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“I apologize. I was just concerned about miss MacGregor’s future chances of making a good marriage, now.”
“Aye, I understand, but that is between me and Beiste MacGregor.”
Yesenda changed tack. “Ruadh, why dinnae you marry miss MacGregor? She is quite bonnie, and I am sure you would make her a fine husband. Surely the MacGregor chieftain would not object. You ken each other, do you not?”
Ruadh half choked on his wine and started coughing at her suggestion.
Before he could respond, Bram pounded his fist on the table and said, “Sorcha is not marrying anyone! Her future is between me and her brother. Now if you will excuse me. Ruadh, I need a word.”
Bram stood, waited for Ruadh to join him, then the men left, taking Lachlan with them.
Yesenda smirked into her wineglass.
When the men quit the hall Yesenda moved towards the woman she most wanted to speak to. She sat down beside Sorcha.
Sorcha was too stunned to speak. Yesenda had no such problem.
“I see the way he looks at you,” Yesenda said.
“Who?” Sorcha asked.
“Bram.”
“I dinnae ken what you mean.”
“Do you not? Then mayhap you are the only one.” Yesenda raised her eyebrow.
Sorcha blushed and said, “Bram is far too busy to bother with me.”
“On the contrary. He looks at you with hunger. The type of expression I hope to garner from a man of my choosing someday.”
“What do you mean? You have no choice, Yesenda. If you mean to cuckold Bram, you best think again!” Sorcha said vehemently.
Yesenda got the full measure of the woman. Sorcha was also desperately in love with Bram Henderson.
“As much as I respect Bram, I dinnae want to marry him and contrary to what most people think, including my brother, I have choices, Sorcha. We all do.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Sorcha asked.
“I believe we can come to an arrangement.”
“What sort of arrangement?”
“Mayhap you could take my place?”
“I think everyone would notice the difference,” Sorcha scoffed.
“You are his lover, are you not?” Yesenda asked forthrightly.
“No, I ama captive held here against my will.”
“Are you a captive Sorcha? Look around. You are not treated like a prisoner, but part of the clan. If you played your cards better, you may secure your heart’s desire.”
After exchanging a few more words, Yesenda took her leave. She knew Bram was not going to marry her. All she had to do now was stay out of the way.
Yesenda was so focused on her machinations she failed to realize she herself had become the object of someone else’s undivided attention.
***
