“Thank ye, da. But surely it isna time for dinner?”
“Nay, but soon. The MacGregor asked to meet ye in his study. Let’s talk a moment before we go down to him.”
Her heart leapt to her throat. On the one hand, she would get to meet the man in private, where she might get a better sense of who he was without the confusion of other people in the room. On the other hand, the importance of that meeting continued to weigh on her mind. And, too, had Will relayed his suspicions to her father about her and Jamie?
“Ye ken how important this match is to Fletcher.”
She heard something strange in his voice. Hesitation? Now that he’d spent several days with the MacGregor, did he have doubts?
“I do.” Caitrin straightened her spine. “Ye have mentioned it a time or two.”
Fletcher cleared his throat, causing the hair on the back of her neck to lift. Her father might be many things, but hesitant was not one of them. Why was he stalling?
“The MacGregor seems disposed to the match, but much rides on ye, lass.”
“How so?”
“Ye must be...circumspect. Behave as a well-bred young woman should.”
The hair on Caitrin’s neck flattened. Her ire rose instead. “Do ye expect me to behave some other way?” Her irritation was only partially feigned. Though he claimed not to believe in her talent, she suspected he didn’t want her exposing any of the MacGregor’s lies.
“Nay, lass.” Fletcher shook his head, color creeping up his neck. “I merely wish to remind ye to be, ah, sensitive to the role ye must play in ensuring the MacGregor will wed ye.”
Her blood started a slow simmer. She fought to keep her expression serene. “I ken my place, Father. My worth to the clan.”
“Now, daughter. I didna mean it that way. I’m making a ruin of this. If ye want the truth of it, the MacGregor drives a hard bargain. He must be pleased with yer appearance as well as yer deportment. He has said he willna wed just for a pretty face - which ye have.” He raised a hand and went on, preventing her outraged interruption. “But a wife to him must be obedient and meek.” He sighed.
“No’ my strong suit, eh, Father?”
Fletcher shrugged. “It hasna been up to now. I urge ye to practice patience. Watch and wait. Give the man a chance.”
Caitrin echoed his heavy sigh. What choice did she have? “I will.”
“That’s all I ask, daughter.”
“All? Ye have never stopped after one demand before.”
“Aye. There is another matter.”
She tensed, knowing what was coming.
“The Lathan escort. I’m disappointed the Lathan dinna come. I understand the man he sent and ye were friends while ye fostered there. Ye will keep yer distance. There mustna be any hint of impropriety. Aye,” he said, holding his hand out again to forestall her denial. “Will expressed some concerns.”
Caitrin ground her teeth and muttered, “That traitorous dog.”
“But he also gave the Lathan credit for saving ye from yerself.”
That surprised her. She thought sure Will had been convinced of a tryst between Jamie and herself. “He did. Once when I slipped, and again when I strayed too near a wildcat’s den.”
“And had ye no’ been wandering the forest in the dark, ye wouldna encountered such danger. What if she’d harmed ye? Clawed yer face? Do ye think the MacGregor would accept a bride with her features so marred?”
So we’re back to that. More the laird concerned the bride arrive undamaged, than the father concerned for the health and safety of his child. Caitrin pursed her lips, biting back the protest she wanted to make, aware that their privacy was illusory. Besides, it would do no good to antagonize her father now. She might need his support later, if the MacGregor did not suit her. Or if she did not suit the MacGregor. As much as Fletcher pinned hopes for the future of their people on this match, getting him to give it up would not be easy. She hoped, whatever happened, her father would stand by her.
On the other hand, she hoped Jamie would, too. Did the bond of their youth yet exist? It seemed so to her. But Jamie’s mind—and heart—were not so easily understood. Did his duty to Lathan, to Toran, rule him completely? If she needed him, would he support her?
At this moment, she could say only one thing. “I’ll do my best to win over the MacGregor, Father. I care for our people, too.”
“I ken ye do, lass. I’m merely fashed yer old friendship could sway ye away from yer duty to yer clan.” Fletcher lowered his voice, as though the words were hard for him to speak. “But I also want ye to be happy with the choice.”
