Page 8 of Highland Dove

“I’ll bring them along with us on the trip.”

“It is too dangerous. Ye’d better stay here. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“Nay, dinna do it, Mari. The roads are dangerous and ye could be attacked by bandits on the road or even killed.”

“I have no other choice, Tillie. Eideard will never allow me to go back to our clan. I have to find out the truth because Hogmanay is in a sennight. The last thing in the world I want to do is to marry a man I truly despise.”

“Then at least take the gypsy with ye. Mayhap Malmuira will be able to tell ye if ye are in for trouble and then ye could hide if ye are.”

“Perhaps takin’ Malmuira with me wouldna be a bad idea,” agreed Mari. “Aye. I will ask for her help. No one will question her leavin’ the castle. And while she’s with me, perhaps I can get her to read the cards and help me find Duncan.”

“Mari, are ye sure ye really want to do this?” Tillie’s brow wrinkled. “After all, if Malmuira says Duncan’s dead, it is goin’ to crush ye.”

“Aye, it will,” agreed Mari. “But if she tells me he is still alive, then it will give me hope that I can spend the rest of my life with the man I love.”

Things were going as planned until right after the meal when Eideard raised his hand in the air to get everyone’s attention.

“Listen to me,” he said, making Mari look up in question. “I’d like to announce my betrothal to Mari.”

Mixed mumbles went up from the crowd.

“Mari, please stand up and join me.”

Mari did so, not realizing what was happening until Eideard waved his hand and a priest came to the foot of the dais.

“What is this all about?” she asked, feeling a sickness in the pit of her stomach.

“We’re gettin’ married . . . now,” said Eideard.

“Now?” Her eyes shot open wide and she could barely breathe.

“The guid priest will assist us in sayin’ our vows and, tonight, ye shall be my wife . . . in every way.”

“Nay!” she cried, gripping on to the edge of the table. “We’ve just gotten betrothed. It’s too soon. It’s too early. We have to wait.”

“There’s no need to wait. Now, please proceed,” he told the priest with a nod of his head.

In total shock, and not sure what to do, Mari looked out at the sea of faces while Eideard repeated his vows. Then it was her turn and, before she knew it, the priest was telling her to say I do.

“Nay,” she told Eideard through gritted teeth, glaring at him in disgust. “This is no’ right and I willna do it. I will never become yer bride.”

“Keep yer voice down, wench,” said Eideard from the side of his mouth. “And I think ye’ll change yer mind just by lookin’ over at Baldair standin’ in the far corner.”

Her eyes shot across the room to see Eideard’s henchman holding on to Duncan’s mother. Emmaline looked horrified and tears dripped down her cheeks.

“What is he doin’ to her?” she gasped.

“He’s got a blade to her back,” said Eideard under his breath, smiling out at the crowd as if everything was fine. “If ye refuse to marry me, I will give him the signal and Duncan’s mathair will die because of ye.”

“Nay! Ye canna do that,” she cried. “Please,” she begged. “Dinna harm her.”

“All ye have to say is I do, and her life will be spared. The choice is yers, Mari. But if ye refuse me, her death will be on yer conscience, no’ mine.”

Mari looked back at Baldair and, this time, she saw the blade in his hand, glimmering in the light of the great hall. Emmaline’s eyes begged for Mari’s help. There was no way she wanted to marry Eideard because she loved Duncan. But if she refused him, an innocent woman would die.

“Ye are wretched, and ye willna get away with this,” she hissed.

“And who is goin’ to stop me?” he asked with a chuckle. “Yer precious Duncan?”