Chapter 3

3

M urdoch looked at the three women in front of him. The maid had deferred to them, so they were clearly the ladies of the Castle. Presumably, the one who was with child was the current Laird Clyde's wife.

However, the document his faither provided had stated that Nora was the eldest of the Knox sisters, and the second woman looked younger than the first. He didn't think she was of an age where his faither would have contracted for her hand.

On the other hand, it was best to be sure. "Are either of ye Miss Nora Knox?"

The younger one stepped forward. "We're nae. I'm Lydia, and this is me sister, Isobel, wife of Acting Laird Clyde, who is also Laird Rothach."

"A pleasure to meet ye." He spoke the required courtesies, but even to his own ears, his voice held no interest, merely a hint of impatience. Murdoch knew he probably appeared rude and impatient, but he wasn't one to mince words, nor waste time. "But it's Nora Knox I'm looking for, and I'd appreciate it if she could be sent for. I've urgent business to discuss with her, and it cannae wait."

The younger lass, Lydia, pursed her lips. "Nora is our sister, aye, but she doesnae reside here. She resides with her husband, Laird Buckhan."

Murdoch stiffened, feeling as if the words had slapped him across the face. He might not want to fulfill the contract, and could even admit that his clan had been first to breach it, but for some reason, the young woman's words stung his pride. He'd never met Nora Knox, and yet, it felt as if she'd rejected him, and that was an uncomfortable feeling. "That wasnae supposed to happen. She was promised to me."

The lass who was with child heaved herself to her feet, glaring at him. "And what right have ye to say that? For I'm certain Nora never promised herself to anyone, and I ken Hunter dinnae take a contract on her behalf. She wasnae shackled to anyone afore she chose to wed the man she loved."

"Nae true. I've the contract right here, saying I'm betrothed to Miss Nora Knox of Clan Clyde, to be wed as part of an alliance." Murdoch produced the contract and handed it over, glad he'd thought of bringing his copy. "Ye should have it among the previous laird's papers."

The older lass snorted in derision, contempt and bitterness obvious in her eyes, even as she read the document he'd given her. "We burned everything Geoffrey wrote, and good riddance to him. An agreement with that snake wasnae worth the parchment it had been written on."

"He was still the laird, and the contract is binding." Murdoch could feel his temper fraying, frustration taking hold with each word that passed between them. He needed a bride, and he'd been promised one. He wasn't planning to leave without a bride. He wouldn't tolerate the scorn and humiliation he would face in the aftermath of such a debacle, no matter whose fault it was.

"He's also dead, and nay one save he ever saw nor signed this paper. There's naught bindin' to us in this document. And even were there, Nora's long since wed, and the marriage consummated. Ye cannae claim her now."

"Then I'll claim another bride. I ken there's more than one Miss Knox. Choose another of yer sisters, and I'll wed her instead."

The youngest lass spoke up then, her eyes flashing as she protectively shielded her elder sister. "And why would we ever agree to that?"

"Because I'll nae stand for being humiliated by a broken promise. If ye willnae honor yer clan's promise, then ye're declaring war between Clan Clyde and Clan Lochlann. And I daenae think ye want any such thing."

"Perhaps. But I daenae think ye will come out the better in such a confrontation. But tis beside the point, for the fact of the matter is this: Me sisters are wed. I'm the only lass who carries the name Miss Knox anymore. And I daenae consent to marry a boorish man such as ye."

Murdoch felt his lips twist in a reluctant grin. She was as spirited as she was pretty, this wee lass, and not afraid to face him down. She wasn't his promised bride, but he thought he'd be doing well if he could secure her hand.

When I secure her hand in marriage. Nae if.

He stepped forward with a wolfish smile on his face. "I dinnae say ye had a choice about refusing. Did I nae tell ye that ye can offer me a bride or I can bring ye a war?"

"Are ye threatening me sister?" The other woman tried to step forward but was hindered by her sister's arm.

"I'm stating the realities o' the situation." Murdoch folded his arms. "This must nae be difficult. Surely, we can discuss things like civilized clan-folk."

At that, the older woman did step around her sister. "Anything ye have to discuss on this matter, ye'll discuss with me. Tis me husband that's the laird."

"And yer sister, tis the one I'll be marryin'. I'll discuss the matter with her, or nae at all." He smirked at her. "I'll nae have ye sayin' the amendment o' the contract isnae valid for the same reasons ye dismissed the first - that the lass in question dinnae see or agree to it. We'll settle the matter between ourselves, and yer husband can have his say later…if it comes to that."

Lydia wasn't sure what to make of Laird Lochlann, or Murdoch Nairn. He was arrogant, churlish and ill-tempered, but he had also said he was willing to talk. She swallowed. "What would we be talkin' about?"

"Terms of the proposal. There werenae any written out, save the name of me bride and the fact that the marriage was to secure an alliance between our clans."

