Dugald followed Jamie, and still no retainers came near them. The two lairds sat at the laird’s table, Dugald beginning to think he might not have walked into a trap after all.
“I must welcome you, your first time here,” Jamie said congenially after the ale was served and they were alone again.
“I never thought to set foot in this castle,” Dugald replied gruffly.
“You wasted no time getting here, however.”
“Did you think I would?” Dugald’s eyes narrowed. “How much, MacKinnion?”
Jamie sat back and looked thoughtful. “I cansafely say you canna meet the price I would set for her.”
“So this was a trap!” The old man rose, furious. “No less than I could expect from a MacKinnion!”
“Sit down, Sir Dugald, and hear me out. ’Tis your daughter’s honor you are bargaining for.”
Red-faced, Dugald took his seat. “I want to see Sheena.”
“You will, after we have settled her future.”
“We?How dare—?”
“Come now, Fergusson. Were you no’ determined to settlemyfuture when you had me as your prisoner? The situation is only reversed.Youdidna ask for ransom. The condition for my freedom was to marry one of your daughters.”
“So what is it you want now, MacKinnion?”
“I want Sheena,” Jamie said simply.
Dugald’s face turned redder, and his eyes blazed. “You canna have her!”
“Ah, well, but you see Idohave her,” Jamie said calmly.
Dugald seemed to crumble. It was true. He looked away. “Did you…have you…harmed her?”
“She’s no been harmed or dishonored here, Sir Dugald. If she’s no’ a maiden, it wasna my doing.”
“My Sheena isna like that!”
“Thatis in need of debating,” Jamie replied coldly. “She has been away from you for some time. You canna know how she has conducted herself during that time.”
“You say so, yet you still want her?”
“I do.”
“Why have you brought me here?” Dugald demanded abruptly. “You already have Sheena at your mercy. Was this to torment me? Will you be telling me now all the things you’ll do to make her suffer?”
Jamie chuckled. “You’ll have to forgive me, Sir Dugald. I suppose I have been a bit vindictive in no’ telling you ’afore now that I want Sheena for my wife.”
It took a moment to sink in. “Your wife?” Dugald sat back, stunned. “But you said you’d no’ marry one of my daughters.”
“I know what I said.” Jamie cut him off. “But you didna offer me this daughter.”
“Because I wanted a special man for her, someone I could be sure wouldn’t mistreat her.”
“And you thought I would? You surprise me, Fergusson. I may have been your enemy from the day I was born, but I am still a man who can appreciate a beautiful woman. Your daughter is more than beautiful. Mistreat her? I want only to make her happy.”
Dugald stared hard at Jamie, trying desperately to see the truth.
“Does she want to marry you?”
