Page 5 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“Nae.” Ian sighed and tipped his head against the window beside them. “Yet, nae every marriage ends as horribly as theirs did.”

“Aye, ‘twas cataclysmic.” Noah looked out the window. Their parents’ marriage wasn’t one they discussed very often, for the turn it took was unbearable to speak of, even haunting.

Nae woman should conspire tae kill her husband.

But that was exactly what had happened. Noah and Ian's mother had been unfaithful, and her jealous lover had murdered their father, the last laird. That day, Noah became laird and discovered the truth. The lover was sentenced to death but escaped the day before the execution, and his mother committed suicide, unable to bear the heartbreak. Noah couldn't decide which hurt more: his father's death at the hands of another or his mother's death at her own.

“Ye think I wish tae put myself in the same position?” Noah asked as he gazed out at the estate. From there, he noticed snowflakes falling, becoming deeper by the minute. Soldiers conducting drills on the lawn struggled to stay upright as the snow continued to fall.

“Ye wouldnae be marrying a woman like our mother,” Ian assured him. “This lass, she would be obedient tae ye, I am certain of it.”

Noah fell quiet and looked into his glass. He wasn’t sure what he disliked about having an obedient wife. Perhaps it was that she sounded lifeless. It should have been something he desired, given what the last lady of the clan had done.

“I have seen many marriages where the couples are happy. It is possible for love tae exist, and respect, too,” Ian pointed out.

“Love?” Noah scoffed at the idea, shaking his head.

“I would have thought ye kent something of it, brother, after all the women that traipse into yer chamber,” Ian smiled.

“Ye grow cheeky in yer old age,” Noah teased as Ian laughed.

“Aye, all grown now.” Ian sat up tall.

Noah was glad to laugh, for he didn’t want to rebuff his brother. The truth was that all the women who came to his chamber came for one reason only—to satisfy his physical needs. He never wanted to know anything about them.

I willnae suffer the same fate as my father.

“This conversation is academic, unfortunately.” Noah stood, looking at the council table covered with paperwork, most of it showing the clan’s less-than-satisfactory financial state. “I need money, and the bride comes with a dowry, aye?”

“Aye, she does, and a good one,” Ian called from his position at the window.

“Then, despite what I wish for, and despite the fact I’d rather jump out of this window than wed, I have nae choice.” He set the cup on the table and perched on the edge of his seat. He imagined the council members at the table talking of the people’s troubles and how to help them, if only they had the money.

What I want is second tae what the people need.

“We need the money,” he said, talking more to himself than his brother. “Aye, I will have tae marry, and I will have tae find a way tae make it work.” He thrummed with frustration just from the thought of it.

“She is a good choice,” Ian said thoughtfully. “She will make ye a better bride than ye think, I have nae doubt.”

“I am glad at least ye are confident.” Noah shook his head, unconvinced. “What is her name?”

“Lady Eloise MacLaren.”

CHAPTER THREE

“My name is Eloise MacLaren. Might we speak?”

Scarlett blinked, staring at the face before her, not hearing a word she’d said.

This isnae possible.

Yet her own face peered back at her, albeit the hair was different. The auburn locks were tucked in an elaborate updo, half-covered by a cloak.

“Scarlett?” the woman said her name and Scarlett started in surprise. She reached for the dagger at her hip, but in her shock, she dropped the knife and it skittered across the floor.

“In the name of the wee man!” Scarlett muttered, snatching up the knife from the stone floor.

“Are ye hurt?” the woman asked. “Oh, I hope not!” She closed the door behind her, stepping into the light.