“I don’t know where to begin,” Lachlan finally said.
“Perhaps with introductions,” Cam suggested and turned toward his wife.
“Mari, I’d like to introduce the laird of Clan MacKinlay, Lachlan MacKinlay. Lach, my wife and your sister by marriage, Marian Fletcher MacKinlay.”
“My lord,” Mari said with a curtsy. “We’ve met. I was present at your wedding to my sister.”
Lachlan’s eyes went wide before narrowing in close examination. His appraisal seemed to land on her bare feet. “You married a duke, as I recall.”
“Yes. However, as Cameron mentioned, I murdered him and have fled London to end up here.”
Cam’s lip twitched at her casual explanation. He nodded and added his part. “She was being chased by the tracker and the MacDonald I spoke of. I had to stop them from taking her back to England where they planned to hang her. I thought Lady Kenna would not like that overmuch, so…”
“You married her,” Lachlan said flatly.
“Aye.” Cameron nodded. “Though not intentionally. It just worked out as such.”
“Of course.” Lach turned to Bryce. “Would you please fetch Lady Kenna from the kitchens?”
Bryce hurried away as Lach turned back to face Cam. “Your order for the day, if I recall correctly, was to gather stones for the curtain wall until nightfall. I do not remember telling ye to save damsels in distress by wedding them. As you may remember, you were contracted to wed the McCurdy lass at the end of the summer to secure an alliance with their clan.”
“I do remember, but I canna marry her now as I’m already wed.” He held out his hands innocently. He hadn’t wanted to marry anyone; however there was some enjoyment in not being forced to marry someone merely for a questionable alliance. “We still have the chance to take the McCurdys by force so ye can gain the port you want. While I’m not available to wed the lass, I am capable of training your men to take over their clan.”
“And how many MacKinlays will we lose in a battle of that size? Do ye think our enemy will just scurry off and give up their lands because we wish it?”
“Nay, but with training, and a good plan—”
Lach groaned and rolled his eyes.
“Surely there is some way to correct this misunderstanding.” Mari came forward with an elegant smile on her lips. It might have even looked regal if not for the dirty hair and ragged dress.
“Misunderstanding?” Lach raised a brow at Cameron. “Are you wed or not?”
They were legally wed, though Cameron was determined it would be in name only. It wouldn’t matter to him that a woman shared his name to stay out of a noose. So long as she didn’t carry expectations of him being a true husband.
In fact, this would be the best thing for both of them. He could go on about his life as the war chief, and she would be safe on MacKinlay lands. It was clear by fact of her having murdered her first husband that Mari didn’t take to marriage well. So this union would be just the thing to keep them both happy and free.
Cam waited for Mari to respond. She swallowed, then answered, “It appears that we are, based on Scottish law, my lord.”
“And we are in Scotland, aye?” Lach shifted and shushed the squirming children, who settled with their heads tucked on either side of his neck.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Humph.” Lachlan turned toward the door as Kenna stepped through it—though waddled was more accurate. Kenna was expecting another babe in a month or so.
“Hello, there,” Kenna said to the woman at his side.
Mari took a step forward, her eyes wide in surprise. “Sister?”
After a moment of shock, Kenna gasped and her eyes filled with tears. “My God! Marian?” She rushed to her sister. “Is it really you?”
…
Marian stood frozen as her taller sister hugged her. Or tried to. It wasn’t easy with her large belly in the way. Kenna pulled back to look at her, and Marian saw the confusion clear on her familiar face.
Marian now understood why Cameron would have thought her the wild one and Kenna the pretty one. Kenna was absolutely radiant. Her coppery hair was pulled up in a tidy bun with curls erupting in a perfect way. Pregnancy definitely agreed with her. It had given her lovely curves, and her dress was new and fashionable.
“Are you well?” Kenna asked, taking another step back and resting a hand on her belly.
“I am better now I’ve seen you.” And with that Marian broke down in tears. “I didn’t think I’d make it.”
She’d managed to keep her wits since leaving London. Her focus had been on getting somewhere safe. With that task finally accomplished, she was able to give in to the fear of what might come next. From the time she’d been a young girl and her father had made his plans to improve his standing with the English through her, she’d known what her future held. She had no idea what to do with this new feeling of uncertainty.
“Mayhap we should allow her to clean up,” Cam said. “She’s come a long way. Might ye have a clean dress that would fit her?”
“It would be a bit long, but I think we can manage,” Kenna replied.
“She’ll need a room,” he added.
The laird laughed once without humor. “Nay. She’s your wife now. She’ll stay in your chamber.”
It was clear her brother by marriage was using the situation to punish Cam—her husband. She’d been hoping this marriage could be one in name only. In truth, she didn’t want to give up a chance of freedom, but the MacKinlay name would protect her if Ridley or others showed up wanting to secure the bounty on her head.
“Wife?” Kenna looked between Cam and Marian with a startled expression.
“Aye,” Lachlan said bitterly. “Cam’s been gone for the morning. Doesn’t he always come back from such a task with a bride?” She could see the laird’s simmering anger at his war chief lurking underneath the amusement.
Instinctively, Marian took a protective step between this man and her younger sister. She wasn’t sure what to think of the laird. He looked ready to launch into violence at any second…and yet the children clung to him without fear.
“Mama,” one of the boys said while reaching for Kenna.
Kenna was the mother of these children? And the one still in her belly. A familiar twinge of jealousy sparked in Mari’s chest and she quickly brushed it aside.
She was happy for her sister. And it was clear Kenna was happy and loved here. Something Kenna hadn’t been at Fletcher Castle.