The Highlander's Accidental Bride Read Free Page B

the king ye’re married,” Ranald replied matter-of-factly.
    She blanched and faced him, wide-eyed. “But we can’t be. I’m not who he thinks I am.”
    Ranald sighed. “Perhaps ye’d better tell me what’s going on, lass. I was with him when he, er, fetched ye from Bellecourt Castle. We watched yer father step inside the room to check on ye that night. We were no’ wrong.”
    She slumped onto the lid of the chest beneath the window. “You had the right room. Just the wrong girl.” She looked at him, pleading in her eyes. “You must believe me!”
    “I dinnae know what to believe, lass, `tis the truth. Eaden had seen ye a year or more ago at court. Do ye no’ remember?”
    She shook her head. “No. I didn’t remember anything until I woke this morning.”
    “Aye, and ye hit yer head hard when Eaden and I, er, woke ye.” He gave her a rueful smile. “Ye were a bit fashed to find two strange men in yer bedroom.”
    Mary glared at Ranald as she rubbed the back of her head. “When I woke at Scott Castle yesterday morning, I had no memory before that moment. I did not know my name. Everyone told me I was Laird Barde’s rebellious daughter. Why would I doubt them?”
    Ranald stroked his chin thoughtfully. “But Eaden was satisfied ye were Lady Miriam.”
    Mary leaned her head tiredly against the windowsill. “Miriam and I look a lot alike. We have the same color hair and are about the same height. But I’m not Miriam. And I cannot be married to Laird Scott!”
    Crossing his arms, Ranald sighed mightily. In Eaden’s defense, he’d tried to arrange the wedding the proper way, but Laird Barde and his arrogant daughter had shown little interest in obeying their king’s command. Not wanting the marriage any more than they did, it had taken the threat of the loss of his title and lands to force Eaden to act. In his haste to seal the marriage, he’d kidnapped his bride, married her, and consummated the marriage in less than a day’s time.
    His headstrong brother, who often served as herald to their king, and known as a shrewdly intelligent man, had quite possibly made a serious blunder. Ranald cringed to think he’d have to be the one to tell him.
    At Dundonald Castle, Eaden stood before his king, head bowed, teeth clenched as he waited for permission to state his case. Guards lined the walls and colorful courtiers gathered in the corners of the room, eyeing him with interest. A buzz of conversation reached Eaden’s ears, but he ignored it, awaiting the king’s word. After several moments of silence, he lifted his gaze.
    With a languid wave of his arm, King Robert indicated the chair next to him, inviting Eaden to sit.
    “What brings ye to Troon this day, Scott?” Formality between them was usually reserved for matters of the crown. The two men, though separated by age and their respective ranks, had long ago become friends as time and again Eaden proved his loyalty to his king. Whenever the two were not discussing the affairs of state, both were relieved to let down their guard.
    This was not one of those times. Eaden shook his head and remained standing before the throne, his hands clasped behind his back, his feet planted firmly on the stone floor.
    “The marriage is done, Sire,” he said formally.
    King Robert sighed. “And I suppose ye want yer lands back.”
    Eaden inclined his head in acknowledgement.
    The frown on the king’s face showed annoyance for the tactics employed to maintain peace in the Highlands. “Eaden, ye have yer lands and yer title. And now ye have a bride to bind together two prominent clans. ‘Twas a simple solution to the interminable feud.” One corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. “Come, sit ye here and tell me about the wedding. And tell that dog of yers to stand down. She’s bristling at me as though she’d like to take a bite out of me and I cannae help think she but reflects her master’s thoughts.”
    Eaden sighed, his anger at last beginning to dissipate. He