Page 8 of Anice’s Bargain

“Aye, Anice is unwed.” Her father’s words were heavy with trepidation.

“Yer eldest?” Laird Graham surmised.

“Second eldest. My eldest was wed several years ago.” Was there a note of sadness to her father’s tone, or had Anice imagined it?

“Pity.” Laird Graham’s mouth puckered and he sucked at his teeth. “This chit still comes with a dowry, aye? Coin and land?”

Irritation rankled through Anice at the man discussing her as though she were a transaction to be handled. As though she was not within earshot of both men.

Beside her, the Earl of Werrick cast a deep sigh. “She does come with a dowry of coin and land.”

“Verra well. I have agreement then.” The aged laird nodded. “My men will leave so long as the lass will agree to marriage.”

Though she’d been somewhat expecting such words, shock still rocked through Anice. Shock and disgust. To imagine kissing this man, letting his fetid breath near her mouth and his spotted, age-pruned hands on her body. She suppressed a shudder. There was no other choice, though. Her people would starve if she refused, and her sweet Piquette would no doubt be murdered. Her life with this man was a small sacrifice for all that would be gained.

A lump settled in her throat at the dismal options she faced. She would not allow Piquette to come to harm for her decisions.

Her father shot to his feet. “Absolutely not. I will not sell off my daughter like a piece of horse flesh. Certainly not to the likes of you.”

She stared up at him in gratitude for his consideration, to not so easily cast her away for his own well-being. There were few fathers who so loved their daughters as he did. It was for that reason she spoke up, as well as for the love she held in her heart for all the people within Werrick, and for her dear Piquette who was both loyal and brave.

Anice got to her feet beside Lord Werrick. All eyes shifted to her. Her blood raced uncontrollably through her veins, powered by the raw energy of the decision she had made. A decision she had to swiftly speak lest she lose the nerve.

“All is well, Father.” She regarded Laird Graham, the crumpling figure of a man who would surely kill all her girlhood dreams of love and passion and replace them with the reality of survival and necessity. To think, all those wasted hours trying to get poor Thomas to kiss her, all the nights she’d lain awake imagining what it would be like to be well-loved by a brawny man. All those blossoming girlhood fantasies withered away under her decision.

She inclined to her head to her soon-to-be husband. “I will agree to marry you.”

* * *

Disgust curdledin James’s stomach at the woman’s agreement to wed Laird Graham. Anice, her father had called her. An earl’s daughter, one of youth and incredible beauty. James’s father aimed high, even for a laird.

She kept her gaze fixed on Laird Graham, her face an emotionless mask. Surely, she could not be pleased with her decision, and yet he knew she did this to save her people. The lass was brave.

Exceptionally so. A woman willing to sacrifice anything to save those she loves.

Laird Graham threw his head back suddenly and laughed. The barking depth of it echoed off the stone walls surrounding them. James regarded his father with confusion. Had the old man’s mind deteriorated along with his body?

“Ach, I’m flattered, lass. Truly.” James’s father wheezed out another laugh and panted for breath before speaking again. “I dinna want a wife. I’ve had enough nagging and harassment in my years.” He slid a sly glance toward James. “Ye’re for my only son.”

James stilled. Surely his da jested. “I dinna want—”

“Marry the lass,” Laird Graham said. “Or ye condemn these people to die in this castle.”

Anice’s stare settled on James, her face unchanged, her expression still shielded. He wished he could see into her mind at that moment, to read her thoughts. James was not the withered man his father was, but nor was he handsome. Experience had taught him all too well how beauty craved beauty.

Bitterness frosted over his heart at the memory he never fully pushed away. Anice would be trouble.

“Dinna ye want to marry the lass?” James’s father slapped him on the back, urging him forward, but James held his ground. “Dinna ye think she’s bonny?”

Contrary to her impassive expression, Anice’s cheeks blushed and her back went stiff. This was not going well.

“I dinna want to marry,” James replied as delicately as he could.

“Why no’, lad?” Laird Graham gestured to the woman and lowered his voice. “She gets ye everything ye want. If ye decline, these people will die.” He shrugged with clear disinterest either way. “Do ye agree to wed her or no’?”

James glared at his father, hating the decision forced on him. He’d never wanted a wife. Not with the life he currently led, not with the fear of letting himself be so vulnerable again. But he could no sooner allow more innocent lives to be lost. Damn his father and the impossible decision he lay at James’s feet.

James regarded Anice and nodded. “Aye. I’ll marry her.”