“It could not be helped,” she said. “Someone told me he slept in the barracks with the rest of the men.”
“Aye, andwhydid he choose to do that?” her father asked, suspicion written on his face.
“I know not. I haven’t talked to him.”
“I’ll tell you why. Because you warned him of my plans!” His yell echoed off the stone walls.
Staring past her father’s shoulder toward the gray light at the window, Seona remained silent. Of course, she’d known he would figure it out. Her father was not only vicious but also canny.
“Did you not?” he asked.
“Nay.”
“You are lying again!”
She didn’t respond, simply stared past him. She didn’t care what he thought of her. If he came toward her, she’d flee out the door. If he caught her… she didn’t know. Could she stab her own father?
“Well then, you leave me no choice. You’ll marry Wentworth the day after tomorrow. I’ll talk to him and arrange everything.” His voice hardened. “And you’llwillinglymarry him or you’ll find yourself far more bruised and battered than Talia was.”
Day after tomorrow?Mo creach!She had to find a way to escape her father’s plans.
“Next week, Talia will marry the Comyn chief,” he said. “That has already been arranged.”
“Does she know when she is to be married?”
“Aye. She also knows I will do her grievous harm if she doesn’t sweetly go along with the marriage.”
Seona gritted her teeth. Damn the man.
“I want you both married and gone from here!”
She would love to be gone from here, but she would not marry the man her father chose for her.
∞∞∞
That evening after supper, Chief Murray waited in his solar for one of the chambermaids to bring Talia to him. He needed to see if her face was healed so that he might present her to Rebbinglen. If the earl took a fancy to her, mayhap a match could be made. Aye, Murray had already signed a contract with the Comyn chief, but he would come up with a good excuse… the earl compromised her or… stole her away. Out of his control. Besides, who would nay-say an earl?
Talia entered, but remained by the door. His guard outside closed the door back. In the dimness, Murray couldn’t see the tone of her skin.
“Come closer, lass.”
She inched forward timidly, but her dark, arrow-sharp gaze met his. Aye, she was rebellious, but also brave. He was proud to see she took after him in looks and temperament. Damn, why couldn’t she have been a lad? ’Twas the greatest disappointment of his life.
Perhaps her future son might also resemble him. And if the boy was sired by an earl, he’d be a powerful man one day.
Talia paused several feet away.
“Closer,” he commanded.
She took a couple more steps. “What is it you want, Father?” Her tone was submissive and he was glad for it.
“To see how your face looks. The bruise is gone, aye?”
“Aye.”
“I’m glad. Do not defy me again and you’ll not receive another one.”
Her eyes narrowed threateningly, and he wanted to snort withwry amusement.
