Will I be safe, then, if I venture outside these imposing walls? Will I ever be able to take long walks, or go riding by myself, or indulge in any of the simple pleasures I’ve long since come to take for granted? Or will the rest of my days be spent in the safety of seclusion, or followed everywhere by armed guards?
Her heart sank even more at the thought of this, and she bitterly wished more than ever that she could simply turn around and ride home.
Since that was not an option, though, she supposed she had no choice but to see it through.
The Oliphant guards on the ramparts peered down at the procession. They had clearly been told to expect the MacDonells, but they hadn’t been prepared for the state Isla would show up in, and she saw their expressions become increasingly alarmed as she got closer. The way they whispered gravely amongst themselves, it was as if they were watching a condemned person being led to the gallows. They almost seemed hesitant to open the gates, as though they would have preferred to warn her toturn back and clean herself up before incurring the ire of their master.
Grown men, behaving like anxious children at the sight of mud on her clothes.
The sight sent an unpleasant shiver up Isla’s spine, and she wondered just how strict the laird was after all. She’d been prepared for someone who commanded respect, not utter terror.
Would he be the sort of man who terrorized her daily, then? Always nagging after her, actively searching for things to disapprove of so that he might bark orders at her and, in doing so, make himself feel superior? What kind of person was her father selling her off to?
Her trepidation was swiftly turning into actual dread.
But despite the guardsmen’s obvious anxiety, the gates swung open slowly, allowing the carriage and riders to pass through into the courtyard. One of the guards raised a horn and sounded a long and reedy note on it, no doubt alerting Laird Alex that his anticipated guests had arrived.
The horses and carriage came to a stop, and one of the Oliphant sentries obligingly helped Isla down from her mount—though, like his fellows, he was immensely taken aback by the sight of her. Elspeth was likewise helped out of the carriage, and she took her place next to her daughter, clearly humiliated beyond description and trying to invent some suitable excuse.
“Let me do the talking, for heaven’s sake,” Elspeth grumbled to her daughter under her breath.
That suits me well enough, Isla thought,for I doubt I’ll have much tae say tae the man once we’re face to face.
After a few more moments, the grand, tall, engraved wooden doors of the castle itself opened, and there was a hearty second fanfare from the sentry with the horn.
Laird Alex emerged. At first, Isla could hardly believe her eyes.
He’d been fair enough to look at as a lad, she supposed. She hadn’t been too concerned with boys at the time of their first meeting, but he had grown into a tall and strapping young man. His blonde hair was tied back with a length of leather, revealing a thick and muscular neck. His face remained clean-shaven—an interesting choice for one of his position, since many younger lairds tended to equate long beards as evidence of wisdom and strength, so they would not be viewed by their clansmen as baby-faced pretenders.
Clearly, though, Alex felt he had nothing to prove to anyone. And with his strong and commanding bearing, it was no wonder.
His eyes were far more focused and intense than they had been when he and Isla were younger. He had always seemed like a serious-minded boy,tooserious-minded, in fact, based on her recollection of how she’d tried to get him to play pretend with her, but now it seemed he had the keen perception of a hawk, peering all around him, looking for faults to pounce on and punish. It would certainly fit with everything she had been told about him.
Even though he was imposing and stone-faced, Isla had a difficult time denying to herself how attractive he was. Admittedly, when it came to prospective grooms, she could have been far less fortunate. He looked like some hero of mythology, a god from Greek or Roman tales, like Apollo. This impression was largely aided by the way the sunlight flashed in his yellow hair, seeming to make it blaze in a crown around his chiseled features.
No, she told herself firmly.Just because he has a pleasing countenance does not make him a worthy or appealing husband, and I must not lose sight of that. It changes nothing about his character. He is still the sort of man who is comfortable with essentially purchasing a wife of convenience, and therefore not deserving of my respect.
Besides, no matter how her baser desires flared at the sight of him, she still had the wedding night to worry about.
The closer he got to her, the more deeply he frowned, taking in her appearance. It was clear that he was enormously displeased.
“Laird Alex,” Elspeth began, lowering herself in a deep curtsey and scowling at Isla for not doing likewise, “we are honored indeed tae be in your presence again after so many years. Please allow me tae apologize for the woeful state of my daughter’s dress. She meant nae disrespect, I assure you! She merely, er, rode her horse through a patch of mud, not realizing it was there. Needless to say, we had no opportunity to clean her properly or change her clothes before our arrival. I am deeply sorry.”
The young laird sized Isla up again sternly. “I see. Well. We had, naturally, planned tae greet you with a dinner in your honor… however, under the circumstances, it might be best tae postpone such an event until the morrow, when you’ve had a proper chance tae make yourselves presentable.”
“Oh, there will be no need tae change your plans on our account, I assure you!” Elspeth insisted with a nervous laugh. “We wouldn’t wish tae put you out in any way! We will be ready in time for dinner, have nae fear on that score!”
But Alex’s expression was as stoic as that of a statue, and he shook his head decisively. “It will be tomorrow. Until then, I invite you tae rest and settle in. Your guardsmen will be quartered and fed, and meals shall be carried up tae your rooms this evening as well. I will greet you at breakfast.”
He gave them a stiff bow, then turned and walked back to the castle’s entrance without another word.
Elspeth remained silent as the servants showed them to their guest rooms. Once those servants had departed, however, andwere out of earshot, Elspeth raged at Isla: “Do you see? Your silly little pranks have already jeopardized this union!”
“If a bit of mud is all it takes tae ‘jeopardize this union’...” Isla began sardonically.
“No!” her mother snarled. Her teeth were gritted, and her eyes were blazing. “You have been told that Laird Alex has exceptionally high standards, and that those standards must be catered to in all things! You have been told that to earn his displeasure may doom this marriage, and that the results will significantly harm the members of your clan!When, Isla? I beg of you, when will your pig-headed selfishnessend?When will you think of someone other than yourself for a change, and do what is expected of you as the daughter of a laird?”
“I am not a child,” Isla retorted hotly, “and you cannot treat me like a bloody child, expecting me to do as I’m told without question!”
