Shunned & Embraced: The Chieftain's Gifted Wife by Bree Wolf

Author:Bree Wolf [Wolf, Bree]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

AN ENGLISHMAN & A SCOT

Ewan stood tall in the great hall of Castle MacDrummond, surrounded by his clans people who watched him with a mix of anticipation and concern. The weight of their expectations bore down on him like a thousand stones, each one heavier than the last. He could feel the cold draft that seeped in through the ancient stone walls, yet his palms were slick with sweat as he rubbed them nervously against the coarse fabric of his kilt.

Inwardly, Ewan battled with his own doubts about the upcoming negotiations with Lord Rutherford. His father had always been stalwart and decisive in such matters, but Ewan knew he did not possess the same natural authority. The thought of facing the cold, calculating English lord made Ewan’s stomach churn, the bile rising in his throat as his thoughts strayed to the possible consequences.

Ewan—as well as every member of Clan MacDrummond—knew that the late laird had only entered into an agreement with an Englishman like Lord Rutherford out of need. After the Battle of Culloden, many Highland clans had been severely weakened, suffering starvation due to lack of resources. Therefore, in order to save his people, Ewan’s father had made a deal with Lord Rutherford to provide food in exchange for future loyalty and service.

Aye, it was an awful deal, and Ewan remembered his father’s tense face whenever he had spoken of it, for he had always feared for his people’s future. The threat of his people being forced into service to an English lord, torn from their homeland to toil fields elsewhere, ripped from their families. Still, it had been the only way, and Ewan had been certain that when the time came, his father would find a way to protect their clan once more.

Now, his father was gone.

“Stand strong, my laird,” whispered Cromartie, leaning in close to Ewan’s ear. “Remember what yer father taught ye.”

Ewan nodded at the old man’s wise counsel, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He could almost hear his father’s voice echoing through the hall, urging him to show no fear, to be the leader that the MacDrummond clan needed and deserved.

The heavy oak doors creaked open, and Lord Rutherford entered the great hall, followed by his entourage. His wrinkled face was marked with years of experience and hardship, and his sharp eyes exuded an air of disdain for Ewan and his kin. He strode forward with an air of arrogance, his velvet cloak billowing behind him like a dark cloud.

“Welcome to Castle MacDrummond,” Ewan forced himself to say, doing his best to project a confident demeanor despite the unease gnawing at his insides. “We are honored by yer presence.”

As the English lord approached the dais where Ewan stood, he felt the ghosts of his ancestors watching, urging him to stand firm and protect his people. He knew that this moment would define not only his own legacy but the fate of his clan.

“Let us hope,” Lord Rutherford replied coldly, “that your hospitality is more substantial than your reputation, young laird.

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