Page 7 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander

He’s kind and admirable, but I willnae be forced to marry… even him.

As the day drew to a close, one of the McFair councilmen called out to the spectators, immediately silencing them.

“The results are in!” he announced proudly, the paper scroll falling over his chubby hands. “Hold yer cheers until the end!”

His demand was very strictly adhered to as he listed off the winners of each game.

“MacKinnon. Caber toss.”

One,Erica tallied anxiously.

“O’Farlane. Archery.”

One.She raised her fingers into a matching count, James on one hand and Laird MacKinnon on the other.

“MacKinnon. Stone put.”

“Two,” she whispered, raising another finger.

“O’Farlane. Sprint.”

Two and two.

“MacKinnon. Hammer throw.”

Erica held her breath with the rest of the crowd. It seemed like even the flora and fauna followed suit.

There’s only one more game…

She hoped that the next game’s winner was James.

At least then, with a tie?—

“Quoits. O’Farlane.”

The crowd erupted in applause. Hunter and James had tied, which meant the deciding contest—tug of war—would be held the next day.

“Everybody loves tug of war,” Laird McFair said, chuckling and clapping along.

Erica felt a tinge of hope bloom in her chest as she followed her parents back inside the keep.

Hopefully, James will win. I’d rather the less dangerous man prevail—perhaps then I’ll be able to get out of the marriage. I think James would understand and agree to postpone it.

Kara was in her chambers when she pushed open the heavy door. It was almost as if the maid hadn’t left.

“Me Lady,” Kara said melodically and got back to laying out her evening dress.

Erica leaned over her maid’s shoulder to see which dress her mother had chosen for her, and scoffed. “That one doesnae fit me anymore,” she lied easily.

Kara only tsked in response. She then waddled over to the bath to pour some fragrance into the water. “‘Tis ready, Me Lady. In ye go.”

Erica sighed heavily. “Hopefully, I’ll drown,” she murmured half-heartedly.

Kara tsked again as she hung the towels by the roaring fire. Then, she laid out the trinkets and jewelry Erica was to wear that evening for dinner.

“If I dinnae drown in this bath, this competition will surely do the trick,” Eric added.

“Ye shouldnae say such things, even in jest, Me Lady. Ye ken that well enough. Any lass would feel honored that so many suitorshave sworn their loyalty to her faither. They love him as much as ye do. They all wish to see ye taken care of.”