Page 50 of Claimed Highland Brides

“Looking for my bride.”

“But...ye cannae...she isnae…” The girl shook her head as if lost for words at his breach of propriety. Which was laughable if what he had heard of the girl was true.

“I require to speak wi’ her at once.”

“She is indisposed sir. Unable to leave her bed.”

“Then I shall go in.” He reached for the knob and turned it even as she shouted.

“No!” Her hand was on his arm and she was pulling him away. “Ye’re nae allowed. I shall fetch my uncle if’n ye continue to act in this brutish manner, sir!”

The girl’s chest was heaving with affront, her wide eyes gazing at him in anger. It would have been amusing if he were not so incandescent with rage. “Ye will have yer sister present herself to me in the parlor in one hour, d’ye hear me?”

The girl nodded, moving to block his way should he try for the door again. He was surprised that Lady Fiona had not come to see what the commotion was about. Perhaps she was truly ill.

“One hour,” he threw over his shoulder as he walked away. He could hear additional footsteps and the rise of piping voices as he rounded the corner and concluded that all the sisters were gathered to commiserate on his boorish ways. He gritted his teeth, hands fisted, and made his way to the dungeon to see about the warrior.

* * *

Daividh opened his eyes as a shadow darkened the doorway of his cell. He was unsurprised to see that his visitor was Laird Hunter. He sighed, straightening up, and stared right at him.

“Ye’re an impertinent one aren’ ye?” the man said as if he knew Daividh.

Daividh said nothing. He was surprised to hear a growl and lifted his eyes, squinting at the man, wondering if he was the one who had made that sound or Daividh just imagined it.

“Tell me, soldier, what gave ye the right to touch wha’s mine?”

“I havenae touched anyone.” On Fiona’s behalf, Daividh felt the need to protest.

“Oh? Then why are ye in here?”

“I dinnae believe that is any of yer consairn. Ye’re nae the laird here.”

Hunter sneered. “Perhaps not. But I do own him, do I no?”

Daividh stared at him in surprise that he would mention such a thing, and to him of all people. “I dinnae ken anything aboot tha’.”

“Aye, ye deny a lot of things do ye no? Weel, we shall just have tae see aboot tha’ will we no?”

“I suppose.” Daividh turned away, indicating his disinterest. The man could threaten as much as he wanted, but really, what could he actually do?

When he looked back towards the doorway, it was empty. Daividh sighed, shaking his head. He needed Simon to come and tell him what was happening above. How had Hunter found out about everything? Did McCormick tell him? Daividh could not see the advantage to McCormick of doing such a thing. He shook his head again and pulled at his shackles. He did not like feeling so helpless.

* * *

Padraig’s mood was not helped when, instead of Lady Fiona presenting herself to him like a perfectly obedient wife, it was Donnchadh who came to inform him that the Lady Fiona was confined for the time being and not up to seeing visitors. His tone was chiding, which annoyed Hunter even more.

“She is my bride-to-be. I have the right⁠—”

“Ye ken full well tha’ sometimes a woman cannae leave her chambers. Why must ye be unreasonable?”

Padraig turned away to avoid running Donnchadh through with his sword. After all, he still needed the man.

“Alrigh’ then if I cannae speak to her, I insist that ye gi’ me the soldier.”

There was a long silence behind him and Padraig was eventually forced to turn around, his eyebrows raised. “Weel?”

“What d’ye mean, gi’ ye the soldier?”