Page 22 of A Laird and a Healer

“Recently,” she replied. “And unexpectedly. My uncle hae taken the Lairdship and the clan. He is in charge now. It’s why I ran away. He wanted tae take me for his wife, and I was nae gaeing tae suffer that indignity. I know ye hae ideas about my Da, but he was a good man. My uncle is nae. I fear what he will dae tae the clan. I want it back,” she was suddenly seized by inspiration.

Perhaps there was more merit to Tara’s idea than she had first believed. Ryan wanted to get revenge on the clan, and the current Laird needed to be removed. The particular consequences could be resolved later, but if she could get Ryan on her side and use the might of his army to challenge her uncle, then she and her sisters would never have to live in fear of being chased by him.

“Perhaps if we work together, we can oust him⁠—”

The words were barely out of Caroline’s mouth when Ryan strode forward menacingly, completely overwhelmed by the force of his emotions. She was forced to scurry back and was pressed against the wall beside the window. In his haste, Ryan knocked the goblet of wine she had left on the table. The liquid sloshed out and spilled over the candle.

The flame hissed and flared for a moment, but then was doused, plunging the room into cold darkness. The only light source came from outside. It illuminated Ryan in a silver veil, and the shadows on his face made him seem even more monstrous. Fear shuddered down Caroline’s limbs and struck to the core of her body.

“I dinnae need an ally. I work alone. I am nae here tae dae ye any favors, Caroline. I hae planned my revenge for a long time, and I am nae gaeing tae miss my opportunity. Yer Da managed tae escape my wrath, but naebody else shall. I will take yer clan and crush it,” he hissed, lifting his hand and clasping it in a tight fist.

Caroline whimpered. Her knees went weak. It seemed as though she had traded one devil for another. However, she had not wilted in front of her uncle. She had taken matters into her own hands and fled. While that hadn’t worked out with Ryan, she still wasn’t prepared to meekly accept her fate, and she was not going to accept being treated like this.

Although she cowered, she kindled a flame of rebellion and summoned just a few moments of courage. Ryan might have thought he would walk all over her, but she wanted to ensure him that wasn’t the case. If he wanted a wife and an heir, then she was going to make him earn it. She wasn’t going to simply give things to him easily.

“I can play this game tae, Ryan. Ye cannae put yer boot on my throat and expect me tae dae yer bidding.”

“I expect ye tae honor the terms of our deal. Ye and yer sisters would hae perished if I hae nae protected ye. Ye hae already agreed tae be my wife, Caroline.”

“But I never agreed tae give ye an heir, or my clan.”

“It all comes as part of the deal,” he rasped grimly, and there was no sense of compassion in his eyes. He walked to the door and shoved it open with such force that the hinges screamed. “Thank ye for tending tae my wounds and sharing a most illuminating conversation, but it’s time for ye tae gae back tae yer sisters.”

He leaned out into the hallway and called for a guard. The monotonous stomping of boots replied immediately and soon enough a guard was there ready to escort Caroline back to her room. She was so stunned there wasn’t anymore to be said, so she exited the room, leaving the brooding Laird sitting in darkness with his thoughts and wine there to keep him in grim company.

Chapter 10

Caroline gazed helplessly at the windows and the doors leading to the outside. After learning why Ryan wanted to marry her, she felt more compelled to swiftly flee the Keep, not that it would have done much good. It seemed as though she was trapped in a loveless marriage, no matter where she ended up.

The guard led her through shadowed hallways and winding staircases to a small room. There was another guard stationed outside the door, who nodded and grunted as a greeting. This guard pulled out a key that was attached to his belt by string and opened the door. The darkness threatened to swallow Caroline whole. The other guard took her arm and pushed her in. Then the door was locked.

It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the lack of light. Because of their earlier attempt to escape, she and her sisters had been placed in a room without windows. They had been allowed a blunt candle, but the flame was already fading.

“Caroline?” Tara asked with hope in her voice.

“Aye, how are ye feeling?”

“Better now. The medicine hae worked wonders,” Tara replied.

“I’m glad tae hear it.”

“Is that what we’re gaeing tae talk about? After everything that’s happened? Caroline, we need tae finish our earlier conversation,” Nessa broke in, speaking sharply as always.

Although they had spoken a little about the situation earlier, they had not been able to speak freely because the healer had been around.

“There’s naething more tae say.”

“There’s everything tae say! Ye promised tae be his wife?” Nessa’s voice rose with shock.

Although Caroline couldn’t make out the exact expression on her face, she knew Nessa well enough to picture the incredulous form.

“I dinnae hae a choice! The bandits hae ye in their grasp and Tara hae been dragged away. What was I supposed tae dae? Be selfish and let them hae their way with ye?” Caroline yelled back, tension getting the better of her.

Tara whimpered at this, but quickly pushed herself off the bed and got in between Nessa and Caroline.

“Dinnae fight! We hae spent tae long fighting and there’s nae sense in it. We are nae gaeing tae accomplish anything if we’re fighting. We’re supposed tae be in this taegether. Instead of being angry with Caroline, we need tae help her get out of this,” Tara said.

“I can help her and still be angry with her,” Nessa replied sullenly. Caroline heard footsteps pacing around the room.