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He was going to marry Lord Turner's daughter, and they were going to form an alliance. What happened next was no one's problem. However, he did not believe it would be difficult to reach a compromise with a woman who was also being forced into marriage.
“Who is this?” Jonan asked, looking at a large portrait on the wall while they waited.
“It’s the Queen of England, my lord,” the footman replied, frightened by Jonan’s height and his deep angry eyes. It’s certain the man knew that tales about him flew around, and he also knew that none of them painted him as a kind man.
Jonan didn’t mind. It kept people away.
Still, he stood unimpressed by the English monarch.
“Dae all yer English women look this way?” Jonan asked. He didn’t like the Queen’s heavily painted face. Her outfit seemed too polished, and her eyes and lips held no smile.
“Are you having second thoughts, Lord McKay?” Lord Turner walked into the hall where the two Scotsmen were stood.
“I am here as me letter to ye promised,” Jonan declared.
Jonan realized at that momenthe did not like the man.
Lord Turner possessedmean, unemphatic eyes. It did not appear that suffering had changed the man in front of him, but rather bitterness. Standing before Jonan was the type of man he didn't want to be—the man his clansmen feared he was becoming.
At that moment, Laird McKay's resolve hardened. He desired to be a better person for his daughter and his people, and this was the first step.
I shall wed the English lass. It matters nae what she might look like.
“Who asked you to wait out here?” The lord suddenly snapped at the footman.
“Apologies, my lord,” he begged quickly.
“Run along and make certain that dinner is ready for our guests,” he yelled.
I will nae mind fightin’ ye, Jonan thought as he followed Lord Turner. Hecould tell from the way the manspoke that hewould not be popular among his own.
“Where is yer daughter?” Jonan asked.
“I have sent for her. She will be joining us at the dinner table,” Lord Turner replied without looking back at his guests. “Follow me,” he said, leading the men through the door, “We shall all dine together.”
Before following him, Jonan and Callan exchanged glances.
The dining room was spacious, with a large table that could seat a significant number of people. The table was set for a feast, but only the three of them were present. A minister stood near the room's entrance, but Lord Turner's dark glance at him revealed the clergyman's intention: to keep quiet and make Jonan's impending marriage legal.
“Please, enjoy yourselves. We serve only the best, here,” the vexing man boasted, digging into his meal.
Jonanhad no appetite, he was tooovercome by worry about the events of thenight. His gaze darted from one door to the next, anticipating the arrival of his bride-to-be. Though he had given little thought to the woman he was to marry before arriving at the manor, he found himself completely distracted by the thought of her now.
What will she be like?With any luck, she will be young, quiet, and willing,he hoped. He wasn't ready to care as deeply for another woman as he had for Magda. He desired a young, obedient bride who would not be a nuisance. He dug into his meal reluctantly, eating as much as he could while remaining polite to their host.
“This is a feast, Lord Turner! I daenae believe we have venison that tastes as good. What is yer secret?” Callan asked, more adept at making conversation than Jonan.
“Is that true, Lord McKay?” Lord Turner turned to Jonan, who had been silent thus far.
“Aye, me man speaks the truth,” he responded nonchalantly. It made Lord Turner smile from cheek to cheek before he turned back to Callan.
“It’s the way we breed and feed them,” Lord Turner explained.
Callan marveled conspicuously, soothing the pride of their guest.
“I oversee the matter myself,” Lord Turner continued boasting.
When Lord Turner looked his way, Jonan nodded and replied briefly. The Laird found himself wanting to yell at the man, rush up to his daughter's room, and take her to his keep right away. Thingsmoved aggravatingly slowly.
