No. Probably not.

Because if the proposal was rejected, then war would come next. And Bryan would require all of his focus to help the Oliphants win it.

Would she be left to her own devices, then? Expected to provide useful information about her father’s tactics and defenses when called upon, and otherwise, left to drift and wander the corridors of the castle like a lonely phantom?

She did not know. She was frightened to find out.

So she slept poorly that night, and she rose long before dawn so that she could maintain a silent vigil at the window. Her breakfast was sent up to her, but she barely touched it. When the servant girl came to collect the plate from her, she must have reported Katherine’s lack of appetite to Isla, for the woman came to visit her almost immediately after.

“I thought ye might prefer not tae await yer father’s arrival alone,” Isla said, standing at the window next to Katherine.

“Och, I’m sure ye have better things tae do than pass the time up here with me,” Katherine replied bashfully.

Isla shrugged. “Such as? My husband rules over the clan day tae day, not I. I believe I can spare a few hours tae help put yer mind at ease. Or tae make the attempt, at any rate.”

Katherine smiled gratefully. “‘Tis appreciated.”

They stood like that for another hour or more, until finally, the familiar banners of the McGregor Clan appeared over the top of the hills, and the sounds of drums and trumpets drifted over the fields.

On the ramparts below, the Oliphant sentries bristled, despite the fact that these visitors were expected, and that Laird Angus would have to be foolish indeed to stage an invasion with a mere two dozen soldiers accompanying him.

“I suppose I ought tae be in the courtyard tae greet him,” Katherine muttered. “Else he might assume I’m locked in the dungeon alongside my sister.” Then something occurred to her. “Will he be allowed tae visit with Romilly while he’s here, do ye think?”

Isla grimaced. “Difficult tae say. It would hardly soften his position tae see the state she’s currently in, would it? And I imagine Alex’s desire tae accommodate such requests will depend largely on Laird Angus’s temperament while he’s here.”

“Somehow, I doubt my father will be on his best behavior,” Katherine replied sourly.

The two of them walked down to the courtyard, where Alex, Kirk, Bryan, and the other heads of the clan waited to receive Laird Angus and his entourage. The gates opened wide and the procession—a carriage, surrounded by over twenty McGregor soldiers on horseback—came through. They came to a stop at the center of the courtyard, and one of the soldiers dismounted and helped Angus down from the carriage.

Katherine was surprised and disheartened by his appearance.

He looked even more like a desperate lunatic than the last time she saw him. His tunic was dirty and rumpled, and his hair was wild and tousled, the roots visibly white. He looked as though he had aged twenty years in the past week or so, and his long, pale, spidery hands fidgeted with each other anxiously. His expression seemed frozen into a bleary and affronted scowl, as though he wasn’t entirely sure where he was or how he came to be there, but he loathed it.

When his baleful eye fell upon Katherine, his frown deepened, and he gritted his yellowed teeth. “There ye are, daughter,” he growled. “Curious tae see ye in such fine fettle, when one might have expected ye tae be rotting in the dungeons alongside yer sister. What might ye have done, I wonder, tae merit such kind treatment by yer captors? Revealed my secrets tae them?”

“Is that the sight ye would have preferred upon arriving, Father? Tae see me imprisoned in a dank stone chamber, tormented by rats and spiders? Would seeing me humbled thus give ye pleasure?” Katherine tried her best to keep her tone neutral, but in truth, being before him again, seeing the madness that had overtaken him, was making her shudder with fright and revulsion.

He had always been a spiteful sort, but at least he had been a strong and confident leader to his people. Now he was a haunted husk of a man, whose eyes darted to and fro as though expecting betrayal from every shadow and corner.

Angus’s lip curled in a scornful sneer. “Better a loyal daughter in chains than a deceitful one who walks free.”

“Enough,” Alex spoke up firmly. “Ye have come tae confer with me about the future of our clans, not tae hurl insults at those we deem honored guests.”

Angus nodded, as though his suspicions had been confirmed. “Very well. Lead the way, then, and let’s have it over with. Ye will not object, I suppose, if my men remain armed?”

“So long as their blades remain sheathed, it makes no difference tae me,” Alex retorted. “I trust ye tae keep things civil while ye are here.”

“Oh,” Angus scoffed. “Do ye believe me tae be a man of my word?”

Alex shook his head. “I ken full well that ye are not. I only know ye’re clever enough tae understand that the moment a McGregor sword is drawn in anger within these walls, ye will have sealed yer doom and that of yer men before any of ye can make it out of the room.”

“Fair enough,” Angus grunted.

The group of men proceeded to the Great Hall, with Katherine trailing behind. She braced herself, expecting her father to taunt and belittle her further, but he did not afford her so much as a backward glance. It seemed he had said everything he needed to, and now dismissed her utterly.

A red wave of sudden anger crested sharply within her. I should not have tae marry a man I do not love simply to appease the ill humors of this wretched old goat! she thought. It is not fair! I wish …

But she could not allow herself to finish that thought, for what would she wish for? That her father would lose his temper after all, and force Bryan and his guardsmen to kill him where he stood?

That would end the matter decisively enough, wouldn’t it? And then her clan would no longer be a threat to the Oliphants—she was certain that no other McGregor would take up the banner against the Oliphants as recklessly as her father had—and she would be free to marry whomever she pleased. It was a dark chain of thought, to be sure. She felt nauseated for entertaining such a despicable notion, even for a moment.

