Page 25 of Falling for His Cousin’s Betrothed

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“Could there be a more unlikely combination of guests?” asked Robert to himself as the quartet ventured along the cobblestone path that led to the castle entrance. Laila, feeling pushed and pulled in several directions, wanted only to escape once again the castle. This time forever. She wanted to forget about Robert, Alastair, her stepmother, Abigail, her uncle, and everyone who was involved in this situation.

“What can we do for you tonight, my lady?”

Lyall’s doorway hands bowed when he entered.

“I’d like food prepared for the guests and a fire built in the study. Please ask that Renfrew be let outside and fed, as well.” Lyall looked around the foyer and smiled at Laila, who was simply lost in Robert’s amber eyes. What more could she ask for? Sure, she still had to contend with the chaos which was Alastair, but she knew deep within her heart that his arranged marriage would never stand the test of time, that by the powers that be, his wishes would soon be only distant imaginings.

“I shall see that your requests are honored.”

The doorway hands bowed in respect, then walked out of the foyer and into the hall. Alastair excused himself to use the washroom, and Laila’s uncle strode into the parlor where several art pieces donned the walls. As soon as Laila had ensured he was wrapt in his observations, she stole a moment and shimmied to Robert’s side.

“I’m so happy to be here even though earlier events might have suggested not making it here in one piece,” Robert said, and he glanced over at Laila.

Robert continued talking to Laila. “Laila, we can’t make a spectacle of your affections here, especially in your castle. Alastair is already angry and unpredictable. I do not want to even chance his threshold for aggravation.”

“I know, Robert, but he’s off with my stepmother,” Laila scoffed. “And I will take any opportunity I can to let you know of my feelings. Besides, that man…” She tossed her head back and rolled her eyes. “He’s purely mad.”

“These are truths we now mutually understand, but I still want to take no chances with the man’s short fuse. We need to be thoughtful with our behavior.” Robert cleared his throat when he heard the washroom door open. Alastair returned to the foyer, his face, earlier red like a tomato, now pink like a gumdrop.

“I must speak to you about that uncle of mine, too,” whispered Laila. “I am not sure what to make of him. I don’t think he’s, but as of late, it has become quite a challenge reading people’s intentions. He came and demanded from my stepmother the lairdship and he insisted on marrying Alastair.” Laila looked over her shoulder just in time to see Alastair striding toward her.

“Be careful, Laila. We cannot let these men hear you speaking about them, especially right under their own noses.” Robert frowned, frustrated with Laila’s brazen conversation. He realized she was likely spewing whatever she could, hoping he would listen with undivided attention, but it was nearly impossible to do so with Alastair and her uncle only feet away. “And to be perfectly honest, my own memory has been failing me the last few days, probably as a result of the attack.” He didn’t want to be held responsible for forgetting anything important she might tell him.

“I’m impressed with your art, sir,” Robert said to Laila’s uncle, Laird Fairfax , and continued to survey the foyer, the hallway, and the corridor that led to the study.

“Thank you, my lad.” Laird Fairfax felt at once proud and bewildered.

“I have prepared food for your guests,” said one of the kitchen hands. Laird Fairfax and Lyall nodded, then gestured for the three to follow them down the hall. Once everyone was seated at the table, Robert walked out into the hall to study the paintings that he had observed earlier. Laila, eager once more for any moment she could take, rushed out to his side.

“Robert, I want to stay here with you. Please, don’t make me leave with that curmudgeon of a cousin you have out there. I’ll do whatever it takes,” she pleaded.

Robert sighed. “Woman, I want to be with you as well, but we cannot be so foolish right now. Alastair already has it out for me. He thinks I have it all in life and that he’s left always with just a pittance. We need to be smart about this.”

“I have never felt this way about a man.” Laila looked up at him, her emerald eyes melting him, and grabbed his hand. “I don’t care what my uncle thinks. Let that man be whoever he is, but let me be who I am, too.” She looked at him with such longing it took all of his willpower not to embrace her. When Alastair cleared his throat for attention, Robert walked further away from Laila and sat down at the table.

“Everything going well here?” asked Alastair when he, too, sat at the table.

Robert nodded. “All’s well, Cousin.” He eked out a smile, and Laila stared at the water pitcher that the kitchen hand set on the table. She wished she could just leave now if Robert weren’t going to give her the attention she wanted, but there was nothing for her to do except be patient.

“Very well, then. I’d like to speak with you in private for a moment.” Laila watched as Alastair stood up and walked toward the hall. Robert, who was just about to pour water for his cousin, got up and followed behind him.

“May I ask what is going on?”

“I need for us to come to an understanding.” Alastair looked Robert in the eyes and clenched his teeth. “I don’t want any more quarrels over the lass, Cousin. But I need your word. I can no longer wonder what is happening between the two of you.” He placed his hands on his hips and frowned. “Perhaps you aren’t pleased with the arrangement, but this is how it turned out, and you have no right to stop it.”

Robert nodded, acquiescing.

“Let it go, Cousin. She’s mine.” Alastair looked threatening and Robert knew that if pushed, there would be trouble. “And her uncle over there is on my side. We’ll have you bumped off if we need to, Cousin.”

Alastair meant business, and Robert wanted no part of his latent wrath.

“Come, let’s eat! I’ve got some delicious meat, aged cheese, and port wine ready for the taking!” Laird Fairfax was yelling from the other side of the room.

Robert started thinking. If it meant that he couldn’t with Laila, then for now he would accept that. What else could he do? The fates had their plans, he assumed, and he would have to wait out the rest of the future. After a brief toast to a bountiful harvest, they took part in a meal that was as amicable as expected under the circumstances. Afterward, they ventured outside, where Alastair and Robert had to prepare to journey back toward Glencoe Valley.

Before saying goodbye to Robert, Laila looked up at the moon. She wished she were free, but she couldn’t change tradition. She would marry a man she loathed. How fair was that? She shook her head, mounted the mare, then walked on. The air was crisp, beckoning a new season. She looked once more at Robert’s eyes, lowered her head, then slowly waved goodbye.