Page 2 of When a Highlander Vows (Enemies to Lovers #1)

2

One Week Later

L ucas Murdoch, the Laird of McDougall, was dispatching an unpleasant duty. He stood in front of a small house on a hill just outside the village. His own castle was in view, yet it was very far away. It had taken a few hours for him to arrive at this place, and as he waited outside the door, he looked to it.

A laird must do things he does nae like, at times, he reminded himself.

It was the way of things and had been for years. He had never regretted his duty to his people and those on his lands, except for today. News of the death of his best friend, was like a sword straight through the heart. Seamus MacLennan was like warm light on a cold day. Even the death of his parents had not affected Lucas so much. In fact, he’d been more relieved. But without Seamus, there was one less of the precious few people in his life whom he truly cared about.

As a merchant, Seamus had traveled often, but he would come to the castle and share tales of his adventures and show a bit of kindness to his laird whenever he passed. They’d met when Lucas’ parents had sent him away to the north to train as a warrior.

They’d become friends of a sort, and because of that, years later, Lucas was fulfilling what he’d promised to do. He remembered when Seamus had asked him to do it, a few years back, when he’d first embarked on being a merchant.

“Will ye take care of me younger sister, me Laird, if something happens to me? Caitlin? She has nay one left in the world, save me. Her eyesight is nae good either. Say ye will help if somethin’ happens to me.”

They’d been drinking wine at the time, and the fire was warm, and Lucas had been happy then and feeling generous to his friend. He’d nodded in agreement and vowed that he would. But he’d never expected Seamus to die so young. He had no idea that he would have to fulfill his duty so soon.

Swallowing back the grief that tormented him day and night, he raised his fist to knock on the door. His man-at-arms, Archie McCann, stood not far away, by the horses, and Lucas clenched his fists at his sides, waiting. Something moved inside, and the door swung open.

A young, mousy-haired young woman with dark circles under her eyes answered.

“Aye, Sir? Have ye come to pay yer respects?”

Lucas blinked for a moment. Normally, he would be recognized, or so he’d thought, being the laird, but he did not often go out as he should have done.

“Aye, of a sort. Is the lady at home? Miss MacLennan?”

“Aye, I will show ye in.”

He ducked under the doorframe, his tall body being too large to fit comfortably inside such a diminutive house. But once inside, he could stretch out a bit more.

The woman from the door led him to a large main room where another was seated, looking outside of the window. When Lucas laid eyes upon her, the breath left his body. Beautiful morning light was streaming in through the one window of the house, and she sat right in the center of it. It shone through her golden hair which was plaited down her one shoulder.

Her eyes were a light brown, and he could see them sparkle as she stared into the light, her fist under her chin, elbow resting on the edge of the chair. Freckles dusted her cheeks, making her look youthful, and fairy-like. Her lips were slightly pursed, as if she was right on the verge of sharing her thoughts.

He could tell she was lean and tall by the way she sat, and he wondered there for a moment, why had Seamus not said what a beauty his sister was.

That would be a strange thing for a man to say about his sister.

He cleared his throat, for the woman seemed lost in a trance. She turned, suddenly, surprised to see him, her lips still pursed briefly. To see her face in full was an even greater shock. The features aligned so perfectly, and he really did feel as though he was in the presence of a fae creature.

“Forgive the interruption,” he said, stepping a bit closer. “I am Laird McDougall, Lucas Murdoch. Yer brother was a good friend to me, and I am very sorry to hear about his loss. He was a good man. Ye must be mournin’ him terribly.”

The young woman stood rapidly, and she squinted at him a bit and gave him a quick smile. “Ye are too kind, Laird. I am sorry that I dinnae recognize ye, but ye might have heard that me eyes are nae good. Would ye mind steppin’ a bit closer? I can see fine when the object is in front of me face.”

Surprised to have been so spoken to, he stepped forward dutifully, and her eyes followed his. She was looking up now at him, and now that he was closer, he could get an even better view of her sweet face.

“I am Caitlin MacLennan. I have heard much of ye from Seamus over the years. Please, ye must sit. Take some ale and refreshments. Mary, will ye bring some ale for our guest?”

“Yes, Miss,” the mousy-haired woman scurried away.

He sat in a nearby chair, and Caitlin gracefully lowered herself into the one she’d been sitting in when he arrived.

“I thank ye for comin’.” She folded her hands and then unfolded them, and he could tell that she was nervous, the way she looked about, searching for the woman to return.

He found that he couldn’t speak, and when she rose, saying, “I think I will check on her,” he finally found the words.

“Please sit, Miss Caitlin. I am sorry, but I think I am nae exactly sure what to say in such a situation. I have lost me parents, and so I ken grief very well, indeed, but it is a different thing entirely to see it in another person. To have the right words to say to another.”

