Page 68 of The Lady of Her Highland Clan

It seemed so ridiculous, he could not believe he was thinking it. Then again, so did the entire thing.

"Fraser has enough gold tae see the Greenock clan right," she said imploringly. For the first time since her revelation, Fiona looked him in the eye.

Waves of anger came over him. Inside, Clyde was conflicted. Just the thought of Fraser with her made him smart. But he could see from the look in her eyes that this was not what she wanted.

This did not make things any better for him.

"Nay, he hasnae that much," said Clyde. He knew his cousin was rich, but the idea that he could solve all the problems in the clan was laughable.

But Fiona was serious. Shaking her head, she distanced herself a little. Then she sighed.

"Ye ken when ye said ye didnae think he could steal any more from ye?" she asked. Her green eyes beseeched him imploringly. A cold, sick feeling ran through the pit of Clyde's stomach.

He already did not like what he was about to hear.

Glancing about the dank dungeon, he shivered. It was damp and cold. And in the short time he had been there, he had already picked up a nasty cough.

"Well, he was stealing from ye. Yer clan, that is. Och, Clyde, he has got all the gold. That is why ye couldnae do anything tae help the clan." Fiona's eyes gazed despairingly at him.

"He's planned this all along," said Fiona tearfully. "The double-crossing..."

This was hardly a revelation to Clyde. He had already worked out as much. The letter to Anderson telling him the clan was broke. It all made sense.

But one part did not.

"Fiona, so, why are ye marrying this man?" he asked, aghast. "What is he doing tae ye?"

Fiona smiled faintly. "It is for ye," she said. Clyde was plunged into disgust. He had feared as much. This was the last thing he wanted.

"It is the only way tae free ye," she said. Now she was trying to reach him with her eyes, cajoling him, but a righteous fury had taken him.

Shaking her off, Clyde sat stony-faced.

"Nay," he said. "I will nae let him..."

He spoke quietly, but inside, his stomach burned. He could not let this man take everything from him. And more than this, let him take her.

Clyde's guts churned. His palms were clammy. This wasn't even like last time. It wasn't even Fiona's free will that had made her choose Fraser. She was doing it for him.

And that would never do. Clyde scowled.

"Listen tae me, Fiona. Ye cannae do it. Ye get out o' here now, an' dinnae go anywhere near that man. He will hurt ye."

Tears still glistening in her eyes, Fiona shook her head.

"It's the only way, Clyde," she said. "I will think o' something."

Anger stirred in Clyde's belly. Despite the chains, he was standing up.

"How can ye? He has thought o' everything. Fiona, promise me ye will leave. It is nae worth yer life tae do this," he pleaded. "I cannae let ye give yerself tae this man!"

Her alluring scent swirled beside him. She was the one sweet smell in this horrible place. It pained Clyde to see her in here.

Waves of anger engulfed him. Yet when he saw her face, it was all he could do not to weep. He wanted to touch her so much.

"Fiona, ye cannae. It's irresponsible. Think o' yer clan, yer sisters, yerself!" he urged her, but even through his rage, Clyde could see her mind was quite made up.

Pressing her face lightly to his, Fiona kissed him. It was light and soft as a dream. Hidden urges overwhelmed Clyde, sending him burning in a frenzied haze.

"Please, Clyde..." she implored him. The taste of her kiss on his lips, Clyde was powerless to resist. Even so, he had not forgotten his impulses. "I need ye tae trust me. Can ye do that?"

Fiona's eyes met his imploringly. Clyde knew there was nothing he could do. Slowly, he nodded, running his fingers up and down her hair.

Then, he said, "I trust ye wi' my life, Fiona."