Lydia bit the inside of her cheek. On one hand, the thought of being tied to such a dangerous and temperamental man terrified her. On the other hand, what choice did she have? She didn't want to cause her sisters and their families to be embroiled in a war, not when there was a simple solution available to keep the peace between the clans.

She put a hand on Isobel's arm. "Tis all right. I'm willing to speak with him, as long as we can use Alex's study for privacy."

Isobel looked at her with distress clear in her eyes. "Lydia…ye…"

"I'm the last unmarried Knox lass. This is something I must do, for all our well-being." Lydia smiled at her sister. "Daenae fret, Isobel. I've learned well from the rest of ye over the years."

She stepped forward, toward Laird Lochlann. "If ye'll come with me, I'll take ye to a place where we can speak privately."

Isobel huffed and she followed behind them, her eyes on the swell of her belly. "I'd be able to handle any ‘discussions' that were needed if I dinnae have to be mindful of me condition. But ye ken, little one, ye could let yer mother shoot an arrow now and then."

For a brief second Lydia saw Laird Lochlann's surprised expression before he concealed it behind his mask of arrogance. Still, the brief glimpse heartened her. It seemed the man possessed some basic human traits after all. And if the mask could be cracked once, perhaps it could be cracked again.

Together they made their way to the study, passing two of Isobel's many dogs and one of the cats on their way. Both dogs bounded up to Lydia and demanded scratches behind their ears, and the cat purred when she ran her fingers through its thick, soft fur.

Laird Lochlann looked slightly annoyed by the delay, but he was astute enough to say nothing as Lydia greeted her friends.

At the door of the study, Lydia stood aside to let the laird enter first, only to retreat quickly as her sister's middle-aged wolfhound bounded into the room past them.

Lydia laughed and patted the dog's head. "I suppose ye're to be me guardian and chaperone then, Hector."

"Should be me." Isobel grumbled at her. "I may be carrying a bairn inside me, but I'm fair certain I could manage to put an arrow in him if he tries somethin'."

Lydia smiled as her shoulders relaxed. "I'm sure Hector would take care of him before ye could even find your bow, Isobel. But daenae fret. I'm certain I'll manage."

"I'll be waiting here, right outside the door. Call out if ye need somethin'." Isobel glared at the laird and pulled the heavy door shut.

Lydia took a deep breath. She could do this. She turned to Laird Lochlann and raised her chin, determined to act as a laird's daughter should. "Very well, Laird Lochlann. What terms would ye like to discuss?"

Murdoch took a closer look at his chosen bride. She was shorter than her sister, but well proportioned, with generous curves and clear, slightly tanned skin. Her face was surrounded by a carefully tamed silken mane of hair, dark as night. Her green eyes were bright, lively and sharp with a keen intelligence that added maturity and wisdom to her otherwise youthful face.

The girl, Lydia, he needed to remember her given name if he was to be courting her, folded her arms under her bosom, and Murdoch found his eyes drawn to the swell of her chest. She was well-endowed, and it had been a long time since he had paid much attention to a woman.

He jerked his gaze back to her face quickly, but saw by the gleam in her eyes that she hadn't missed the momentary shift of his attention. Murdoch found himself appreciating her quick vigilance.

"Well, Laird Lochlann?" She raised an eyebrow at him, amusement almost covering the apprehension he'd witnessed earlier. She had boldness and sense both, and he liked that as much as he did her physical attributes.

"Murdoch." He stepped closer to her. "Since we're to be married, tis best ye get used to me given name."

Her eyebrow rose higher, skepticism clear on her face. "I dinnae agree to marry ye, and ye've yet to convince me why I should."

His admiration was joined by a spark of irritation. "Miss Knox, I ken I made meself clear. We're to be wed, or there will be war between our clans. And make nay mistake lass…" He stepped closer, using his height to loom over her. "I've never lost a war and I'll nae lose to yer kinfolk either."

The small step she took back revealed that he'd made an impression. Nevertheless, she was quick to rally and respond. "I daenae ken whether tis blackmail or threats ye're after makin', but neither's a good way to win a bride. Did nay one ever teach ye that, me Laird?"

Murdoch's respect for her grew at the impudent challenge. Even so, he wasn't without a response of his own. He stepped closer and bent to whisper in her ear before she could back away. "Would ye prefer I try seduction then, Miss Knox? For I'd be more than willin' to do so if that's the sort of convincin' ye'd rather have."

He'd suspected she was a maiden, but when she blushed furiously at his words it was all the confirmation he needed that he was correct.

Lydia quickly found her words again, her eyes flashing with ire at being caught out by Murdoch; at least he thought that was what had sparked the heat in her eyes. "Are ye a rake then, and only playin' games with me? I daenae like being toyed with."

His moment of amusement faded. His voice became deadly serious as he responded. "Ye're the one playin' games, games I daenae have any time to indulge. I need a bride, and by the terms of the contract, ye're me choice. Ye will wed me by the end of the month."