To Yield to a Highlander by Callie Hutton

Author:Callie Hutton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Callie Hutton

10

“Your betrothed!” Duncan shouted loud enough for both Darby and Elsbeth to jump.

Elsbeth looked at the note again. “’Tis what it says.”

For probably the first time in his life, Duncan was truly speechless. Her betrothed? How is it a woman who is preparing to take a nun’s vows is promised to a man?

He turned and walked a few steps away, running his fingers through his hair. He turned back and studied a very surprised-looking Elsbeth. “Can ye explain that to me, lass?”

Slowly, she lowered the paper and looked over at him. “I doona think so. I have no idea.” She waved the paper around. “This is quite the surprise.”

Darby—the old fool—cackled like a chicken and slapped his thigh. “This sounds like a real story, my laird.”

Duncan took a deep breath. “Does it say when he expects to arrive?”

“Nay. Only that I was to stay here and no’ take vows.”

Feeling a bit frantic as well as confused, he said, “Obviously, ye canna stay here. I willna allow it.” He paced for a few minutes. “We will return to the public house.” He looked in old Darby’s direction. It just occurred to him that with the nuns gone, Darby was most likely without the means to eat. Even with everything else on his mind, he couldna leave the old man to his own care.

“Darby, can ye ride a horse?”

The little man drew himself up, pushing his wee chest out. “Of course, I can ride. What sort of a mon do ye think I am?”

Hiding his smile, Duncan said, “Then I suggest when ye come to the public house later, ye bring yer things with ye. I doona think ye can stay here with the nuns gone.”

Although he looked as though his pride wanted to refute Duncan’s statement, the man nodded. “Aye. ’Tis a bit hungry I am.”

“Do ye have a horse?”

Old Darby shook his head. “Nay. I can hardly feed myself.”

“Pack yer things. Ye can ride Lady Elsbeth’s horse, and she will ride with me.”

A very strong finger poked him in the back as the man shuffled off to gather his few belongings. “Who gives ye the right to offer my horse to someone? And why did ye say ye wouldna allow me to stay here? And when did ye become the mon to direct my life?”

“The minute ye stepped into my castle, I became yer laird. And it remains so until ye are settled under another chieftain.”

Her voice lowered, and her jaw tightened. “I was dragged away from my group and forced to yer castle. How does that make ye my laird?”

“Elsbeth, ye are being unreasonable. Ye kenned all yer life how things are for women, whether ye like it or no’. Ye need a mon to protect ye—”

“—protection doesn’t mean telling me what to do, where to go, where no’ to go, and who can ride my horse.”

“If ye are both finished shouting at each other, I’m ready to leave, Laird.” Old Darby stood clutching a small cloth bag. “’Tis a good thing my hearing isna what it used to be.

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