Page 4 of The Mad Highlander
Shutting her eyes, Iris tried her best to stop the nauseating spinning that consumed her mind. Everything seemed to be changing so quickly that she barely knew if she was dreaming.
I can’t marry him.
“There has to be another way; surely ye can think of something. Are ye sure that we dinnae have enough men to face the Murdochs ourselves?” Her hopes sank even further when Tristan shook his head with a solemn look.
“Ye ken very well that they outnumber us ten to one. It would be too much of a long shot, an’ I cannae justify placing the men in such danger… even for Ashton. Ye ken how much I care for yer brother, but I must protect the clan; as laird, I must weigh all the possibilities and decide what is best for everyone, nae just our family. The decision had been made; I already pledged yer hand in marriage to him.” Tristan spoke gently as if he were addressing a child.
I dinnae have a choice; I will have to marry him.
Hope quickly slipped through her fingers as she realized what her cousin was saying. There was little else she could do. She needed to choose between saving her brother’s life or her freedom…
Gulping back the dread that had begun to rise in her throat, she took a deep breath. “How long do I have before we are to be married?”
Tristan held her gaze. “Laird O’Brien will be here in two days. Ye have until then to prepare. I have asked him to stay so that ye may get to ken him in yer own home.” Tristan paused as his eyes grew even darker. “He also said that if he arrived an’ ye were nae here, that he would take that as a declaration of war.”
Her resolve suddenly strengthened again under her cousin’s gaze. “I wouldnae place the clan in danger. An’ I would go to hell an’ back to save me brother.”
“I ken very well that ye would say that.” Tristan took a step toward her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “If all the men who fought for me were as brave as ye are, then I wouldnae need the help of anyone else.” He pursed his lips in a half-hearted attempt at a smile. “I will be there for ye, cousin. I dinnae ken if this will make ye feel any better, but I dinnae think that Laird O’Brien will harm ye. He wants a wife.”
Looking to the side, she met his gaze. “Nothin’ seems to have stopped him from harming his kin in the past, but I will do it for Ashton.”
Tristan looked as if he wanted to say more but simply lowered his hand and began to walk back to the castle with his horse following behind.
I can do this for Ashton.
A light breeze picked up, whipping her black curls into her face as she watched her cousin striding away from her. The castle that towered above them in the distance had long been her home. It felt emptier now that her brother was missing; she would do everything in her power to get him back. Even if that meant that she would no longer be living at Castle McCabe.
Lightning cracked the sky as she shut her eyes against the cold sting of rain on her cheeks. There was so much to prepare for and even less time to do it in.
3
Iris sighed heavily as she examined her reflection in the floor-length mirror. The purple dress she had chosen for the occasion brought out her bright green eyes and accentuated her sun-kissed skin.
Is this honestly what things have come to?
She reminded herself of her brother and why she was going ahead with the betrothal.
It’s all for Ashton.
Her heart pounded furiously in her chest as she tried to calm her nerves. Her heart skittered with fright when a knock sounded at the door.
The door swung open lightly when she didn’t reply, revealing the chubby face of one of the older maids. “Laird McCabe seeks yer presence, Me Lady. He says the Laird O’Brien is almost here.”
Iris took a deep breath and whispered a silent prayer in her heart.
“Aye, I will be with him in a moment,” Iris replied calmly, swallowing the feelings of panic that rose in her chest.
“Aye, Me Lady. Ye do look pretty, I must admit.” The maid offered a few words of encouragement with a sad smile on her lips. Her usually jovial smile was darkened with sadness that only proved to heighten Iris’ fears. The entire castle had heard by now that their lady was to marry the mad laird.
Iris worked up the courage to turn and face the maid. “Thank ye, Maudie. How is the Laird? Have ye seen him?” Her palms began to sweat as she asked the question.
“Ye mean Laird O’Brien? O, he is fine... Me Lady.” Maudie shifted from foot to foot as she stepped out from behind the door. Her dark brown eyes were filled with all the things she wasn’t saying.
He’s a monster.
“Ye have seen him, have ye nae?” Iris asked again with a deep breath, allowing the maid some time to regain her composure. Everyone in the castle had been on edge since hearing that a visit from the mad laird was to be expected.
“I have, Me Lady.” Maudie seemed to suck in an uncomfortable breath.
