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“Yes, Lady Briana has been unfaithful, and I plan to take Amelia as my wife. It is why I wished to bring her home for the news.” He said, lying easily.
“Ye have my blessing.” My father said after a moment of silence. My mother just looked awed, and much to my surprise, Scott bellowed a large laugh.
“I do not think I was asking it, old man.” He said, but his tone was light and teasing.
The rest of the meal was more comfortable, but before the sun had risen, Scott whisked us away, promising that we’d have more time to visit when we returned in a week or so. My father and mother had hugged me before I mounted the horse with Scott, but this time the goodbye was filled with tears of joy instead of sorrow and fear.
Chapter Eight
As we were on our horse, riding through the day with very little breaks, I had time to think and process what had happened to me. I had made it from Mistress to wife, and I was sure that I had spared Osgar and Briana. At least I hoped so, but still the questions that I had the night before nagged at me. Where are we going? Why is he riding so hard if this is friendly? I thought to myself, wondering if I should voice the thoughts aloud.
“It is time I tell you why we are riding.” Scott said. His tense tone had me on edge.
“We are to discuss rebels. This is a safe place, so I figured we could take you along, but this will not be a discussion for a lady. You shall stay in your rooms.” He told me, and I couldn’t find the words in me to protest.
“Rebels?” Was all I could manage through my disbelief.
“Yes, there are threats of rebels in the lowland. Sympathetic to the English cause.” He said, spitting on the ground in disgust as he dismounted his horse, helping me down once more.
“Scotts sympathetic to the English rule? Do they not wish for our freedom?” I couldn’t understand how anyone would want our way of life taken away, and yet I knew that Scott would not lie to me. He just nodded grimly. I couldn’t understand what would cause someone to say such things. I just didn’t understand at all. My head was spinning.
“We will be staying with the McDougal’s, as they are our strongest ally, but I fear that they may not be an ally much longer. If we have to leave hastily…” He said, and I could hear the other men grunt as they dismounted as well.
“Why would they not be our ally?” I asked. I felt as if there was something they all were trying to avoid saying.
“Because they were in favor of Lady Briana.” Derek said, eyeing me. Everything started to fall into place. I realized then that they should hav
e left me with my parents at the village. There would be no hiding Scott’s declaration, and I was sure that he was not the type to deceive either. I shook my head.
“You should take me back.” I demanded, and Scott huffed at me.
“I will do no such thing. You are to be my wife and I shall not let you leave my side.” He said, but I stubbornly shook my head.
“I do not wish to incite something.” I told him persistently, but Scott would hear nothing of it.
He went to make a fire, motioning me over so that I could tend it as they once again hunted game. I was left with my thoughts and a soon to be husband that would not budge. I could only hope for the future, and yet my worry would not leave me. Even as he held me that night, pressed tightly to his chest with a full stomach, I could not quell the worry inside of me. It was not a worry for our future, but for our people. Looking at Scott as he drifted off to sleep, I knew that he would not abandon me. I will have to find a way to see him through. I thought, trying to close my eyes and sleep. It was only the thought that I’d not part from him, his words echoing in my ears that allowed me to finally drift off.
Sneak Peek: Dangerous Times
Peasant Diaries Book 3
When alliances are threatened, it is not the time to demonize a beloved Lady, but that’s exactly what Scott was doing when he left Lady Briana to marry me. I knew now that we would not have the support of the clans if we did not tread carefully. As the new Lady, McKenzie I would be expected to be more than just a pretty figure. I had to help my Laird and my love as much as possible, but looking at the Chief across the table, I was sure that he did not trust me. I was but a peasant, when his son had once had the best.
I did not compare to Lady Briana’s beauty, but the chief’s wife smiled at me with acceptance which made me sure that she had known of Osgar and Briana’s betrayal long before. Sure enough, the harvest was upon us, and a rebel group was causing trouble in the Lowlands. If negotiations did not go well, we’d soon be at war with our own people with the threat of the English still looming over us. My thoughts were interrupted as the Chief spoke.
“You plan to banish your brother in such times?” He nearly hissed, and Scott’s face hardened.
“He has committed adultery.” He said tersely.
I did not think the table was the time nor place to argue about such things, but sure enough the entire manor knew by now, and so no one tried to hide it any longer. Lady Briana and Osgar were surely nowhere to be found, and I was in her seat. Even without a proper announcement, it was clear to many what was happening. When dinner had ended, I had excused myself since Scott was needed with his father to discuss the future of Osgar and Briana.
I felt sick to my stomach, wondering if I had succeeded in sparing them the gallows only to still be driven from each other. When I was on my way back to the room, that’s when a large hand snaked its way around my waist. I thought surely that Scott had snuck away early, tired of arguing with the Chief, but as the hand clamped down on my mouth, I was struck with the realization that this was not my lover. With a sharp pain, everything went black. Rebels. Was the only thought that I could manage before I succumbed to darkness.
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