Page 3 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

“Marian had been on the run from the British for months. This lass is being delivered to her planned wedding by her family,” Lach said with a wave. “Kenna offered to find her a better dress and shoes, but her brother won’t have it. He wants the wedding done with as quickly as possible.”

“And you don’t think that speaks of something underhanded?” Cam asked.

Before Lach could answer, the McCurdy heir, Wallace, stepped up with his two cousins behind him.

“Is this the groom?” the man bellowed. “Let’s get on with it. Before the MacKinlay breaches another arrangement like the last time.” The younger men with him chuckled at the man’s snide comment.

Cam took a step toward the strangers, but Lach put out his arm to stop his progress. “Father,” Lach said to the priest. “Let’s commence with the service so our guests can return home as soon as possible.”

A few moments later everyone was sorted out and Bryce stood in front of his bride, who stared back at him openly with wide eyes.

Eyes the color of the perfect September sky he’d observed earlier while standing on the battlements. He swallowed and looked away. The lass was pretty enough despite her condition. A few good meals and a bath and she’d be much improved. Not that he cared.

He planned to see her to his cottage in the village and be done with her. He’d stay in his small room in the keep. He’d give her enough of his pay to care for her better than she was currently, but she would be on her own.

His duty to his clan ended with him speaking the words, “I do.”

Chapter Two

Dorie blinked up at the man who would be her husband.

At her height, she was taller than many of the men in her clan. And nearly as tall as her brother. But she had to look up at Bryce MacKinlay Campbell.

Even frowning at her the way he was now, he was incredibly handsome. There were so many shades of blond in his long hair she didn’t think any two strands were the same color. Honey, wheat, gold…there was a different name for each hue. And she found she wanted to spend hours assigning each one.

His green eyes glittered even though it was clear he was unhappy. She wondered how bright they would be if he smiled or laughed. Not that he seemed the sort for such frivolous things.

Her new husband was a serious man. He’d hardly said two words as they stood in front of the priest to be married. The words he did say sounded less than happy about their arrangement.

She hadn’t expected him to want to marry her. Looking at the servants in the hall, she knew she was lacking. She didn’t even have shoes. There was no need for shoes or new dresses when she’d spent her life in one room with a few books and a lumpy bed.

She’d never cared about such things. Until now.

Swallowing, she turned toward the priest as he began the ceremony. She’d never been to a wedding before so she didn’t know what to expect. When the priest told her to repeat his words and waited expectantly for her to do so, she could only blink.

“Go ahead, lass,” her groom prompted when she remained silent.

She shook her head, hoping the gesture would explain the problem, but her brother strode forward and grabbed her by the arm.

“You’ll say the goddamn words, ye fool. Don’t play with me. I’ve no patience for it today,” Wallace snapped and gave her a hearty shake.

If she did speak, it might be to point out that her brother had no patience any day. Ever. But she didn’t have the chance for he was shaking her again.

“Stop it,” Bryce said, pulling her brother back. “What’s the matter?” he asked, his glowing green gaze on her. “Are you being forced to marry me?”

Again she shook her head; though she hadn’t a say in marrying, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to. Now that she was here before him, she felt that tingle of hope under her breastbone. How much worse could she be here where the servants were better cared for than she?

“She doesn’t speak,” Rory, her younger cousin, explained. A year younger than her, Rory was a gangly lad who had been kind to her when no one was around. When others were close by, he joined in so as not to be teased by the older men.

Bryce’s eyes went wide as the priest mumbled in dissatisfaction. “I canna perform the service if the bride doesna say her vows.”

“She can nod. Then you know she wants to do it,” Wallace suggested while leaning forward to tap her chin.

The priest shook his head. “There’s no proof she has the capacity to understand what she’s agreeing to without her speaking the vows.”

Her brother reached for her, this time smacking her in the back of the head. The force caused her to bite the tip of her tongue. Even if she’d wanted to, it would be difficult to speak now.

“Enough,” Bryce said, drawing his knife. “Touch her again, and I’ll drop you here where we eat our meals. I’d rather not have your bloody carcass sully our hall.”