grandmama had told him about the day she’d found Logan crying over Torrian’s bed, one of the days they had given him something to make him sleep. After that, Logan had told his mother that he could not bear to stay at home until his niece and nephew were healthy, although he’d returned many times to check on their progress. And as far as his uncle was concerned, his stepmother could do no wrong. In fact, Torrian had often wondered what would bring the worst repercussions from Logan Ramsay, an attack on his wife or an attack on Brenna.
Torrian took a seat and forced himself to control his expression. His sire had taught him a laird had to learn to hide his emotions unless in battle.
Logan spoke first. “The king has decreed that you are to marry Davina of Buchan in one moon.”
Torrian bolted from his chair to argue, but his uncle held his hand up to signal for him to wait.
“The king has agreed to visit with both you and Davina to judge the matter for himself. He does wish to speak with you. He will be here in three days, along with Davina and her sire. They will bring a small contingent with them at the king’s request. Prepare yourself for his visit.”
Torrian wanted to shout and curse, but he managed to hold his temper in check. After allowing himself a few moments to fume, he said, “Does it matter at all what I want?”
Quade gave him a resigned look. “Unfortunately, nay, it does not. Anyone can see her beauty, and she is of noble blood, so it is considered a good match. I’m sorry, Torrian. I know you do not wish to wed the lass, but mayhap you will be of a different mind once you get to know her better.”
Logan strode over and rested his hand on Torrian’s shoulder. “Now, lad. I know you believe this to be a death sentence, but I was not idle while at the Buchans. They are bent on stirring up trouble in the Highlands. I overheard a few discussions about becoming the finest and largest clan in all of the land of the Scots. What we need to do is go along with this farce until we can determine their true plans. You happen to be the only way for us to get near to them at the moment. And if we uncover any information, the king will be eternally grateful. Patience, lad, patience.”
He stood. “Since it matters not what I say, I’ll take my leave…unless there’s something else you would order me to do?”
Gwyneth said, “Torrian, do not fret just yet. The wedding has not taken place, and there are many who are on your side.”
Logan added, “We all must tread carefully. Whether we like it or not, the king has made his decision. To go against it would be an act of treason. He could be put any of us in chains, if he so chooses.”
Torrian turned to leave. Over his shoulder, he mumbled, “Seems I’m bound for chains no matter what I do.”
***
Heather paced and paced inside the small hut that sat at the edge of the village. It looked as though it hadn’t been inhabited in a couple of years. It was a distance away from the other cottages, so it was no surprise that it sat empty. When Lily had approached her with this scheme, her head had told her to refuse, but her heart had whispered otherwise. Her heart had told her it was time for her to take a chance on opening herself to another man. Torrian Ramsay, to be specific.
She didn’t have many experiences to base her desires on, only one. But the memories of the night her daughter was conceived were bitter enough to make her wish to swear off men for a lifetime. But something had changed inside her, and Torrian Ramsay was the cause.
Suddenly, the urge to feel wanted, loved, and special dominated her. Was she expecting too much? She had a beautiful daughter who meant more to her than anything, yet she felt as though her life was missing something. Could that something be Torrian?
The door flew open and she jumped, though she had no reason to be surprised. Torrian filled the doorway, casting a questioning glance her way before he closed
Torrian took a seat and forced himself to control his expression. His sire had taught him a laird had to learn to hide his emotions unless in battle.
Logan spoke first. “The king has decreed that you are to marry Davina of Buchan in one moon.”
Torrian bolted from his chair to argue, but his uncle held his hand up to signal for him to wait.
“The king has agreed to visit with both you and Davina to judge the matter for himself. He does wish to speak with you. He will be here in three days, along with Davina and her sire. They will bring a small contingent with them at the king’s request. Prepare yourself for his visit.”
Torrian wanted to shout and curse, but he managed to hold his temper in check. After allowing himself a few moments to fume, he said, “Does it matter at all what I want?”
Quade gave him a resigned look. “Unfortunately, nay, it does not. Anyone can see her beauty, and she is of noble blood, so it is considered a good match. I’m sorry, Torrian. I know you do not wish to wed the lass, but mayhap you will be of a different mind once you get to know her better.”
Logan strode over and rested his hand on Torrian’s shoulder. “Now, lad. I know you believe this to be a death sentence, but I was not idle while at the Buchans. They are bent on stirring up trouble in the Highlands. I overheard a few discussions about becoming the finest and largest clan in all of the land of the Scots. What we need to do is go along with this farce until we can determine their true plans. You happen to be the only way for us to get near to them at the moment. And if we uncover any information, the king will be eternally grateful. Patience, lad, patience.”
He stood. “Since it matters not what I say, I’ll take my leave…unless there’s something else you would order me to do?”
Gwyneth said, “Torrian, do not fret just yet. The wedding has not taken place, and there are many who are on your side.”
Logan added, “We all must tread carefully. Whether we like it or not, the king has made his decision. To go against it would be an act of treason. He could be put any of us in chains, if he so chooses.”
Torrian turned to leave. Over his shoulder, he mumbled, “Seems I’m bound for chains no matter what I do.”
***
Heather paced and paced inside the small hut that sat at the edge of the village. It looked as though it hadn’t been inhabited in a couple of years. It was a distance away from the other cottages, so it was no surprise that it sat empty. When Lily had approached her with this scheme, her head had told her to refuse, but her heart had whispered otherwise. Her heart had told her it was time for her to take a chance on opening herself to another man. Torrian Ramsay, to be specific.
She didn’t have many experiences to base her desires on, only one. But the memories of the night her daughter was conceived were bitter enough to make her wish to swear off men for a lifetime. But something had changed inside her, and Torrian Ramsay was the cause.
Suddenly, the urge to feel wanted, loved, and special dominated her. Was she expecting too much? She had a beautiful daughter who meant more to her than anything, yet she felt as though her life was missing something. Could that something be Torrian?
The door flew open and she jumped, though she had no reason to be surprised. Torrian filled the doorway, casting a questioning glance her way before he closed
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