Page 25 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

Frowning, Scarlett wondered how she had truly ended up in Athol’s tavern. What Eloise had said of their mother gifting Scarlett to a gentleman who was to deliver her elsewhere made sense, especially if their mother had reason to believe she would be given to a good home. What didn’t make sense was how that plan ended up with her living in a tavern with Athol.

Maybe I will never ken.

Scarlett had finished reading the section she'd written on Laird Chattan, or Noah, as she now referred to him. She cautioned Eloise about how much the man could be trusted and warned her delicately that he might not be a faithful husband. She resolved to do one thing after folding up the letter and finishing her task.

He will make her a poor husband, so I must find a way tae end the betrothal.

She stood and left the room, pushing the letter across the writing bureau. The castle's stone walls were lit with candles and the occasional burning torch held in a sconce fastened to the castle's stone walls. Scarlett dashed to the stairs as she passed, hungry for supper.

A voice on the steps drew her attention, and she looked down to see Noah. He was deep in thought with an older man, apparently having a heated argument.

So engrossed she was in the sight before her that her high-heeled shoes slipped beneath her, and she tripped on the hem of her gown, slamming into the banister. She clung to it, trying to keep from falling any further.

“Eloise?”

Scarlett lifted her head to respond to Noah when her next step on the stairs sent her spiraling downward. She fell quickly, her skirts wrapping themselves so tightly around her legs she could not move them at all.

When she came to a stop, it was not because she had reached the bottom. Something came up to meet her.

“Are ye going to fall down at every opportunity ye get?” a humorous voice asked. Scarlett looked up to assess her predicament.

Half on her knees on the cold stairs, she was limp, with a hand gripping the banister. Noah stood before her, his hands around her waist, stopping her from falling any further.

“Or are ye falling at my feet again?” he grinned.

“Nae every woman will fall at yer feet, Noah.” She hastened to stand, but he helped her up and didn’t release her straightaway. Glancing past his shoulder, she tried to seek out who he had been arguing with, but the older gentleman was gone. “Ye can let go of me now.”

Noah released her slowly, his fingers uncurling from her corseted waist.

“I slipped on the stairs,” she hurried to say, not wanting him to think she was still unused to the shoes and gowns. He didn’t look convinced, one eyebrow rising precipitously. She noticed he did this a lot. Infuriatingly, it softened the harshness of his features. “I dinnae need yer help all the time, ye ken.”

“So, I should have left ye in yer room today with yer dress half undone?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest. “As tempting as the idea is tae see ye like that again, I dinnae want everyone tae see my wife in such an ungainly way.” There was a distinct glimmer in his eyes as he spoke.

“Again, we arenae married yet. How many times do I have tae remind ye of it?” He lifted his chin higher. When Scarlett considered the welcome she’d had, the coldness, the arguments, she would have thought Noah wasn’t happy about the marriage at all. “Why did ye agree tae this marriage?”

“I beg yer pardon?” He seemed stunned, his dark eyes widening.

“Ye arenae happy about it, I can see that.” She shrugged, showing that the idea didn’t matter to her. “Save me time wondering and tell me the truth, Noah. Why did ye agree tae this wedding?”

“I would have thought yer family had told ye.” His eyes narrowed a little and she fidgeted nervously.

Eloise said something about the arrangement, but nae much.

“The connection between families will be a good one. Aye, increased stature and respect, but the chief reason is the dowry.” Those simple, straightforward words made Scarlett blink, thinking of who she really was.

It was absurd to think that the Laird Chattan had kissed a tavern girl's neck, flirted with her, and tightened the laces of her gown. If he knew who she really was, he would have run miles away from her, hiding in the snowcapped hills of the clan.

“The clan is in need of money; yer clan needs protection. It was a simple agreement.”

“Thank ye for being honest.” She nodded firmly. “So, are ye truly working tonight?” She folded her arms across her chest, aware that she felt aroused just standing near him. “Or are ye actually on maid duty?”

He gave her the smallest of smiles. “I’m meeting with my council,” he said simply.

“And there will be nae maids

“Is that jealousy?”

“Nay, merely ascertaining facts.” Scarlett tilted her chin high, refusing to cower before him.