Page 54 of Never Kiss a Highlander

Knox growled, and Craig remembered that when the Gunns had visited the MacKay clan a few weeks before, Knox seemed tohave feelings for Helena. Laird Gunn withdrew his sword as did Knox and the five guards standing behind him. Craig heard the sound of his men drawing their swords. Craig raised his hands. "I doona come to just give ye bad news." He paused for a minute, then said, "I am here to take my brother's place."

Gunn stared at him, and if he was surprised, it didn't show on the man's face. As a good laird and warrior, The Gunn kept his thoughts to himself, and likewise from his face. He waved toward the keep. "We shall discuss this in my study." The men all returned their swords to their scabbards and followed Gunn and his men.

Craig realized he could be headed to the dungeon, but considering how adamant Gunn appeared when he'd requested a match between his sister and Robin, he was almost certain the laird was interested in hearing what Craig had to say.

At least he hoped his instinct was correct. He had no problem with him and his men fighting their way out of the keep if it was only Gunn, Knox and the guardsmen surrounding their laird, since the MacKay warriors were well-known for their success in battle, but taking on all the warriors at the Gunn fortress, getting away would be challenging.

They all trooped up the stairs and down another corridor to a large room at the end. Comfortable chairs surrounded a hearth with a small fire burning. Even though it was near the end of the summer, the older castles were cold even then.

Gunn's men and Craig's guard stood along the wall. Craig, Giles, The Gunn, and Knox sat in wooden chairs surrounding a well-worn table. "Now what is this about ye taking the place of the laird in the agreement we made."

Craig leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. "I am no' one to e'er expect to have this issue, but it seems Laird MacKay is in love with another woman. I ken, as does he, that hisduty is to his clan, but seeing the misery of my brother, I offered to take his place."

The Gunn stared at him, and then shook his head. "I doona understand foregoing yer responsibility for something as foolish as love. He could have made this lass his leman and carried forward on our agreement."

Giles stepped in. "Miss Ross is no' the leman type. She is currently residing at Dornoch Castle, under the protection of the Sutherland Laird. She spent almost her entire life there, being raised by her aunt. If The MacKay made the lass his leman—which I ken he was no’ likely to do—it would have brought down the rath of the entire Sutherland Clan."

Silence reigned for a few minutes while Gunn sat and stared at his fingers splayed on the table in front of him. He looked up and said, "Why should I agree to this?"

"Do ye want to find a husband for yer sister?"

The Gunn nodded.

"Do ye want an alliance with the MacKays?"

The laird folded his hands and leaned forward. "Aye. I ken all that, but breaking a betrothal agreement is an insult. How do ye plan to make up for that?"

Craig shrugged. "I am no' authorized to offer any recompense except to marry yer sister."

The Gunn was not stupid. He had to know if he sent Craig away with threats of a coming battle, it would be a foolish move. He might feel slighted, but he also wanted an alliance with the MacKays and turning down this offer was no' the best idea for him or his clan.

"This turn of events must be given time for me to consider it."

"If ye wish me to speak with yer sister, I am happy to do that. If she accepts my offer, it might ease yer mind."

The man actually threw his head back and laughed. "I care no' about Lorena's feelings or thoughts in this matter." Hethumped his chest with his thumb. "She is my possession and I decide what happens to her. She will do what she is ordered."

Any slight dislike Craig had for the laird turned into a very strong dislike. Robin had told him the lass had been beaten by her brother as well as her dead husband, Avery Gordon. How a man could take his fists to someone who is in their care and protection went against everything Craig believed in. He also knew that The Gunn had told Robin if he didn't marry Lorena he would marry the lass off to a brutal laird in a small clan in the lowlands. A man who already buried two wives who both died in 'accidents.'

The laird stood. "I expect ye to stay until I make a decision.”

Craig nodded. "Aye. My men and I will stay outside the castle."

"Nay," Gunn said. "Ye will stay in the castle. I will have a maid prepare a bedroom for ye and yer cousin."

He really didn't care for the sound of that. It was almost as if they were being held prisoners. Craig shifted in his chair, making sure his dirk was close to his hand. "We will stay outside the castle. There is no reason to deny our request. We arrived here of our own free will with an honest offer. We have no intention of fleeing and do no' wish to be treated as prisoners."

Knox leaned over and spoke to his father, low enough that Craig didn’t hear him. The man continued to stare at Giles and Craig. "Verra well. Ye can stay outside the castle until I decide."

Craig nodded. "I would request time to speak with Lady Gordon."

***

Lady Lorena Gordon stared at herself in the looking glass in her bedchamber. She’d seen the MacKays ride in a little while ago. So this was it. She was to marry Robin MacKay and spend the rest of her life at Dun Ugadale. There were no regrets in leaving Clyth Castle. She’d never been happy here.

Bluidy hell, she’d never been happy anywhere. When her mam and da died after their carriage slid off a bridge, plunging them both into the swollen river below, she’d lost the one person who had ever cared about her.

Her mam may not have been overly attentive, but at least she knew who she was. Once she collided with her da in a corridor when she was about seven years and he didn’t know her and shoved her away in annoyance, complaining about bairns running around loose in the castle.