Highlander's Bride (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 1) by Deborah Gafford

fine weddin'. But remember this. When Alexander beds ye,
as he must do, 'twill be my face he sees and my name in his heart!"
    White-hot anger surged through Katherine. In her
rage, she paid no heed to the sounds of a rider approaching. She drew back her
hand and slapped the woman.
    The sound of the slap was lost in the noise of a
horse being jerked to a halt. Katherine turned in time to see Alexander vault
from his saddle, his handsome face creased in concern.
    Fiona cried out as if in great fear and threw
herself toward him. "Alexander, help me!"
    He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and
scowled past her bent head. His icy green stare was more chilling than the
frozen waters of Loch More. The deep growl of his voice matched the thunder
rumbling in the distance. "Lady Gordon, if a lady you be, cease
your attack! You have no right to strike this lass."
    Pain and renewed anger surged through Katherine at
the apparent disgust in his voice. Never had she been so humiliated. She fought
to control her words. "So, what she says is true. Well, I won't take the
leavings of a strumpet. I'll not marry you and live with your dishonor. You two
may have each other. And the devil take you both!" Grasping the betrothal
ring, she wrenched it from her finger and threw it in the mud at their feet.
    Katherine grabbed up her skirts and ran back
toward the keep, only once looking back. The sight of Fiona in Alexander's
arms, their heads bent close together in whispered conversation, stabbed at her
heart. She hurried around a bend in the road, barely missing a large muddy
patch not yet dried from the previous night's tempest. Thunder filled the air
with a deafening roar. Startled, she glanced up at the darkening sky as
menacing clouds churned overhead. Before she could take another step, the
heavens opened up, battering her with cold biting rain. Wind driven sheets of
water pelted her face and mingled with her tears.
    Unsuccessfully, she tried to wipe the blur from
her eyes. It was nigh impossible to see. Suddenly she lost her footing and
pitched forward as she stepped into a rut. Her heavy gown's sopping skirts
wrapped around her legs. Her arms flailed desperately as she sought to regain
her balance. Her slipper hit a rock, and she careened headlong into the mud.
    Bruised and sobbing, she pulled herself free of
the quick sand like grip of the oozing sludge and stumbled toward the castle.
The wind shifted direction as the deluge continued, forcing her to fight for
every step she took. Although the constant downpour washed away the majority of
the mud, it left her drenched and shivering in the process.
    The storm's return had emptied the bailey and
courtyard of anyone who might have given her aid. Barely able to see through
the driving shower, she dragged herself up the steps, and limped into the main
corridor of the castle.
    Monique rushed across the corridor with a gasp. "Mon
Dieu! What has happened? What were you doing out in such a storm?"
    Katherine clung to her and sobbed as her mother
wiped her streaming hair from her face. " Cheri , what is it? Never
have I seen you so troubled."
    "Oh, Maman , I cannot marry Alexander!
He has a… he cares naught for me."
    "Shh, my darling. You are distraught. Surely
it cannot be as bad as you think."
    A young girl's voice called out from further down
the corridor. "My lady, is aught wrong?"
    Monique looked over her shoulder. "Gillian,
come quickly. Lady Katherine was caught out in the rain and I fear she may
become ill. I'll escort her to her chamber. Please go to the kitchen and
request a soothing drink be made for her. Then hasten upstairs and prepare a
hot bath for her."
    "Aye, m'lady!"
    Katherine stood shivering with cold, too weary to
move.
    Her mother tugged gently on her shoulders.
"Come, mon cheri . Let us go to the privacy of your chamber. You
must get warm. Then you can tell me what troubles you so. We will find a way to
put aught right."
    Katherine tried to blink away her tears with