Chapter 2

2

A Replacement Is Found

" I daenae ken how this could have happened," Laird McGunn said as he wiped his brow with a kerchief. William glanced at him but didn’t say a word. He merely kept walking until they came to the hallway's end .

"Is this the study?" William asked as he nodded to the closed door. McGunn nodded. Pushing through the door, William scanned the room. It wasn’t nearly half the size of his study, but it would serve its purpose.

Every nerve in William’s body tingled, and he couldn’t tell if he was thrilled to have the wedding called off or mad. Never in his life did he expect to be the one to be left at the altar.

"It would seem we have a problem here," William said, walking to the plush chairs near the fireplace and sat. "I had come to attend a wedding, yet, here I am without a bride."

"Aye, and I cannae tell ye how regretful I am about it," McGunn answered. "It’s nae like Delilah to run off in this manner. Perhaps the lass merely has cold feet and got a bit nervous about it all."

"Clearly," William said in a calm tone. He stared at McGunn and motioned for the man to sit in the empty place across from him. "The question is though, what dae we dae about makin’ amends to this grievance?"

"I dae nae understand," McGunn said as he sat. "What can we dae? Unless ye wish to postpone the weddin’ till a later date so that I may find my daughter."

"I fear that postponing the event will only cause her to dae it again," William said. "It’s clear the girl dae nae wish to wed me."

William unbuttoned his vest and eased back into his seat. His eyes shifted off McGunn to the cold hearth of the fireplace. A smirk tugged at his lips, and he couldn’t help but feel as if this day had been a complete waste of time.

"Cannae say if that’s the case," McGunn said as he sat straighter in the chair.

"I dae," William said. "And seein’ as how I’m a man of me word, I will marry another."

"What? But who?"

William rubbed the stubble of his chin as he glanced at the painting over the fireplace. It wasn’t a particularly lavish painting, yet, it drew his eye . Something about the lone tree on a hilltop with the storm brewing behind it fascinated him.

"One of yer other girls," William finally said. "The youngest. How old is the lass?"

"Daisy is a fine young lass and beautiful too, but she's not ready for marriage," McGunn said, puffing his chest out. "I cannae wed off me youngest when I have two older daughters still."

McGunn’s assertiveness impressed William, and his attention shifted to the Laird sitting across from him. "Aye, and one of them has run off, hasn't she? The deal was struck. Are ye goin’ to back out of it?"

"Nay, I wouldnae do such a thing, and I hope ye ken that. I'm sure we can work somethin' out."

"How old is the lass? Yer youngest?"

"Just past seventeen," McGunn said, much to William’s surprise.

It wasn’t uncommon for men to pick young girls, but William didn’t want a child running his estate. She was far too young to be wed. He knew of some men who had taken wives that age, and it did not feel right—the lass was still a girl at seventeen, and he needed a woman.

"Aye, that is too young," William said with a wave of his hand. "What of the other daughter?"

"Dakota? She’s close to Delilah’s age," McGunn said. His tone bent, and William instantly knew there was room for negotiation. "Although, ye’ll find her a bit livelier than Delilah."

"Is that so? As I see it, Dakota is far more trustworthy than Delilah. She is after all present, is she nae?"

"Aye, she is."

"And has anyone spoken for her?"

"Nay, there’s nay one come for her hand."

"Then it’s settled," William said, buttoning his vest back up. "I shall wed her."

"But," McGunn started to protest as William stood from his chair and walked to the small table. "This wasnae part of the arrangement."

"On the contrary," William said, pouring two drams of whiskey and extending one to McGunn. "I came to wed, and wed I shall. It makes no difference to whom. At least I ken the lass is here, unlike yer other daughter."

"We had nae idea she’d run off," McGunn said. "There was nay indication she didnae want this marriage."

"It matters nae, to be truthful. And Dakota, she was the one to drop her bracelet?"

"Aye, that’s the lass," McGunn said.

"She looks like a braw woman and a fine replacement for the sister who ran away—it is to yer credit that ye had two daughters so close in age. She might nae be the lass I came for, but she'll make for a fine wife."

