Chapter 2
The following morning, Cormac woke early, washed and dressed, then made a plan to quit the Keep and return to his men.The plan was to eat a quick breakfast, saddle his horse, and leave before anyone could corner him about marriage prospects.
It was a good plan.
It lasted approximately thirty seconds after he entered the Great Hall.
"They're here!"his mother announced gleefully, rushing past him toward the main doors."The Ruthvens have arrived!And early, too.How wonderful."
Cormac froze."Who?"
"The Ruthvens, dear," his mother replied."I told ye yesterday – Annag Ruthven is arriving to meet ye today.Ye need to make a good impression."
"I dinnae care if the king himself wants to see me, I'm not staying," Cormac protested.
But his mother simply clasped his arm tight and began marching him toward the bailey, with his father close behind.
Soon they stood at the top of the stairs, watching the gates to the bailey.His parents stepped away to discuss something among themselves.
Ninian appeared at Cormac's elbow, grinning like a fool."Ye're trapped now, brother.Might as well face the inevitable."
"I'm leaving," Cormac said flatly."Right now.Tell them I've gone."
"Look," Nessa said softly from behind him.
Cormac cursed under his breath.An impressive entourage was filing through the gates with fine horses and well-dressed servants, and at the center of it all, a woman who he assumed was the reason he was still here.
Annag Ruthven dismounted from her horse, her golden hair catching the morning sunlight.Even from this distance, Cormac could see she was handsome – delicate features, perfect proportions, the kind of beauty that turned heads and stopped men in their tracks.The exact kind of woman he had no interest in, because she reminded him of all the vapid women at King David's court.
"She's bonnie, aye?"Ninian said."If ye dinnae want her, I'll take her."
"Be my guest," Cormac muttered.
"If ye want to leave, ye better go now," Nessa said gently."I'll create a diversion."
"How would ye do that if—?"
Before he could finish the sentence, Nessa ran out into the bailey, screamed, and fainted in front of the Ruthven entourage.
Cormac shook his head and took it all back.His sister was just as daft as the rest of his family.Unfortunately, her theatrics had no effect whatsoever, for he watched his parents simply step over Nessa and continue to greet the confused-looking Ruthvens as if nothing were amiss.Eventually Nessa sighed, stood up, shrugged her shoulders at him, and mouthed, "I tried."
Against his better judgment, Cormac remained through a blur of polite introductions.Laird Ruthven, a portly man with shrewd eyes, clearly saw this as a business arrangement.Lady Ruthven simpered and fluttered, no doubt already planning the wedding in her head.And Annag smiled at Cormac with perfect teeth and said all the right things in a voice like honey.
"Master Cormac," she said, extending her hand."What an honor to finally meet ye.I've heard so much about yer...adventures."
There was something in the way she said adventures that suggested she didn't quite approve.
"Miss Ruthven," Cormac replied politely, dipping his head."Welcome to Stewart Keep."
