Chapter 3
The morning of the exchange found Violet shivering in the cold as they rode to the designated bridge crossing in Yorkshire.
She was sitting in front of the Laird as they rode his great stallion, her back aching and buttocks sore from sitting for so long, but the cold was the most pressing of her concerns.
She suppressed a shudder as a cold draft blew by, refusing to lean back into the Laird even though the warmth of his body called to her. He hadn’t spoken to her since they awoke, and even as he helped her mount. She was almost starting to think he was upset with her.
But why? She was the one freezing and uncomfortable in her tight dress. She was the one who had the right to be upset.
She felt herself lean back into him and straightened, adamant on enduring the discomfort until they dismounted.
She shuddered, wrapping an arm around herself. The bridge where the exchange was to take place loomed in the distance, and she looked forward to finally being home and out of her filthy garments.
A warm weight landed on her shoulders suddenly, startling her. She turned back to find the Laird staring ahead like he did nothing, yet the thick plaid on her shoulders spoke of the fact that he had noticed her plight.
Her heart thudded in her chest, but she turned away, pulling the fabric tighter around herself. She couldn’t continue letting him occupy her thoughts as he had in the previous days. Not when she had more interesting things to think about.
The sound of a carriage and horses in the distance filled her with excitement at the possibility of returning home.
Her list rang out clear in her mind now. The things she intended to do once she was back in London, and she had put Lord Westall and her father in their places.
One: Learn how to ride a horse.
Two: Dance with someone handsome.
Three: Learn how to swim.
Four: Have a tea party with friends.
Five: Flirt with someone.
Six: Kiss someone.
The carriage crossed the bridge, and her thoughts were immediately torn back to the present.
If Lord Westall didn’t renege on his agreement to bring the Laird’s daughter, she would be home and free by evening.
“Stay behind me, lass,” the Laird ordered. “Daenae show yerself until I say so.”
She frowned at being dismissed so suddenly, but she obeyed, not in the mood for an argument.
Lord Westall alighted from the carriage first, bringing a little girl down with him. Violet’s eyes widened at the fact that he had taken a girl so young.
The little girl had her father’s coloring and thick dark hair, but her eyes were a vibrant blue that shone with a cold fury matching the one in his eyes.
Her young face was set in a serious frown that was entirely wrong for a face so young, but Violet was grateful to see that, for the most part, she was unharmed.
“I have brought your daughter, Laird McLeod,” Lord Westall called. “Where is my bride?”
“Send her over to me, and I will hand ye yer bride,” the Laird called back.
Lord Westall sighed and pushed the girl forward. She stumbled but didn’t fall, and with one final glare at him, she walked over to her father, who looked down at her.
Violet couldn’t see his face, but she saw his back hunch in concern.
“Are ye well, Keira?” he asked.
“Aye,” the girl answered, her eyes hardening. “He didnae hurt me.”
Violet felt immensely proud of her bravery and drew courage from that. If a girl so young could face captivity and not be broken by it, surely she could be bold enough to do the same.
“Good,” the Laird muttered, pulling her into his arms.
A broken gasp escaped the little girl then, the sound cutting Violet to the heart. The Laird pulled her closer, whispering in her ear.
The scene was so heartwarming that Violet almost felt her kidnapping was somewhat worth it. The fact that Lord Westall had caused such pain to a girl so young filled her with disgust and a determination to see her fate changed.
“Ye may come forward, lass,” the Laird ordered.
She came forward, clasping her hands together as she went and eyeing the carriage. She half hoped her father was inside, waiting for her.
She looked at Lord Westall, noting how his expression shifted from worried to disgusted. He took a step back, wrinkling his nose. She knew she looked a fright, but that didn’t mean he had the right to look at her like that.
She stepped forward, but he retreated, spitting on the ground just before her feet. “Harlot,” he sneered.
“I beg your pardon?” she sputtered.
“You heard me,” he answered. “I will not wed a woman who’s been used by another man.”
Violet felt her face flame with embarrassment and outrage that he would insult her thus.
“How dare you?” she hissed. “You have no right to question my reputation!”
“I have every right as your fiancé,” he snapped. “Just one night with this brigand and you failed to keep your virtue.”
“You—”
The Laird stepped in front of her, shielding her from Lord Westall’s gaze. “Ye accuse the lass unjustly,” he stated. “I havenae touched her, and neither have any of me men. We had a deal, and I am nae dishonorable as to touch her.”
“I do not believe you, Laird McLeod,” Lord Westall sneered.
“And neither will anyone in the ton. If I take her back with me, I will be nothing more than a laughing stock in their halls, and I will not allow you to dishonor my honorable family’s name.
