Page 2 of The Highlander's Auctioned Bride
She would not be passing for a boy; that much was certain.
As she looked about her now at this field of pomp and ceremony, she wished she had cut off all her hair, perhaps then the laird would have rejected her on sight.
“Mr. Brown!”
Maisie looked across the crowded courtyard at a woman approaching them. She had dark brown hair and a rich, green taffeta gown that flowed behind her beautifully. She was a charming-looking woman with dark twinkling eyes, perhaps ten years younger than her father, streaks of grey lining the hair about her forehead.
“Ah, Mrs. Guthrie!” her father called, all the harshness in his voice fading away. He raised his hand in greeting and pasted on a smile as she reached them. “Thank ye for having us.”
“It is I who should be thankin’ ye,” Mrs. Guthrie smiled. “It is so wonderful to see ye, and I ken ye have had a long journey.” Her gaze swiveled to Maisie, who was utterly tongue-tied. “And this must be Miss Brown.”
Her gaze swept over Maisie’s figure appraisingly and then settled on her face. Maisie swallowed, still unable to speak, hating every minute of the analysis she was being subjected to. She felt humiliated.
“Ye were nae lyin’ when ye said she was a fine lass,” Mrs. Guthrie stated.
“She takes after her mother,” her father said, flicking his gaze to Maisie, and it seemed in that small glance as though his expression was almost pleading. “She is me proudest achievement.”
Maisie kept her face as polite and friendly as possible, but the unease she had felt in the carriage was mounting. This felt like a trap. Her father was not acting like himself.
She pulled herself together as best she could.
“It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Guthrie,” she managed as they gave one another a swift curtsy.
“Likewise, Miss Brown. Now I hope ye are nae too tired from yer journey. Make sure ye have some refreshment before the feast. Ye must be excited for the contest,” Mrs. Guthrie said with a wry smile.
Maisie saw her father preparing to speak and jumped in before he could say a word.
“Iamexcited, Mrs. Guthrie,” she said, adding a fawning edge to her voice. “My da is so secretive though, he has hardly told me anythin’ of what to expect today. Would ye nae enlighten me?”
Mrs. Guthrie gave a little squeak of laughter that made some of the heads about them turn their way and she waved a hand at Maisie’s father, shaking her head.
“Mr. Brown, I am ashamed of ye,” Mrs. Guthrie said conspiratorially. She tutted, weaving her elbow through the crook of Maisie’s arm and pulling her close.
“It’s an idea me husband came up with. Ye can see him just across there, in the emerald jacket, speakin’ to that fair lass with the red hair. Marcus Guthrie, one of the most senior members on the MacLennan Council.” Her voice was thick with pride.
“He’s long been eager for the laird to find a wife,” she continued. “He felt that bringing all ye fine ladies together would help the man choose.” She giggled as though it were a joke. “Ye ken how men are, lass, never can make a decision.”
Maisie wasn’t sure how she managed to keep the smile on her lips, but she felt frozen in place, her heart thundering in her chest.
This is nae engagement feast, this is an auction for the best bride of the bunch. I am expected to parade meself like cattle at a fayre. How could Da do this to me?
“How wonderful,” she said through gritted teeth, “and what will that entail, may I ask?”
“Och, Mr. Brown,” Mrs. Guthrie scolded. “How could ye nae tell her the rules?”
Maisie’s father had the audacity to laugh. “I am sure ye will explain everythin’ she needs to ken, Mrs. Guthrie.”
Mrs. Guthrie was still shaking her head, her arm tightening on Maisie’s as she drew her in close, speaking to her secretively, as though she did not wish for others around them to hear.
“There are five other ladies here. Each of ye will be feastin’ with the laird and each of ye will be asked three questions, which ye will answer in turn. Whoever the laird likes the most, and whoever answers the questions to the standard he requires, will be picked as his bride!” she leaned back again, looking pleased with herself. “Isnae that just wonderful?” she asked.
It sounds dreadful,Maisie thought with mounting horror.I have to get out of here.
CHAPTER 2
“Come!I shall show ye around and introduce ye to some of the other women ye will be up against,” Mrs. Guthrie said. “I cannae believe how bonnie ye all are; he will have quite the choice on his hands,” she said merrily and tugged Maisie away through the crowd.
Maisie looked back at her father desperately, but he stood his ground and nodded his head at her. She was on her own.
