Grant Clan 06 - My Desperate Highlander (2 page)

Micheil’s eyes widened, and Diana’s reaction was swift. “Do you not see, Robbie? I cannot marry the man.”

“Alex will be the judge, lass, not me.”

Micheil thought carefully about commenting about what he knew of Gow, but decided to wait to hear more about their plan before he shared his thoughts. Thankfully, Alex returned.

Alex grasped his shoulder. “Come, we have a nice dining area to ourselves where we can feast and relax for a few hours before we continue on with our journey. ‘Twill be good to catch up.”

Once they settled inside, Alex ordered meat pies, cheese, bread, fruit pies, and ale.

As soon as everyone found a place, Diana said, “Tell me, my lord, what hear you of Baron Gow?”

Micheil froze. She stared at him with the deepest green eyes ever, eyes that seemed to dig into his chest and touch his very soul. Lying, he said, “I know little of the gentleman.” Gentleman is hardly the word he would use to describe the man. The baron’s cruelty was well known throughout the area, primarily because three wives had predeceased him. Many in his employ believe the baron had played a part in each of the timid ladies’ death. And his treatment of horseflesh was known to be horrendous. Micheil would have to find an excuse to speak with Grant privately about the matter. It was hardly appropriate dinner conversation.

“Surely, you must have heard something.” Her eyes bored into his, searching for the truth.

“I do not know him. I have never met him.” At least this was not a lie.

“‘Tis bad, is it not?” She glanced at both Alex and Robbie. “Do you see? I cannot marry the man. You cannot make me follow through with this.”

Alex leaned back in his chair. “Cousin, we are charged with ensuring your prospective husband is suitable before the marriage takes place. Do not pester us all the way there. Do you not trust Robbie and me to have your best interests in mind?”

She leaned forward over the table. “Aye, perhaps you do and you are well-meaning. I am trying to show you there is no need for us to visit the baron at all. Take me to Edinburgh and I’ll find my own husband.” Micheil was so shocked he felt his mouth fall open.

Robbie said, “You want us to allow you to walk the streets in Edinburgh until you find a man you deem suitable?”

“Father is too ill to see reason, but I would prefer anyone to that cruel, smelly old goat. Do you truly intend to sentence me to such a life? Besides, I am quite sure my knight is there.”

Micheil hid his smile. So Diana Drummond was a wee bit dramatic, or perhaps she had a secret lover in Edinburgh she planned to meet.

She switched her attention from her cousin to Micheil in a second. “And you. Stop looking at me like I am daft. I am not spoiled just because my father wished to allow me to choose my own husband.”

Robbie said, “Now, Diana. Your father did permit you to do many things most women are denied.”

“Irrelevant.” She glared at Robbie. “Now will you take me to Edinburgh, or must I find someone else to help me?”

Alex said, “Diana, we will carry out the plan we agreed upon with your sire. We promised him to take you to Falkirk to your betrothed, see if the two of you are suited, and see you married if you are. We will not bend from that, so cease begging. Your constant demands may have worked on your father until now, but they won’t sway me. I will do what I pledged.”

A range of emotions flashed through Diana’s glorious eyes as she stared at Alex. First Micheil saw anger, then self-righteousness, fear, and finally a spark of determination. Her voice trembled when she spoke. “As you wish.” She turned to Micheil. “Just to inform you, I may have been spoiled by a man’s definition, but naught was done for me that wasn’t done for you, being a male. Were you taught to ride a horse?”

Micheil nodded. “Of course.”

“And to hunt?”

“Aye.”

“And to read?”

“Aye.” He knew he could not pull his gaze from hers if he tried. Something about her was absolutely mesmerizing.

“And I am the only Drummond heir. As such, I am no different than you or either of my cousins. Just because I have a woman’s shape does not mean there is aught wrong with my mind.”

Micheil nodded in agreement. Yet there was naught wrong with her body either. Her delicious curves were just the type he favored in a woman.

“And I am verra good with numbers, so I will be able to run a keep with no problem. Just because I am as capable as a man does not indicate I am spoiled. I am well-trained. Now, since my cousins refuse,” she stared directly at Micheil. “Will you take me to Edinburgh? I am in need of an escort.” Then she raked her glance over the three of them, making it clear that her next words were intended for all. “And if he denies me, I’ll go on my own. I will not allow my betrothed to touch me.”

***

Diana’s confidence waned. Her cousins did not seem as if they were listening, and she was far from sure she would have more luck with this new lad. No one answered her plea, as if they thought she’d made it in jest. They seemed hesitant to believe she had very strong reasons to be concerned. But under no circumstance would she ever end up in Baron Ewen Gow’s bed. She would die trying to escape him.

