Page 32 of Marry the Highland Villain
All our love and prayers go with you.
Lily, Valerie, and Megan.
Conall read the letter. Then, he looked up. “What would ye have me add to any letter ye might send?”
“Whatever ye wish,” Brigid replied, her eyes bright with the pleasure of this brief contact with her beloved family. “But if they cannae meet ye in person just yet, I ken Lily and Valerie will be able to get a sense of who ye are from yer writing. Valerie learned much of that when she…” She hesitated. “She traveled wit’ our father when he was alive. She… well, she learned things from him.”
Conall nodded. He understood what she meant. He could usually tell much from the way a man wrote; he could tell if he was steady, well-educated, honest, or deceitful. He could tell if he was truly respectful or full of empty flattery. Or worse, if he were a pompous fool or even a snake, like Laird Auchter.
He had no idea which of the three sisters had written the letter, though it was unlikely to be Valerie—her name had been mentioned in the letter, after all, so the writer was more likely to be one of the other two sisters—but the writer seemed both caring and remarkably straightforward.
He tilted his head toward the paper and inkpot on his desk. “Write what ye like. I’ll pen a short missive of my own to include with it.”
Brigid smiled and took the letter back, clutching it protectively to her breast as if it were her most precious possession. She began to gather the necessary items and moved to the table, butConall stood up and pulled a chair closer to the desk. “Here. Ye can sit here at the desk. ’Twill be more comfortable for ye.”
“Thank ye.” Brigid settled down into the chair beside him and began to write.
She had a neat hand, and precise, gently sloping letters. Conall noted that much, then forced himself to turn his attention to his work. No matter how much Oliver might chastise him if he ever found out, he wouldn’t stoop to reading his betrothed’s correspondence.
Brigid wrote quickly and soon held out a folded sheaf of paper to him. Conall took it and included the letter he’d written.
To Lily, Valerie, and Megan Blackwood,
Greetings to the sisters of my betrothed, Brigid, and I pray this letter finds you well. I know you are concerned about the circumstances under which we met and the future of your sister with me.
I also know that if you are the women my betrothed speaks of, then there is little I can say to allay your suspicions. Especially if you know how our betrothal came about—that is, that I claimed her hand in marriage as repayment of a blood debt between my clan and Clan Auchter.
I swear to you on my honor as Laird MacKane that I have no interest in transferring the sins of the father and grandfather toyour sister. Regardless of my reasons, it is my intention to treat Brigid with all the respect I can bring to our marriage. But the promise likely means little to you if you have dealt with Laird Auchter.
Instead, I invite you, all of you, to join us at MacKane Castle for the wedding. And if such be your interest and your desire, I would welcome all of you into Clan MacKane, and you would be under the protection of my clan and my kinfolk. The women who are held in such high regard by my betrothed would be welcomed among my kin.
I would that I could send an escort, but there are concerns that I must address among my own… and from your sister’s tale, I suspect they might not be a comfort to you. Instead, I include some coin to help make your way here if you need it. Hire a cart, horses, or even guards if you need to, and I hope, for both my sake and my betrothed’s, that you make your way here soon.
My Sincere Regards,
Conall Barr.
Conall folded the letter, then sealed both letters and set a small pouch of coins with them.
Brigid frowned. “They dinnae need…”
“’Tis a groom’s gift to yer kin,” Conall said. “Yer grandfather didnae offer a dowry or negotiate a bride price, so ’tis only fair.”
Brigid blushed. “I thought… The feud…”
“The feud is a matter between yer grandfather and I. Yer sisters werenae involved until he chose to drag ye into this.” Conall offered her a brief smile. “I might nae have kenned the man, but I cannae see Magnus Blackwood ever givin’ away a daughter for naught.”
Brigid smiled back, her eyes bright with the memory of her father. “Och, ye’re right about that. Father used to call us his greatest treasure. And he meant it, too.”
“Then the coin will appease his spirit an’ ease yer sisters’ way.”
Brigid laughed lightly.
Before he could respond, she stepped around the desk and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Thank ye, Conall.”
Then, she left the study before he could so much as react.
Conall blinked once to gather his scattered wits, then picked up the letters and went to call for his fastest messenger.