It is clear your father feels the same. Otherwise, he would have come with me to collect you. ”
His cold words speared Violet through her heart, and angry tears filled her eyes.
Why was she being punished for a situation that wasn’t her fault in the first place?
“Ye’re being rude, Westall,” the Laird warned.
“I’m being honest,” Lord Westall shot back. “This will be the last time we meet like this, Miss Wilkinson.” Then he turned and climbed into the carriage.
And just like that, all of Violet’s dreams were dashed.
Her knees gave way, and she fell, sobbing as her life crumbled in front of her.
What was she going to do now? She had planned to return home and take control of her life, but if she were to dare to return, would she be able to stand under the weight of their judgmental stares?
How would she even return? She had no income or means of transport.
The sound of heavy footsteps behind her drew her attention, but she didn’t wish to be disturbed. Her despair held her bound, and she intended to give herself fully to it.
“Come, lass,” the Laird urged. “We must leave now before we lose the others.”
She cast a glance around and noticed they had been left alone. He must have sent his men ahead of them with his daughter.
She sniffed and turned away.
Suddenly, warm hands grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to her feet.
“Leave me alone, you brigand,” she protested. “Do you see what you’ve done?” Angry tears rolled down her cheeks, but she dashed them away.
His hands came up to cup her face.
“I am sorry, lass,” he murmured softly.
His soft-spoken apology touched her, but she was angry and pulled away from his hold.
“I do not care for your apologies, Laird McLeod,” she spat. “What do you intend to do now that you’ve ruined my life?”
He winced, looking remorseful, but then cleared his throat. “I intend to take responsibility for the harm I have caused ye,” he answered.
She frowned in confusion. “What do you mean by that? How can you remedy this situation?”
“Marry me.”
She laughed humorlessly, turning around.
She suddenly wished she weren’t alone so she could confirm she had not misheard him. Did he really think her so desperate that she would marry him? After causing the mess she was in?
“I did not take you for a jester, Laird McLeod,” she scoffed.
“I daenae jest, lass,” he said, looking affronted. “Marry me.”
“There is no way I will marry you,” she insisted.
“I wasnae askin’ ye to marry me, lass,” he said, folding his arms. “I am informin’ ye. We’re going back to me clan, and once the preparations are made, we will wed. I willnae allow ye suffer the consequences of me actions.”
“And you think marrying me will solve that?” she asked incredulously.
He wasn’t wrong in his assumptions that marriage often quashed scandals, but in her case, it might not be as simple.
Wait. Why was she even considering it?
She groaned, running a hand through her hair. What did she do to deserve this torment?
“Ye ken as well as I do that marryin’ me will help stop the rumors, lass,” he reasoned.
Why was he so bloody determined?
She had sworn to herself to take back her freedom, and now another man wanted to trap her again in a marriage she didn’t want.
No. She wouldn’t allow it to happen to her. Not again.
She was close enough to Yorkshire. If she were to try running now, she could escape him by crying out for help at the next homestead. Surely he wouldn’t be able to overpower the angry farmers who would no doubt come to her rescue.
A cold draft blew by, reminding her of her current predicament.
Even if she were to run, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t catch her before she arrived at her destination, and if he let her run, she would probably lose her toes to frostbite before she found a warm fire.
Sighing, she turned to him.
He could offer her protection for a time, but with his determination to marry, she might not have the liberty of the week she would need to gather enough provisions for her journey.
“Alright, Laird McLeod,” she relented. “I will marry you.”
He eyed her narrowly, and she wondered if he could see the plan she had formed in her mind.
“Let us return to the castle, then we can begin—”
“But I have a condition,” she cut in, causing him to frown.
“What condition?” he asked.
Yes. Her plan was good. She would use his honorable nature against him and stall for time until she had gathered enough provisions to sustain her during her escape.
“I have made a list of things I must do before I wed,” she answered. “Since you are responsible for upending my life, you owe me that much. Help me complete my list, and I’ll marry you without any complaints.”
He furrowed his brow, looking deep in thought.
For a moment, Violet wondered whether he would begin inquiring about the list. But then he nodded, surprising her.
“Alright,” he agreed. “We can wait until yer list is complete. For now, let us return to the castle.”
She nodded with a broad grin and followed dutifully behind him to the stallion, which he helped her mount, the smile remaining on her face on the journey to meet up with the others.
She was grateful he hadn’t asked for the number of items on the list, so it was entirely up to her to make it up as she went.
She already had six items, but what was to stop her from adding more?
His honorable nature wouldn’t allow him to renege on their deal, and it would give her ample time to prepare.
Yes, indeed.
She had made a good plan.
Still, feeling his hard arms around her, one question lingered in her mind.
What the bloody hell had she gotten herself into?