Her Highlander's Promise Read Free

remained after all this time. Upon opening the lid, she plucked out another cherished possessions—a silver, emerald-encrusted pendant that belonged to her mother. The only article of value that Deidre had yet to confiscate. Not that she hadn’t tried. In fact, she’d turned the keep upside down looking for the precious amulet. She wanted the clan heirloom as much as her husband wanted to rule in Brandon’s place.
    Laurel believed had Deirdre been the sole person in charge, she’d have shipped her off to the convent the day of her father’s funeral. However, Murray would not permit it. Not because he cared about her or out of loyalty to her da, but it would not do for the future mistress to suddenly disappear.
    While he gave his wife free rein to raise her as she saw fit, he did express the importance of keeping up appearances and being discrete when it came to punishment. In addition to being seen at feasts and events held within the castle walls, her cousin felt an occasional appearance in the village from time to time would help to naysay any rumors she was being mistreated. Today was one of those days.
    Deirdre proved to be a master of deception and at no time did anyone suspect that her charge was anything but well-tended. For the first couple of summers, she claimed the death of Brandon MacClay left Laurel sad and so distraught that she’d become withdrawn and reclusive. Manipulating a bairn of ten was no challenge. Most of the clan believed the tales about her being a witch were true, so were afraid to question their mistress. Her finest coupe was winning over the clan elders with bribes and favors so they would turn a deaf ear and a blind eye. Even if Laurel had decided to come forth with accusations, no one would listen. Still facing the same two alternatives she’d had when her da died—either wallow in misery each day of her life or make the most of things until she came of age to inherit—she’d chosen the latter.
    She scrubbed a stray tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. There was no changing the past and no one knew for certain what their future held. But, she would soon be eight and ten summers. Free. Until then, Murray and Deirdre governed her life. She’d managed to survive thus far and had honored the deathbed pledge she’d made to her father. She had but a sennight to wait.
    Closing her fist around the pendant, she wandered over to the small window, then peered outside. When she moved from the south tower, she traded her breathtaking view of the forest and loch for one of the mountains. She often stared in awe at the majestic peaks. Whether covered in snow, shrouded in a fine morning mist, or encased in sunlight, they were always a magnificent sight. The trees that lined the valley were ablaze with autumn foliage. Billowy clouds, the color of a lamb’s belly, dotted the azure sky.
    “Lady Laurel. Are you awake?” a woman called from the hallway, then rapped on the door.
    When Laurel recognized Isla’s voice, she quickly returned her treasures to their hiding place. As she tucked the necklace in the box, she spied the ring she received from Blair Cameron. A smile tugged at her lips and her heart skipped as she remembered the handsome young lad who had vowed to court her when he came of age. But she’d not heard a word from him since the day of her da’s funeral and she’d all but given up hope of ever seeing him again.
    For all she knew, he was married, his wife round with his babe, and mayhap other bairns tugging at her apron. Given Deirdre’s reaction to Blair on the day they met, she had no doubt he’d be turned away even if he tried to visit.
    “Lady Laurel!” Isla called again. “Are you awake?”
    “Aye, I come anon.” Laurel dropped the ring into the box before returning it to the trench in the floor. She replaced the hearthstone, climbed to her feet, then opened the door.
    The petite, dark-haired woman cringed as she stepped into the room. She immediately pulled