She didn’t say that lightly either. There were numerous ways to accomplish her task, beginning with finding her own way to Edinburgh and seeking out her handsome knight. What the gentlemen around her didn’t understand, no matter how she laid it out for them, was that she was no weak-kneed little ninny. They thought she was bluffing. Diana Drummond didn’t bluff; she acted.

They ate the meal, Diana not speaking, too absorbed in planning her escape. Micheil laughed frequently with Robbie, his white smile lighting up the room. He was a handsome man, and her eyes kept returning to his dark, unkempt hair and that wicked grin. No doubt, he was very experienced with the ladies. Her sire had kept her well protected from lads while she grew up, so she lacked experience with men. Few had possessed the courage to attempt anything with her, even a kiss, but looking at him…well it made her feel
something.
She even found herself considering whether seducing him might have any benefit for her particular situation.

Hell, but how had she ended up in this predicament? It was her own fault. She should have chosen someone long ago, but none of her suitors had inspired her. She had always dreamed of the perfect English knight coming to take her away…and that dream had brought her here. Besides, her father expected her husband to come to her and take over their land upon his death.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have much longer. Whatever she did, she needed to do it quickly so she could get home to her papa. The thought of him dying alone, of her never seeing him again, was more than she could bear.

“Well?” she finally asked as the dishes were cleared away from in front of them.

“Well what?” Micheil grinned.

“Will you take me to Edinburgh?” He gave her that winning smile of his, but he did not answer. Those tricks would not work on her. “Why will you not answer my question?”

“Because you have not given me a sound reason to take you there.”

His dancing green eyes challenged her. It did not matter; she would not back down. “Because I want to go to Edinburgh. If the reason I already gave you is not enough, I have no other except that it is my desire.” She didn’t let on that her mother had always told her that she was to meet and marry in Edinburgh. Her mother had seen her destiny in a dream. Diana had to aim for it even if her father had not believed her mother.

“And do you always get what you desire, my lady?” The twinkle in his eye taunted her.

Her eyes narrowed into a gaze intended to intimidate him, though she knew it wouldn’t work. “Usually, aye.”

His gaze never wavered; he just grinned. Her cousin, Alex, broke the spell. “No one is going to Edinburgh. We’re going to Falkirk to meet your betrothed, and I have fifty guards that say you will get there at my side, my lady.”

Diana huffed her indignation and flounced in her chair. Micheil just laughed.

Hellfire, her usually tricks weren’t going to work on these men. But they were about to see just how stubborn she could be.

Late in the afternoon, their destination appeared on the horizon. Diana’s stomach did somersaults, almost bringing her to the point of gagging.

Diana rode between Alex and Micheil. Robbie brought up the rear, along with three other guards, and her cart was being drawn behind him by one of his men. Alex had directed the other forty some guards to stay back until he beckoned them, though Diana did not comprehend this tactic. As they approached, she noticed a small party leaving the castle gates, headed in their direction. The closer they came, the more her stomach churned. The party was comprised of six horses, and as they came near, she realized she had no idea which of these men she was intended to marry.

The two parties halted, a small distance separating them. The man in the lead of the baron’s party was tall, gray-haired, and thin, though not unattractive. She had been told by a stable boy that Gow had a paunch, but this man did not. He held himself with an air of superiority that Diana did not like. Could he be her betrothed?

The gray-haired man spoke first. “Alexander Grant, I presume. You escort my betrothed, Diana of Drummond?”

Diana glanced at the Grant, who was Laird and Chieftain of his own very large clan in the upper Highlands. Alex’s demeanor changed as the man spoke, his shoulders drawing back, his hand drawing toward the hilt of his sword. It was a subtle move, but she was close enough to detect it. Perhaps she could trust her cousin after all.

“I am Laird Alexander Grant, and aye, I am escorting and protecting Diana of Drummond.” His chin lifted at the end of his sentence. “I must see Baron Gow.”

The gray-haired man’s gaze narrowed, never meeting her gaze or acknowledging her presence. “I am Baron Gow. And if you are in charge of my betrothed, why is she riding a horse? A woman’s place is in the cart.” He pointed to the cart as if to emphasize his argument.

“Diana prefers to ride,” Alex answered, his face void of expression. Alexander Grant was a huge man, much larger than Baron Gow. The fool had to see that, did he not?

Several seconds passed as the two leaders stared at each other, the others waiting with bated breath. Baron Gow moved his horse toward Diana, but Micheil inched his mount closer to her right side and Alex stayed firmly seated to her left. The baron reached out for her and snarled, “You will get off that horse, woman, and take your proper place. You do not belong alongside men.”

