Page 18 of Claimed Highland Brides

HARSH REALITY

They rode into Dunavar that evening, feeling road-weary and relieved for the chance of a hot bath and to sleep in a clean bed. Fiona was exhausted and just wanted to get to a bed and sleep the night away. Tomorrow was soon enough to face her fate. Her heart sank when she saw her uncle waiting at the door of the castle, his arms folded, face dark like thunder.

Daividh alighted from his horse, surrendering the reins to a waiting groom. He walked up to her uncle and bowed before gesturing toward her. “As ordered, I have brought Miss Fiona tae ye.”

Her uncle puffed air noisily out of his nose, his face twisted with anger. “What took ye sae long? What did ye do? Dawdle in the middle? I told ye this was urgent!”

Daividh pursed his lips but said nothing. Fiona slid down from her horse. “We came as fast as we could,” she called, even as the laird’s chest heaved with anger. “Your soldier did not even let us tarry even one night at Braenaird even at gloaming. So gonny nae shout sae loud at him. It isnae his fault.”

Her uncle narrowed his eyes at her. “Is that any way tae speak tae me Fi? Sae disrespectfully?”

“Ah’m sorry, Uncle. I dinnae mean tae insult ye.”

The laird nodded curtly and pointed inside. “Go on wi’ ye and powder yer nose. I mun’ speak tae my soldier.”

Fiona hesitated, looking from Daividh to her uncle. “We came as fast as we could, Uncle Donn. We dinnae tarry. Truly.”

“I believe ye. Now gang.” He inclined his head behind him and Fiona went, following a rotund woman dressed in a white apron and cap, who kept up a stream of chatter as they went. She pointed out various chambers as they passed: the great hall, the parlor, the hall to the kitchen. “Are ye familiar wi’ this place? I havenae seen ye ever since I was retained as a housekeeper.”

“Nae, Uncle Donnchadh usually came to see us at Braenaird. It was easier frae him since he dinnae have any bairns.”

"Ach welcome to ye then." She turned and smiled before opening a door to a chamber where the massive four-poster bed was already turned down and a wooden tub was filled with steaming water. Their bags stood waiting at the foot of the bed. "If'n ye need aught just call out. A body will be nearby."

"Aye thank 'e." Fiona gave the woman a smile as she backed out of the room and closed the door behind her. She whipped around, eager to be out of her gown. "Help me wi' th' laces."

Julieta hurried forward to undo her stays and then rubbed at her reddened skin to sooth it before helping her into the bath.

"Aahhh!" Fiona leaned back, closing her eyes and relaxing. "I needed this." She sighed.

"Aye," Julieta agreed quietly. "’Tis been a tiring trip."

"Mmmm."

* * *

"Where were ye?" the laird demanded, glaring daggers at Daividh.

"As the lassie told ye⁠—"

"Dinnae be smart wi' me Campbell! I dinnae appreciate it at all. Ye were tasked tae be here by yesterday. What was the delay?"

Daividh shrugged. "’Tis not so simple traveling wi' women. They require rest stops more frequently. They get tired. We cannae go as fast as wi' a regiment."

The laird narrowed his eyes at Daividh. "Ye seem disturbingly familiar wi' my niece. Ye havenae been overstepping yer bounds, have ye?"

Daividh gritted his teeth. "I dinnae ken what ye're implyin' but I dinnae appreciate it."

The laird stepped closer, thrusting his face close to Daividh's. He looking up now. "Go canny there laddie. Ye dinnae want tae play me frae a fool. Ye willnae like the consequences."

Daividh lowered his head and stared straight into his eyes without blinking and didn't say a word. He knew he could not reply to the Laird. All he could do was look at him.

The laird huffed pointedly and then walked away, his shoulders stiff and his gait jerky with anger.

Daividh watched him go before turning and heading to his own quarters, his mind churning.

* * *

A knock on the door woke Fiona up from the nap she'd been having in the bath. Water splashed on the floor as she sat up suddenly. Julieta also sat up from where she was resting on the bed.