Page 60 of Bride of the Beastly Laird

Then suddenly, as their swords locked, Bairre leaned in to Arran and she saw his lips moving as he said something only Arrancould hear. Momentarily distracted, Arran frowned glancing up into the seats, until his eyes came to rest on Dahlia. It occurred to her that whatever Bairre had said concerned her and his words were enough to put Arran in danger.

Taking advantage of the moment of distraction Bairre had created, he struck a lightning blow and Arran’s sword flew out of his hand into the air, coming to land on the other side of the training ground, well out of his reach. Before anyone could move, Bairre was pressing the tip of his sword at Arran’s unprotected throat.

A murmur went through the crowd and both groups of armed men on the sidelines brought their hands to their swords again. Dahlia leaped to her feet, a scream escaping her lips. There, right there, in front of everyone, Bairre was about to murder Arran. And Arran’s loyal guards were powerless to stop the attack.

As she watched in horror, both groups of waiting men unsheathed their weapons and stepped toward each other their faces taut, eyes flashing.

Bairre hesitated, his gaze raking the crowd. Arran raised his hands in the submissive gesture of a knight in training. If Bairre ran him through now it would be clear to all that he was committing cold-blooded murder.

Finally, after a breathless moment that stretched into terror, Bairre lowered his sword, his features twisted in a grim smile. He spoke again, and this time his words rang out loud and clear.

“Luck is with ye this day, cousin. But beware. Yer luck is nae likely tae be with ye fer much longer.”

The menace and threat were raw and ill-considered. Bairre was making it clear it was not only Emilia whose life was at risk but that Arran’s fate was also in his hands.

Dahlia shivered as she watched Bairre and Arran leave the training ground. A slight cut on Arran’s wrist was dripping blood but he held his head high as he walked out, followed by his men.

Turning to Beattie, she whispered. “Can ye ask yer cousin Nicol tae attend me in the solar as soon as he’s able? I need tae talk with him again.”

Beattie nodded. “Aye, melady. I’ll seek him out and make the request. I ken ye’ll need his guidance very soon.”

Back in her solar Dahlia tried to calm herself, gulping in deep breaths, pacing the length of the chamber and back, doing her best to still her shaking hands. But it was no use. All she could think of was the look of pure hatred she’d seen flash across Bairre’s face as he held Arran’s life in his hands.

There was no doubt in her mind that they were in grave danger and that if they were to remain in the castle, they were likely to end up locked in the dungeon, or worse.

Time lengthened and still there was no word from Beattie. At regular intervals, Dahlia opened the solar door a few inches andpeered out, hoping against hope that Arran was, once again, in his position there. Finally, as a way to take her mind off the waiting, she took out a piece of parchment and her quill and ink. She would write her brother again and let him know the danger she was facing.

It isnae safe fer me tae remain in this place, dear braither. If I have me way I will depart from the castle this night and begin me journey home. I will never marry the Laird Bairre and, king’s decree or nae, I’ll nae be wed tae a man I cannae love. I ken I should be waiting fer ye tae find me way out, but I cannae stay in castle Mackinnon any longer. Time is running out.

After folding the parchment, she dripped hot sealing wax on the crease and added her seal. Having revealed her heart to her brother relieved some of the burden that was weighing on her shoulders. They would leave this place as soon as Nicol was free to act as their guide and she would never have to look on Bairre Mackinnon’s face again.

After what seemed an eternity, Beattie finally rushed in, her face pink with effort.

“I beg yer pardon, melady. I had to search high and low for Nicol. He was busy in the fields assisting in the haymaking. He will come tae ye as soon as he is able.”

“Thank ye, Beattie.” Dahlia bit down on her impatience. She did not wish to wait another minute before making preparations to flee from the castle.

“There was a lot of dour grumblings amidst the men, melady. They were nae pleased at the way the laird had acted. I heard one lad say that it was fortunate the men were there fer he saw bloody murder in his eyes.”

Dahlia shuddered. “Aye. Every hour we linger here the danger grows. We must make ready tae depart as soon as we are able”

She looked up as a faint scratching sound came from the door. When Beattie opened it, Arran was standing there, a linen bandage fastened on his wrist.

“I must take care nae tae be seen,” he said, stepping into the solar.

“Are ye all right?” Dahlia clutched his arm, her words tumbling out. “What did Bairre say tae ye that caused ye tae take yer eyes off him?”

“The cunning sod well kent that by insulting ye I’d break focus and give him the opening he needed.”

Dahlia nodded slowly. That was as she’d feared.

“I see now that Bairre didnae believe me little charade last night and me protestations that I couldnae tolerate ye watching over me. He kent ye’d be upset at the insulting words he spoke tae ye. And he heard me scream when he held his sword at yer throat.”

“Aye. We cannae remain here. I am certain he kens what there is between us. He’ll nay tolerate our residence here fer much longer. Yet he remains fixed on the notion of marriage with ye.”

Dahlia hmphed loudly at this. “He wishes tae build his fortune by taking MacLeod lands. He cares nae a fig fer me. All his honeyed words and chivalry are playacting on his part. He strives tae win me confidence and keep me here long enough fer the wedding ceremony tae take place. I have nae doubt that if a priest should marry us, he’d take revenge on me fer me reluctance as soon as the vows were made.”

They paused at the sound of rapping on the door. Beattie hurried over and quickly opened it to enable Nicol to slip into the solar. “Naebody saw me come here,” he said doffing his bonnet to Arran and Dahlia.

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