Page 3

“I cannae believe he would dae this. He doesnae believe that I could choose my own husband? What happens if I dinnae like this Gowan?” she asked.

“I’m afraid unless there is serious cause tae show that he is a villain or some kind of criminal, the marriage will stand. Yer da thought he knew best for ye,” Callum said.

Maeve scowled, and her face was like thunder. She sank into the chair.

Her uncle turned to her. “I hae heard good things about the McDouglas clan. They are a noble family with a long history in the Highlands, and I’m sure yer da knew what he was daeing. Come now, Maeve, ye know he loved ye more than life itself. He adored ye, and I’m sure he would nae place ye in a situation that would make ye unhappy. I imagine once ye meet this Gowan, yer mind will change, and ye will find the sweetness of love difficult tae resist. I will help ye pack, and I know it will be difficult tae get used tae new surroundings, but perhaps it is for the best. After all, if ye stay here, ye will only be surrounded by grief. It’s better for a young lass like ye tae make a new beginning elsewhere and leave this part of yer life behind, leave all the sorrow here,” Harrison said.

Maeve turned toward him and was about to protest, for she didn’t want to leave her home at all. It was a part of the bargain that had not occurred to her. Marriage to a stranger was bad enough, let alone having to be taken from the only home she had ever known, the only link to her parents. However, before she could speak, Callum raised his voice.

“Actually, that will nae be necessary. Gowan McDouglas will arrive here presently,” he said.

“Oh, well, that’s unusual. I suppose it’s gentlemanly of him tae escort ye back tae his land,” Harrison said.

“I believe there haes been some misunderstanding. There is one other decree that Laird Wallace wanted tae make sure was enforced, and actually, it’s something that his wife agreed upon. Maeve, ye are tae be named the new Laird... You will be the Lady of the clan.”

Maeve’s features softened when she heard this, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

For Harrison, it was different, though. He leaped from his seat and slammed a fist on the desk in front of him. His face was a picture of rage as he sputtered and yelled, “What is this? Surely ye cannae be serious! She’s a child! A lass! She cannae be the Laird! Or Lady or however you want to call her! Dae ye know how much I helped him run things? There must be some mistake.”

Somehow, Callum remained calm. “It’s all here,” Callum said, holding up the document for Harrison to inspect. “Douglas haes faith in his daughter tae lead the clan. Both her parents did. Of course, he hoped that ye would be there tae offer her advice and provide counsel, but it is only right that she should inherit her birthright. And he wanted her tae hae a husband tae stand by her and gae tae war with her if needed, and also tae ensure that she haes an heir of her own. It was the Laird’s last wish, and that is nae something that can be ignored,” Callum said, his tone becoming a little strained toward the end.

Harrison’s gaze danced upon the words of the document and he seemed to soften, although his hands still trembled. In truth, Maeve wasn’t paying much attention to him because so many thoughts were swirling through her mind. She hated her father for deciding to marry her to a stranger. It felt like a betrayal of all they had shared, and yet he had also formally named her as his heir. She was going to be the Laird of the Wallace clan, a position held by so many men and so few women. The challenges she was going to face would be numerous, and there were undoubtedly many problems that she could not even foresee yet.

“I thought that we should hae the coronation soon after the period of mourning is over tae give the people of the clan something tae celebrate,” Callum said. “And ye should prepare for yer husband’s arrival.”

It was all happening so quickly. Referring to this man as her husband sent Maeve’s mind into disarray. She did not even know him, and yet she was expected to take him into her life and build memories with him while at the same time becoming the Laird, all the while trying to process the grief in her heart.

“We will all help ye,” Callum said, placing an emphasis on the third word. At this, Harrison looked up. His angry surprise seemed to have faded, and he placed the document back onto the desk. There was a sharp intake of breath as he clasped his hands behind his back.

“Aye, of course we will. Yer da was a wise man, and I’m sure that his decision is the right one. Ye are the future of this clan, Maeve, and ye are his daughter. Ye hae been taught well, and I am certain that ye will be a fine Lady… or Laird! If that is how you want to be called. Callum and I will be here in case ye need advice. Thank ye for taking care of this, Callum. I need tae leave now and take care of some things.” Harrison bowed his head in the direction of Maeve as he strode out of the room. At least his anger had faded, Maeve thought.

Her gaze lifted to meet Callum’s eyes. “Is there really no way tae prevent this?”

“I am sorry, but it was yer da’s dying wish. This is the future he wants for ye. I’m sure it will nae be as bad as ye think,” he said.

Somehow, she did not find his words reassuring. She rose and walked out of the room, moving back to her chambers. There she sighed and sank into her bed, feeling weak. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to be the Lady of a clan when she could barely summon the strength to cope with her father’s death. It seemed paradoxical to her as well that she should be made Lady and yet be unable to decide the path of her future.

She just had to hope that her father knew what he was doing and that this Gowan McDouglas would be the kind of man who could charm her. Even so, she didn’t much feel like thinking about a wedding when she had so many sorrowful tears yet to cry. She pulled the black scarf away from her head and listened to the silence around her. It was beginning to sink in that she was truly alone. There was nobody left in the family now other than her uncle, and although he was a decent man, she had never enjoyed a close relationship with him. Her father had been her best friend, and now he was gone.

She dearly wished she could ask his advice or perhaps even shout at him and demand an explanation for why she was being placed in this position. She had always considered herself lucky because Douglas had never been a stern father or one who always made her do things she did not want to do. That was perhaps why it took her by surprise so much because it seemed out of character for him. But she supposed, in his last days, he may have wanted to ensure that she was taken care of and protected. It might even have brought him comfort, she thought, and so her anger faded.

She would welcome Gowan to the clan, and if it was required, then she would marry him, but she couldn’t pretend that she was going to fall in love with him.

2

Gowan had left at first light with Karl by his side. The coach had been loaded with all of his finest belongings and a chest filled with gifts for his new bride.

“Are ye sure ye will need all of this?” Karl asked, looking with skepticism at the array of weapons that had been piled into the back of the wagon. “Ye look like ye are preparing for war.”

Gowan laughed. “We cannae know what we may find on the journey there, and I would hate tae be without my finest weapons. Besides, if I hae sons, then I will want tae teach them, and perhaps even make a gift of them one day.”

“Oh, sae ye are already thinking of the future.”

“I’ve been thinking of nothing else for the past few years. I want tae leave something behind, Karl. Ye know that is the reason why the land is in such a bad state. The bandits keep haeing bairns and teaching them all the bad ways. Good people need tae hae more children. That is the way tae a better world.” It was clear from Karl’s expression that he did not fully agree with Gowan’s words, but Karl was not about to argue with him.

“I’m glad ye are looking forward tae this.”

“I just hope she is tae,” Gowan said. “And I hope Father haes made a good choice for me.”