He was a dreadful old viper, she knew that much to be true. A menace to the clans that neighbored his lands, and a prideful monster who endangered the lives of his people by provoking a far larger and stronger clan.

He was all of these things, yet he was still her father. She could not bring herself to wish for his death, not when there might be some other way to resolve this.

When they reached the Great Hall, Bryan motioned for his men to follow McGregor and his guards inside. Then he lingered in the corridor with Katherine for a moment, speaking in a hushed tone, “Ye cannae be present for these discussions.”

“But why not?” Katherine balked. “It is my future being decided in there as well. ‘Tis only right that I am at least allowed tae listen.”

“Aye, that’s true enough,” Bryan agreed patiently, “but yer presence at the table might draw more ire from yer father, and prevent our talks from being as fruitful as they might be. Better for ye tae wait out here.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Ye have another reason for keeping me out, don’t ye? Ye believe there might be violence.”

“I wouldnae have thought so before I saw Laird Angus step off that carriage,” he replied fervently. “But now that I see what he has been reduced to, I think it might be best if I remained ready for the worst in there. Not that I truly think it’s likely tae come tae that,” he added quickly. “Just in case, I’d see ye spared such a terrible sight, and kept away from the danger of an errant sword or dagger.”

“I understand,” Katherine assured him.

Then she stood up on her tiptoes and planted a furtive kiss on his cheek, much to his surprise.

Bryan gave her a bemused smile, and for a moment, it seemed as though he might put his arms around her, but then he remembered himself. His smile faded, and he went into the Great Hall without another word.

The heavy oak door swung shut, and she began to pace in front of it.

Within the Hall, Alex, Kirk, and Angus took their seats. Angus’s soldiers remained standing against the stone walls, and Bryan and his men did likewise.

“So,” Angus began, steepling his bony fingers, “ye would propose tae marry my daughter tae a bloody Oliphant, eh?”

“Not just any Oliphant,” Alex pointed out, gesturing to Kirk. “My cousin, and one of my most trusted advisors. ‘Tis a worthy match, Laird Angus, and one that will allow us tae spare our people a great deal of needless bloodshed and hardship. Our clans would be united. We could help each other in many ways, and forge a lasting peace.”

“I will see myself, and every member of my clan, consumed by maggots before I allow my bloodline tae mingle with that of the Oliphants,” Angus spat. Then a cagey look came over him, and he added: “However, that does not mean it need come tae that.”

“Ye have an alternate proposal, then?” Kirk inquired. “One that leads us down a path other than war?”

“Aye,” the laird replied. “Just because I dinnae wish tae marry my daughters to Oliphants does nae mean I dinnae wish tae marry them tae members of other, more respectable clans. I cannae very well do that if one is in yer dungeons and the other has made some other arrangement.”

The insinuation in the old man’s voice turned Bryan’s stomach, but he forced himself to remain silent. It seemed they might be on the verge of terms, and he did not wish to ruin that.

Even if he was not overly fond of the direction the conversation was taking.

“Yer daughters’ return, then, in exchange for a lasting peace between us?” Alex pressed. “I’ll have yer oath on that, before witnesses? For if ye believe this is yer chance tae fool us into letting them go, only for ye tae plot more foul attacks upon our clan…”

“Nothing of the sort,” Angus assured him. “Ye snatched up Katherine, right out from under my nose. ‘Tis clear ye are brazen enough tae do so again if I dinnae hold up my end of the bargain. Nay, better tae have an end tae it. Not allies, but no longer enemies.”

“I would want tae have one of my people there for one year,” Alex said.

“We shall tolerate no Oliphant steward telling us our business,” the laird hissed, banging a fist upon the table.

“Nay, not a steward, nor an overseer,” Alex hurriedly went on. “Merely an observer. He will have no say in how ye rule over yer clan. He will merely be furnished with lodging in yer stronghold and allowed tae be present for meetings of any importance. We will have an oath from ye that he shall be safe among ye and yer people, and he will be permitted tae send and receive messages. All of this will simply be tae satisfy us that ye are done scheming against the Oliphant Clan for good.”

Angus considered this for a long moment. “That sounds sensible enough,” he finally agreed grudgingly. “In selecting the man for the job, I have three conditions of my own.”

“By all means.”

Every muscle in Bryan’s body was so tense it ached. Could this truly be happening? Could these two men be so close to reaching an agreement?

And would the result be that Bryan would never see Katherine again?

“First,” Angus began, ticking the points off on his fingers. “Ye must stand by yer word that yer man will not interfere in our affairs. He may live among us without fear, he will be treated as a guest, his messages will be allowed freely and without inspection, but the moment he gives an order in yer name and expects me tae follow it, he will be expelled, and our agreement will be nullified.”

“Aye, that’s acceptable,” Alex replied. “What else?”

“Second, I dinnae want yer observer tae be Kirk Oliphant,” he continued shrewdly. “Forgive me, but the thought of entertaining the man ye meant tae marry her off tae, does nay sit well with me.”

“That’s reasonable enough. And the third?”

To Bryan’s surprise, the laird pointed at him. “I dinnae want him tae be yer observer either. From what I understand, he bears a marked resemblance tae the description of the man who abducted Katherine. I’d just as soon make sure that such a man never cast a shadow on McGregor lands ever again, under any circumstances.”

“Good. Then we have an accord.” Alex turned to Bryan. “Captain Black, ye may inform the McGregor sisters they will be going home at once.”