Page 24 of The Highlander’s Tempting Touch

She wanted to stay angry with him, but it was becoming more and more difficult. Her anger, when she tried to fan it, was more like cold, flickering embers, rather than the roaring bonfire it had been at the start of the journey.

She was tired of being angry. She was still afraid of marriage, and of the responsibilities that came with it. She was also still angry with Alistair for trying to trick her. But those feelings weren’t as strong as they had been, and she wasn’t sure what to do now.

She wished she could speak to her father. Over the past several days, she’d come to regret parting from him in anger, without a word, or even a glance.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Alistair’s voice. “Look, Niamh. There’s Castle MacDuff. We’ll be there within two tae three candle-marks.”

Niamh raised her gaze to see the large stone building, rising out of the Highland hills like a mountain.

Castle MacDuff. Her new home, where she would soon be the Lady of the clan.

For the first time in many days, Niamh felt a nearly overwhelming urge to run.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Alistair could feel Niamh’s tension growing as they approached the walls of Castle MacDuff. He sympathized. Whether Niamh knew it or not, she wasn’t the only one apprehensive about what would happen when they arrived at his home. There was no telling what had happened in his absence, and it worried him. Especially in light of what he’d seen the night before, while they were eating in the dining section of the tavern inn.

He raised his arm to flash a signal to the guards, to let them know who he was. The tartan he wore was identification enough in general, but they’d arranged extra measures after Fergus MacTavish had tried the tactic of sneaking mercenaries into the castle, wearing tartans stolen from fallen MacDuff clansmen on the battlefield. Just the memory of that incident made him sick to his stomach.

The heavy gates opened as he guided the horses up the last part of the road. Alistair breathed a sigh of relief to see his brother Ewan and Catriona. Though she was a second cousin, he’d always gotten along with her, to the point that she was like a sister.

If she was here, Niamh would have someone to befriend. And if Ewan had let her accompany him to the gate, rather than asking her to remain at the doors to the keep proper, then his brother wasn’t expecting trouble.

His brother followed the horses as he guided them into the courtyard, then waited until Alistair had dismounted and helped Niamh down. “So this is the lass ye went tae see about courtin’?”

“This is me betrothed, aye.” He offered Niamh his hand. “Niamh Cameron, allow me tae present me braither and second-in-command, Ewan MacDuff, and me second cousin and kinswoman, Catriona MacLean.”

“Och, dinnae need tae be so formal, Alistair.” Catriona stepped forward. “’Tis good tae meet ye at last, cousin.”

Niamh blinked. “Cousin?”

“Aye. Didnae the great lout tell ye? Yer maither was a member o’ the MacLean branch o’ Clan MacDuff – a daughter o’ the cadet line. ‘Tis more that we’re second or third cousins, I’m thinkin’ but we’re kinfolk nonetheless.”

“I see. I didnae ken.” Niamh looked a little overwhelmed. Catriona, healer that she was, noticed it at once. Her expression softened, and she put an arm around Niamh’s shoulders.

“Apologies. I shouldnae have spoken so much when ye’re fair wearied from the journey, and like as nae worried about the wedding.” She began to lead Niamh away, talking of rooms and wedding preparations in a low, soothing tone.

“Catriona will see yer lass is well cared fer.” Ewan clapped Alistair on the shoulder. “The Council’s been waiting fer a seven-day, and they began gathering as soon as the watch guards signaled yer arrival.”

“I expected as much.” Alistair sighed. He wanted a bath to wash the dirt of the road off, a hot meal, and a glass of strong spirits to soothe the cold from the marrow of his bones. He knew, however, that the Council was unlikely to wait for him to take his ease.

“I’ve made sure there will be food and a fire laid in, and mulled wine as well.”

“Bless ye, Ewan. I need it sore.” He gave the servants directions on how to handle the packs, and how to stable Laird Cameron’s horses, then followed his brother inside the castle.

“I imagine ye dae need the food and drink, but there’s something I’m wondering about.” Ewan’s voice was low, and Alistair felt his gut clench in apprehension.

“Aye? And what’s that?”

“Ye look fair troubled. Was the journey so rough? Or was it the company on the road back that has ye troubled?” Ewan’s question made Alistair stop short.

“’Tis naething in particular. Naething against Niamh.” Alistair shook his head. “Ye ken how I feel about marriage.”

“Aye, and why. But if ye think I didnae see that the ring ye used tae wear is on yer lass’s finger instead o’ the cord about yer neck, then yer wits are muddled.”

“The lass needed a ring tae mark the betrothal.” Alistair brushed the question aside. He didn’t want to think about the question Ewan was really asking.

“Why that one? Ye had plenty o’ time tae have a new one made. Fer that matter, ye were at the festival. Surely there was a metal-smith who could have made one fer ye.”