Page 54 of The Wrong Bride
“Oh, well, that was smart of him,” she said reluctantly.
Samuel eyed her and shook his head. “Is that approval I hear?”
She stiffened. “I can approve of trying to better a harvest so people don’t starve, can I not? It does not mean I have to approve ofHugh.”
Hugh, the man who controlled her body and sometimes her soul, the man who could make her forget herself with just a touch. If she hadn’t had her legs tied together, she might even now be worried she was with child.
Samuel studied her with curiosity, and she looked away, unable to meet his gaze.
“There is another announcement he’s made,” Samuel said. “He’s going on a journey to all of hislands and villages sometime soon. The gentlemen will open their homes to welcome him, and prepare the lands for his inspection.”
Riona tried to contain her excitement. “How long will he be gone?”
“Considering he plans to take you with him, does it matter?”
She exhaled loudly, then was distracted by the sudden applause and cheering. “They’re happy we’re imposing on their households?”
“’Tis a great honor to house the chief, of course, although first the gentlemen will return for the ceremony officially naming Hugh the chief of the McCallums.”
She waved a hand. “A mere formality.”
“But an important, sacred ritual that’s been in our clan over five hundred—”
“Is that why they’re cheering?”
“Nay,” he said with a sigh. “Alasdair has been named war chief.”
Riona stood on tiptoes, glad most of the men were still seated on benches facing the dais. She was able to see Hugh with a hand on his foster brother’s shoulder, Alasdair looking surprised and proud, and on the other side of Hugh, Dermot with an expression of stone.
“I hope Dermot doesn’t represent too many disappointed people,” Riona said quietly.
“Do ye care?” Samuel asked.
She widened her eyes. “Well, I don’t want warfare. That could spill over to my own clan, could it not?”
“I’m glad ye’re so concerned about the Duffs,” Samuel said, amusement laced through his voice.
She felt like elbowing him, but restrained herself. She saw Dermot lean over and speak to a man on his other side, and together they both watched Hugh impassively.
“Dermot could make a lot of trouble if he wanted,” Riona murmured.
Samuel gave her another surprised look. Shedidcare; she didn’t want to, but she couldn’t help it. Yet she had to put those feelings aside and remind herself that Dermot’s discontent might be her chance to escape. Putting the truth of her kidnapping in the man’s hands would certainly change Hugh’s command of his clan, but she tried not to think about that. It was beginning to make her feel like a traitor to Hugh—which was ridiculous, because she’d beenkidnapped!
Samuel explained Hugh’s final announcement about organizing a large hunt to benefit the clan. There was much cheering and whisky drinking that lasted through supper and into the night, as musicians entertained the crowd. Hugh persuaded Riona to try a sip of their precious whisky, and all the men roared at the expression on her face as she downed the vile stuff. It did warm the belly, but that was the only good thing she could say.
Riona retired well before the gentlemen in the great hall, and she could hear their drunken singing long into the night. She didn’t sleep easily herself, wondering how she’d handle a drunken Hugh wielding a rope, but he never came to her bedroom.
Many of their guests stayed an extra couple nights, distracting Hugh until late each evening. Just when Riona was growing tired of being on her best behavior, sewing with the ladies, feeling excluded by the language, they all went home. She thought she’d have some breathing room but then more visitors were announced.
Hugh’s mother and sister were spotted near Loch Voil, and were winding their way up the path to Larig Castle. Riona was with Hugh at dinner when this was announced. They glanced at each other, her full of uncertainty. To her surprise, he didn’t quite hide his own wariness. That made her actually look forward to meeting the woman who’d taken him away from his drunken father, yet still inspired such antipathy.
CHAPTER 15
Hugh stood in the courtyard waiting for his family’s arrival, Riona at his side, little bothering to hide her curiosity. He could usually hide his own emotions from everyone, but with Riona, she seemed to see through the mask he’d learned to don long ago. Would she comprehend his wariness? Not about Maggie, of course, but his mother, that was another story . . .
Only a half-dozen riders finally came through the gatehouse, which annoyed him no end. He’d told Maggie over and over again that the several-day journey from Edinburgh could be full of dangerous men who thought nothing of kidnapping wealthy women—
And then he heard the voice in his head:Hewas a kidnapper of women. And money was even involved. But it was his by right, he reminded himself forcefully.