Diana gasped and backed away from him, clenching her reins in both hands as two swords swooped down in front of her, one from the Grant, and one from Micheil Ramsay. She had never seen anything happen so quickly.

Alex spoke. “The lady is under my charge. You will not touch her until she is transferred to your charge.” His voice radiated with authority.

“Release her to me and be on your way. I did not promise accommodations for all your men. I will see to the lady.” The baron stared at her cousin, waiting for a challenge, his men behind him poised to attack.

Alex smiled without budging from his position. “I am sure you would love to have her released to you, but as I just said, she is in my charge, and I will not leave her in your care until I deem that care to be appropriate for a lady of her station.”

Gow’s mouth twisted in a sneer that made Diana want to vomit. She prayed frantically that her cousins would not desert her with this man.

The baron turned to glare at her. “And who is going to prevent me from taking her now? You and your friends? I think not. She is mine, so she will do as I say. Her land belongs to me. It should have been mine years ago, but my ancestors were fools. You will not stop this from taking place. I have waited too long for this.”

Alex whistled and his forty guards galloped full force behind them. Diana released her breath, not realizing until that very moment that she had been holding it. “In the Highlands, honor requires a man to offer a night’s stay to parties on the road that are traveling a distance. No honor at your castle, Gow?”

The baron backed off and gave a grim smile. “This move to you, Grant. I will accommodate you and four others. The rest shall remain in the bailey.” He nodded to Alex. “I can wait to get my hands on my betrothed. When the time comes, she will learn a wife’s proper place.” He turned his horse around and headed toward the castle, his five men trailing behind him.

Diana glanced at Alex and whispered, “My thanks, cousin.” He nodded in response, his brow furrowed. Emotion welled up inside her, threatening to unseat her.

Robbie spoke up from behind her, though whether he addressed Alex, Micheil, or both was unclear. “This is not going to go at all as I expected. Things will get interesting, will they not?”

The Grant smirked and quirked an eyebrow. “Och, so they will.” He then glanced at Diana, who was losing her fight to hold in her tears. “Do not fret, cousin. You remind me of my mother. Protecting you will honor her memory, so ‘tis not a duty I will shirk. If you have need of anything, you will come for me. Understood?”

Diana nodded, unable to speak for fear of bursting into wrenching sobs. She would maintain her composure in honor of her mother and his. The look of concern on Micheil Ramsay’s face did not go unnoticed. Perhaps she did indeed have an ally in him.

As they entered the gates of the castle, Diana could not help but notice all the threatening glances sent her way by her betrothed. She decided the only way to she could handle her situation was to refrain from looking at him at all. As they walked up the steps to the great hall, she felt an arm brush across her back. She whirled her head around to see her betrothed was touching her, the taunting grin on his face an implied threat. Micheil stood back and gathered her in front of him, for which she was eternally grateful.

Once inside, the baron summoned his servants to feed their guests. Not wanting any more to do with him, Diana said, “My lord, if I may, it has been an exhausting trip. I would like to rest.” She wished for anything to get away from his presence.

He smiled at her, “Of course, my dear. Allow me to show you to your chamber.” He held his arm out to her so he could escort her.

Diana panicked at the thought of being alone with him and glanced wildly at her cousins. She had hoped there would be a maid to attend to her.

“I would like to see my chamber as well, Baron,” Alex said.

“Of course.” He led the way up the staircase and down the corridor. He stopped and pointed down the passageway. “Your chamber will be the second on the right, Grant.” He stood aside, awaiting the Grant’s leave. When the big man did not move, the baron gave him a questioning glance.

Alex stood there for a moment, then headed down the corridor. A moment later, the baron stopped in front of a doorway, motioning for Diana to do the same. “Your chamber, my dear.” He opened the door for her and stepped inside. “I’m sure this will please you. It was my former wife’s chamber.”

As soon as he finished his sentence, Alex, who must not have walked very far down the passageway at all, forced his way into the chamber and searched the room with his gaze. “Where does the door lead, Baron?”

Baron Gow, clearly appalled to be questioned, leveled an intimidating expression at Alex. “As I said, Grant. This was my wife’s chamber. The door connects to mine.”

Alex grabbed Diana’s elbow and ushered her out the door. “Then Diana will not be staying here, and I am offended you would seek to risk her reputation in such a way.”

Alex moved down the passageway, but Baron Gow bellowed after him. “Cease your interference. She is to be my wife in less than a sennight. The marriage will happen, whether you approve of it or not.”

Alexander Grant turned around slowly, his height and posture even more impressive when he was off his horse. Diana glanced at his face and wanted to take a step back, but she was delighted to see he was in complete control of the situation. The baron could not hope to best such a man. “That is where you are wrong, Baron Gow.” He dropped her hand and stalked toward the baron until he was nose to nose with him, although the Grant had to bend over to do so. “She is my charge, and I will do what my kin has requested of me. The future Drummond will
not
marry you without my approval. And if I need to put my sword through your black heart to prevent it, do not doubt that I will.” Alex never moved.

