Page 8 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“Your father had a deep scratch on his leg.” Her mother stood in the doorway with a stool in her hand. “May I join you?”
“Of course. Would you like my assistance, Mama?”
“Nay, I do it myself all the time. What color was the bird?”
Eva replied, “The oddest color of gold I’ve ever seen. But never mind about the bird. Please join me.”
“What brings you here? Are you spying on your brother?” Her mother tugged her stool across the stones before settling it so she could sit down next to Eva.
“Nay, not spying. They are fun to watch.” She sighed, not able to catch it before her mother heard her.
“Eva, just because the earl was unkind to you does not mean that all men will treat you that way.” Her mother patted her hand. “You will find him. I am confident you will find him in less than six moons.”
“I wish I could believe you, Mother.”
More than anything, she wished to marry, but only to the man her sire had chosen for her. Her dear father had passed on two years ago and left an ache in Eva’s heart forever, but he’d chosen someone for her.
Unfortunately, he’d passed on before he could reveal who he’d chosen to be Eva’s husband. It had haunted her ever since. How would she ever find out?
There was only one way. Her father must have approached the man and arranged the marriage. Eva had to be patient. She would not tolerate another betrothal to someone like the earl.
Surely one day, her perfect partner would arrive on her doorstep to ask for her hand in marriage. Then she’d live happily ever after.
***
Eva crossed her arms and glared at her brother two days later. “Because I’m not ready yet.” What better reason was there to deny a betrothal offer? She wouldn’t discuss the earl because they all knew about what had happened.
“That is a most foolish reason,” Lennox MacVey replied to his sister.
“Do not dare to stand there and tell me who I’ll be marrying, brother dearest,” Eva MacVey said, rising from her chair near the hearth, her arms now by her side. How could he try to do to her what he told their mother she had no right to do with him?
“Eva, you are two and twenty. Past time for a lass to be married,” Lennox said, the twitch of a grin trying to break out across his face, but he contained it, something he was a champion at. And it pissed her off even more. “I know the earl insulted you, but he’s gone. This is a sound offer for you, and you should accept it before you’re are labeled a spinster.”
“You just married Meg, and you are seven and twenty. Do not tell me about being old.” Eva had been on his side for years, both arguing with their parents about forced betrothals. He’d refused his mother, but a couple of months ago she suggested she would choose Lennox’s wife. “You have forgotten your reply to Mama when she suggested she’d choose for you?”
“That is irrelevant in this conversation. We are not choosing for you.Hechoseyou. You and Sloan Rankin will make a fine couple. He has proposed, you’ve known him all your life. What is wrong with a betrothal to Sloan? You’ll be mistress of your castle and living not far from here.”
Eva tipped her head back and made a very unladylike growl, her hands grabbing at her dark hair, yanking the pins out because her waves had already become unruly. “Mama! Tell him to stop.”
Rut MacVey sat in the chair closest to the hearth. “Now dear, you’ve known Sloan forever. He’s a fine man. I believe you should consider his offer. What’s wrong with him?”
“Naught is wrong with him except that I’m not ready yet.” She’d just finished getting rid of a man she hated, the earl. Besides that, her dear father had died not long ago, and he had promised to choose a wonderful man for her. He’d promised to find her a fierce, strong warrior, a Scottish warrior who was thebest in all the land. She knew he would be the most handsome and the kindest man too.
Papa had promised. Since she was but a wee one bouncing on his lap, he’d told her about the man who’d have the good fortune of marrying her. Strong, fierce, handsome. Those were his exact words.
Not Sloan Rankin.
Her mother rolled her eyes and sighed. “Here we go again. Lennox, she’s not acting any differently than you did when I tried to convince you to allow me to choose your betrothed. Listen to me again, Eva. I know your father promised you all kinds of things—handsome warrior, the fiercest in all the land. I’ve heard you talk of it since you were a wee bairn, but your sire is gone and cannot choose for you. He’s been gone for two years now. We will forget about everything that happened with the earl, but you must move on. Lennox and I have given you enough time to choose someone, but you have not.
“But the earl tried to propose to me. That counts too.”
“He didn’t suit you. And while I was glad he refused to offer for you in the end, you were not overly willing to get to know the man.” Her mother had that look on her face that told Eva she’d never win this argument.
“I refused him,” she said, nearly stomping her foot. The man had come from England on two occasions, but she hadn’t taken a liking to him. The hard part was that she couldn’t identify exactly what was wrong with the man, just that she didn’t find him appealing. But when he’d asked to see her breasts since he was about to purchase her, Eva had refused, sending him into a fury. But Eva’s fury had been stronger than his, and she’d told him to get out. Since the man had been English, Lennox had agreed with her and sent him on his way.
He’d told Lennox that women were property, no more, and he’d had a right to inspect his property.
Eva had nearly put a fist in his face.
