Chapter 19

"What do ye think about Laird Irvine?"

"He's ridiculous, Arran," Scarlett said without thinking. "Er—I mean, I ken he's yer friend, but he's nae a good representation of who ye are as a man. Yer characters couldnae be further apart."

Arran barked out a laugh before correcting her. "I meant what do ye think about him as a potential match after our handfasting?"

Scarlett stopped walking and let her hand fall out of his arm, clearly stunned by the question.

"What? He's a good man. Respectable, even," Arran argued.

"I didnae realize we were already starting to look for suitable matches… It's been only a day, Arran."

"Aye, but they're all here. It would be a waste to nae at least… look," he reasoned and offered her his arm again.

He's nae braw, he's nae handsome, he's kind of pushy and rude… but she doesnae have to ken all of that just yet.

"Alright," Scarlett said tentatively and took his arm, and they continued walking.

"Well, what are ye lookin' for in a match?"

"I suppose he should be tall, and someone who exuded strength and confidence. Handsome and considerate. Has good character, is a leader, and fiercly protective. A commanding presence…" Scarlett trailed off, embarrassed that she had let her thoughts run wild. She only just realized that they had stopped moving altogether and Arran had been staring at her.

Her eyes suddenly connected with his, and she went rigid.

His face went alight with glee and he let out a bellowing laugh, "Lass, that was quite specific!"

Scarlett blushed and wrenched her hand from his grasp again, furious that he had made her feel ashamed of what she said.

"Och! Come on now, Scarlett. It's fine! It's fine… Only it sounded like ye were describing me."

"Oh, aye, ye are sure of yerself, aren't ye?" She spat out and crossed her arms defiantly.

"Come now, Scarlett. It's helpful, truly. Ye probably just described every one of me best lads. I mean, I ken yer type well enough now. I think ye should at least consider Felix."

She sighed, relenting. "Are ye sure?"

Arran grabbed her hand and weaved it through his arm for the third time, his free hand again rested on top of hers. "Just—just give him a chance. He'll shine."

He steered them toward his sister first because if anyone could convince Scarlett to give Felix a chance, it was Niamh. He hadn't quite figured out how he was going to convince Niamh to broach that topic with his betrothed, but a quick introduction should be innocent enough.

I should just tell her…

"Niamh!" he called out, but his sister was too preoccupied with the flower in her hand to address him.

Wretched woman…

It was only after they came up to her that his face fell. He fully assessed his sister when they got closer to her.

Maybe not… Not today anyway…

He and Scarlett talked over each other in their concern for the oddly standing woman. It was as if she fell asleep while standing up.

"Sister?"

"Niamh?" Scarlett reached out a hand to place it on his sister's shoulder.

The touch startled Niamh out of her reverie, and she broke the stem of the flower that she had been admiring.

"Is everything alright, Sister?" Arran asked.

He held his arms out wide in case she toppled over in either direction, but she quickly straightened and looked at him like he was acting ridiculous.

"What are ye talking about? Ye just scared me is all," Niamh huffed and flipped her hair irritatedly.

Arran adjusted his coat, and Scarlett took a step back to give them privacy.

"Sister," Arran whispered, "is everything alright?" He looked back to see that Scarlett was halfway toward the greenhouse. "We're alone, ye can tell me."

"Aye, I just felt winded when ye walked up, is all. I was trying to catch me breath, but then I felt queasy."

"Are ye unwell?"

Niamh looked up at him, and he noticed that her eyes were shadowed and her was complexion pale. The shortness of breath and queasiness were all signs of a turn in the belly. But Niamh was guarded, and she was trying to put on a brave front, even saying that she was "fine."

"Ye arenae fine, Sister. Ye should go up to the castle. I'll call for Mrs. Cameron." Arran made eye contact with one of the garden boys, who nodded his head.

Seconds later, the gardener came up to them.

"Hamish, please take Lady Niamh upstairs, she is feelin' unwell. I've sent young Lachlan to notify Mrs. Cameron—she should be meetin' ye. Report back to me upon yer return."

"Aye, Me Laird," the gardener said and turned away with his sister.

