Chapter One
“Ye must stand tall and proud,” Katherine’s father growled, his grip tight upon her bicep.
“I ken,” she said, only keeping her patience because of years of practice and the promise that she would no longer have to endure the former Laird Morrison’s infamous temper. She kept pace with him, her chin held high. “Ye can let go of me. I can walk on me own.”
To her surprise, her father let go of her. They continued walking, both keeping their pace. She took a deep breath, savoring her first moment of freedom since morning. Then, fear overtook her again.
Aye, there’s a chance I’ll be sold to a perfectly suitable husband, but it’s just as likely I’m chained to someone even worse than the man I’m walkin’ beside.
The devil she knew led her through the gates of the courtyard where the auction was about to take place. Her emotions had fluctuated like a pendulum since she found out about his plans. Many women happily married because of moments like this, enjoying lives of luxury that Katherine hadn’t experienced in a long time. It could save her from the misery she had been living.
But it could just as easily damn her.
“Stay at me side,” her father ordered as he approached the man that Katherine assumed was in charge.
As her father spoke with him, she took a moment to take in the surroundings. It seemed as though she were standing in the middle of a sea of men. Their ages ranged from young to old, all of them watching the women with great interest.
She moved closer to her father, clutching her last remnants of anonymity. Though she wasn’t shy, it seemed foolish to walk into the chaos without knowing what she might face. Before being told she’d be placed in one, she’d only heard of auctions like this, and no one ever mentioned how she was supposed to behave.
Following the men’s line of sight, Katherine easily found the other women. They were all standing together near a guard whose eyes swept through the crowd of men. She heard quiet laughter, a joke shared among them.
They’re nae scared. Or… if they are, they’re nae showin’ it.
“Ach, ye heard the man, Katherine,” her father said, reaching for her arm again. She was quick enough to avoid being grabbed. “Go stand with the other women until it starts.”
“Aye, Father,” she said.
Before she could walk away, he stopped her. This time, instead of her arm, he grasped her hand. If anyone had been watching them, the touch might have been mistaken for affection.
“Ye ken how badly I need this money,” he hissed, squeezing her tightly, so she couldn’t escape. “And ye daenae want to keep livin’ in hovel, do ye?”
“Nay, Father,” she said, glancing at the Laird behind them. “I willnae do anythin’ to ruin me chances.”
“Perhaps ye can tone yerself down,” he said, finally releasing her. “Men prefer their ladies quiet.”
“Aye,” she said though she had no intention of doing so.
I willnae pretend to be someone I am nae simply to escape him.
Forcing herself to move with as much refined dignity as she could, Katherine approached the other women. Their gowns were so much nicer than hers with elaborate stitching and vibrant colors. It was quite clear that these were allladies. Notformerladies but women whose fathers were still in good social standing.
They daenae look as if they’re wantin’ for gold just yet. They’re just lookin’ for husbands.
“Another new face,” one of the women said politely, stopping the conversation. She seemed almost as if she were the de facto leader. “Daenae be shy. We’re just passin’ the time before the auction begins. I’m Annabeth.”
“I’m Katherine,” she said, stepping into the throng of girls. “I’m pleased to make yer acquaintance.”
“As am I,” Annabeth said with a genuine smile. “Did ye have to travel far to get here?”
“The journey wasnae too long. Just a few days,” Katherine said. “And ye?”
“It took us a wee bit,” Annabeth admitted. Then, her smile turned conspiratorial. “But just between us, I’m hopin’ I get to live near here. The sea isnae too far away.”
Another girl laughed and said, “Perhaps there’s a pirate lookin’ to take a wife here. Then ye could liveonthe sea.”
A wave of giggles worked its way through the women. Katherine felt herself relaxing more into the moment. It was difficult to feel uncertain when everyone around her seemed to be excited.
“Perhaps we’ll all be lucky enough to stay in touch after we’ve married our husbands,” Annabeth said when the laughter faded.
