Page 80 of His Secret Highland Bride

Lindsay swallowed loudly in the silence that sat between them. What could she say to convince him? She decided it was best to just wade in.

“My husband is not here. And I’m afraid you have been misled, my laird. You see, Deirdre fled Cluny after stealing the clan’s funds. From there, she went to the MacColls and married their laird only to do the same thing, leaving them with nothing but empty coffers. And now she is here, most likely planning to do the same with you.”

“What madness is this? Do you think I don’t know the woman I intend to marry?” Any hint of pleasantness had fallen from his face. She couldn’t blame him. No one wanted to believe such things about the person they loved.

Lindsay may not have believed Shane planned to abandon her if she’d not heard him say it with his own lips. The pain of that memory sent a shiver down her spine. She pleaded with the MacKenzie laird. “I’m sorry, but you do not know her. Not the real Deirdre MacPherson.”

The man blustered about as the door opened. Joshua came in, asking his wife what she was doing.

“This woman thinks my Deirdre is planning to empty my coffers and leave me. She brings unbelievable tales about a diabolical siren who captured the MacPherson and MacColl riches.”

Joshua’s brows shot up as he looked to Meaghan.

Lindsay worried she’d risked her cousin and her husband by speaking the truth, but she couldn’t stay silent and allow another innocent clan to fall victim to this woman. Rather than go with Joshua, Meaghan came closer to stand next to Lindsay.

“My laird, I have seen the things she has purchased. The gowns, the jewels. It makes me question her intentions,” Meaghan said as Joshua gasped and begged the laird’s forgiveness for her accusations. But Meaghan wouldn’t have it. “What reason would Lindsay have to lie about such a thing? She only wants to warn you to save us from the same fate as her own clan.”

The man was looking at Lindsay now as if he was considering locking her up in the dungeon for heresy against his bride. It was a testament to how numb Lindsay’s emotions had become that she didn’t really care if she ended up in a cell. The man needed proof, and she had none. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t get it.

Lindsay held up a hand. “I have an idea—one that will allow you to know for certain if I am telling the truth.”

The laird dropped his crossed arms. “Go on.”

Lindsay quickly explained her plan, which flowed from her lips while she was making it.

“And you see, if I’m wrong, no harm will be done. But if I’m correct, you’ll have your answer.”

The man walked back and forth behind his elaborately carved desk. Finally, he nodded to Joshua. “I’ll write the letter. Tell no one else of this. Once we confirm this is untrue, I’ll not have my betrothed think I didn’t trust her.”

“Yes, my laird,” Joshua said before leaving the room.

“Now we will see the truth,” the laird said.

Lindsay nodded, wishing someone had been able to save her from giving her heart to someone who planned to toss it aside. Love was a treacherous wave that carried one far from the steady ground on which they’d once stood. She worried she might already be swept away to the sea with no land in sight.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Lindsay tried to control her breathing and adjusted the maid’s clothing she wore as she served the head table. Meaghan thanked her when she filled her cousin’s glass with more wine before shakily moving to her father’s. It was so like the man to not realize it was his own daughter who poured his wine. Servants were beneath his notice. He shoved in another bite of food as Lindsay moved to the laird next, then Deirdre’s glass.

Even if Deirdre had looked at her, she wouldn’t have recognized Lindsay, as the two had never met, but Lindsay was nervous.

As was the plan, the laird announced he’d sent off a messenger with an invitation to Cluny.

“I know you said they rejected your invitation, but I want you to have your family here for our wedding. I want them to share in our happiness,” he told her.

Lindsay watched as Deirdre’s face went pale.

“I told you I didn’t need them. I only need you.” It was clear the woman struggled to keep her annoyance reined in.

The laird smiled and kissed her temple. “I only want you to be happy, dearest.”

The quickness in the way the woman’s expression transformed was otherworldly. Lindsay thought perhaps she truly was an enchantress with the speed at which she shifted into the guileless bride.

“You make me happy. But I have a bit of a megrim and should like to go lie down.”

“Of course. I will escort you myself.”

“Nay. You have an important guest. Stay and enjoy the entertainment this evening with Laird Wallace. I understand Ranald will be playing. I do know how much you enjoy his talent.”