Once they were out of sight, Arran turned around to head toward the greenhouse. It was where he told Felix to meet them this morning. Scarlett was nowhere to be found, which he found annoying, but he walked around the back of the greenhouse anyway.

And the conversation he came upon was shocking.

"Ye arenae listening to me, Sister. He told me he would marry ye," Felix hissed.

"I dinnae have to listen to ye. Ye're speaking nonsense. Arran just announced that he was engaged to Lady Scarlett, Felix."

"I willnae drop it. He promised me. The papers are very well signed."

Lily responded with a frustrated grunt. "I'm standing over here until they arrive. I willnae hear any more of this. It's done, Braither. Leave it."

"This is far from done, Sister. Watch me," Felix warned.

At that, Arran stood straighter.

What was he talking about?

He caught movement on the other side of the greenhouse.

Niamh? Scarlett?

He walked back around the greenhouse to find that it was Scarlett—she had overheard everything that Felix had said.

Of course, she heard that…

Her back was facing him, so Arran whistled to get her attention.

"Ye're engaged to Lily Shepherd? What is this?" she hissed when she caught up to him.

Before he could correct her, Arran straightened and steeled himself as Lily's furious glare landed on him as she rounded the corner. Realization flickered in her eyes. She knew that they were overheard, and she was embarrassed.

Scarlett whipped around to see what caught his attention.

"There's nay excuse for this behavior, Lady Scarlett. I apologize," Lily said without hesitation.

Felix peered around the corner. "Well, isnae this just great," he grumbled and then revealed himself fully to Arran and Scarlett, adjusting his jacket to busy his hands.

Ach! Indeed, Felix. Ye've done us all in.

"Felix," Arran greeted, attempting a semblance of propriety but failing to mask the fierce scowl on his face.

Felix raised his eyebrows in realization and gave a slight bow. "Arran, Lady Scarlett."

"Lady Lily," Arran said with a nod, and Lily curtsied silently.

"Laird Irvine," Scarlett clipped.

Arran grinned at the bite in her voice.

"Now, it is quite clear that there is an issue we havenae addressed," he said quickly before anyone else could start speaking, especially Scarlett. "I'll excuse the conversation I overheard because I should've made me presence kenned?—"

He held up a hand and fixed Felix with a hard look when he opened his mouth to respond. Lily lowered her eyes in her growing embarrassment.

"There was nay agreement, Lady Lily. I wouldnae ever dream of going back on me word."

"Then what is me braither on about?"

"I dinnae have the slightest idea, but I do ken well that Lady Scarlett has truly stolen me cold heart, and I came here to give ye, me oldest friends, the news meself. I wanted to give ye an opportunity to meet with the woman I fell in love with."

Lily spoke first. "Of course, Laird McLaren. I apologize, Lady Scarlett. Of course, we are friends and can be trusted. I was greatly looking forward to this meeting. I am really sorry for this impression we have left ye with."

Scarlett bowed thoughtfully and then made to leave the siblings. Her disgust was tangible.

Hold on, lass. Wait for him to say it too.

Arran placed a hand on Scarlett's back to support her. She imperceptibly nodded her head in agreement and leaned into his hand. Her breathing was strained, and he knew she was upset.

Just apologize man.

Arran reached out a hand, a silent urge for Felix to apologize as his sister had just done.

He's going to pish this whole plan to Hell with this attitude…

"I willnae apologize, Arran. I guess I'll apologize for that, Lady Scarlett, but nae for what ye overheard. Ye should marry Lily. Marriage shouldnae always be done with love in mind, and Lily is the more sensible match?—"

If I could smack him, I would…

Arran noticed that Scarlett made to walk away, but he kept her there with his hand on her back still.

One more chance…

Arran tilted his head down at Felix in warning.

"Braither!" Lily snapped and threw her skirts behind her as she turned around to face her brother. "That is enough. It's already done. I cannae tell ye enough that I dinnae wish to marry. Ever! Leave it alone!"

"Nay, this is so far from done, Sister. I doubt the papers have even been drafted between him and Laird O'Neill!"

As Lily made to scold her brother further, Arran grabbed Scarlett's arm to escort her to another part of the gardens.