Page 16 of Highland Ghost

“I wouldna think of it like that.”

“Well, how do ye see it, Ian?”

“I – I want more than anythin’ to break the curse, Caitlin. I dinna want this to continue any longer. It isna right.”

“And trickin’ a lass into marryin’ ye is? This is no’ right, Ian. Ye canna trick someone into marryin’ ye and then commandin’ that they fall in love with ye or else they will die. It doesna work that way. Ye dragged me into yer dark life of lies, no’ tellin’ me that I would be dead within two years’ time.”

“But, that doesna have to be that way at all. If we fall in love, the curse will be lifted.”

“And who is to judge if we’re in love or no’?” She was so angry with him right now that he swore daggers were coming from her eyes.

“Well, Sylvia and Bernard do that. But I’m sure any fool could see right now that it isna so.”

“I’m sorry, Ian, but I canna marry a man that I canna trust.” She got out of bed and started toward the door.

“Wait, Caitlin. Dinna go back to yer room alone. It might no’ be safe. With the ghosts and all.” He jumped out of bed to try to stop her.

“I’ll take my chances with the ghosts. It’s a lot safer than stayin’ here with a man who is so black-hearted that he decides my fate for me, without even tellin’ me that my chieftain has been deceived and signed away my life in makin’ a betrothal to ye!”

“I’m sorry, Caitlin. I honestly didna want to hurt ye. I’ll be sure to tell Storm MacKeefe that I’ll gladly back out of the betrothal.”

“If the ghosts dinna kill ye, Ian MacBain, I promise ye that my chieftain will for this stunt ye’ve pulled.” She left the room, slamming the door behind her.

Ian ran a weary hand through his hair, falling back on the bed with a deep sigh. There was a small knock at his door and he jumped up and ran over, thinking that Caitlin had returned. He ripped open the door to find his cousin standing there with a bewildered look upon his face.

“Ian?” said Finn. “Was that Caitlin I saw leavin’ yer room just now, dressed in naught but yer tunic?”

“Come in. And yes, it was.”

Finn entered, stopping and looking back at the open door. “Did ye two . . .”

“Nay. Close the door, and I’ll tell ye everythin’.”

A few minutes later, Finn and Ian both paced back and forth.

“So she’s really no’ goin’ to marry ye then?” asked Finn.

“Nay,” said Ian. They both turned and almost bumped into each other, stepping aside, and continuing to pace.

“Well, ye still have a chance to find another bride,” said Finn, acting like it was an easy thing to do.

“Ye ken as well as me, that it is never goin’ to happen.” Ian heard a noise and looked up to see a book from his shelf flying at him. He ducked, and the book hit the ground at his feet.

“What the hell was that?” asked Finn, jerking in surprise.

“I have a feelin’ I dinna want to ken.” Ian bent down and picked up the book. When he flipped it open, he saw another folded parchment inside it, just like the last one. “Damn. I think Sylvia is tryin’ to give me another message.”

“What does it say?” Finn peered over Ian’s shoulder as Ian read the note and shook his head, not able to believe his bad luck.

“If I am no’ married by midnight on the day I turn five and twenty, then I will die without ever bein’ wed,” stated Ian, shoving the paper back into the book, slamming the book shut and throwing it atop the bed.

“Ian, yer twenty-fifth birthday is in two days’ time, on All Hallows’ Eve. This is no’ guid.”

“Ye’re tellin’ me.”

Finn started pacing again. “Ye need to tell her the rest of the curse. Mayhap she’ll change her mind and marry ye if she kens ye are goin’ to die that soon.”

Ian walked over and stared out the open window. “Nay, I willna tell her. She already said she doesna want me. Besides, what does it matter?”