Page 5 of His Forgotten Highland Bride

“I see.” He frowned. “May I ask, why is your horse so large? Is your father unable to purchase a fitting horse for a lady?”

She tilted her head to the side. “I assure you he is quite fitting for this lady.”

He looked her over and shook his head. “He is too large for you. And too spirited. You’ll be thrown to your death. I’ll get you something suitable.”

“Might I point out that if I am thrown to my death after the wedding, you’ll be free without needing to bother with the effort of forgetting me?” As soon as the words were out, she realized her error. She looked up into his horror-stricken face.

“You were listening?” His whisper was almost too low to make out in the busy hall.

“I—I happened by and overheard…”

“How much did you overhear?”

“Enough.” She shrugged. Hadn’t she been the one to suggest honesty between them? “I know it’s marriage or war with the Innes clan.”

“And what do you plan to do with this information?”

It was a fitting question. She’d been weighing her options as she was scrubbed and prodded into the image of a proper lady, and she’d come to no conclusions.

Telling her father would put an end to her marriage before they’d spoken their vows. They could be launched directly into war, and she’d be forced to wait for the next match.

And if none came?

She would stay here, trying to be someone she wasn’t and failing miserably.

Or…she could follow through with this marriage and move to the Grants’ stronghold where she might have the opportunity to find a home or make a family who’d like her for who she was.

The chances weren’t good, having heard how much her betrothed wished to marry Hannah instead of her. But he’d smiled at her moments ago, and she felt warmed by the sincerity in his eyes.

She let out a sigh and shook her head before answering his question. “I’m not sure yet.”

***

Ronan was married, though he still wasn’t sure why she’d gone through with it. But as Brenna smiled up at him with a wreath of flowers on her head, he felt a silly bit of pride that she had. She’d called herself plain, and while he’d thought of arguing the notion at the time, he had to agree with her. But she’d asked for honesty, so he hadn’t offered her flattery.

It wasn’t that she was unsightly. She was just rather ordinary. None of the features of her face stood out as bonny. But now, with the pleased smile lighting her bright, hazel eyes, he found she was not as plain as he’d initially considered. Next to her angelic sister, Brenna was subdued by the brightness of Lady Hannah. But here, next to him, with happiness lighting her from within and flora purposely twisted in her wild curls, Brenna was striking. It would be no difficulty to take her to his bed, which would be soon.

After their handfasting, the rest of the morning was spent in the hall celebrating with a moderate feast. Laird and Lady Innes spoke of their eldest daughter’s pending nuptials as if they’d be the year's festivities. Ronan wondered how his new wife bore it, having her special day overshadowed by her sister. But there she smiled as if nothing would mar this moment, knowing it was a collection of paupers compared to what would be done for Lady Hannah’s wedding.

He marveled at the strength to keep that smile in place, knowing what she’d heard the evening before. Shame brought heat to his cheeks as he recalled his grandsire’s recommendation to bed and forget her.

Ronan watched Brenna bubbling over in happy chatter as those closest to her rolled their eyes at her antics. Sympathy spurred defensiveness in his heart, and he reached for her hand.

“Shall we be on our way? We’ll want to get to Strathspey before dark,” he announced. It was true enough, but he wanted to leave for another reason—to get her away from these people who should have cared for her and so clearly didn’t. Not that he’d do much better, but at least he had a reason.

“Aye,” his wife answered. “I’ve already packed my things, and the trunk has been loaded onto the wagon.”

Not only had she stood up with him to become his wife, but she was eager to go to his home. He was amazed by her courage and saddened she must be so desperate to leave this place.

Her parents, while not patient, didn’t seem cruel. The sister seemed to take great amusement in embarrassing Brenna at every opportunity. Had he initially thought Hannah was bonny? Seeing her as he knew her after this short time, he found her lacking, even possibly lacking a soul. A better man would have encouraged Brenna to tell her father why his grandsire requested the alliance. But Ronan was not a better man.

It wasn’t only that a war between the Grants and the Innes clan would delay his plans to go to France with Shane, but that Ronan wanted to take his new bride away from this place that, for whatever reason, she was eager to leave. And then what?

Shaking off any thoughts beyond tonight, he escorted his bride to the bailey, where they’d say their goodbyes to her family. Their horses had been brought around. His large destrier, Merlin, was dwarfed by his wife’s Brimstone. Another gelding had been brought around, though Ronan wasn’t sure why. A tug on his sleeve pulled his attention from the horses to his wife, who was sheepishly looking up at him.

“You seemed to think Brimstone was too large for me, so I thought I would give him to you as a wedding gift.”

His eyes went wide at her generosity. Then his brows pulled together. Hasty as this union had been, he’d not gotten his wife a wedding gift. He’d not even considered it, as opposed to it as he’d been. But now, in light of her gift, he felt unworthy. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.