Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

After 20 years...

Barbara thought that this could not be going any better. When she awoke, the weather had been perfect. The chefs in the estate had served the perfect thing for breakfast—eggs from the garden with delicious haggis—and she had taken a long stroll while thinking of the most lovely flowers that would soon bloom. She had a friend that would stop by later in the day, and she knew that there would be a roaring fire to read tonight. In her eighteen years, she was frequently happy, but this felt as if this would be the best day of her life, for no reason at all but sunshine.

When she returned from her stroll in the garden, she noticed her father trying to casually catch her eye in the library. Her father often had some amusing fact to tell her; it was the way the two of them had built their bond. He encouraged her to read, although she knew that some other women in the community would look down at that. He encouraged her to be curious and explore what she could of the world from the safety of the manor. Their library was vast, and it was her favorite place to speak with him.

“Hello, Father,” she said. “I have not seen you since breakfast. How was your morning?”

“It was quite wonderful,” he said. “I received many letters. How was your morning?”

“It was glorious,” she said. “I know that sounds strange to say, because we did not do anything special today...but it was still glorious. I wish that I could have every day like this.”

He smiled at her.

“I enjoy that you always have a good attitude,” he said. “I think your future husband will appreciate it very much.”

“My future husband?” she said, with a smile. It was every girl’s dream to be married and to be married well in the Lowlands. She knew that she had a fair shot of a decent marriage. She had a good name, and her family was known for being polite and kind to all those who knew them. Barbara, however, had no idea who her father would match her with. There were many eligible young men around, but none of them seemed perfect, and her father had very strong opinions about who she should marry. He picked apart every one of her potential suitors, and Barbara was starting to think there was a chance she would be a spinster forever. Maybe her father would never find a perfect match for her, and she would be doomed to live here and smile at the weddings of all the other girls.

She knew that wasn’t quite true, but she didn’t say that she didn’t worry about it in the dark of night, as her friends become betrothed.

“Yes,” her father said. “Your wedding. And I am happy to say, Barbara, that I have finally arranged it.”

She couldn't believe what she heard.

“Are you...you arranged it?” she asked. “I am betrothed?"

“Yes,” he said. “Yes, you are.”

“Oh, Father,” she said, as she put her hands to her mouth. “That would be...that would be absolutely wonderful. Who is it? Who is the man I am going to marry?”

“Colin McKinnon,” he said. “A laird in the Highlands.”

He did not need to say that, for she knew exactly who he was. She paused and tried to identify the feeling that ran through her veins.

Was it excitement at being betrothed? Was it confusion? Was it fear?

The McKinnons weren’t exactly known for being the kindest clan around. They were very powerful, and she understood why her father might think an alliance with them was a good idea. They were so powerful that there were very few who questioned them. Their young laird, however, was known for being too strong. He was considered violent, and sometimes rude. She did not know whether she should be excited to have a strong, powerful husband, or afraid.

Her father was watching her face carefully, and it was clear that he wanted to know what she thought.

She couldn’t very well refuse. After all, her father must have gone through great trouble to arrange a marriage that was far away.

“Well, that is…” She paused. “That is...interesting.”

“Why did you choose that word?” he asked. “I thought that you wanted a husband?”

“Of course, I want to be married,” she said. “I just did not think that you would look so far away…”

“It is not so far away,” he said, and she raised her eyebrow.

“Father, he is far enough away that I have never met him,” she pointed out. “And there are so many lairds in the Lowlands.”

“Yes, that is true,” he replied, “but you know that the lairds in the Lowlands are not what I want when I want to make an alliance that will last forever. We only get one chance at this, Barbara, and we have to make the best alliance possible.”

“Yes, I understand that,” she replied. “But surely the McKinnon clan isn’t the perfect match?”

“Well, Barbara, you cannot believe everything you hear,” he replied.

She paused. She certainly did not want to be seen as defying her father. She wanted to be a good, obedient daughter, who listened to the rules and to her father’s will. However, she did not know what to make of the rumors she had heard about the clan.

“What about Lancaster?” she asked. “They have seven sons, and surely?—”

“They have seven sons, but only one of them is going to be a laird,” he replied. “And he is already betrothed. While the rest of his brothers are kind enough, they are not a powerful alliance.”

