Page 37 of The Highlander's Fake Wife
Arthur’s brow furrowed, then flinched as a drop of rain fell between and ran down to the tip of his nose. He wiped his face, a dozen more droplets following suits as the night sky opened up above them. Nudging the sides of his horse, Arthur set their pace to a canter, still wishing to have a somewhat audible conversation with his man-at-arms. “After ye send to first group o’men to Rosie’s ceilidh, I want ye to personally go wit another band to the MacCulloh’s main keep.”
“To claim ownership?”
Arthur shook his head. “To suggest a mergin’ o’ the clans.”
Nathan’s horse let out a startled whinny, his man-at-arms slamming to a stop as he yanked on his reins. Arthur was similarly forced to stop, trotting back to his oldest friend as the rain began to fall harder. “M’Laird, they willane accept. Ye’d just be stirrin’ the viper’s nest.”
“They have nay reason to reject me,” Arthur countered. “They ken very well we could have ‘em wiped out at any time. Now more than ever, they need allies, especially ones they’ve already seen the fighting prowess of.”
Nathan frowned, clearly confused by his laird’s reasoning. “What brought this thought up, m’laird?”
Olivia, of course. Olivia had been the driving force for quite a few of Arthur’s decisions as of late. “Our guests willnae be safe with their clan in such a state. As will our people, what wit them being our immediate neighbors. Best to take control before they become problematic.” ‘More’ problematic, he wanted to say. But, to their credit, it had been their stupidity that brought Olivia to his doorstep.
“Ye could achieve to same results by just killin’ ‘em all,” Nathan pointed out.
“Aye. T’would be far easier, too.”
The pair stood in the rain for a beat, their horses swishing their tails and flickering their ears to try and keep the wet off of them. Arthur carefully watched the expression on his man-at-arms, noting that his usual, neutral visage flickered between concern and frustration.
He was right, of course; starting war was far easier than trying to make allies, especially with a group who already hated him. Who clearly hated the woman he had begun to care far too deeply for. And it was because of her that Arthur said what he had in the first place.
They’re scared, and I willnae prove their fears right.
He chuckled lightly, shaking his head before leaning across and setting a hand against Nathan’s shoulder. “Unfortunately fer me, a certain wee selkie cares far more than she should. And I cannae ignore her wishes, regardless o’the difficulties they bring fer me.”
Nathan let out a breath from his nose, another rare smile slipping along the corners of his lips. “Ye daenae need my opinion fer that, m’laird?”
“Nay. I daenae think I do.”
20
Olivia’s mother hadn’t left her room since arriving. Olivia found herself inconsolable, wandering the halls of the castle with a stormcloud hanging over her head; as dark and heavy as the ones that gathered outside. Flora and Elspeth did their best to comfort her, but in truth, their presence only reminded her of what she may have just lost not hours ago.
So, Olivia wandered, milling about the makeshift garden or holding up in her own room, tucked beneath the heavy furs of her bed and spiraling in the warm, stuffy darkness.
Eventually, a gentle knock forced her upright, blankets sliding off her body as she tried to quickly put herself together. A fleeting hope in her chest wanted to believe it was her mother, but it was Arthur’s mother waiting on the other side as she opened the door. “A-Ah. G-Good afternoon, yer lady…M-Mam.”
Elspeth offered a sad smile, gesturing to be invited in. Olivia did so immediately, offering a nearby chair for her to sit in.
“I daenae wish to disturb ye fer too long,” Elspeth admitted. “I feel as if I’ve invaded yer personal life far too much already.”
Olivia’s heart broke just a bit further. “Y-Ye did nay such thing. If it werenae fer ye, I daenae think I would feel as welcomed.”
Elspeth sighed loudly, nervously wringing her hands as she spoke. “Ye very sweet fer saying that, but I shouldnae have told yer maither about yer engagement so soon. And ye…” her voice trailed off, blinking furiously. “Oh, Olivia–ye said such wonderful things about me son.”
She had. And she was certain now she’d meant every word of it. “Me maither…” Olivia swallowed painfully, determined not to tear up anymore. “Too much has happened to break our bond so easily. I…she just needs some space, I think.”
Elspeth hesitated, then held her arms out wide. Olivia smiled weakly, accepting her invitation and went in for an embrace. It was the first time in hours she felt truly grounded–safe–and she wanted nothing more than to honor the trust this practical stranger had gifted her. “Do ye ken when Arthur will be back?”
Elspeth pulled away slightly, stroking Olivia’s hair tenderly away from her face. “I daenae think he’ll be long. Rain’s coming down something awful–I’ll send him yer way when he arrives, sweetness.” She gave Olivia’s forehead a gentle kiss, pulling away with a remorseful smile on her face. “She’ll come around, Olivia. I ken she will–that hen fought far too hard to get back to ye.”
Hearing someone else say it was…far more reassuring than Olivia had realized. With a slight nod, she managed to hold herself together long enough for the door to shut behind Elspeth . Then, she dropped into the armchair herself, allowing a moment of tears to wash over her in this moment of privacy.
Arthur had never moved so quickly in his life. He’d barely registered the rest of his mother’s greeting before he took off through the castle, leaving puddles of water in his wake and hoping to reach Olivia’s room in time. In time for…what, exactly, he couldn’t rightly say. In time for his own talking points to stay fresh in his mind? In time to catch her before she decided to go back on her word? His selkie had, more or less, chosen him over her own mother; if he were put in such a position, Arthur was certain he’d be equally as furious. Demand to be released from such a ridiculous facade.
He finally stumbled to a halt before Olivia’s door, lifting to knock furiously before reconsidering. As far as he knew, the poor woman was already asleep, perhaps finally able to do so after tossing and turning from all the terrible thoughts in her head. The rain pounded loudly against the castle walls, and for a moment, Arthur considered turning around and leaving their conversation for tomorrow.
Fate had other ideas, however, as the door suddenly swung open, Olivia standing on the other side with a startled gasp. “A-Arthur!”
