Page 47 of A Scot for Bethan
“I did. We will, as I announced in the hall, be wed before the month is out.”
In other words, in less than a week. “Why? You do not love her, she does not love you.”
“Come, Laird Campbell.” Sir William was not in the least daunted by his aggressive tone. He sounded amused, perhapseven faintly condescending. “It would hardly be the first time a bride and groom went to the altar without feeling love for each other. Besides, I might not love Beth in that way, but I do care for her and will not allow anyone to hurt her, even brawny Scots who think they can use her for their benefit.”
This time there was a steely edge under the pleasant voice. The man was not quite as detached as he wanted to appear, and Cameron could well believe he would prove a mighty opponent. He’d seen him fight that very afternoon and win each of his combats. It seemed he was just as ruthless in life. But Cameron could be ruthless and formidable too, especially when so much was at stake. He was not going to stand here and be insulted when he had done nothing wrong. Whatever Bethan had told her friend, he had never intended to use her. He’d tried to tell her as much, but she’d refused to listen.
Well, she would listen now, he would make sure of it.
“I have no intention of hurting her,” he said through gritted teeth.
“You might not have anyintentionof doing so but it doesn’t follow that you will not.”
Cameron bit the stringent retort already on his lips, since his meeting with Bethan depended on this infuriating man. Antagonizing him now wouldn’t serve his purpose. Damn it all! If Sir William didn’t want him to see Bethan, then he would not be able to get to her. She might not be a captive, but at the moment she didn’t know he was here—and he had no idea in which room to find her.
What the hell was going on here, he asked himself for the tenth time? She was aware her friend preferred men, and yet she was ready to become his wife, therefore condemning herself to a life of frustration. Unless she intended to carry on as she had while betrothed to Dougal once she was married… She had claimed her intention to be faithful to his nephew, but thiswas different. Her English husband might well agree that her taking lovers was the best solution for both of them, in the circumstances.
Well, over his dead body.
If she was to take a man to her bed, it would be none other than himself, who would give her what she needed. And if she was that desperate to marry to escape men’s greed, then he would…
Cameron stilled. What was he thinking? Was he really about to propose to Bethan a second time? He had not set out from Scotland with the intention of bringing her back home as Lady Campbell, but it now seemed the only thing to do, the only way to prevent her from making a dreadful mistake—and the only way to put an end to his suffering.
He’d once dreaded having to witness her wedding to his insipid nephew, he’d then had to see her being assaulted by one McDonald brother before narrowly escaping abduction by the other. After that, he could not bear to let her slip through his fingers once more.
Or ever.
Sir William cared for her? Well, he did too, more than cared.
He had told her three months ago that he didn’t want a wife but would marry her if she was with child. She had taken it badly, perhaps with reason, and refused. He would tell her now that he did want a wife, and would marry her because he could not live without her and he would make damn well sure she accepted. Surely, when she saw he was offering for her hand when she was not with child and nothing obliged him to, she would understand he’d never meant to trap her into anything.
“Very well. Let her get the rest she needs,” he said in a growl. “I will sleep here in the stables, out of the way. But then tomorrow morning I will see her, make no mistake about it.”
And I will convince her to have me, instead of you.
Though he could not have missed the real meaning behind his words, Sir William nodded.
True to his word, shortly after dawn, Sir William came to inform him Bethan was up, and about to break her fast in the hall.
“You can join her. I will leave you two alone.”
“No. Let her eat first,” Cameron surprised himself by saying. Remembering how hungry she always was in the mornings, he wanted to make sure she had enough to eat before they met. Because once she had seen him, her appetite would be gone, he was certain of it. “Come and get me when she’s ready.”
He would have a quick wash in the meantime. For this, the most important discussion of his life, he needed to look and feel at his best.
It was not long before he was led to the hall, which was empty save for a woman sitting on a folding chair by the fire. Her back was to the door, and she was strangely immobile. It was obvious she wasn’t eating, sewing, petting a dog, or doing anything other than staring at the flickering flames. It unnerved Cameron. Bethan had always been full of life, bursting with energy. Seeing her so still was unnatural.
Sir William gestured to him to wait and approached her alone. “Beth.” He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “There’s someone here to see you.”
“I don’t want to see anyone,” Bethan answered, not moving an inch. Cameron barely recognized her voice, and no wonder. She had never sounded so lifeless. His unease grew. Was something ailing her? Was that why she needed rest? Was she ill?
“I know, sweetheart. But I think you need to see this man, which is why I haven’t thrown him out of here just yet. He’s come a long way.”
“Has he?” There was more than a hint of trepidation in those two words, as if she didn’t dare hope. Cameron’s heart started to beat faster. At last, a glimpse of the woman he’d come to know and love.
“Yes. He’s waiting to take you on a stroll in the lists. Here, take this. ’Tis cold outside.”
Sir William wrapped the cloak he was holding around her shoulders before placing the hood above her head. The gesture was protective, tender. It was obvious he hadn’t been lying when he’d said he cared for her. Cameron couldn’t help a surge of resentment from coursing through him. Bethan was allowing this man to take care of her, when she had all but fled from him for doing nothing more than what was right. She had taken refuge in her friend’s home and asked him to marry her instead of turning to him for the protection she needed.
