Chapter Five
“Ach, ye were tellin’ the truth when ye said that we werenae far from the castle,” Katherine said as they rode through the gates. “I thought ye were just sayin’ it to get me on the horse.”
The rain was still coming down in sheets, and the thunder was even louder now. It seemed as if the entire world was roaring around them. When Liam didn’t respond, she assumed that he couldn’t hear her.
I wouldnae put it past him to ignore me words even if he could hear me. If I’m to keep things polite between us, I willnae dwell on that.
Castle MacDougal was much more impressive than the castle she’d grown up in. Not only was it large, sitting on sprawling grounds with perfectly manicured gardens, but no parts of the facade were falling off. Above the archway that invited her tocome deeper inside, the MacDougal crest was carved into the stone.
She’d known from the amount he spent on her that her new home would be nice, but there was a level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that she didn’t think she would ever be allowed to experience firsthand. As they moved, her eyes darted from the gardener and his young apprentice who were meticulously pruning the bushes to the stable in the distance where more horses were grazing in the yard. Somewhere, hidden by the foliage, she heard children giggling.
Seeing this kind of money and community in person was a different experience from what she was used to entirely.
Katherine was so taken by the symmetrical towers on either side that she didn’t realize they’d stopped moving until Liam began to dismount. She shifted back, preparing to dismount herself. Still, she struggled to tear her gaze away from the intricate stonework.
“Lady Agnes!” a flustered woman’s voice called, finally forcing Katherine to get her head out of the clouds. When her eyes came into focus, Lady Agnes was hobbling toward them with a maid chasing after her. “Ye shouldnae be outside in the storm.”
“I was beginnin’ to wonder where the two of ye had gone,” she said, ignoring the servants and speaking to her grandson as he plucked Katherine from the saddle as if she didn’t weigh a thing. She took in the sight of the two of them, her eyes settling on Katherine. “Brimstone arrived just before ye did.”
Katherine exhaled, the tightness in her chest loosening into something softer. She wasn’t sure how Lady Agnes had known she was concerned about the horse, but she was grateful that she did. Perhaps it was the maternal instinct that women always spoke about. Regardless, at least now she’d be able to sleep knowing the stubborn animal was warm and dry.
“Excellent,” Liam quipped, waving the groom over to take his horse’s reins. As the leather passed hands, he continued, “Ye shouldnae be out in the rain. I daenae how many times I’ve told ye that yer attendants have yer best interest in mind.”
Lady Agnes said nothing, catching Katherine’s eye and giving her a private smile. Without causing any more fuss, she finally let the maid standing next to her, who looked increasingly flustered, guide her back inside. Another crack of lightning split across the sky.
“One of ye,” he continued, looking at two of the servants who had followed his grandmother outside. They seemed to stand a little straighter under his intense gaze. “Locate Tilly and bring her to the foyer. Katherine, ye will wait for her. She will take ye to yer chambers and get ye changed. Then ye will meet me in me study, aye?”
“Aye,” Katherine confirmed, wrapping her arms around her body. Now that her heart was beginning to return to a normal rate, the chill was creeping into her very soul. “Will ye be changin’ as well? Or will ye be attendin’ our meetin’ soaked to the bone?”
He looked at her, a flash of confused frustration flickering across his features. “I will go to me council and announce our betrothal. Then I will arrange the contract.” He looked away from her then, walking up the stairs leading to the elaborate doors. “Get out of the rain, Katherine. Ye’re nae good to anyone if ye come down with an illness.”
Right. I’m only here to perform whatever duties he’s yet to tell me.
She climbed the steps after him, lifting her dress so she wouldn’t trip on the muddy hem. Her shoes sloshed, water squishing out from the sides. Rivulets of rain tracked down her face, and her hair was stuck to her skull.
The fear that hadn’t truly gone away since her father told her she’d be sold flared up again as they passed over the threshold. She no longer looked at the castle with awe, instead feeling intimidated by the impressive architecture. For the rest of her life, she would have to obey a stranger, and she couldn’t yet tell if her new master would be merciful or if this place would turn into a cage.
Inside, he left her alone in the foyer. She stood in the middle of the room, careful to avoid the carpet spread over the stone. Water dripped from her dress, her long strands of hair, and her fingertips. A shiver ran through her again, and this time she was sure it was the cold rather than her body reacting to the enigma that was Laird MacDougal.
“Miss Katherine?” a soft voice said a few moments later. It sounded cautious but excited. Before she even looked at her, Katherine felt like she could trust her.
“Aye,” Katherine replied, turning around to see a small woman coming toward her with a thick flannel cloth.
“It’s a pleasure to meet ye,” the maid said, taking in Katherine’s state before deciding to sop away the water dripping down her forehead. Her touch was gentle, but the movements she made were confident. The care felt so personal that Katherine’s eyes nearly fell closed. “I’m Tilly. I’ll be takin’ care of ye from now on. Let’s get ye into somethin’ dry, aye?”
Katherine didn’t reply with words, letting the woman lead her away. It didn’t matter how unsettled Liam’s behavior and the impending meeting she was having with him made her; it seemed that there were kind people within these walls. They wanted her to feel welcome, and she wanted to believe she was.
And, as Tilly pointed out her favorite painting in the castle, she remembered the conversation she’d had with the other women at the auction. It seemed that she had already found a member of the staff who was on her side.
* * *
“I’m sure that whatever ye had to announce could have waited a few moments,” one of Liam’s councilmen said. He dragged his eyes over Liam’s dripping form, seeming genuinely appalled at sight of his muddied riding leathers. “Ye’re soaked.”
“I’m stoppin’ here before I change in me quarters, Harold,” Liam said, not bothering with taking a seat. He didn’t want to give them the illusion that this was anything more than an announcement. “It’s important we begin preparations now. I’ve chosen me wife, and our betrothal is set. Our bindin’ is to take place in three weeks’ time.”
“Is that so?” Harold asked, leaning back in his chair, pleased. He folded his hands in front of him on the table, his tone shifting to something a bit warmer. “We’re glad to hear it. I daenae think any of us were truly expectin’ ye to find a woman ye approved of.”
“Daenae be ridiculous,” Liam scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. He narrowed his eyes. “Ye kent that was me intent.”
