Page 11 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
“Maybe this is his way of extendin’ an olive branch,” Emma said. “Marriage would bring the clans together. Nae to mention protection from Geoffrey.”
“So, we’re to choose the lesser evil, is that it?” Nora asked.
“What do ye propose we do? Run? If one of us marries, then all of us could be protected, and we wouldnae have to go anywhere,” Emma said. Although she didn’t like the idea of staying under Laird MacRoss’s roof, she couldn’t see any other way out of their predicament.
“If someone is to marry, it should be me,” Nora said, dropping her head. “I am the eldest, after all.”
“No, Nora,” Emma answered quickly, cutting her sister off. “Bein’ a healer is yer calling.”
“Then who?” Isobel asked, drawing Emma’s eyes to her sister.
“Me,” Emma answered with a heavy heart. “It’s clear Isobel is too quick to speak her mind, and ye saw the way the Laird glared daggers at her. There’s too much tension there. Lydia is too frightened by him to consummate the marriage. The only one left is me.”
5
Hunter stood quietly outside the room, listening to the muffled conversation that drifted through the door. He leaned closer, straining to pick up the subtle nuances of their voices.
“Forgive me, M’Laird, but what was the purpose of proposin’ to the lasses? Are ye seriously considerin’ weddin’ one of them?” Archie asked, his voice laced with concern as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Ye heard the council yesterday,” Hunter said in a hushed tone. “They’re itchin’ to replace me wit’ someone else. Their only stipulation was if I marry. The way I see it, it’ll be a win-win for all involved. They’ll have a place to rest their heads, and I’ll keep me rightful position as Laird MacRoss.”
From the corner of his eye, Hunter saw Archie purse his lips. There was an air of indifference about him that rattled Hunter to the core.
Clearly, Hunter’s idea of marrying one of the girls didn’t sit well with Archie, but Hunter was running out of time.
The council had only given him a month to find a bride. And as preposterous as the proposal was, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
“Ye dinnae agree?” Hunter asked, glancing at Archie.
“Ye’re the Laird and can do as ye please, but I cannae help but wonder what will happen if they dinnae agree,” Archie said, dampening Hunter’s mood. “Will ye force one to marry ye?”
“Nay,” Hunter said, appalled by Archie’s suspicion of him. “I’d never do that. If they turn me down, then I’ll send them to the stables for the night, as per their request.”
The faint rustling of fabric in the dim hallway sounded like a cat scratching at the tapestries. Hunter glanced over Archie’s shoulder to find his mother, Katie, coming down the hallway, as regal as ever.
“What’s this?” Katie asked, her voice drifting through the empty hallway and bouncing off the stone corridor. “Me son out of his study at this hour?”
“Good evenin’ to ye, Maither,” Hunter greeted her as she stopped before him.
Her eyes narrowed as she eyed him with scrutiny and picked the lint from his shirt before straightening his collar. “And why are ye lingerin’ around the great hall? Is there somethin’ goin’ on in there that I should be concerned about?” she inquired, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Katie stepped closer and peered through the crack in the door. Her eyes widened in surprise as she caught a glimpse of the four girls.
“Nay, there’s nothin’ in there that should concern ye,” Hunter answered.
“And who might they be?” she asked, curiosity lacing her voice.
Hunter shrugged. “A few lasses come seekin’ shelter from the storm, is all.”
Katie’s brows furrowed, her eyes never leaving the door. “Ye’re a bad liar, ye ken that? Or do ye nae think I have eyes and ears around this castle as well? I heard the guards found someone in the woods, but never thought it’d be four young lasses.”
Hunter’s back went rigid as his mother stood, eyeing him with suspicion. “Do ye nae have somethin’ ye should be doin’?” he asked her, hoping she’d leave the matter in his capable hands.
But seeing the flicker of curiosity in her eyes, he knew there was no way she was going to leave without some sort of explanation.
“They seek refuge. It’s nae that interestin’ if ye ask me,” Hunter explained, his gaze now fixed on the polished, wooden floor. “They’ve had a rough journey and need a place to rest—end of story.”
Katie turned towardrs him, her face softening. “Well, it will be nice to have guests under our roof again,” she remarked, a hint of nostalgia tingeing her voice. “This castle has been far too quiet.”
