Page 7 of To Wed a Witch
Her father looked shame-faced but nodded."Aye."
"So this Ferguson is to marry me for the coin and nothing more?"
"It would seem so.His clan are desp—"
"Dinnae say it!"Sìne cut him off."I ken that's the only reason he is eager to wed a rumored witch.But what do ye ken of him?Nothing!He could be a brute who beats his women."
"Sìne, be reasonable," Laird MacKay said wearily, rubbing his temples."Bhaltair has a reputation as a fair man, if stern.His clan respects him.'Twas his clansmen who approached me for information of ye.They want to see him succeed, which shows loyalty."
"His clan may respect him, but what of his women?Perhaps he has someone tucked away in the Keep who will resent my mere presence."Her voice rose with each word, panic making her thoughts race.
"Daughter, ye're being hysterical.If he has a lover, 'tis none of yer concern.Ye will learn to ignore it and do yer duty."
"None of my concern?"Sìne stopped pacing to stare at him.Her heart clenched.She knew her father spoke truth, but it didn't make the reality any easier to bear."But Father, what of Aidyn?I must return to my cottage."
"No, ye must not!"MacKay's voice was stern.
"But Aidyn is my life!"Tears pricked at her eyes as she thought of her beloved Aidyn.
"Listen to me, daughter.That part of yer life is over now.'Tis best the Ferguson laird ken nothing of yer sordid dealings and—"
"It was not sordid.Laird Ferguson needs to ken the full extent of the bargain and what he's getting," Sìne replied, her chin lifting defiantly.
"He is getting an heiress with a wealthy dowry and that is all he needs to ken!"her father roared, his face flushing red."Ye will remain here until the wedding, and I'll see to yer household.Once that is done, ye and only ye will leave with the Fergusons."
"What ye are asking of me is too great.I will not marry him on those conditions, and I will not abandon Aidyn!"The words burst from her like a dam breaking.
"Ye will do as ye're told!There is more than just yer recklessness at stake here!"
"But Aidyn is mine, and no one shall part us for 'tis a sacrifice too great."Her voice broke on the last words, and she pressed a hand to her chest where her heart felt like it was being torn apart.
"Ye must, daughter.There is no future for any of us if ye remain stubborn in yer ways.The Ferguson will reject ye if yer heart remains bound to another."
The silence that followed was deafening.Sìne stared at her father in horror, finally understanding the true cost of this marriage.Not just her freedom, not just her dreams of love, but her entire world.
"What about my cottage, Da?My garden?The autumn harvest is nearly ready, and I've got stores to preserve for winter.There are many who need my healing tinctures."
"The cottage will keep.As for yer healing..."MacKay shook his head."Perhaps 'tis time ye put that behind ye.'Tis that very skill that has brought ye nothing but trouble."
"Put it behind me?"Sìne's voice cracked with disbelief."Da, 'tis who I am.I cannot simply stop being who I am."
"Who ye are," her father said gently, "is a woman who deserves a respectable husband and a keep of her own.Not a life lived in fear at the edge of a cursed wood, healing ungrateful villagers who repay yer kindness with malice.Ye must let go of the past forever."
Tears pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them back fiercely."So I must pretend that I had no life before this marriage?"
"I'll see that all ye hold dear is well cared for," Laird MacKay promised."But Sìne, ye must understand, this match with Bhaltair Ferguson is the answer to all our prayers.Ye'll be safe.Our clan land will be safe, and ye'll have a husband to protect ye."He hesitated.
"And?"she prompted, though she dreaded the answer.
"And yer sacrifice will save both our clans from ruin."
The words hit her hard."So 'tis yer legacy and land ye care about?I'm to shackle myself to a man who sees me only as coin to fill his coffers.I must give up my heart and soul for the privilege?"
MacKay's silence was answer enough.
Sìne sank onto her narrow bed, her knees suddenly weak.All her life, she'd harbored a secret hope that someday, somewhere, a man would love her for herself and choose her above all else.Instead, she was to be sold to a stranger for the gold she could provide.
"He's a good man, Sìne," her father said softly."The way he protected ye tonight...a brute would not have done such a thing."
