Chapter 2
“Laird Monroe, I’d like tae present tae ye my sister and yer new wife, Kirsten Gallach,” Ramsay said solemnly.
He bowed his head and opened his arm, gesturing for Kirsten to approach.
Kirsten swallowed the lump in her throat and stepped forward.
She forced a smile on her face and tried to maintain eye contact with Marcas, although it was difficult because the intensity of his gaze was overwhelming.
His expression was stern; he didn’t show any sign of joy.
“It’s a pleasure tae meet ye, Laird,” Kirsten said, her voice trembling with nerves. “I wanted tae say it is an honor tae be chosen as yer wife, and I hope that I can make ye happy. I’m sure we will hae many wonderful years taegether, and I will dae everything I can tae ensure it.”
Her mood was demure; she tilted her head down, letting her hair from a veil around her face.
She continued to look up at him, hoping he would show some sign of tenderness or affection.
While she waited for his reply, her gaze darted to his hands.
They were powerful and strong. His fingers were thick, and they looked callous from hard work.
She remembered the story that Neil had told in the carriage, and she wondered if Marcas really had killed a man by pulling the head off the shoulders.
It hadn’t even seemed possible, but when she saw those powerful hands, she changed her mind.
If anyone could do it, then Marcas certainly could.
“Aye, I’m sure ye will,” Marcas replied.
That was all he said. His voice was like stone, cold and gravelly.
Disappointment flared in her heart, as he didn’t show any kind of interest in her.
She tried to hide her dismay but shouldn’t have been disappointed.
She knew she was not marrying for love, although she had hoped for more.
But even Islay and Callum had not fallen in love with each other at first sight, so there was still hope.
Another figure appeared by Marcas’s side: a large, shaggy dog.
Its fur was as dark as the night, and its pink tongue lolled out.
Its head tilted to the side, as though it was interested in the newcomer.
Kirsten smiled with glee, for she had always liked animals.
She walked up without thinking and petted the dog, noticing how Marcas bristled as she grew close.
“What’s his name?” she asked as she petted the soft fur.
“Max,” Marcas said. “And he’s tae friendly for his own good.”
Kirsten wasn’t sure what Marcas meant by this, but she withdrew her hand and stepped back, increasing the distance between them.
Max looked up at his master with respect and devotion.
Footsteps sounded from the house and two more people approached—a younger woman, who introduced herself as Moira, Marcas’s younger sister, and Roderick, their uncle.
Moria had soft features. She was not as tall as Marcas, but still taller than Kirsten, while her body was slender and strong.
Roderick had more fat around his jowls and looked like a man who enjoyed all of life’s pleasures.
He had a bushy mustache that twitched when he smiled.
Kirsten surmised that once it had been bright orange, but the color had faded over the years.
“Ah, Kirsten, ye hae finally arrived! We hae waited for ye for a long time,” Roderick said, his eyes twinkling.
“Ye are beautiful!” He shook Ramsay and Neil’s hands, and then placed his hands on Kirsten’s arms. He kissed her on the cheek and couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.
She thought it was just a shame that all this enthusiasm was coming from Marcas’s uncle rather than Marcas himself.
“I’m sure ye will make a fine wife for my nephew, and ye will light up this place as the sun lights up the Highlands.
” He clapped his hands and called out for a few servants to carry Kirsten’s belongings into the house.
“I want tae thank ye for making the trip taeday and bringing Kirsten tae us. Please, stay for a wee while and enjoy our hospitality. I hae prepared some food tae celebrate the occasion,” Roderick added, gesturing towards the door.
Kirsten had never known Ramsay and Neil to turn down food, so she wasn’t surprised when they accepted the offer.
Moira walked up to her and clasped her hands.
She had a kind smile, and her youthful features had not lost the bloom of youth yet.
“I agree with my uncle. Ye are even prettier than we were told! My brother is a lucky man, and I am lucky as well. Oh, I dae hope we can be best friends, Kirsten!” she said with a hopeful smile.
Kirsten nodded, slightly taken aback by the outpouring of excitement at her arrival.
In truth, the only person she wanted excitement from was Marcas, although he remained standing there as aloof as a statue, his face showing no trace of emotion.
“Come on, Max, let’s gae get ye some food.
” Moira reached out to the dog. Max licked her hand and then turned, following her into the house.
With her other hand, Moira beckoned Kirsten to follow her.
Kirsten walked past Marcas, wondering if he was going to come as well.
She had hoped that he would show more signs of excitement, but he seemed sullen and miserable.
It was impossible to escape the feeling that she was unwanted.
Roderick led them through to a cavernous hall.
There were banners and portraits hanging on the wall, and this seemed to be the oldest building in the estate.
Light poured in through large, wide windows, and it slanted across the gray rock.
Tables had been laid out, and they gathered around one.
Meat and cheese had already been placed upon the table.
Neil and Ramsay helped themselves to healthy proportions, while Kirsten only took a little to be polite. She wasn’t very hungry.
“Sae, this is the original hall?” Ramsay asked.
“Aye, this is the oldest building where the original settlers came and built their home,” Roderick said with pride.
“This is where it all began years and years ago, and now we’re all here ready tae talk about a wedding.
I know ye hae made a long trip and I’m sure ye would like tae rest, but I thought we could arrange the wedding for taemorrow.
I dinnae see the sense in waiting. Ye are welcome tae stay, of course. ”
“That would be most agreeable,” Ramsay said.
Kirsten listened and smiled. Marcas had walked in silently, although it was impossible for her attention to not be drawn to him.
He sat in a chair and hunched over, gazing into the distance as he took a hunk of meat in his hands and tore off huge chunks.
Occasionally he would tear a smaller piece off and toss it in the air.
Max bounded up and caught it with aplomb, looking pleased with himself as he gorged on it.
“It’s sae exciting! We’re gaeing tae hae a lot of fun looking for dresses for ye tae wear,” Moira said.
“Yes, yes, it’s gaeing tae be a grand occasion,” Roderick said. “I hae already made plans for a great feast, and ye can be sure this hall wilnae be as quiet as it is now.”
“We’ll stay until our sister is happily married,” Ramsay said in between chews.
Neil hadn’t said anything, although he looked as though something was on his mind.
“Dae ye mind if I ask the laird a question?” Neil asked, eventually.
Kirsten’s heart sank and she reached over to try and temper Neil’s curiosity.
Ramsay glared at Neil as well, but the words were already slipping out of his mouth.
“I hae heard a lot of stories about ye, Laird, and I hope ye know I dinnae mean any disrespect, but is it true that ye once killed a man by ripping his head off?”
As soon as the question was asked Kirsten, could have throttled him.
Ramsay immediately cleared his throat and tried to make up for Neil’s inappropriate question.
Moira glanced down. Marcas narrowed his eyes and stopped eating for a moment.
Kirsten thought he might say something, but instead, he growled, tore off another piece of meat to feed his dog, and then resumed eating.
It was Roderick who answered, chuckling as he spoke, although there was an undercurrent of anxiety to his words.
“I dinnae think ye need tae be paying attention tae the stories of the common folk. Ye know they will say anything when the ale flows. Of course, that didnae happen. Laird Marcas is a strong man, aye, as powerful as his father, but he is nae a monster. It seems as though I need tae pay the town a visit and make sure people dinnae spread these heinous rumors.”
“I just thought I’d ask,” Neil said with a cheeky smile on his face. Kirsten cringed and wished that she could have been swallowed up by the world. This certainly wasn’t how she had imagined the first meeting with her husband would happen.