Page 63 of The Highlander's Captured Bride
Blinking, she asked, “Mister MacFerson, what are ye doing here?”
“I came to light that fireplace for ye,” he smiled kindly. “I kent ye’d rather a familiar face inside yer quarters than one ye daenae ken.”
“Of course,” she said, stepping aside. “Please, come in.”
Though the windows were closed, the flashing lightning lit up the room and the ear-splitting roar of thunder had her grimacing.
Ethan.
She perched on the edge of the bed, watching Mister MacFerson get the fire into a warm blaze, and she felt relief at the wash of warmth that came from it. When it began to permeate the room, she let her shoulder sag. This would have been the perfect time for her and Ethan to be wrapped up before the fire in soft blankets and justbe. But he was not there and the fear of him being dead, in a dozen ghastly ways, tripled in strength. Another flash of lightning rendered the room into a grim collage of grey shadows.
“I can still see ye worrying, Miss O’Cain,” Mister MacFerson’s gentle voice interrupted her thoughts. “I’m sure me nephew will be fine.”
“How can ye ken that?” she said, on impulse rather than thought. Her heart was punching against her ribs in tune with the rumbles of thunder. “He’s out there, god kens where, all alone for days now and I —” she swallowed then shook her head. Her fingers clutched at the sheet while pure, untainted despair had her soul sinking. “—I cannae but worry. How can I nae? He’s the one I love.”
Then, as she had expected a comforting word or an affirming answer to her declaration, the most unexpected thing came from the man’s mouth, “Are ye sure he feels the same?”
Her head darted up and surprise painted her features, “I am, why?”
“Seems to me a man who loves his woman would be with her than otherwise out in yonder,” Mister MacFerson came to sit near her and the look in his eyes—one decidedly not calm or kind—had her stomach roiling. “Daenae ye ken so?”
His words were rational but the trepidation she felt in her chest began to ice itself into fear. “I…er…mayhap.”
“And are ye sure ye want to be with him?” He asked. “He is a little boy after all with hardly any experience in life.”
She began to edge away from the man. “I’m sure he has had enough. He did go to school in Edina, after all.”
“Aye,” he replied, “But it pales in comparison with one who has traveled the world and seen places most only dream about.” He shot a look to the bed, and a scornful twist came to his lips. “He’s as simple-minded as his father. They both have little forsight to break the traditional norms and strategize a way to forge this humble territory into a great empire.”
Sickened, she stood and moved away, “I—I ken it’s time for ye to leave.”
“Are ye sure, lass?” he said coming closer, “The boy doesnae deserve ye with yer wisdom and beauty. Ye’re better off with a man who kens what he’s doing to gain wealth. Ye’ve proven yerself time after time, and I ken ye want better in life than to plod along with a simplistic boy.”
“If ye willnae go, I will,” Violet said, rushing to the door only to get grabbed by his unrelenting grip.
She cried out in pain but the grip got tighter, “Is that a nay, lass?”
“O-of course, it is,” she gasped. “I’ll be with nay one but Ethan. What had come over ye?” He came close so she could see the glint of cold malice in his eyes and she shivered, “Ye’repossessed.”
“One might ken so but nae,” and his unfailing calm tone made ice enclose her chest. “What I am is a patient man who recognizes talents. I’m here offering ye to join with me to forge a massive empire, but since ye nay cooperating—” he dragged her out of the room and called for a guard.
Since they were soldiers stationed at every hall, one came running. He spotted her and Mister MacFerson only to skid to a halt with confusion etched in his face. “Sir?”
“I caught her sewing poisonous leaves into Ethan’s clothing,” Mister MacFerson said calmly.
Gasping in horror, Violet exclaimed, “I did nay such thing!”
“I ken me brother might have brought murderers into the castle instead of finding one. Take her to the dungeons and keep her there. I ken Balgair made a mistake carrying them here, now I’ll have to undae what he did. I’m in charge of this castle now, soldier, and whatever I say, ye must dae.” Handing Violet off to the man as if she was a pile of filthy rags, he said. “Keep her there until I find a fitting punishment for her.”
“I’m innocent!” She cried, “I love Ethan, I would never hurt him.”
“And where is yer faither with me brother, hm?” Mister MacFerson asked, “He’s probably killed him already. Take her.”
“But Sir,” the man blanched. “It’s a tempest outside.”
“Then ye better nay drown,” Mister MacFerson said coldly. “Away with her.”
As she was dragged off, Violet briefly met the eyes of her old guard, Mister MacTyre, a man whom she had been kind to and who had been kind to her in return, quickly sink into the shadows with a cold look on his face. She felt despair. Ifhethought she was guilty, who would not believe it?
