Page 57 of The Highlander's Fake Wife
A heavy silence hung between the lairds, Hector and Duncan in particular casting uneasy looks between each other. Arthur polished off his cup and practically slammed it against the table, expectedly garnering the attention of every one present. He stood from his chair before taking command once more of the conversation. “While I appreciate yer willingness to fight on me behalf, Laird MacKimmon,”
Hector grumbled something under his breath before taking a drink from his own cup.
“I do agree that killin’ will cause more problems than it will solve.” Arthur sighed heavily, sitting back into his chair and shaping his tone to sound more even-tempered. “I would gladly take yer warriors fer defense, should things go wrong.”
Hector raised his cup, offering a curt nod and a not-so-stony expression.
“Ye seem determined to do this diplomatically from the start, Laird MacDonnell,” Marcus observed lightly.
“Aye,” Arthur agreed. “Just needed to make sure I wasnae thinking too emotionally.”
Duncan shook his head and he spoke up next. “I find it admirable o’ ye. Marcus is right; the wars have gone on fer longenough. The MacCulloh’s may not willingly give up at first, but we’ll stand behind ye, should ye need us.”
He would never admit it out loud, but Arthur was relieved to hear it. Handling the MacCulloh clan wouldn’t be difficult, should he find himself at odds against them. But, it was reassuring to know that he had a group of equally-powerful individuals who valued his peaceful approach.
“Ye really think Olivia’s clan would do her harm, Arthur?” Marcus suddenly asked.
He did. He truly did, and it burned Arthur to think so. “Until she’s made Lady MacDonnell, I wouldnae expect anything less. Even after we’re wed, I expect some resistance.” But at least then, she’ll have a proper army standing behind her. She would be protected by a clan that actually cared for her.
“She’ll be well-watched within my keep,” Duncan swore.
“Ye’ve proven that without a shadow o’doubt,” Arthur reassured.
“I’d like to extend me own resources fer the cause as well,” Marcus added. “Me own keep’s the closest to MacCulloh’s; we’ll keep our communications open, see if we overhear any plots or ploys from Olivia’s kinfolk.”
“That’s if they manage to organize outside of a rioting mob,” Hector mused, the scowl of his brow having softened slightly over the course of their meeting. He then polished his mugoff next before offering a smirk. “Just let me ken if any heads need knockin’ around,” he declared. “The Laird o’MacKimmon willnae leave his allies without aid.”
“Then it’s decided,” Arthur said, raising his cup into the air as the other lairds followed suit. “Come hell or high water, the union between MacCulloh and MacDonnell is set in stone.”
29
Finally, the lairds left Duncan’s office with the makings of a plan. Arthur certainly felt more at ease than he had at the start of the conversation, but he wished he could solve the problem immediately. Killing them would be so easy, but…
“Och, selkie. Ye really softening this killer up.” Arthur sighed, mentally preparing himself to face the crowds not as a lovesickened man, but the terrifying laird of MacDonnell keep. He managed to fix his face into a neutral glower, emptying his mind of any and all thoughts before stepping back into public.
And then immediately forgot to keep the charade going once he caught sight of Olivia.
She spun across the dance floor with little Rosie and Bonnie, grasping their little hands as they giggled and squealed in delight. Red waves of loosely braided hair draped against her shimmering silver gown, sunlight catching against the dapple design like stones beneath a clear-running stream. His selkiehad found her coat once more, and she was all the more stunning for it.
“Uncle Arthur!” Rosie’s squealing directed towards him, and she ran full-sprint into his hastily outstretched arms. “Did ye see me dancing wit Auntie ‘Livie?”
Auntie. In Rosie’s innocent eyes, they were already married. Arthur scooped the girl up into his arms as Olivia and Bonnie joined them, sweat glistening her forehead like glittering diamonds.
“She’s positively boundless,” Olivia laughed breathlessly. “I daenae think I will last much longer.”
Arthur leaned into Rosie’s ear, whispering a quiet request. “Do ye mind if I take ‘Auntie Livie’ for a dance o’ me own?”
Rosie nodded ecstatically, sliding down his body before grabbing Bonnie’s hand. “Come on, Bonnie! Lyall’s been sneaking sweets all party; let’s see if he’ll give us some.” She froze in place, turning back to Arthur as she added hastily, “Y-Ye didnae hear that, Uncle!”
Arthur replied by covering his ears with a smirk and a wink.
Olivia watched as the pair scurried off to get into more mischief, eyeing Arthur with a raised brow. “And what exactly did ye promise her? Something nefarious I should be worried about?”
“Oh, nothin o’ the sort,” Arthur replied. “I appealed to her kind and caring nature to earn the honor o’ dancing with ye alone. After all,” he added with a smirk. “Ye already promised to save me a dance with ye.”
Olivia’s face was already flushed from dancing, but somehow, it grew even hotter. “I-I seem to remember ye all but commanding it.”
“And will ye nay heed yer laird, Olivia?” She watched as Arthur extended his hand outward, and with a delicate grasp of her own, he led her back to the dancing circle and quite literally swept her off her feet.
