Page 43 of The Highlander's Inconvenient Wife
‘I thank you for your assistance,” Edwin said to the laird with a wolfish grin. “You may leave now that the young lady has been returned safely.”
“Please don’t leave me with him!” Joan rushed forward and gripped the Laird’s arm, realizing that he was her only escape from the Baron’s delusional clutches. “I will go with you to your castle where we can discuss things,” she tried to explain frantically. “Just don’t leave me with him. I’m begging you.” She felt her eyes filling with tears as desperation set in.
“Poor girl doesn’t know what she’s talking about,” Edwin tutted as he shook his head. “She’s been through such an ordeal as I mentioned to you before.” He completely ignored her protests and spoke to MacAdair. “She probably has no idea what the truth is anymore. Her parents agreed to the marriage. I’ve seen this before in London; women can become delirious when they are suddenly thrust into new and strange situations. They are such fragile creatures after all.”
She felt disgust bubbling up in her chest at the way he spoke about women; it was almost as if they were nothing more than animals or objects to him — bartering possessions that could be used to further his means.
“Is this true, lass?” he looked down at Joan who was still hanging on his arm.
“Yes but…” her words were cut short as Edwin once again spoke over her.
“You see, she admitted it herself,” he said triumphantly and gripped her arm before she had a chance to pull away. “She is my betrothed; she’s just delirious from her ordeal. Who knows what cruelties she’s had to endure here in Scotland.”
“Perhaps the lass should come back to me castle an’ rest,” MacAdair attempted to step in. “Ye can come with an’ rest a’fore ye set off again.” He shot Joan a worried glance.
“That won’t be necessary,” Edwin pulled Joan forward, nearly causing her to stumble. “I’m afraid that our wedding plans have already been delayed long enough; both of our families are waiting for us back in London.” He continued to pull her along despite her trying to get away. “Come my sweet, there is a very puffy tule dress with your name on it waiting.”
The laird watched them with a frown as they exited the clearing.
“I promise you that I will get her the help and rest that she needs as soon as we get back to London,” he called over his shoulder. “You have been most helpful in returning my betrothed to me!”
Joan watched as the laird disappeared into the trees, leaving her alone with the man that she despised. “Why are you doing this?!” she yelled at Edwin’s back as she fought to free her wrist from his grip. She was doing all that she could to escape, despite being dragged through a thicket of trees.
“You are my betrothed.” He suddenly stopped and whipped around. “Your parents agreed to the marriage arrangements.” His bright blue eyes shone with malice as he glowered down at her. “There is nothing you can do about any of this; the sooner you accept that, the easier things will be for you.”
“It wasn’t even a proper proposal,” she protested in anger. ‘You tricked me in front of the ton! My parents had no other choice but to agree.”
“Yes, well,” he shrugged. “I had to do something; you weren’t being receptive to any of my other advances. In all fairness, I did try and win your affections at first. If you think about it, this is all your own doing. We wouldn’t be here now if you had just fallen into my arms willingly.”
Joan’s mouth fell open in shock. “I can’t believe you; are you genuinely proud of the way you trapped me into a loveless marriage?”
“To answer your question, yes,” he nodded vigorously as if she were the one who wasn’t seeing how brilliant his plan had been. “I wasn’t able to procure a marriage by any other means; what other options where there? A lot of forethought and planning went into tricking you like that.”
“You could have tried wooing a woman who actually found you interesting,” she snapped back.
“I am interesting,” he said darkly as he pulled himself up to his full height. “You will come to find in time that I am the most interesting man you will ever meet.”
Joan regretted her words instantly when she saw how offended he had been; his true nature seemed to come through when a veil of anger fell over his face.
“There is no such thing as love in a marriage; unions are built on mutual understating between a husband and a wife. You will come to see this in time.” He gipped her wrist even tighter and began to drag her through the trees once again.
“Love does exist!” she yelled at his back.
“Oh,” he chuckled. “And how would you know? I think you’ve been reading far too many novels if you ask me.”
“I know because I love Jasper!”
Edwin paused for a second. “Do you mean that horrid man with an eyepatch?” He sounded almost disgusted. “I never laid eyes on him, if you will excuse the pun, but doesn’t he have a reputation for being a beast?” He shuddered. “That’s beside the point. I’m doing you a favor by taking you away from him.”
“He’s my Beastly Laird!” she raised her voice and stood her ground. “I love him; he’s twice the man that you will ever be!”
Edwin moved quicker than she thought him capable as he spun around and slapped her clean across the cheek. “Don’t you ever dare speak to me like that again! I have earned the title of baron, I may not be as rich as your dear old papa, but I have earned the respect of the ton! I refuse to be disrespected by a wench that has more than likely been spoiled by a beast.” His breaths came in quick succession as his nostrils flared.
Lifting her hand to her cheek in shock, Joan stared at him. It was obvious to her that he’d been fighting all of his life to gain more wealth amongst the ton. “You want me for my dowry,” she eventually breathed as the stinging sensation in her cheek spread to her ear.
“And don’t you ever forget your place,” he snarled at her through his teeth. “I only need you for that; I will do worse than slap you if you ever dare speak back to me ever again…”
The malice in his voice was enough to stun her into silence as he yanked on her wrist and pulled her through the forest.