This time, she smiled at him, and it reached her eyes, even if there was still the mark of sadness in her expression.

“Ye seem to understand people quite well, me Laird. I have nae heard someone say it in that way before. Aye, I think ye are quite right.” She folded her hands more confidently now in her lap, and Lucas knew he had to say what he came to say.

Thankfully, the ale came, and he was handed a cool clay mug. He took a sip, thinking over his words for another few seconds before he began.

“Many years ago, I made a vow to yer brother, Miss Caitlin.”

“Ye may call me just Caitlin, me Laird, if ye like. Ye meant so much to me brother after all.” She smiled again, and he felt an odd fluttering in his chest.

No one had ever invited such intimacies before, and he found he wasn’t quite sure what to do with them. While he still lived with his grandmother who loved him and he loved her, there was not much other kindness he could see in the world.

“Well,” he continued after clearing his throat. “Ye will come and live with me now that ye have nay one here to live with in this house. Ye will come and live in McDougall Castle as yer brother would have wanted. And ye will be under me protection.”

He drank his ale then, and he stood, knowing that he’d dispatched his duty, and all that was left was for the young woman to prepare herself and join him on the journey home.

She looked at him, a furrow forming between her light brown brows. “Ye are very kind, Laird, but nay. I willnae be comin’ with ye.”

Lucas nearly dropped the mug in his shock.

Caitlin wanted to laugh when she saw the laird’s shocked expression. She had lived with a man for many years, and even though her brother loved her, he’d always expected to be listened to. Men often thought that way. But she was on her own now, and she had to stand strong. She needed to stand strong. What she didn’t need was for the laird to take her under his wing now that she had no need for financial help.

Now that her brother was gone, she had been given everything. All the money, the house, everything. She would be able to remain quite comfortable for the rest of her days, even if she was just on her own.

“What do ye mean, nay?” he asked, his initial solemn yet kindly demeanor vanishing rapidly. “I said that ye will come with me to the Castle. I have a duty to perform.”

“Which I respect highly,” she said quickly, keeping to her seat.

Her gaze remained on his face because once it had become clear to her, she couldn’t look anywhere else. Caitlin was not a woman who’d had much experience of the world, but she did know when a man was beautiful. And Laird McDougall was. She wondered why on God’s green earth had nay one in the village who’d seen the man mentioned it?

It was as if he’d been carved from marble, his every feature perfect, the lines hard and strong. His eyes were the same black as his hair, and power radiated all through him. He was tall, muscular, yet lean. If ever she had to choose a man who looked like a laird, this would be exactly her choice. There was a strength in him but at the same time, a sort of coldness.

But he is nay goin’ to command me.

“But I wish to remain here, in me home. I have been left Seamus’ money, the house, everythin’. I thank ye for yer kindness, but I daenae need yer charity.”

“Charity?” His cheeks flared red as he stepped closer to her chair.

She swallowed. Never before had she been in such close proximity with a man besides her brother, and her brother, naturally, had never made her feel as though her insides were turned out. Like her heart was thumping so wildly, it might burst from her body.

In a cold, firm voice, he said, “It is nae charity, but duty. Perhaps ye daenae think it of me, but I dae ken a few things about honor, as yer Laird, and I willnae allow me honor to be fought against.”

His eyes were boring into her own, and she could sense that he hoped to frighten her. She could imagine many being frightened by such behavior, but she smiled.

“I daenae wish to offend. But certainly ye can see, Laird, that I am well here. That I wish to remain where I am comfortable.”

His eyes looked about the room. “Ye would refuse the comforts of a castle for this?” His tone was so mocking that Caitlin’s cheeks flushed red with fury.

Never had she felt such anger before. It coursed through her suddenly like hot iron in her blood. Even if she had been given privilege now with her brother’s change in career, she had grown up poor, and even poorer after her parents had died, leaving two children to fend for themselves.

“It doesnae become ye to mock yer own people, Laird.” She lifted her chin. “We may have humble lodgings, but I am nae ashamed of where I have hailed from. Where I have begun. There are many who have it far worse than I do.”

He scoffed but he did not move. “Daenae attempt to change the subject that we are on, Miss Caitlin. Ye are comin’ with me, and that is final. I have traveled all this way, and I am nae leavin’ without ye.”

This time, he leaned over her chair, his hands on the arms, his face close to hers. Caitlin’s mouth opened a little, and her breath came fast. He was attempting to be fearsome, and yet all she could think about was how she could see some green flecks in his eyes. It softened him somehow.

“Ye will come to the Castle with yer Laird, or I will bring ye by force. Now,” he pushed back, and Caitlin could breathe again. “I will wait. Pack yer things, and we will be off.”

He turned and left, slamming the door behind him.