Page 30 of Highlanders for the Holidays
“Romantic feelin’s.”
Caimbeul’s eyes narrowed with rage. Before No?l could dodge aside, the young man shot out a furious fist. Fortunately, it missed No?l’s nose, but only because a heavy iron chain around his wrist brought it up short. Still, No?l instinctively recoiled, falling backward onto his hindquarters.
“How dare ye!” Caimbeul yelled. “She’s my sister, ye horse’s arse!”
No?l didn’t know what shocked him more—the fact that Caimbeul packed an impressive punch for a crippled man, that he was chained like an animal, or that he was his bride’s brother. He held up a hand in peace.
“Wait. Ye’re her brother? The laird’s son?”
“Aye,” he ground out.
No?l sat forward, resting his forearms on his knees. He remembered the laird’s attitude toward Caimbeul at the table. He’d never introduced him as his son. And he’d treated him with a distinct lack of respect.
“Is your father the one who put ye in chains?”
Caimbeul didn’t answer. His frown of shame was answer enough.
Why would the laird do such a thing? Was he afraid his son would interfere with the wedding? Maybe Caimbeul thought he was protecting his sister.
“Tell me, man to man,” No?l said. “Do ye disapprove o’ me? Do ye think I’m not good enough for your sister?”
Caimbeul’s eyes burned with silent anger. “Which sister?”
It was a strange question. “The one I’m married to, o’ course.”
Caimbeul stared at him in silence for a long while, as if deciding whether to say anything further. Finally he did. “Ye’re not married to the right one.”
“What do ye mean?”
Instead of answering, Caimbeul focused on the ground and said tightly, “Ye’ve slept with her, haven’t ye?”
No?l let the lad’s words sink in. What did he mean, “the right one”? Was it possible he’d married the wrong sister?
“She’s Cathalin. Aye?” he asked, fearful of the answer.
“She’s not.”
No?l felt the breath freeze in his chest. How could that be? How could he have wed—and coupled with—the wrong sister?
Then he glanced again at the young man. Perhaps Caimbeul was mad. Perhaps he was confused. Perhaps that was why his father had chained him up.
“Are ye certain?” he asked.
“O’ course I’m certain. I know my own sisters. Ye’ve wed…and bedded,” he added with a sneer, “Ysenda, not Cathalin.”
No?l couldn’t comprehend it all. He rose slowly to his feet. “But why would…”
“My father wanted a Highlander, not a Norman, to inherit his land.”
“But ‘tisn’t up to your father. Two kings have decreed this marriage.”
“Aye, and ye’ve seen it through. As far as ye know, ye’re wedded to Cathalin.”
“But that’s ridiculous. If she’s not the real Cathalin, then when the laird dies—”
“Ye’ll inherit nothin’. The land will go to therealCathalin and her Highlander husband.”
No?l was astounded. “That can’t be true. Every member o’ the clan would have to be privy to the deception in order for—”
