They stopped once to eat the food they had been given beside a stream, and Eliza took the opportunity to wash her face andhands, then stood up and stretched her back, which had begun to ache from sitting in the same position for hours. When she straightened up and turned around, she found that Duncan was staring at her quite openly.
She glared back at him, but he did not shift his gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she demanded.
“I like looking at beautiful women,” Duncan replied. “Is that a crime?”
“Of course not,” Eliza snapped, “but it is very rude—or does every man in Scotland do this?”
Duncan laughed. “I knew it! You think we are all savages.” he said. “We’re not, Eliza, we are just normal, red-blooded men, and you are in no danger from me, I would never harm a woman.”
Then he stood up, and once more they climbed onto the horse. “Not long now.”
After another hour or so, Eliza saw in the distance a large, sprawling building with many square towers and crenelated walls sitting on top of a hill about a quarter-of-a-mile away from her. Even from a long way away she could see that it was a mighty, formidable fortress, and as she looked at the man who owned it, she could see that they were well suited.
Duncan Sinclair was large and intimidating too, and she could imagine him standing at the portcullis with a broadsword, his fiery red hair blowing in the wind, staring down anyone who challenged him.
She dismissed the fantasy as he said, “This is Lennoxburn Castle, the seat of the Sinclair Clan, and from this moment on, you must obey every word I say, Eliza.”
Eliza imagined that he had suddenly grown bigger as he drew his tense body up to its full height, shoulders back, chest thrust out. His eyes looked into hers with cold authority and the certainty that his word was law.
“I am the master of this castle, and there must be no doubt in anyone’s mind about that. I will not be undermined. Understand?”
Eliza had been about to protest indignantly that she had a will of her own, and she would not take orders without question, but looking into his fierce eyes, she knew it would be better to stay silent.
As well as that, she remembered how Duncan had shielded her and kept her safe in the shelter of his body and his arms at great risk to himself, and she nodded slowly in acquiescence then said nothing.
They passed through the huge oak gates and Duncan helped Eliza to dismount, then briefly spoke to a man she gathered was his Captain of the Guard to explain what had happened to the carriage.
The man was short and middle-aged, with a distinct air of authority about him, and he smiled at Duncan as he turned around, then saluted.
“M’Laird,” he said pleasantly. “Welcome back. Ye survived, I see.”
Duncan laughed. “Yes, Jerry, I did, but the carriage was not so lucky—two spokes of the back wheel broke on a bad road. I have had to leave it in Weirmouth, so organise a party to collect it tomorrow. I want six of our strongest men and the two biggest horses. It’s quite a long way, so leave at dawn.”
“Aye, M’Laird,” the Captain said, saluting again.
His glance flicked past Duncan to Eliza, and he bowed, but he asked no questions.
They walked down a broad passage, and every servant whom they passed bowed to them—or rather to Duncan, Eliza thought. They looked at her with complete disdain. Had they heard she was English? She had not said a word since she entered; they must have heard her talking to Duncan.
Presently, they entered a huge room where several men were seated at a long table. Eliza thought the door would leave its hinges by the force Duncan used on it. Many of the men rose to greet Duncan, shaking his hand and wishing him well. They looked questioningly at Eliza, but waited for an introduction from Duncan.
“I have had a long and tiring journey today,” Duncan announced, frowning and wiping his forehead. “So I am adjourning this meeting until next week.”
“But, my Laird!” A tall, dark bearded man stood up. “You have not yet set the terms of your marriage to Lady Drummond. Laird Drummond will be furious.”
“Aye,” one of the younger men agreed. “Laird Drummond is going to be here soon, and he is not going to be thrilled to be kept waiting.”
Duncan glared at him and the young man looked away. “Who is the Laird of this castle?” he asked. “Because when I last looked, it was I. Laird Drummond calls when I say so, not the other way round.”
He swept his gaze around the men at the table and said, “There will be no marriage to Lady Drummond. This—” He pulled Eliza to his side. “This is Lady Eliza Tewsbury, daughter of the Earl of Harwick, and I have chosen her to be my bride.”
“Wait!” one of the other men protested. “Harwick? She is English?”
“Aye, she is.” Duncan looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Remember, we have made peace with them now. Some other Lairds of my acquaintance have married English women, andthey are, by all accounts, very happily wed. Sassenachs are not all evil.”
“You mean to pollute our clan’s almost pure Scottish blood with tainted English stuff?” The man’s voice was incredulous and indignant. “The clan will not stand for that, My Laird!”
There was a murmur of agreement, but Duncan moved towards him and looked down at him threateningly.
