Page 12 of Tempting the Highland Captive

“Aye, I wish tae wed ye,” he stated bluntly, with no question to it. “With yer faither gone, ye will need a man tae keep ye and the clan safe. I am the nearest man o’ station, my lands connecting tae yers. ‘Tis the only way tae protect yerself and yer clan from the wolves at the gates.”

“I will nae wed ye! Ye are the biggest wolf at the gates!” Amelia was flushed with fury. It took all her strength not to pull the sgian dubh from her skirts and plunge it into his heart for even suggesting such an alliance.

“The lass is already wed,” Lucas growled, stepping between Amelia and Rossell once more.

“Nae, she is nae. Ye have but tae look at the lass tae ken that she is still a virgin.”

“Lady Amelia is wed,” Father Jacob announced from his seat at the table. “I performed the wedding myself.”

Rossell’s mouth set firmly into a scowl. “I dinnae believe ye.”

“Are ye callin’ a priest a liar?” Lucas demanded, his voice booming through the hall in accusation. Grabbing Rossell by the front of his shirt, he slammed him against the wall, placing his dirk at the man’s throat.

“Nae, I would nae impugn the honor o’ a priest,” Rossell stammered, realizing that he had gone too far. Had Amelia’s father still been alive, Rossell would have been killed on the spot.

“Lucas,” Amelia spoke his name softly, but firmly, and he let Rossell go. “My apologies for yer wasted journey, Rossell, but as ye can see, we have important clan business tae discuss and would prefer tae mourn my faither in peace.”

“Aye.” Rossell straightened his shirt. “I can see that.” He scowled up at Lucas, then turned his eyes to Amelia. “My offer o’ marriage still stands.”

“I am wed.”

“I see nae husband.” He spread his hands out to encompass the elderly men in the room.

“He is serving the king and will return at His Majesties’ leisure,” Amelia lied, holding his eyes in challenge.

“I see.” Rossell eyed her suspiciously. “Well, should ye change yer mind or this husband does nae return, my offer stands.” With that he turned on his heels and strode out of the castle, giving one last warning look before disappearing completely.

The mariner snorted and crossed his arms over his chest as if to say that his point had just very much been proven. Lucas turned and barked orders to his men to make certain that Rossell left the clan’s lands and to post extra patrols in case Rossell tried to steal away a bride by force in the night. “All he wants is the land and its wealth,” he grumbled coming to stand beside Amelia once more. “He, like his faither, does nae care about anything or anyone else, but that.”

“My apologies for the interruption.” Amelia turned back to the elders, smoothing her features into a calm façade.

The eldest and wisest among the elders cleared his throat and arose shakily to his feet with the help of a cane. “Yer husband should have received word o’ yer faither’s passing by now, lass, if the ship bearing the news did nae flounder. We will grant ye a bit more time, but mark my words, lassie, our enemies will nae be so patient.” He motioned to the door where Rossell had just departed for emphasis. “Six months without any word as tae his health and wellbeing does nae hold. Ye must provide proof that yer husband is still living and nae dead on the battlefields o’ the Americas or choose a new husband from here among the clan’s warriors. Men such as Rossell dinnae wait verra long.” The men around the room nodded in agreement, then arose and filed out of the hall like a line of solemn ancient oak trees creaking in the forest, each bearing the look of a man who had just been proven right.

Sighing, Amelia collapsed back into her chair and motioned for Maggie to pour them all some ale. She motioned for Lucas to take a seat next to Father Jacob, then patted the seat beside herself for Maggie. “I dinnae ken how much longer ye are goin’ tae be able tae hold them off, lass,” Father Jacob informed her grimly. “Every day, I hear more discontent among the men who visit me. They dinnae care tae be under the heel o’ a lassie.” He held up his hands at her stern look. “Their words, nae mine. Rossell’s visit will only prove tae make things worse.”

“What can I do tae change their minds?”

“Short o’ producin’ a husband for them tae see with their verra own eyes, I dinnae ken.” He shook his head in sympathy for her plight. “I have done all that I can do without lying myself.”

“I would ne’er ask ye tae do such a thing, Faither.”

“Aye, let us pray it does nae come tae that.”

They sat in silence for a moment, each with their own thoughts. Lucas gripped the hilt of his dirk as if he were ready to slit someone’s throat at any moment. Maggie worried her apron with her hands, while Father Jacob ran the rosary beads through his hands in silent prayer. “Did Rossell slip through the lines or did yer men capture him and bring him here?” Amelia asked in afterthought.

“He walked right up tae them and demanded tae be brought tae ye,” Lucas growled in displeasure. “I would have the flesh from his bones for such audacity.”

Amelia returned to silent contemplation. What am I tae do? Her thoughts turned to Ron once more and for a moment she found herself wishing that he were there. He would have killed Rossell on the spot if his reason for being in prison had any merit at all. She did not know any of the details, but it had been their common enemy that had caused her to choose him to wed. I wonder what he would have done had I mentioned Ron’s name. I did nae wish for the elders tae hear it and revolt against me for lying tae them and marrying a condemned prisoner, but I have nae doubt that Rossell would have been put in his place by it. Unless o’ course if he kens that my husband is already dead. She would save Ron’s identity for another day. A day when Rossell would not be prepared for it and only if she had to use it. Until then, she would let her husband rest in peace.