AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I have heard a lot about you, Lord McKay. Being a quiet man was not one of them.”
“Yer land is far from mine and the journey is tiring. I must have some rest after I have met yer daughter,” he replied, steering the conversation back to the matter at hand.
“She will be here shortly,” Lord Turner promised before he shouted the name of a footman. “Fetch Amelia for me this instant,” he ordered.
Jonan wondered if he was the right custodian for such a young bride as they all awaited her arrival. He knew she'd want his attention and some affectionate displays. Most importantly, she might desire an heir to cement their alliance.
I ken nae if I can give those things to her. I ken nae if I can give them to anyone.
“These maids can be so useless at times,” Lord Turner muttered under his breath, rendering Jonan even angrier. “I do not know what keeps my daughter, either.”
“Mayhap, she is uncertain and needs some time to think on things,” Jonan spoke, treading the fine line of respect.
“Her mind is made up. Have no doubt about it,” the Lord said sternly.
Even before Amelia arrived, Jonan sensed something was off about the Lord's relationship with his daughters. Her face was dipped low,much to his dismay.
It matters nae that she be beautiful. She only needs to be obedient.
Jonan shifted his gaze away from her and toward Callan. His commander was obviously interested in what his laird thought, but hekept it to himself.
“Come here, Amelia,” the Lord ordered his daughter.
At least, I shall get some rest soon. Jonan sighed as his eyes fell back on his unfinished meal.
“Amelia!” The Lord called again, and Jonan raised his head out of curiosity.
Across from him sat a petite woman with full lips that screamed mischief despite her submissive posture. Her shawl fell over her face, but Jonan could see her features as he stared at her intently. She had big green eyes that returned his stare.
Are you not afraid? he looked at her and wondered.
“Amelia!” her father called again, and she turned to him as though jolted out of a trance.
“I apologize, Father. I’m feeling a little under the weather this evening,” she said in a soft voice.
She came around the table to stand between the two, giving Jonan no other look. Helooked at her, wishing he could see her face more clearly. He didn't dare to admit it, but he was intrigued. But she never looked back.
“Amelia, this is Lord McKay. He has come to wed you and take you with him,” Lord Turner stated.
She turned to face Jonan, but the room was too dimly lit for him to paint a clear picture of her face.
“Good evening, my lord,” she said.
“Good evening, Lady Amelia,” Jonan replied. “May I see yer face?” he asked her.
She paused for a moment as she considered his request before lifting her hands and pulling back her shawl. Jonan was taken aback by the woman's beauty and grace. The timidity she expressed through her words was replaced by a lass fierce and striking.
Who are ye? he wondered, staring at her, distracted by the details of her beautiful face.
“Introductions have been made. So, let us sign the papers and be done with things. Then, she shall have my last name no longer,” Lord Turner said with poorly concealed glee.
Jonan picked up the quill on the table and remembered why they were there: to form an alliance. He chastised himself for being taken in by herbeauty, feeling a pang of philanderer's guilt in his stomach.
He signed the document and then passed the quill to her, feeling Amelia's eyes fixating on him.
Dae nae have second thoughts! Just sign, and we shall be on our way, waitin’ for yer kinsmen to ride for me lands, Jonan wanted to say to her. Instead, he remained silent. Instead, he stood there and watched as she eventually signed with shaky hands. Jonan looked at the man who had just given away his daughter. His expression was emotionless andappeared to be happier than earlier.
“I bid you a fruitful marriage and farewell,” Lord Turner said as he picked up his copy of the marriage certificate and extended his hand to Jonan, handing him a large bag of coins.
“It’s all in there.”
Jonan rose to his feet, dwarfing his new bride as he gazed past her searching eyes at her father's face. He took the Lord's hand in his and shook it vigorously. Even though he smiled, he had no wishto see the man again.
“I thank ye,” Jonan replied.
“You may be on your way if you wish it, Lord McKay. Our alliance has been sealed. You will not have to worry about harm from me, and I expect the same courtesy from you.”
“Aye,” Jonan said. “We shall be on our way. The road is long, but we are nae strangers to the nighttime.”
With that, Jonan led his bride out of her father’s mansion.
