Page 27 of A Laird and a Healer

“I dinnae think that would be appropriate. After all, yer wedding night is meant for yer husband,” he prowled towards her like a panther.

She inched back on the bed, clutching the sheets with a tight grip. Ryan leaned forward. His breath was soaked with wine, and his eyes flashed with intent. Two powerful arms stretched down and pressed into the bed beside her. Caroline’s heart pounded and breath rushed out of her lips. Her skin flushed with heat as this was all happening so suddenly.

“What’s the matter, lass, are ye afraid?” he whispered.

His lips curled into a vicious smirk. Her arms trembled. All she wanted at that moment was to slap him across the face, but she feared the repercussions. She gritted her teeth together and tried to force the fearful tears back.

Ryan leaned forward to the point where his lips were barely an inch away from hers. His warm breath touched hers, and she flinched. Then, he laughed and backed away.

“Dinnae worry, lass, I’m nae gaeing tae force myself on ye. I hae enough for now. Ye are a Knox. Everything else shall follow in time. I will keep yer sisters safe in order tae ensure yer loyalty.”

“This is nae keeping them safe. This is keeping them prisoner! Ye promised tae protect them. Ye are nae honoring our agreement.”

Ryan’s eyes flashed again. “I dinnae need tae honor an agreement with a Gilmour.”

“And how would yer clan feel about that?”

“If ye like, we can march downstairs, and I’ll say this directly tae them. I dinnae think ye realize how people view ye, lass. A Gilmour means naething tae us, nae does their word. Rest well, Lady Knox, and we will speak more about the future taemorrow.”

Before Caroline could say anything else, Ryan left and shut her in the room. Caroline screamed bitterly and pounded the pillow. Even though Ryan had left the room, his presence was overwhelming, and she could not sleep.

But at least she knew her sisters were safe.

The following day, Caroline awoke with a determined zeal. When breakfast was brought to her, she marched towards the door, ignoring the maid and looking towards the guard.

“I am gaeing tae see my sisters,” she announced.

The guard look dumbfounded. “I hae orders tae keep ye here.”

But something Ryan said the previous night had given her an idea. She may have been a prisoner in this Keep, but that was not all she was.

“I am the lady of the clan, aye?” she said, taking hold of the tartan belt that wrapped around her waist.

The guard looked down at it, and then back at her. There was a troubled look on his face.

“Aye,” he agreed reluctantly.

“Then I’m sure ye will agree that as Lady Knox I am afforded certain rights. Ye are under my command.” The guard began to speak, but Caroline raised a hand. “Dinnae worry, I am nae gaeing tae order ye tae dae anything that will displease the Laird. In fact, he may be pleased with ye for escorting me through the Keep. If ye refuse me, then ye will be gaeing against tradition. Take me tae my sisters,” she said with a mask of confidence, not entirely sure it would work.

But the guard wilted, and Caroline enjoyed this small semblance of power she wielded. She had given up a lot for Ryan, but perhaps she had gained enough in return that she could use to her advantage.

Chapter 12

Caroline was overwhelmed by emotion when she embraced her sisters. She closed her eyes and buried herself in their embraces as she checked them over.

“Are ye well? Hae ye been hurt?” she asked.

“I want tae ask ye the same thing,” Nessa said.

They assured each other that they were fine. Caroline glanced awkwardly at the door.

“I cannae stay here for long, but I wanted ye tae know that I am well, and that I will nae let anything happen tae ye,” she promised.

“But what about ye? What happened last night? Did he come tae ye?” Tara inquired, her voice hitching and her eyes widening in fear.

Caroline lifted her head proudly. “I am handling Laird Knox. He wants many things from me, but he may find that having me as a bride is more troublesome than he thinks. I am nae gaeing tae let him hae everything as easily as he would like. I am still a Gilmour, and I will nae sacrifice my clan. But ye must be strong. He is gaeing tae make things difficult for ye. I will dae all I can tae make things better for ye. But please cease yer bickering. I know that ye can get on each other’s nerves, but while we’re here it’s important that we all work taegether, even if we are separate.”

“But I’m scared. I dinnae like tae think of ye with him all the time.” Tara squeezed Caroline’s hand in a tender gesture.