Seduction of a Highland Lass (McCabe Trilogy 2)

She should be strong. She should be a better person. She should be able to stand tall as if she didn’t have a care in the world. She was none of those things. She couldn’t face her childhood friend or the man who’d attacked her. She couldn’t face the woman who would have the man she loved.

Covering her mouth to squelch the mounting sob, she whirled and fled back up the stairs.

Alaric watched Keeley rush back up the stairs and he turned away, not trusting himself not to go after her.

“What is McDonald doing here?” he hissed. “He isn’t supposed to be here until closer to spring, after Mairin’s child is delivered.”

“I don’t know,” Ewan said grimly. “I intend to find out. ’Tis possible he received a missive from our king as well. He would be eager to do his bidding.”

Alaric dragged a hand through his hair. The noose was tightening around his neck. Maybe he’d been living in denial of his reality. He’d pushed thoughts of his marriage to Rionna from his mind, content to savor each night in Keeley’s arms.

Now … now his future was upon him, and Keeley was part of his past.

“ ’Tis better to have done with it,” Ewan murmured.

He cringed at the sympathy in Ewan’s voice and the disgust on Caelen’s face. Alaric straightened his stance and pushed back his anguish.

“Let us go greet him,” he said quietly.

Ewan tucked Mairin’s hand in his and then pulled her into his embrace. “Wait here, sweeting, where ’tis warm and you’re comfortable. Have the women attend you and stay off your feet.”

He rubbed his hand over her burgeoning belly and kissed her one last time before he turned to Alaric.

Mairin frowned unhappily in Alaric’s direction as he and his brothers left the hall to go greet the McDonalds.

The entire way out, Alaric wondered how he could pretend not to loathe the bastard. How was he supposed to stand in front of the man, embrace him and his clan, promise to care for his daughter, and assume the mantle of leadership when McDonald stepped down?

He wanted to spit in his eye and run him through with a sword on the spot. What kind of man preyed on a young girl barely past the cusp of womanhood? Who allowed her to shoulder the blame for his lust and be cast out of her clan by a jealous wife?

He couldn’t dwell on the matter because his fury mounted with each breath.

“Ease your expression,” Caelen murmured. “You look murderous.”

“ ’Tis disgraceful what he did to Keeley.”

Caelen’s brows drew together. The brothers stopped just inside the open gateway to await the approach of the McDonald riders.

“What is this you speak of?” Caelen demanded.

Alaric shook his head. “ ’Tis not your matter.”

“Still, I would know what manner of man he is before I blindly ally myself with him,” Caelen responded.

“ ’Tis not him you ally yourself with,” Ewan cut in. “ ’Tis your brother for he will be laird.” He glanced sharply at Alaric as he spoke. “I know you care for Keeley, but much rides on this alliance. Pull yourself together lest war be declared.”

Ewan took a step forward as the McDonald riders appeared over the hillside in the distance. When Alaric would have done so himself, Caelen caught him by the arm and pulled him back.

“What do you speak of?”

Alaric’s nostrils flared and his lips tightened. “He molested her when she was but a girl barely grown. His wife came upon them before he could rape her but cried her a whore and had her cast from the clan. She’s been on her own ever since.”

Caelen went silent. His jaw twitched, but he said nothing, as he stared ahead to the approaching riders.

Alaric took in a deep breath as McDonald and his daughter rode up side by side. She was first to slide from her saddle, and his brow rose when he saw that she was dressed in men’s attire. ’Twas scandalous for a woman to be dressed thusly, and yet she didn’t appear to have a care over the matter.

She boldly met his gaze, her golden eyes glinting in the sun.

Gregor McDonald dismounted with a grunt and pressed his lips together in displeasure as he approached his daughter.

“Ewan,” he greeted with a nod of acknowledgment.

“Gregor,” Ewan returned.

“You’ve met my daughter. Have a good look at the woman you wed with, Alaric,” Gregor tossed in Alaric’s direction.

“Rionna,” Alaric said as he bowed his head respectfully.

Rionna offered an awkward curtsy in return then glanced over to where Caelen and Ewan stood.

Knowing it was expected of him to court the lass while she was here—nay, until they married—he extended his hand to her.

For a moment she stared back at him with genuine confusion before her cheeks colored and she slipped her hand into his. He pulled it to his lips and brushed his lips across her knuckles.

“ ’Tis my pleasure, my lady.”

She cleared her throat and pulled her hand back, her discomfort keen.

“My lady wife is eager to see you again, Rionna,” Ewan said. “She waits inside. Her time is near and she rests, but she wished me to convey her desire for you to go to her at your leisure.”

“Thank you. I’m eager to see her again,” Rionna said in a low voice. She glanced uncomfortably at Alaric again before walking past him toward the entrance to the keep.

Ewan turned to Gregor as soon as Rionna disappeared within. He stood, arms crossed as he stared down at the older man.

“You sent no word of your arrival. It was my understanding you were coming closer to spring after Mairin had delivered our babe.”