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“Thank ye for coming out to see me under such terrible weather. I understand it is late, but there is a subject I would like to discuss, and as the eldest and only remaining member of my family, I believe ye are old and mature enough to discuss this with me.”
“To the best of my ability, I’m sure,” Kate replied, curtsying again.
“Good, please take a seat.” Max began, getting out of his own seat and helping Kate into hers.
Once done, he turned and walked towards a window, watching his servants outside as they worked under the rain. He smiled to himself, as Kate watched his face in the window. The smile almost looked sinister, as though he enjoyed seeing his servants suffer. For a man who had everything, it made no sense why he would enjoy something like that.
“In all of my years ruling over this estate, I find that there are things which have simply evaded me. Despite everything which I try, I simply am unable to find it.” Lightning flashed in the sky outside, illuminating Max’s figure as he stood by the window. His sporran dangled off the hip of his kilt. The Laird was dressed for bed, save for the kilt. His pale skin shone in the light of the candles. “Katherine, I believe it is time for me to have an heir. I am getting older, and nae one knows when my time will come.”
Kate smiled, realizing that the man was right. “Aye! Max, that’s great news! I mean that is exactly what this estate needs, a beautiful woman at yer right hand, and a baby in hers! Ah, this calls for a celebration, doesnae?”
“I reckon it does, Katherine,” Max replied, staring out the window.
She looked closer, realizing the demeanor in which he had responded, and saw that he wasn’t exactly pleased with what she had said. Then it hit her, he had not yet found a bride for him to marry.
“Ah, Laird McGowan, if it pleases ye, allow me to help ye find a bride, someone who would fit right into this household. A woman who would be worthy to be called yer bride. There are a lot of great houses all around and honored women as well. But please, let me do this for ye, and I assure ye, we will find a bride, the one which ye would spend the rest of yer life with, and she would give ye a fine heir.”
Kate got to her feet and began walking over to him. McGowan turned around, and Kate froze as she saw that look in his eyes. The one which foretold of the cruelty which the Laird was about to dish out to whoever was in reach. He had switched to his alternate personality that made sure it hurt everyone around. McGowan glared at her for a moment, raising an eyebrow as he scanned her from her head to her feet.
“Ye make it sound like the bride is the problem. I have always had a bride; I just need an heir.”
Kate cocked her head to the side as she tried to make sense of what he had just said. “I do nae understand. Ye mean ye have found someone already? Where is she? We must celebrate the good news.”
“When I called ye here, I did because I believed ye were old enough to understand, believed that ye would nae ridicule me, and now, ye do exactly that. Daenae ask for my wrath, Katherine, I am in foul spirits tonight, and so daenae tempt me!”
“Apologies, I simply daenae know what ye speak off, and I ask for understanding.”
“Have ye seen a man recently?” Max asked.
“Of course nae,” Kate replied. It was almost impossible for her. The Laird made sure he had servants with her whenever she went into the town. They would report back to Max if there was a man who had come up to her, looking to get her attention. If the men were of a poor household, then McGowan would send some of his servants to go rough up the man, forcing him to stay away from Kate, and if they had an estate, then McGowan would go by himself and let them know that Katherine was not for anyone.
“Good, the servants have said the same. So let me ask ye, Katherine, why do ye think I have nae given ye out? Ye would fetch a handsome dowry, so why havenae I? I deserve it, after all I have done for ye and yer sisters, raised ye as my own daughters, fed ye, clothed ye and gave ye shelter. I believe no one would have any issues if I did that, because I am indeed, yer new father figure.”
Kate grunted, “That ye are, Laird McGowan.”
“Good, so ye understand then,” said Max, turning back to the window. “Ye understand why it is ye I must make my bride.”
Kate looked right at him, frozen from what she had just heard. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard that.”
“We will have our wedding a fortnight from now. I will have the necessary arrangements made, and in the meantime, I want ye to study and learn how to behave like a proper lady. Ye will be the Lady McGowan, and there are certain things which ye need to learn. Isla will walk ye through these things and make sure ye are ready for the wedding.”
“Uncle!” Kate yelled. “Max, it’s me! What are ye saying?”
“What do ye mean?” Max asked, turning back to face her.
“Katherine, yer niece. Ye just said ye want to make me yer bride. I am yer niece, we cannae be together, ye have taken me for someone else, I’m sorry.” Kate replied, speaking quickly.
“What makes ye think I am wrong? This is my duty and my desire. I want to make ye my bride.”
“But ye are my uncle!” Kate argues.
“And fathers make daughters into wives. This is the way I have planned it to be.”
“But Max…”
“Silence, ye dobber! Yer faither died and left me in charge of ye, and I can do with ye as I want to! I have decided to keep the blood of the McGowan in the family, and that starts with ye, whether ye like it or nay. Ye do not get a say in this, and if ye want to, ye will pay back for every single dime I have spent on ye, and yer sisters to buy yer freedoms back!” Max walked the length of the room. “Do ye nae see the advantages of us getting married? A stronger bloodline, a safer one, where the future of the McGowan name is safe.”
Kate backed away, shaking her head as she felt the tears come to her face. She watched as the man ranted on, spewing all of the nonsense that lingered in his mind. He was truly off his rocker if he believed that she was going to marry him. “But I daenae love ye, Max,”