“But Father, why do we need such a powerful alliance?” She tried to say it sweetly, so that he would not think that she was questioning him. “We have such power?—”

“We currently have a very good relationship with many clans, it is true,” he said. “But we do not have power, Barbara. If things turned rough in our neck of the woods, no one would be frightened of us.”

“Frightened of us?” She laughed because the very word seemed ridiculous. “Of course not. Why would anyone be frightened of us?”

“Because they need to be,” he said. “If you want true power.”

“But why?” she asked. “I mean…”

He looked into her eyes. “Barbara, with true power comes true safety, and I do not want to fade away wondering if you are safe.”

“Of course I am safe,” she said. “And I will be safe with whoever you choose for me to marry.”

“Possibly,” he said. “But I certainly know you will be safe with a powerful clan like the McKinnons.”

She wanted to say something else, but it was clear that the arrangements were already made. She wondered how long her father had been discussing this with the McKinnons, and what he had agreed to in order to make a match.

“Well…” She tried to choose her next words carefully. “As much as we want a powerful alliance...is what they seek a polite alliance?”

Her father seemed unable to keep the laughter from his voice when she said that.

“Yes,” he said. “That was one of the things that was mentioned. As much as we are aware of their reputation, they are aware of ours.”

“I see,” she said. “Well, then, it seems our reputation precedes us as well.”

“It does,” he said. “Are you happy, Barbara?”

“I am,” she decided, at last. “I am, Father. You just have to understand that it is a bit of a surprise. I did not expect such news today.”

“No, I suppose that I have blindsided you with it. I apologize.”

“It’s alright,” she said. “When is the wedding to take place?”

“As soon as possible,” he replied. “The McKinnons have expressed interest in having you travel to the Highlands as soon as you are able.”

“I see,” she said, and looked around as if she did not know what to bring. “Well, I suppose I should ask the servants to start packing.”

“You have a few days, yes, Barbara,” her father said. “And I’m sure that the McKinnons will understand if the journey takes a bit of time. Take the rest of the day, at least, and enjoy your day. You said that you were having a wonderful day.”

“Well, I am,” she said. “Although the day has taken a surprising turn.”

“A surprising turn?” he replied. “But is it a bad one?”

“No,” she responded, after some time. “I do not think so.”

“Wonderful,” he said. “I’ll leave you to it.”

With that, he swept out of the room. She sat down in the chair near the window, and stared out into the garden that she had so casually strolled through recently.

“Barbara?” She turned her head at the voice of her uncle, Fillan. He lived in an estate nearby, and often dropped by to work with her father. “You look as pale as a phantom.”

“Oh, Uncle Fillan,” she said, “what a pleasant surprise.”

“Is everything alright?” he asked, as he paused in the doorway. The sun reflected on his silver hair. She always thought that he looked like a cunning wolf, and that was the position he represented in life. He kept her father on his toes, and always suggested the things that he hadn’t thought of. While her father was very kind, he always thought the best of people. While that isn't necessarily a bad thing, Barbara thought that sometimes, he should consider the way other people thought. Fillan, while quite kind, often seemed to point out the devil’s advocate viewpoint that they hadn’t thought of, winning the arguments and battles more than once.

“Well...yes,” she replied. “I just...Father just told me that I am betrothed.”

“Oh, yes,“ Fillan said. “I was wondering when he was going to tell you.”

She tried not to let her mouth fall open in shock.

“You knew?” she asked, and he smiled.

“Oh, yes,” he said. “I do not want to take credit for everything...but it was my idea.”

“It was your idea?” She did not know what to say about that. “Well...I suppose I should thank you for making me such a powerful alliance.”

“Barbara,” he replied, “I have known you since you were a child. You do not have to pretend to be happy. What is it about the McKinnons that bother you?”

“It is not necessarily that I am bothered,” she said. “It is just...that I am worried that I am nothing like the bride a McKinnon groom might want.”

“What do you mean by that?” he asked, and she lowered her voice.

“Well...the McKinnons are known for being...different,” she said. “At least, different from us.”

