“Laird Deirdre, may I present Sister Eve.”
Deirdre’s appraisal was swift but thorough.She was obviously used to sizing up her adversaries with a single glance.“Sister.”
Eve could tell Deirdre was not impressed with her.And though she understood why, it rankled at her.This was not who Eve truly was.A cowering nun who jumped at her own shadow.A shrinking sister who turned the other cheek at any affront.A humble agent of God whose only purpose was to serve.
She was Eve MacAnndra.Merchant’s daughter.Outlaw.Irish noblewoman.Archery champion.She straightened her spine.“M’laird.”
“The sister seems to have some business with you, Ma,” Isabel said.
“Is that so?”
“Aye, m’laird,” Eve said, presenting the scroll.
Deirdre looked at it, but was in no hurry to take it.“What is it?”
“’Tis a marriage document.”
Beside her, Isabel let out a gushing sigh.“I knew it!I knew it had to be something romantic!”
Ian growled and rolled his eyes.He clearly didn’t share his sister’s love of romance.
Deirdre was more practical.“A marriage document between whom?”
Eve took a deep breath and forced herself to hold the laird’s gaze.“’Tis an agreement between Lady Carenza o’ Dunlop and…Sir Hew du Lac o’ Rivenloch.”
Isabel let out a squeal of delight.
Deirdre’s face turned to ice.“Agreed to by whom?Bythem?”
The laird had likely had enough of her offspring marrying whomever they willed.After all, even her own marriage had been arranged.
Of course, Eve knew the story.Everyone did.Lady Deirdre had tricked the bridegroom into wedding her instead of her sister.So in a way, she’d chosen her own husband as well.
Isabel intervened.“Would that be so bad, Ma?You let Gellir marry his ladylove.”
“Let?”Deirdre bit out.“Gellir was betrothed to Carenza.”
“But she didn’t love him, Ma,” Isabel said.“You know that.And he had no feelings for her.”
Deirdre’s response was a low growl that sounded a lot like Ian’s.
“’Tis a perfect match,” Isabel said.“Everyone loves Carenza, and she’ll ne’er break Hew’s heart.”
In light of Deirdre’s continued glower, Eve decided to disclose, “King Malcolm has already approved the marriage, m’laird.It requires only your mark and that o’ the Laird o’ Dunlop.”
Isabel clapped her hands together rapidly with excitement.“Another wedding!”
“Let me see,” Deirdre said, taking the scroll and scanning it.
Isabel grabbed Eve’s arm and squeezed it, biting her lip as she awaited the good news.
Finally Deirdre sighed.“Fine.It seems to be in order.I’ll sign it.But first, I want to know howyouended up being the bearer of such news.”
Eve was afraid of that.Now she would have to disclose the whole story and hope her nun’s habit would protect her from the laird’s wrath.
While Deirdre listened in stony silence, punctuated by Isabel’s gasps of wonder, Eve said she was a close friend of Hew’s.Hew and Carenza had fallen in love and were both heartsick when Carenza was betrothed to Gellir.Hew requested that Eve escort Carenza away from her wedding to meet with Hew.
“Escort?”Deirdre asked with a raised brow.“Or abduct?”
