Dear heavens, it had to be bad, then. “How does it look?”
“I have a bruise on my face,” Talia said.
“What else? Any cuts or broken bones?”
“Nay, but I have another bruise on my arm where it struck the bed frame.”
Saints!Seona wished she could lash out at her father in the same way, but he was strong and stocky. He had knocked her down before. When she was a wee lass, she remembered him treating her poor mother the same way. She had to get Talia away from him.
“What was he trying to make you do?” Seona asked.
“He wants me to marry Chief Comyn. He is an old man, Seona,” Talia sobbed.
Not only that, but the man was notorious for being ruthless and vile. What could she do to help her sister? She well knew fathers in the Highlands chose husbands for their daughters, but hers was determined to find the worst possible husbands for them to ensure their lives would be hell on earth.
“Since he received your missive months ago, he has been hunting a husband for you as well,” Talia said.
Dark dread slammed into Seona’s gut. “Who has he mentioned?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Seona stood outside her sister’s door, waiting to hear the name of the man her father planned to marry her off to. Although a title meant naught to her, at the moment she wished Keegan had the grandest title in the land, simply so she’d be allowed to marry him.
“Talia?” Seona asked, moisture burning her eyes. “Tell me who.”
“Laird Wentworth from farther south. He is a baron.”
She didn’t know whether to be relieved that he was none of the horrid chiefs she knew, or more terrified of the unknown. “I have never heard of him. Have you seen him?”
“Aye, he visited. He is not terribly old. I would say thirty summers. But you would not like him. He is pompous and arrogant.”
“Perfect,” Seona muttered, hating her father more with each second that passed.
Footsteps clomped up the stairwell behind her.’Twas Fleming, one of the guards who had worked here forever. Although his hair was mostly gray, he was still a brawny man. “What are you about? Oh. Lady Seona, welcome home.” He bowed.
“I thank you, Fleming. I wish to go in and speak to my sister. Have you the key?”
“Aye, but I must ask Chief Murray.”
“Please do.”
Fleming disappeared down the stairwell.
Seona turned back to the door. “How long have you beenlocked in there?”
“Five days,” Talia said.
“Good Lord. Have the maids brought you food?”
“Aye.”
“And are you eating?”
“Aye.”
Seona was glad for that at least, but she needed to see if her sister had lost weight. When Talia was upset, she would sometimes avoid meals. “Why did you not remain with Cousin Genevieve?” She would’ve been safe and cared for there, at least.
“I did for several months, but when spring arrived, Father came to retrieve me.”
