Page 23 of Falling for His Cousin’s Betrothed

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It was dark when Laila arrived back home to the castle, and she was tired. Robert had bid her farewell about a half-mile down the road, so as not to cause a stir by the gatekeepers when she arrived. She had walked inside quietly, not concerned with Lyall or Elliot, nor with Maxwell or Donegal. She was filled with optimism after her visit, and her heart was light with hope. Even though she would marry his cousin, she believed there was still a chance that could change.

“Lyall. The gatekeepers have called to let us know Alastair is heading up from the moat. You can come down to meet him in the courtyard.” Laila had just risen from a deep sleep and was brushing her hair by the window. She felt rested and hopeful. Even though she didn’t much want to spend the afternoon with Alastair, she figured there were certainly worse ways to occupy her time.

“I’ll be down in a while.” Laila opened her cherrywood wardrobe and chose a white tunic with a velvet sash. She paired it with a long red skirt and a pair of leather boots. It felt good to get dressed for the day, even if it wasn’t going to be spent with Robert. She had gone to bed the night before with thoughts of him on her mind. She loved the way he smelled, the way his arms felt around hers. Why was it such an ordeal to be with the one she loved?

“Laila!” Lyall called up the steps. “Alastair is now in the foyer.”

Laila rolled her eyes and pulled her hair back in a twist. “I’m on my way.” Laila tied her bootlaces and walked out of her chambers, down the hall, and toward the steps. She could see from the light filtering through the stained glass that it was sunny outside, and it gave her reason to smile. Maybe she and Alastair would be able to ride along the fox hunt grounds if the weather held out for them through the afternoon. She hoped they would at least do something just slightly entertaining. The last few weeks had been so demanding on her psyche that she wished for a reprieve in the form of a casual excursion.

“Hello, Alastair.” Laila smiled when she opened the door. Lyall stood in the foyer, watching like a hawk, her every move. Laila ignored her and walked outside, her face bright and her spirit high.

“I’m feeling like this would be a fine day to take a stroll, to get to know one another.” Alastair took her hand as soon as they were outside of the castle gates. Laila thought of Robert and sighed.

“Yes. That would be a fine idea, Alastair.” She didn’t want to come off as rude, although, at this point, she was also feeling slightly aloof. Every time she told herself she was going to have a good attitude about her pairing, something crept up inside her that made her feel resentful and alone.

“I’ll have to make sure you listen to what I tell you. It’s only proper for a woman to know her place.” Alastair laughed after he spoke, and Laila frowned. Know her place? Since when did he think he controlled her?

“I beg your pardon?” Laila looked at him, then turned away to face the valley. He only grunted in response. For a moment, Laila wasn’t convinced this was the same man who had only days earlier invited her and Robert to his castle. There, he’d been full of dignified conversation, subtle compliments, and open mirth. He’d seemed, although rather unattractive, still approachable because of his words and behavior. What had happened? She walked slowly now, wondering what other rude comments might dribble from his trap.

“I find women are much like livestock. You just need to know how to poke them right.” Laila couldn’t believe her ears. She covered her mouth in disgust, then shook her head and pretended she hadn’t heard him. He laughed to himself and grabbed her arm after they’d reached the wooden drawbridge.

“After you left the castle, I decided it was time to reframe my expectations. I’m a man of honor, and I expect to be treated righteously.” Laila wasn’t sure where he was going with the conversation so she simply walked and listened. “You seemed to think I was a lowly pushover, a mouse who only runs back and forth in search of its food. But you were wrong, Laila.” He stopped in his tracks and moved in close to her face, his toothless grin more apparent than ever.

She gulped, then cowered. “I’m not sure what your point is. I have no desire to disrespect you.” She cocked her head and kicked a stone.

“I disagree.” He reached for a stick and smacked it on the dusty ground. Laila now realized there would be no leisurely stroll, no gallivanting across the fox hunt meadow, no stone skipping by the riverbank. She didn’t think she needed to fear for her life, but she wasn’t sure she would be able to maintain a façade if she were truly forced to marry this troll. She backed away, but he only moved closer.

“You can’t be an incorrigible human toward me.” Laila, in a moment of defensiveness, placed her hands on her hips and decided to stand her ground. “Lyall believes I’m out getting to know you, sauntering along the town with my soon-to-be husband!” She made an exaggerated, sweeping motion with her arms and laughed. “If only she could hear the filth spewing from your mouth.” She shook her head and walked away, but he grabbed her arm before she got even a quarter of the way past the bridge.

“You stand no chance of escaping me.”

“If I can’t escape you, I can at least walk on the opposite side of the path. No disrespect in doing that.” She turned up her nose and folded her arms across her chest. Couldn’t one of the ancient muses of yore come save her? Why did she have to sustain the relentless onslaught from his dirty mouth? Did he speak this way to Shelley when he was at the castle? she wondered, then walked a few paces ahead of him once more.

“I’ll have to find a way to temper this one,” Alastair muttered under his breath when Laila strutted away from his side. “Don’t go too far, lass!” he called as she moved further away.

What will he do? she asked as she strode along. How can I possibly marry such an ogre? She didn’t know what she would do, but she knew she’d have to come up with a plan.

“I’m heading to a lady’s house,” she called, feeling obligated to tell him where she was going. If she didn’t, who knew what sort of tasteless diatribe might ensue from her disappearance? With that in mind, she figured she might as well be upfront and honest. “I must pick up a sachet of tea.” It sounded like a good enough excuse, and, after all, she wasn’t yet married to him, so she did still have some semblance of freedom. She knew Lyall would disapprove of her having been taken off away from him, but it mattered little to her now. All she wanted to do was get to Morven’s house so she could find some relief from his tongue.

“I expect to see you back at the castle later this evening. I’ve already told Lyall of my plan,” he called to her as she made haste in the other direction.

“Ugh.” Laila rolled her eyes and started to walk faster. As luck would have it, Morven was out back when she arrived, cutting flowers from her garden.

“Back so soon, Lady?” She smiled and set down her clippers. “I wasn’t too sure if I’d see you again after you were whisked off into the Scotland sunset with that dapper gentleman.” She smiled and handed Laila a rose.

“Thank you, Morven. I’m truly depressed, though. It is all so very complicated, and I wanted to talk to you about it.”

“Depressed? Complicated? Pray tell because based on when I saw you last, those are not words I’d use to describe your feelings.” She sat down at her wooden table and tilted her head.

“Oh, Morven. I’m being arranged in marriage and not with Robert. It’s awful, really. I’ve been slated to marry this horrible creature named Alastair. I don’t even recall how it all came to be. My mind is so awash with resentment and dismay.” She proceeded to tell her about the forest adventure and the details surrounding his wound and his horse. Morven listened with intent interest, as any true friend would, then she leaned back and shook her head.

“I think you need to find a way out of the marriage, but I’m not sure how you can do it.”

“I’m not sure, either. But now I’m worried that even Robert might be a horrible man if he’s anything at all like his cousin. Hopefully not, for he seemed so genuinely kind and respectful in the beginning.”

“Perhaps you need a little time away from them both.” Morven’s suggestion was not a far-fetched one, but Laila knew deep down she still longed for Robert.

The two chatted for about an hour longer before Laila got up, rose in hand, and made her way back to the castle. Her heart was lighter having confided in a friend, but her mind was heavy, filled with thoughts about what may come. As the sun set on her back, she walked slowly to the gates and, once there, stared across the valley at the trees. Somehow, she’d find a way out of this. She would simply have to find a way.