Page 19 of The Handfasting
She blinked in shock and worked her jaw, making sure he hadn’t knocked out any teeth. Her instincts told her to repay him with a solid punch of her own. It wouldn’t have been the first time she’d given as good as she’d gotten from a man.
But for once she had to resist the urge.
After all, he was the laird.
He was her father.
And he had Caimbeul locked away somewhere.
“How dare ye speak to me like that,” he snarled. “I know what’s best for the clan. And ’tisn’t havin’ a laird that’s not even Scots.”
She ignored her stinging cheek. Somehow she had to convince him he was making a mistake. “But Da, he must be a decent man. The king himself chose him. He’ll be good to Cathalin and provide for the clan as well as—”
“Nae, ’tis settled.” He took a tiny sip from the vial, wrinkling his nose. “Cathalin’s bridegroom, herHighlandbridegroom, is due to arrive any day now. I’ll simply say we couldn’t wait any longer for their Norman knight, that by the time he arrived, her weddin’ had already taken place.”
“You’d lie to the king?”
“’Tisn’t a lie. ’Tis a stretch o’ the truth.”
“And what will ye tell Sir No?l when this Highlander arrives?”
“He’ll be long gone. Your husband seems very keen to get home.” He toasted her with the vial, took a generous swig, shuddering at the bitter taste, then stuck the cork back in. “Ye know, ye should count yourself lucky, lass. In France, ye’ll be a proper lady.”
“But Sir No?l will find out I’m not Cathalin.”
“Not unless ye tell him.”
Her thoughts raced. “And what if I tell him now?”
“Oh, I don’t think ye’ll do that.”
“And why not?”
“Because I’m holdin’ that hunchback pet o’ yours, and ye don’t want to see anythin’ bad happen to him.”
Ysenda clenched her hands at her sides. She wanted to think he was bluffing, that he wouldn’t do anything to harm his own flesh and blood. But she knew better. The laird had been wanting to get rid of his embarrassing son from the moment he’d first seen him.
Laird Gille chuckled. “Ye know, ye’re just like your ma. Strong-willed and weak-hearted. Don’t think I don’t know about your sneakin’ in tutors to teach that halfwit.”
“He’s not a…” She managed to stop herself, but only because she knew it was hopeless.
“Ye’ll do fine in France. And if ye get too headstrong for Sir No?l’s taste, he has an army o’ braw lads at his command to keep ye in line.”
If he was trying to scare her, it wasn’t working. She trusted Sir No?l completely. What she couldn’t anticipate was his reaction when he discovered he’d been gulled by her father…and by her, for that matter. Would he believe the truth—that she’d been in fear for her brother’s life? And if not, what would he do to exact revenge? Would he toss her aside and demand his true bride? Would he make war on the clan and lay siege to the keep?
A voice came from beyond the door. “Good morrow?”
Ysenda sucked in a quick breath. It was Sir No?l.
Her father arched a brow. “Your husband’s callin’ ye.” He smirked. “Probably comin’ for somethin’ ye forgot to give him last night.”
“Cathalin?” No?l called.
Ysenda winced.
Her father snickered.
“In here,” she called back, swinging open the door.
