Page 50 of Highlander’s Mercenary Lass

Paton's eyebrow slid up. "Why?" he asked.

Grace regarded him coolly. "Because there wilnae be any. Nay any marriage, either."

Paton stared. "But—"

"But nay, Paton," said Grace, determined. "I cannae do this. It's nae my place tae become lady o' the clan any more than it is yer place to be laird." She looked at him witheringly. "So I think we should just do what's best an' leave it."

"But, Grace, ye promised!" Paton called after her. But it was to no avail. Without waiting to hear more, Grace clambered atop Sparkle—with some difficulty. She was just about to ride off when Paton flashed his gray eyes at her.

"Ye might want to rethink that, lovie," he said in a somber tone.

Grace didn't listen. She was prepared for a lecture and knew well enough to ignore it. She was just navigating Sparkle down along the green hillside when Paton drew something out from under his cloak.

Grace froze. For a moment, she thought it was a dagger. But then the ancient counselor produced a rolled-up scroll, which he proceeded to unfurl.

"Here," he said mysteriously, pushing the manuscript toward her.

Grace ignored him and pushed by on Sparkle.

"Nay?" said Paton, a nasty sneer coming to his nose. "Well, ye might want tae beware of yer sisters when ye return tae the castle..."

Slyly, he arched an eyebrow upward again, this time holding it like that until Grace reluctantly dismounted and walked down to him.

"What are ye talking about?" she asked when finally up against him. "Why should I do that?"

For not the first time, Grace felt queasy. There they were, all alone on the hillside, the only two for miles around. Anything could happen.

Instinctively, she shuffled away from Paton and stood aloof on the hill.

Smoothly, Paton eyed her. "Och, I dinnae ken, maybe because otherwise yer sisters an' brother might kill ye first?"

Grace paused a moment, her heartbeat in her mouth. Then, she laughed.

"Nay," she said, under her breath. "Nay, nae them. No one's going tae do that."

But Paton was ready for her, handing her the scroll. "Aye, they are. Ye should read this. Yer sisters are under orders from their mother."

Grace took the scroll, completely dumbfounded. "Mother?" she asked unsurely. "But she's dead!"

Paton's gray eyes twinkled. "Aye, but she left her clear instructions tae get rid o' ye as soon as possible."

"Nay, that's fannybaws. I've met the lasses, ye remember, an' they're nae going tae kill anyone! Ye've got it wrong, Paton."

"Read it, Grace," Paton urged her, pressing the manuscript into her palms.

Grace's eyes scanned the document feverishly. Unfurling the scroll, she read it closely. To her surprise, it was true.

My darling bairns, ye should all be vigilant o' the firstborn bairn, a bastard lass from the Kennedy clan. She risks stealing yer birthright. Dinnae let her. It's up to ye to stop her, by any means necessary... even if that means slaying her...

Grace's eyes widened. Paling, she refolded the scroll before handing it back to Paton.

"It cannae be true," she said limply.

Paton smiled grimly. "It can, an' it is," he said softly. "Ye’re in danger here, at this clan. An' in fact, the whole clan is in danger because they will attack ye when ye least expect it. So ye see, my dear, marrying me is the only way out of this!"

"Nay," said Grace, her voice wobbling. Inside, she was shaken. She hadn't been expecting this. Was there any way out of her seemingly inevitable marriage to Paton?

"Nay, it cannae be true," Grace repeated, but bit by bit, her resolve crumbled.