Her mother's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Which angelic men are you speaking of?"
Well, mayhap Torr couldn't be called an angel exactly. But being with him was heavenly. "I will only marry an honorable man who treats me with respect," Cat said. "A man who is kind and considerate."
"You will find no such weak men here in the Highlands."
"He is not weak! Kindness does not equal weakness."
"Who?" her mother demanded, her face reddening.
Cat rolled her eyes. Blast! Now she had gone and done it.
"Which man...?" Her mother's eyes widened. "Oh, Catriona, what have you done?" Had her mother surmised her connection to Torr?
Cat swallowed hard. "Very well. If you must know... I am already betrothed to a strong, honorable man. A knight."Halfway.It wasn't legal and binding yet, but she certainly felt betrothed. Actually, she felt married to him.
"What? No! Who is he?" Ma was near screeching now.
The time for truth had come. "Sir Torr MacElrath."
Her mother's mouth dropped open. "It cannot be. How did this happen? He is not a chieftain. He holds no land, property, or titles, does he? He is a younger son."
"That matters not to me. I love him beyond anything you can imagine. I have loved him for years. And he loves me." It felt amazing to finally admit her feelings.
"You ran away to him? How could you? You have ruined your life. Have you consummated the betrothal?"
Cat's face heated as she remembered how well and truly their union had been consummated. "You ask too many questions."
"Have you?" Ma asked through gritted teeth.
"Aye. I'm thoroughly compromised, and I will marry him as soon as it can be legally done. I may even now be carrying his bairn."
Her mother gasped, her face blanching, and lifted a hand to cover her gaping mouth. "You have just brought untold wrath down upon our clan. The MacPeter will be furious."
A pang of nervousness struck Cat's stomach, for she well knew how vicious the tyrant was. "Once Torr and the others find Brodie and bring him back, he will clear all this up. He would not make me marry that knave MacPeter. In the meantime, you must put him off. Tell him I require more time. By then, Brodie will be here."
"I have lost all faith in Brodie. He is..." Ma shook her head. "I cannot even bear to think of him. His father would be so disappointed in him."
"Wilona MacRae placed a spell upon him, Ma. He cannot change his ways until he overcomes it. Torr, Gavin, and Finnian are here to help him. The curse can be conquered. Both Gavin and Torr are free. We must find a wife for Brodie... someone who will love him."
"We don't have time for this." Her mother paced from one side of the room to the other. "Matchmaking your brother is a waste of time. He is a scoundrel, a rake, and a rogue. And worst of all, a selkie. No woman will have him, and no chief will allow his daughter to marry him. You saw how Elsea departed in haste."
"She left because of the curse."
A fist pounded on the door, making them both jump. "Ladies?" MacPeter's voice boomed through the thick wood.
Cat glared at the door. "Aye?"
"I have waited long enough. Either the wedding takes place now, or I start slitting the throats of MacCains."
