Chapter 4
"Where have you beenhiding?" The growl came from behind Catriona.
She jumped and turned, finding John MacPeter lurking in the dim downstairs corridor. The dark scowl on his bloated face was especially hateful.
Facing him, she straightened her shoulders, determined to show no fear. "I've nay been hiding," she snapped.
"You dare to dispute my word?" He narrowed his eyes and stared at her lips. "You have an impertinent mouth."
'Twas unclear to her whether he was angry or lustful—mayhap both. She ground her teeth lest she tell him exactly how much she detested him. As for the impertinence, aye, her brother often told her she was outspoken and brash. 'Twas he and their grandfather who had taught her these habits.
"Some might even say disrespectful," MacPeter barked.
If she argued with him, he would see her as even more insolent. And if she agreed with him? He expected her to cower and apologize. But she had done naught to apologize for.
"'Twas nay my intention. I've been busy."
"Aye, well, once we're married, I will strive to keep you very busy." He chuckled and wiggled his eyebrows.
She cringed. Ugh! He turned her stomach. At the same time, alarm bells rang in her head. She needed to escape straightaway. If only her ma would summon her. How keen was MacPeter's hearing? He had to be nearing three score summers.
"Coming, Mother!" she yelled up the stairs.
MacPeter frowned. "I heard naught," he bit out.
"Mother called to me." Catriona pointed toward the ceiling. "'Haps your hearing is going."
He lumbered toward her. "I'll nay tolerate your brazen lies," he said through clenched teeth. His stench reached her before he did.
Heart vaulting into her throat, she hopped out of the way and scuttled up the stairs. He tried to chase after her but tripped on the bottom step.
He roared like an outraged beast behind her as she raced upward.
"Come back here, you insolent chit," he ordered. "I'll take my whip to your bare arse!"
Not a chance in Hades. Her heart pounded as she dashed into her chamber and barred the door. If he caught her, he would probably beat her in her own home... in front of her mother and the entire clan. Would they even try to stop him? He was worse than she'd suspected. Her life would be a living hell if they managed to force her to marry him. She had to leave before the evening meal.
***
'TWAS TIME FOR CATRIONAto make good her escape. Though she had never traveled anywhere alone, and she was nervous about it, she had no other choice if she wished to evade marriage to a man who had all the charm of a feral boar.
While the kitchen staff was busy preparing for an elaborate supper, she covertly collected two loaves of bread and a block of hard yellow cheese for her journey. In her bedchamber, she added a folded change of clothing to her arisaid pouch. She took some silver coins from her stash should she need to buy anything or pay for services rendered. She would have to pay the ferryman, for Torr lived on the opposite end of a long loch.
Her only regret was that she couldn't ride her mare, for that would draw too much attention. Not wishing anyone to ken she was a lady, she would need to walk the entire way, pretending to be a peasant.
She had to escape before this evening'scèilidh, a grand feast with music and dancing her mother had planned. Usually, Catriona loved cèilidhs but not one with MacPeter. She would be forced to sit beside him again. He had mostly ignored her last time while he'd talked to the elder on his other side. But after the confrontation earlier, he would no doubt still be riled with her.
Wearing her mother's oldest, moth-eaten cloak, which she'd found in a trunk, she slipped down the servants' stairs, trying to keep her footfalls as quiet as possible.
"And where do you think you're going, m'lady?" Aggie asked behind her.
"Oh, blast," Catriona hissed. "You scared me." Pressing her lips tightly together, she turned and glared back from beneath the cowl. "How did you ken 'twas me?"
"I was nay born yesterday. I've had my eye on you all day." Coming forward, the maid brought the candle closer and scrutinized her. "What's that on your face, then? Did you tumble down a chimney?"
Catriona put up a hand to shield her face and the lines of soot "wrinkles" she'd made. "I was cleaning the hearth. Could you have a bath brought up to my chamber?"
Aggie cocked her head. "Since when do you clean hearths?" Her perceptive, beady-eyed gaze dropped. "What's that in your arisaid? You've nay become that fleshy. This morn, you were still as lean as a pike. You're trying to sneak out before the feast, aye?"
