Page 1 of The Ruthless Highlander's Hellion
CHAPTER ONE
"Ienvy ye, Erica," Alexandra said.
Erica let out a short laugh, her lips curling into a smile as she glanced sideways at her mistress. “Ye envy me, me lady? How can that be, when ye are the sister of Laird Caelan Sinclair and a lady in yer own right? I am but yer lady's maid.”
"Aye, and yet I envy yer life and yer position," Alexandra smiled.
Erica chuckled again, shaking her head, “Yer life seems far grander than mine, lass.”
Alexandra sighed, “Aye, I may be a lady, but I cannae marry for love. Ye, on the other hand, could marry for love. Ye’re free to choose yer own path, while I am bound by the needs of alliances and duty.” She paused, her fingers trailing over a rose bush, its petals soft beneath her touch. “I cannae even imagine what it would be like to wed for love.”
Erica fell silent for a moment. “I never thought of it that way, me lady,” she said quietly. “A lady’s life is a heavy burden in its own right, aye, with all the expectations and the pressure of it all.”
"I ken it’s nae easy for ye, Erica," Alexandra said, her voice quieter now. "But ye’re free in ways I’ll never be. I wish I could live a life where I dinnae have to worry about me family’s honor and politics."
“We all have our burdens,” she said, her voice gentle. “Ye may nae have the freedom to choose yer husband, but ye have a strength that I envy. Yer heart is brave, and that’s a rare thing. I may nae have to marry for alliances, but I cannae choose who I serve either. Some things are out of our hands, nay matter our station.”
Alexandra chuckled softly, her lips curving up despite her mood. “Aye, ye speak truth. I never thought of it that way.”
“But I reckon ye’ve got more freedom than ye realize, being the sister of Laird Caelan. Ye’ve got the power to shape the future, even if it’s nae as ye wish.”
Alexandra smiled faintly, a trace of wistfulness in her expression. "Maybe," she said.
But power doesnae always feel like a gift. It’s a burden, at times.
Alexandra walked in silence for a moment, the only sound the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet. “I wonder if it’s worth it, Erica,” she said softly, almost to herself. “To marry for duty, and nae for love. I wonder if I’ll ever truly be happy in such a union.”
Erica looked at her, “Ye’ve got strength inside ye that most dae nae see, but I do. Ye’ll find yer way, nay matter what happens.”
Alexandra smiled at her maid’s words, grateful for the kindness, though unsure of how true they were. “Thank ye, Erica. Ye always ken how to make me feel a little better, even when I’m nae so sure of meself.” She looked out across the gardens. “I am five and twenty years of age and have nae found love. Perhaps, if I cannae marry for love, I’ll at least nae let it take away me spirit.”
"Aye, ye have managed thus far," Erica replied.
“Ye ken, I reckon I’ve been lucky,” she said softly. “I’ve managed to avoid the duty of matrimony, though I cannae say for how much longer.”
Erica glanced sideways at Alexandra, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Aye, ye’ve been lucky,” she said with a wink. “But ye’ve also got the look of a lady who’ll never be short of suitors.” She paused, “With that black hair and them gray eyes of yers, ye could choose a man for love, if ye so wished.”
Alexandra laughed, a sound that felt foreign in her chest. It had been some time since she allowed herself a moment of lightness.
The calm between them was shattered. A distant sound, at first faint but growing louder, reached their ears. It was a series of thundering hooves, and then shouts—frantic and urgent.
“Quick, Erica!” Alexandra urged, her voice a mix of concern and alarm. “We must see what’s happenin’.”
Alexandra rushed from the garden, her feet moving swiftly across the gravel path that led back to the castle. Their eyes caught sight of a group of riders bursting from the gates of Sinclair Castle. The men rode swiftly, their horses kicking up dust, and Alexandra immediately recognized the McLaren flag fluttering ominously above them.
Alexandra’s breath caught in her throat as her eyes scanned the group. She glanced at Erica, her heart clenching when she saw the fear written clearly on the maid’s face.
“Erica?” Alexandra called softly, her voice full of concern. “Are ye all right? Ye look as if ye've seen a ghost."
Alexandra saw Erica frozen in place, her eyes wide and unblinking as she stared at the retreating riders.
“I—I’m fine, me lady,” Erica finally said, her voice trembling. “Just a bit startled, is all.”
Alexandra’s gaze lingered on Erica, a small frown creasing her brow. She had always known Erica to be a kind-hearted, gentle soul, but also a bit of a nervous one. The maid had a way ofshrinking back from confrontation, avoiding anything that could bring harm to her or those she cared for.
Despite the maid’s tendency to be a bit skittish, Alexandra admired her for her quiet strength, her kindness, and her dedication.
Alexandra’s thoughts raced as she tried to piece together the meaning of this sudden disturbance.