The baron spewed hatred. “You are every bit the savage you are reputed to be. Highland savages, all of you. I hated being given land so close to the Highlands. Put her in your chamber if you’d like. She’ll be in mine soon enough.” He spun on his heel and headed down the passageway, hitting the wall with his fist and growling as he passed.

Alex directed her into his chamber, holding his finger to his lips to encourage her not to speak until they were inside.

“Alex, my thanks, but please remove me from these premises.” Diana had progressed to sheer panic after witnessing her betrothed’s behavior with a man of Alex’s stature. “He frightens me to no end.”

“Diana, I cannot just remove you. I must have justification. This union received the king’s support, so we cannot break it without a good reason. I will find it, but it will take some time. In the meantime, you will sleep in my chamber, and I will post guards outside your door. Take your rest. He will not bother you today.” He kissed her forehead and headed out the door. As soon as it closed behind him, Diana fell onto the bed and cried herself to sleep.

***

Micheil sat outside Diana’s chamber door, leaning against it for support, Alex’s two guards standing on either side of him. He had told Alex what he knew of Gow, but now he could see that it was unnecessary. The man had already shown his true colors. Hellfire, but this was not going to be easy. He’d like to shove a fist through the surly bastard’s face. It was unbearable to consider the possibility of her marrying that man. He had half a mind to wed her himself just to save her from this sorry situation, but it was not in him to settle down. His own brother, Logan, called him a lover of ladies, and he could not deny it. He loved to play with women. They were all beautiful in their own right—some saucy, some wenchy, and some so innocent. Logan had finally settled down with a powerful woman, Gwyneth, Micheil’s new sister-in-law. Micheil wouldn’t dare mess with his brother’s wife—he knew she’d cut his bollocks off for dinner if provoked—but he had a lot of respect for her.

Diana Drummond reminded him a bit of her. She was strong and confident and not prone to intimidation, except in one area. Something told him Diana was not an experienced lover. How fun it would be to teach her the art of passion.

Which brought him back to the reason he had sworn he would never settle down with one woman—they were each so different in the bed chamber. How could he possibly be expected to stay with just one? One day he loved curvaceous, voluptuous dark-haired women, and the next day he would do most anything to touch a long-limbed, willowy blonde. How did a man ever choose?

No, he could never settle down—it was simply impossible, particularly since he did not take to the notion some men had of it being a man’s right to cheat. He knew how sensitive women were, so he could never, ever cheat on his wife. The look on her face would kill him.

Which is precisely why he was destined for the life of a bachelor.

The door flew open and he fell backward into the chamber.

Diana stood with her hand still on the door, staring at him aghast. “Micheil? What are you doing?”

Micheil brushed himself off and jumped up, executing a small bow in her direction. “Why, guarding your honor, my lady. Is that not clear?”

She giggled, a musical sound he vowed to hear again. “Micheil, you cannot help but charm women, can you?”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “I am not in a position to know. Are you charmed?” He flashed a grin her way, hoping it would have its intended effect to take her off her guard. It must have worked because she grabbed him by the tunic and pulled him inside her chamber, closing the door behind them. He stared at her in shock. “You are aware of how this looks, my lady?”

“Do not ‘my lady’ me, Micheil. It does not suit you. But what am I to do? You can clearly see the man is a beast, a scum, a destroyer of women. I cannot marry him. What would become of me?” She stared at him with her arms crossed in front of her, her green eyes ablaze.

Micheil’s grin disappeared. “I must admit he is definitely not an honorable man. My guess is that he has committed dastardly deeds that would astound even me. Nay, I would not like to see you left to his devices. But I trust my cousins to see the same thing.” He rubbed his chin in thought.

“Then take me to Edinburgh as I bade you to do.”

He could see the lass was completely serious. He had to talk reason into her. Acting without forethought would be unwise around a man like Baron Gow. “Just removing you will not settle this matter. The baron will follow us and demand justice. You are betrothed to him. Alexander Grant is an excellent chieftain and has King Alexander’s ear after everything Clan Grant did for the Scots against the Norse. But the Grant understands how to handle situations like this one properly, and always with the end he desires in mind. I trust him to find a way out that will not risk anyone’s life. You must be patient.”

She paced the room in thought. “He won’t take me to Edinburgh. You must.”

“And are you really naïve enough to believe you’ll find a man who will agree to marry you so quickly? Not to mention he must be acceptable to your father and your cousins.”