There was a flash in her mind. It was the memory of the man who had bent himself over her in the woods, gripping her, trying to force himself on her.
“Please, let go of me,” she demanded, twisting her wrist out of his grasp.
Laird Grant suddenly moved forward.
“What are ye – nay!”
She was backed up against the wall. Laird Grant still had her wrist and now held it above her head, pinning her in position with it.
“We are betrothed, arenae we? All this flirtation, all this suggestion… and nae a single kiss.” His other hand reached up and grabbed her chin. It was forceful, painful.
“Ye’re hurting me,” she growled out the words between her gritted teeth.
“One kiss, Ava.” He moved toward her.
“Nay – nay!” she tried to scream but his grasp on her wrist was so painful now, all she could think about was the ache and his looming lips.
“Release me daughter. Now!”
Ava froze, as did Laird Grant. They turned their heads in unison to the end of the corridor, where her father stood with Kai at his side.
When Laird Grant didn’t move, continuing to pin her against the wall, Kai moved forward fast.
“He said, release her.” Kai suddenly had hold of Laird Grant’s shoulders and he was thrown off. Ava stumbled against the wall, rubbing her sore wrist as Kai moved to stand in front of her.
A short distance away, her father shook his head, his face pale.
“That is me wife tae be,” Laird Grant declared with a laugh. “I will kiss her as many times as I wish tae.”
“Ye would force her?” Finley still shook his head. He raised his eyes from the floor and met Laird Grant’s gaze. “I offer tae giveye me daughter in marriage and ye repay that kindness that way…?”
“A wife is a wife, me laird. We all ken that women need tae be brought in line –”
“She is a woman, nae a pup at yer heels!” Kai roared, but Finley raised his hand, waving it at Kai and urging him to be quiet.
“This betrothal…” Finley gestured between Laird Grant and Ava. “It is at an end. I desire tae withdraw me offer before we go too far.”
“What did ye say?” Laird Grant’s voice became rasping as he stepped toward them. Kai straightened his spine, showing he would not allow Laird Grant to get any closer.
Ava couldn’t believe her ears. Could it be possible? Was her father going to release her from this nightmare after all?
“Ye cannae break this betrothal.” Laird Grant’s voice echoed off the walls. “Ye risk war tae dae so,” he spat. “I will bring me soldiers, me men, me whole clan tae fight ye fer her.”
“Ye would kill men? Fer what?” Finley shook his head. “Tae win a fight or tae force yerself on me daughter? Ye are nae a true laird. I am nae even looking at a true man. Take yer men and get out of me castle. Tonight.”
Laird Grant seemed to reel on his feet. His grey eyes shot to Ava. She didn’t let her spine slump but stood tall, refusing to be cowed by him in fear.
“Goodbye, Laird Grant. I trust ye willnae bring war on us fer this, but if ye dae, be warned…” Finley gestured to the ornamental sword at his belt. “We shall be ready.”
“As shall the MacLeods,” Kai seconded.
Ava thought she saw briefly a look of pride in her father’s eye. She thought he even may have been impressed by Kai, but then it was gone. It was replaced by the fury he angled at Laird Grant.
“Go,” he ordered, gesturing down the corridor.
Laird Grant walked away, though he repeatedly glared back over his shoulder at them all.
“Thank ye, Faither,” Ava whispered, her spine slumping at last as she capitulated against the wall.
