She stood firm, summoning reserves of courage she didn't know she possessed. "The Chief of the MacCain clan will not allow it," she stated confidently.
MacPeter glanced around. "Where is he?"
"He will be here soon."
"Indeed? Where has he been?" The viper waited, smirking.
The door opened and, though she prayed 'twas Brodie, it was only one of MacPeter's clansmen. A stray draft of wind brought the chief's stench to her. Covering her mouth and nose, she coughed back a gag. Good heavens! She did not want to empty her stomach in front of him.
She cleared her throat and tried to regain her composure. "Brodie has been traveling."
Her mother approached and took her hand. "Chief, if you please... you and your men refresh yourselves while I converse with my daughter." Her mother curtsied. Cat did not.
MacPeter gave a brief nod, but his hateful glare made Cat wish she were anywhere but here. She had never met anyone who sickened her so.
Ma tugged her up the stairs to her bedchamber and barred the door behind them. Her face pale, she turned to Cat. "Are you mad? You're intentionally provoking MacPeter."
"I'm not. I'm telling him the truth. Do you fear him?" Cat didn't know why she asked. The answer was obvious.
"He is powerful."
"He is no ally. Why do you allow him in? Why do you give him power over our clan? Even in Brodie's absence, we have enough guards to keep him out."
"To refuse MacPeter and his clansmen hospitality would be a perilous insult. They would retaliate."
"But why would you promise me to him as a bride? Do you care so little about me? If you fear him, do you not imagine I do, too?"
"Aye, but you must marry a chief, and he is the only one who has offered for you. This union will create an alliance of protection for our clan. Besides, you will soon be on the shelf and too old to marry."
"Nonsense. I'm twenty summers. Anyway, I'd rather remain unmarried forever than marry that swine."
Ma continued to look worried. "But you are promised."
"I did not promise; you did."
"That matters not. It cannot be undone."
"Brodie will undo it." Cat had absolute confidence in her older brother. If only he would return, he would clear the MacPeter vermin from the castle.
"Do you honestly think your selfish, stubborn brother will suddenly appear here?"
"Aye. Torr will bring him back. And Gavin," Cat rushed to add.
Her ma frowned. "That young man, Torr, is going above and beyond for you."
Did her mother suspect something was going on between her and Torr? She must steer her away from that thought. "And so is Gavin. They both want their best friend freed from the horrid, evil spell. Besides, neither of them wants me to marry a brutal beast who will beat me every day."
"You overreact. If you obey MacPeter, he will not beat you."
Obey him? Cat cringed. "I would never obey him. He would likely force me to crawl upon the ground and lick his fetid toes."
Her mother scowled. "You are ridiculous. He is a man like any other."
"Is he like Da?"
"In some ways. All men are the same."
How could her mother be that blind to the truth? "I disagree. MacPeter is like a demon, while... some men are like angels."
