Page 17 of Highlander’s Evil Side

Chapter Eight

Beitris

Beitris awoke the next morning. The sun shined through the open window, blinding her sight with blurry spots. She stared at the window in confusion, wondering how it changed from one wall to the next, until she reminded herself she was no longer in Gordon Castle but with the MacClery Clan. With a wince, she pushed herself from the bed and threw the blankets from her body, looking around the neat and immaculate room. A subtle wind caressed the curtains, billowing them inside while the day’s attire rested on her trunk, neatly folded.

She supposed it would be best to break her fast with the MacClerys given that soon she would be their mistress. Thankfully, her father had agreed to stay with her for the next week to ensure she adjusted to her new home well. She sighed while picking up her dress, frowning as she wondered what the day would bring. The other day was absolutely tiring, and she didn’t think she could suffer through any more indignities and misinterpretations. The feast had ended well, though, she thought with a nod. Her father seemed to like Fraser, and she had returned to her rooms with no more than a kiss on her hand and a good night from her future husband.

After dressing, she briskly strode down the corridor, her brows pinching together while she tried to remember the way to the hall. She thought she memorized the steps the night before, but it had been dark.

“A little lost, are ye?”

Beitris jumped and whirled around, her eyes widening on Fraser, who smiled back at her. His gaze softened as he stopped before her. “This place can seem like a maze sometimes.”

“Aye, so it seems,” she murmured while looking away from him. It was still difficult for her to separate the man from the garden and the laird standing before her. They were so similar in looks, yet their mannerisms were completely different.

“Did ye sleep well, my lady?” Fraser asked politely, making her wonder if he was trying to ease her nerves.

She nodded. “Aye, I did, my laird.”

“And yer quarters are to yer liking?”

Her lips lifted into a soft smile. “They are extravagant. Thank ye for thinking of my comfort.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

They continued down the corridor in silence. Beitris’s heart fluttered as she tried to think of something to say. She worried why he had been near her chamber until she recalled the night before when he offered to place soldiers outside her door. Glancing his way, she noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

“Were ye guarding my door?" she asked, her voice filled with shock as she watched his lips move into a smirk.

“Perhaps,” he said. “Was that inappropriate of me?”

“Highly,” Beitris said sternly. “Weren’t ye supposed to ask the guards?”

Fraser sighed. “Sadly, many of them have their own duties to attend to. And a whole lot of them were a wee ill from the feast last night. I asked my captain, Scott, to guard yer door for a few hours, and then I took over perhaps three hours ago.”

Beitris stopped. “Three hours ago?” she said, louder than intended. “Why would ye do such a thing?”

Fraser shrugged. “I want ye to feel safe here, Beitris.” The way he said her name made her insides flutter, and she shyly looked away from him, no longer able to take the intensity of his gaze. He looked upon her as if he truly cared, not at all like the man who attacked her.

Beitris stalked past him, feeling determined to get to the hall before she made a fool of herself again. “Ye shouldn’t sacrifice yer sleep for me. I’m sure ye have much more important matters to attend to.”

“Yer important, as well, Beitris."

Beitris ground her teeth, hating the heat in her cheeks and the small tingle of joy surfacing within her. She still needed time away from Fraser, but her future husband was making it very difficult to dislike him. He had been attentive the night before, and now he was ensuring her safety and comfort. It still means nothing, she told herself. This was a marriage made only for political gains. Even if she could come to trust Fraser, she would never have the kind of love Hendry and Peigi shared.

All thoughts of Fraser left her as she paused at the bottom step, watching in horror as the Gordon soldiers moved from in and out of the keep with her standing in front of the great hall. A deep scowl settled on her father’s face while he gripped a letter in his hands.

“Father,” she said while rushing towards him. “What is happening? Is everything—”

“I must go, daughter.”

Beitris could feel her blood running cold as her father refused to meet her eye.

“I’ve received news of brigands moving and invading the Gordon villages in the South.”

Beitris gasped. She reached for her father, clutching at his arm, yet he still refused to look at her. “Assuredly, the others can handle it. Yer too old to be—”

“I must offer aid where I can.” He placed a hand on hers, but Beitris wasn’t reassured.