Besides, she is far better looking than her older sister—perhaps fate has done me a favor. My bairns will be even bonnier than they would have been.

McGunn took the dram of whiskey from William’s hand and swallowed hard. William stared coldly at him and watched the Laird take a sip, sealing the new arrangement.

"Mind ye, Dakota will need to ken what is goin’ on. If she says she’ll nae marry, then—"

"Then what?" William growled and slammed the dram on the table. "From what I understand, our arrangement was clear. You would provide me wit’ a wife and I would ease yer financial burdens. Or is Clan McGunn better suited since the last time we spoke?"

Now that he had seen Dakota, he had to have her.

The Laird shook his head and glanced at the half-empty glass in his hand. "Nay. Nothin’ has changed."

"Then the wedding will commence, while a bit off schedule, it’ll happen. This is for the best of both clans, and ye ken that it is much better for your clan than it is for mine—I doubt ye'll get a better offer than mine. Together, we will be stronger."

Since he had looked up into her wondrous eyes, William had one thought in his mind, and while the marriage was a means to an end in that respect, it would kill two birds with one stone. The clans would be strengthened, and he would get a fair return for his coin—a return that would be more enticing between the sheets.

"I am sure yer daughter will see the benefits of the union once ye speak to her," added William.

McGunn nodded his head as beads of sweat formed on his face. William noticed the spark of fear flickering through McGunn’s face and had to fight back the smirk trying to emerge. There was something about having power over another that thrilled William.

"I’ll see that Dakota is made ready," McGunn said, placing the dram on the table. William arched his eyebrow as he watched the Laird rush out of the room.

William moved to the fireplace and leaned into it. Although he had only met Delilah once before, he couldn’t help but feel a bit put off. In his mind, she would have been the perfect bride. She wasn’t talkative, sat properly, and was quiet, all traits that would have complemented him.

He rubbed the stubble on his chin as he thought of how Delilah hadn’t caught his eye. She was pretty, sure, but not stunning. And how better suited she would have been. But now, he felt his blood pressure rising as his thoughts shifted to Dakota.

"This might be a mistake," he mumbled to himself as Dakota’s face drifted into his mind. There was a spark in Dakota’s eye that enchanted him. And the way she stepped forward, explaining what happened to her sister, showed boldness. He couldn’t help but wonder why he was suddenly feeling so flushed.

"Perhaps callin’ off the weddin’ would be best," he mumbled as he thought of the implications of such a union. Swallowing hard, he pushed away from the fireplace as his fingers tingled. He’d never been nervous before, yet, here he was, pacing the length of the study, second-guessing his decision.

William glanced at the door as the sounds of chatter filled his ears. All the people from both clans were clearly becoming anxious, and he wondered what they would say once they realized he was marrying another.

Rolling his shoulders back, he lifted his chin. There was no way he’d let any of them say a word. He walked to the door and straightened himself as his resolve strengthened . Although Dakota mesmerized him, he wouldn’t allow himself to be distracted by her. Nor would he see this union as anything more than a means to an end.

"She’ll bear me children, she’ll share my home, but she’ll never steal my heart, that much I promise," he vowed as he walked out of the study.

"There ye are, sir," Cameron rushed to William’s side, turned, and walked down the stairs with William. "Is everythin’ in order?"

"That it is," William answered as he fastened the last button of his vest.

"Good, because the clan is gettin’ a bit disorderly," Cameron said. "Seems several think the weddin’ will be called off. A few have even left."

"Let them go," William said as he walked into the Great Hall. Everyone turned their faces to him as he moved down the aisle. "I daenae care if this place is empty by the time the bride comes."

The chatter in the room fell away as William took his place in front of the doorway to the bridal suite. He stood like a sentinel glaring at the crowd before him, daring anyone to approach.

"Laird Rottrich," a voice called out. "Are ye callin’ off the ceremony? Are we to return to our homes?"

"Nay," William’s voice boomed through the room. "My bride will be down momentarily. And it’ll serve ye best to remain quiet when she comes. Wouldnae have ye all spookin’ the poor lass."