Highland Intrigue - A Prequel

He responded with a quick nod.

It was obvious he wanted her to leave and she did not hesitate, she turned and walked away as hastily as possible. She had not expected his refusal to sting as much as it did, but then she liked him a lot more than she would admit to anyone. Never had she gotten flurries in her stomach around a man or felt so happy when she saw him. She had thought she had seen the same delight in his eyes. She had been wrong and so had her sisters.

A tear trickled from one eye.

He had not even offered a single word or gesture. He had done no more than shake his head. She had thought him at least a friend. Would not a friend offer more than a shake of his head? What difference did it make? He owed her no explanation. Whatever the reason, he had refused her offer and that was the end of it.

She did not know what she would do now. There was no one to turn to, no one to confide in, no one to trust, and no one to ease her hurt.

And no one to stop Clyde from pursuing a marriage between them.

Chapter 12

Elysia had kept much to herself since making a fool of herself three days ago by asking Saber to marry her. She had tended a few minor ills in that time, but she was not a skilled healer like her sister. She had to speak with Chieftain Emory and make him understand she could not replace her sister as the clan’s healer. She also intended to make it clear that she was free to choose her own husband and that she would not marry Clyde, and she intended to do that today.

The problem with her plan was that it was market day in the village and Saber usually attended and she did not want to see him. And she did not think he wanted to see her, since he had not come to the cottage to drink the soothing brew or take the syrup for his throat as he had been doing faithfully for several days. It was a shame since both aided in healing his throat. What troubled her even more was that she missed seeing him. Even though he could not speak, he had managed to engage her in talk, not that it took much to get her to talk. She had found it quite easy to talk about many things with him, though she had done all the talking. Most of all, she missed the comfort of their friendship. Seeing him again, knowing he did not feel for her as she did for him, would only remind her of the sting of his rejection.

She could not hide herself away forever or ignore the problem of Clyde. She had to see it done before it turned worse. She could not delay speaking to Chieftain Emory any longer. She hoped to catch him during his morning meal, then hurry through the market before it swelled with people.

Elysia snatched her cloak off the back of the chair and swung it over her shoulders, then grabbed the empty basket by the door and hurried outside. She kept her pace quick and was relieved to see that the market had yet to come to life. If she kept her hasty pace, she could solve two problems today, Clyde being one of them and avoiding Saber the other one.

She entered the Great Hall cautiously, aware that many of the clan warriors partook of their morning meal here and she was not comfortable being around them.

“Elysia,” Chieftain Emory called out and waved her forward. “I was going to send for you.”

She hoped he did not intend to tell her that a union with Clyde would benefit her. She would just have to speak up and remind him about Bliss’s bargain. She kept her chin up and squared her shoulders as Bliss had taught her and approached the chieftain with more confidence than she felt.

“I had hoped to have a few words with you, sir,” Elysia said after stopping in front of the dais and, before the chieftain could say another word, she hurried to have her say. “I will not wed Clyde. He is a mean man, and I will not wed a mean man.”

“I agree with you, Elysia,” Chieftain Emory said.

Shock struck Elysia speechless, though relief sent a shiver through her.

“Your sister Bliss did a brave thing marrying the cursed lord. It put our clan in great favor with the Clan MacClaren and I am grateful to her for that.” His brow narrowed in a slight scowl. “Though I am displeased with Annis for going off on a foolish quest. I have warriors searching for her and I am sure she will be returned home soon, at which time I will find her a husband that will take her in hand and see her kept safe. I will also find you a good husband. It is the least I can do for the sacrifice Bliss made for us all, and I did give my word to keep you both safe.”