Page 2 of In Love With the Wrong Highland Sister
The fever that had taken Robert’s life had almost ended hers too, but something inside her had been too stubborn to lie down and die, so she had lived, but she was bereft of the only man she had ever cared for. Moreover, she felt guilty about being alive. She knew that she would feel too disloyal to him to marry another man, no matter how wonderful he was, even though Robert had given her his blessing.
Laria resolved to live for herself since she had no husband. After all, she was strong, resourceful, intelligent, and she had seen and overcome the worst that life could throw at her. She would survive, but she resolved always to be a person that Robert would be proud of.
“I have no intention of replacing Robbie, Mother,” Laria said firmly. “He was the only man I have ever loved, or ever will.”
“I know that.” Margaret cupped her daughter’s face in her hands and kissed her. “But do not be so hasty, Laria. Time may yet heal your broken heart.”
“If that is what you think, Mother,” Laria replied with an edge of anger in her voice, “then obviously, you have never had a broken heart.”
1
As James Elliot rode with his brother Gavin over the imposing façade of Grainaig Castle, he felt like yawning. The building was indeed grand, with many crenelated turrets and carvings of fantastical creatures bristling from every arch and column. It had formidable defenses, too, with tiers of towering walls, a twenty-foot-wide moat, and a portcullis that looked as though it could withstand an army of a thousand soldiers without buckling.
He turned to his brother Gavin, who had been riding alongside him. “What do you think, Gavin? Looks as if this one has some coin to spare, eh?”
“Aye,” Gavin agreed, grinning. “But the lady who lives here might not be all that you hope for, Jamie. You have been disappointed so many times already, so don’t get your hopes up too high.”
James and Gavin had to admit that of all the estates they had visited in the last six months, this was one of the most impressive, and indeed they were here to be impressed, but not by a building. James was here to seek a wife, or, as he thought to himself, he was here on a wife hunt. He thanked the heavens that he had his younger brother with him. Gavin was well-read, intelligent, and funny. At least he had had some pleasant and witty conversation; otherwise, the whole exercise would have bored him witless by now.
They had both just dismounted from their large warhorses when a guard in the livery of Grainaig Castle came up to them, holding a pike in his right hand. He looked aggressive but deferential as he bowed to them, seeing that they were men of quality.
“I wish to see the laird,” James told the man.
“Is he expectin’ ye, sir?” the guard asked. “An’ you, sir?” He looked at Gavin.
“Indeed he is,” James replied, sounding weary. They had ridden a long way and were filthy, tired, and hungry. “He is expecting both of us, and we are here on a matter of some importance.”
The guard nodded politely, then strode away and came back with a manservant who bowed and led them inside. They passed over a courtyard, moving past the stables and a wide corridor that led to storerooms and the kitchens, before entering the elegant living quarters.
The two brothers and the guard walked down a parquet-floored passage and paused before a stately-looking door with a carved Grecian column on each side.
“Impressive,” Gavin remarked, winking at his brother. “She is obviously a lady of means.”
“I don't care,” James replied in a whisper, as long as she is nothing like the last one!”
Gavin gave him a playful punch on the shoulder, laughing.
The manservant knocked, and a moment later, the door was opened by a tall, fair-haired man in his middle years with pale, silver-gray eyes. He could not have been described as handsome, but he had a pleasant, good-natured face with laughter lines fanning out from the corners of his eyes as he smiled at James.
“James Elliot?” the tall man asked.
“Aye, sir,” James replied as he bowed and held his hand out to the laird of Grainaig Castle. He indicated Gavin. “And this is my brother Gavin, Laird MacLean.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, young sirs.” The laird’s smile was so wide that James wondered if he was pleased to see them, drunk, or slightly mad.
He later realized that Hector MacLean was merely one of those fortunate individuals who had been blessed with a happy disposition.
“Have you had a long journey?” the laird asked pleasantly as he ushered them into seats before the fire.
“Yes. about twenty miles, I think.” James passed his hand over his eyes wearily. “From Drumdane Castle.”
“I know what you need.” Hector poured them both a glass of ruby-red wine, and James felt his mouth watering as he picked up the glass and drained in it one gulp.
The laird laughed and poured him another. “I can see that you needed that very badly, but I think you need to eat before you do anything else,” he said kindly. Gavin’s eyes lit up, but James shook his head.
“No.” James shook his head firmly. “Before you begin, M’Laird, I want to say something. I do not want to waste your time or mine, so I would like to inform you that if the daughter you have in mind is less than eighteen years old, I want nothing to do with her. I am sorry to be so blunt, but I have had numerous experiences on my journey when I expected to meet women only to find girls. How old is your daughter?”
The laird had been studying James carefully while he spoke. He saw a man of intelligence who could express himself well and exuded an air of confidence and capability. He was also in extremely good physical shape and was handsome in a way that he thought his daughter would find completely dazzling. Privately, he thought it was a pity that Laria would not consider him because he looked like the kind of man who had enough fortitude to stand up to her robust personality.