“Yes,” he said. “But don’t you see, Barbara? That is what makes it the most powerful alliance. You two are on opposite sides of two powerful families, and together, you will balance each other out.”

“I hope so,” she said, with a soft smile. “I am not quite sure what to expect? Surely the rumors about him can’t all be true?”

“Do you truly trust your father and I?” Fillan asked, and Barbara nodded.

“Yes, of course, I trust you,” she said.

“Well, then, you have nothing to worry about,” Fillan said. “Please, understand that we would never put you in danger.”

Her eyes narrowed at that. This was the second time danger and safety had been mentioned in the space of a few minutes.

“Uncle Fillan,” she said, “is there something going on that I am not aware of?”

“No, why would there be?” he said. “The betrothal was the only secret we kept from you, I promise.”

“Both you and Father mentioned safety,” she said. “Is everything alright? Are we under attack?”

“No, of course not,” he said. “Everything is just fine, and it will be even better after you are married. Now, did your father tell you whether they had settled on a date yet?”

“Uh...no.” she said. “Is there a date? He just said as soon as possible.”

“I think that was the last bit of information I heard as well,” he said. “So I suppose you should begin to pack. Tonight, though, we should celebrate. I shall tell your father to throw a feast in your honor.”

“Oh, no.” She blushed. “If this is to be my last real night at home, I would prefer just a quiet night.”

“Come now,” he said, “there must be something you want. I shall tell the cook to make your favorite food.”

“Perhaps that would be alright,” she said, as she settled back against the chair. Her uncle nodded and headed out of the room. Only when he was gone did Barbara draw a deep breath. She had no idea what she was getting into, but she was certain that it was what God had in mind for her. God would never want her to be unhappy, would He? He had a plan for her, since the day of her birth, and her job was simply to fulfill it, whatever that path was.

She only sat in the sun for a few moments longer before she got up.

She knew what she needed to do. She needed to talk to her mother. She wondered whether she had been in on this news, or whether it was going to be a complete surprise to her as well.

She loved hearing her mother’s story when she was a child. She had learned that her mother had traveled across the countryside to marry her father when she was eighteen, without ever knowing him. They had fallen in love at first sight, and Barbara thought it was the most romantic and adventurous tale she had ever heard. She realized, as she went to find her mother, that this was exactly what she had dreamed of as a child. Why would she not be happy?

Maybe the rumors weren’t true at all. Maybe everything was going to be fine, and she was going to have a love story even greater than her parents.

She was certain that would be the case. After all, if it was God’s plan, there was nothing that she could do about it.

“Mother?” she called down the hallway, after she searched a few rooms. Her mother stuck her head out from the doorway of the parlor.

“Barbara?” she said. “Is something wrong?”

“I think...” Barbara said, hesitantly. “I think it is about to be the happiest day of my life.”

She could see from the twinkle in her mother’s eyes that she already knew about the wedding. How they had kept it a secret this long was a complete surprise to her.

“Yes,” her mother said, as she gave her a hug. “It is possible. I see that your father told you everything.”

“Yes,” she said. “And I am still not sure how I feel.”

“It is going to be glorious,” her mother said, as she looked into her eyes. “Listen to me, darling Barbara. Your father would never do anything to hurt you. If he believes this is best for you, then it is best for you.”

“I do not doubt it,” Barbara said. “I know that he has chosen the best for me. I am just...surprised by how sudden it is, I suppose.”

“It is not as sudden as you think,” her mother said. “Your father and uncle have been working very hard to get you this match.”

“Uncle Fillan told me that it was his idea,” Barbara said, and her mother smiled.

“Yes, he was the one who suggested it,” she said. “And your father and I agreed. I am sorry, Barbara. I did want to tell you when it was in the works…”

“It is alright,” Barbara said. “I suppose I should start to prepare myself for a trip to the Highlands. Father said I should pack.”

Her mother’s eyes widened.

“Oh, no,” she said. “That is not what is happening.”

“What do you mean?” Barbara asked.

“He will come to you,” her mother said. “And he will greet his bride properly. I will tell your father now.”

Barbara smiled as she followed her mother. Although as women they had very little power, they could control this, and Barbara was glad for her mother’s idea.

Click here to read “Freeing a Highlander Criminal.”