Ava barely had time to run up to Thora and wish her goodbye too.
“Why all this haste?” Ava whispered to Thora as they clutched hands, Thora’s horse already moving off to follow the others.
“I wish I kenned,” Thora murmured. “Some things I can see, me friend, other things are black as night. All I can see now is that Kai is determined. I shall see ye soon.”
“Safe journey.” Ava bid her friend to take care and look out for Kai, then she let their hands drop between them.
It was a horribly lonesome moment as she stood there in the snowy courtyard, staring at the distant shadowy figures of her friends departing as behind her, she heard the merry music of the pipers who were celebrating Yuletide. Their happy song merely made her sadder still. She swallowed uncomfortably around a lump in her throat, missing Kai, even though he had barely left.
“There ye are,” Laird Grant’s voice called to her.
Ava didn’t turn around to greet him, though she heard his footsteps racing toward her. He looped an arm around her waist, so possessively that Ava had to force herself not to shrug it off. It was different when Kai was possessive. She felt safe with him, sofor him to take her in his arms was the most natural thing in this world. For Laird Grant to do the same was very wrong indeed. She was as stiff as ice in his arms as he turned her toward the keep and led her into the great hall.
“Ye are being missed at yer faither’s own feast. Come, see how many happy faces there are this evening. Yer family and friends are all gathered tae celebrate this Yuletide. Even yer sister is smiling for us this evening.”
As Ava stepped into the great hall with him, she sought out her sister. It was true that Lyla was indeed smiling as she talked with friends and sipped wine freely. Something in the sight was heartwarming, making the ache in her chest for missing Kai all the worse.
Aye, I want Kai back, but what purpose would that serve?
Her mind ran so fast, thoughts came and went like a galloping horse. Even if she rode after Kai and told him that she was completely infatuated with him, that her heart was his if he wanted it, what then? Kai had never spoken of wanting to get married. He was a rake. She knew his reputation. He was just as likely to kiss her and thank her for her kind words, then continue on his journey home, making plain the fact that marriage was completely off the table.
No, if she had hope of keeping Lyla smiling, of keeping her safe from the man that pursued her so desperately, then Ava had to marry a man who would offer marriage. She had to show interest in Laird Grant.
Turning to face him, she looped their arms together, though she couldn’t quite summon a smile as hard as she tried.
“It is a lovely celebration, aye.”
“Aye, and everyone who matters tae ye is here.” Laird Grant’s words made her bristle as they walked through the great hall, though she tried not to show it on her face. “Now, come, I have a surprise fer ye.”
As the music halted at a command he made with his hand, she was sure that he was about to begin the complicated dance they had rehearsed together so arduously. Distracted, she compared the feeling of Laird Grant’s and Kai’s hands on her. It was no surprise whose hands she would have rather felt, but he was no longer here.
Pointlessly, she looked around, as if Kai would appear between the people and come to dance with her instead.
“If ye’d all listen and pause in yer merriment, I have an announcement tae make, a question tae ask, and I cannae think of a better moment tae make it than here in front of ye all, and before a man I respect so much.” Laird Grant’s words captured everyone’s attention as he bowed toward her father sitting at the top table above a platform.
The way Finley was smiling in the most ridiculous ways hinted to Ava what was about to happen even more so than Laird Grant’s words had done.
Wait… Thora thought Laird Grant was going to ask me a question. Is this really the moment he’s going tae choose tae dae it? In front of everyone?
Every soul was listening. Tankard and cups of spiced claret had been lowered, as eyes fixed on the pair of them.
“Now, Lady Ava.” Laird Grant turned to face her and adopted a smile that was easy and charming, though it had one flaw in Ava’s eye.
It isnae Kai’s smile.
“Since I met ye, ye have stunned me with yer fire, yer kindness, yer demureness–”
At his words, Ava breathed in sharply. She was certainly not demure, not in her heart. Had all her acting and attempt at seduction persuaded him to believe she was something she was not? “Nae tae mention yer skill with a blade.” He winked at her good-naturedly, prompting many to chuckle in the room. “That is why I can think of nay other lady I’d rather spend me life with.”
Ava’s mouth turned dry as her breathing quickened. Was this not everything she had been working towards for so many weeks now? Was this not the way to save Lyla from a terrible future?
“Would ye dae me the honor, Ava,” he paused, reaching into a pocket of his tunic and pulling out a golden band, studded withrubies. The ring swung from a golden chain that he presented toward her. “Of being me wife.”
Finley stood from his chair and toasted the air as if she had already said yes in his eagerness. So much so that Lyla caught his arm and prevented him from saying anything just yet.
An overwhelming disgust and horror overtook Ava as she stared up at Laird Grant. This was not the man she wanted to marry. This was not the man she wanted meeting her at the altar. It was certainly not the man she wanted to give her body to, to be explored by as Kai had explored her that night in the kitchen, to be kissed by him, to be held by him when she had nightmares…
Yet I have nay choice.
