Bride of Vengeance (Highland Romance Series Book 1) (10 page)

Chapter Fifteen

Laird Garrison was gone just before first light. He would ride to his brother’s land with a handful of men and come up with a plan then. It had never failed him before. It was the exact same method that led Nathanial to Lydia in the first place. Chaim knew a thing or two about revenge. He was also the only person Nathanial could trust to keep him level headed at the moment. Chaim would know what to do.

Lydia watched Nathanial, Duncan and Quinton leave the keep after making sure English was off their land. For a moment she had hoped her husband was going to save her sister. Hannah drowned any hope as soon as she saw Lydia. Laird was going to see his brother. When Lydia dared ask for what purpose was their Laird leaving, she was on the receiving end of a good lesson in minding her own business. Hannah did let her know the men liked to go hunting together, and Lydia filled with tormented rage.

Those words made Lydia’s mind up for her. They went
hunting
together? It was time for her to do some hunting of her own. She was dressed in her new riding clothes in minutes. As she snuck out of the keep and into the tree line, she wondered if she was making a mistake. Maybe she should have told one of the women where she was going.

Lydia thought back on Hannah’s advice. One must learn to mind their own business, so she would do this on her own.

“Lady Lydia.” English stood behind her. “My name is William.” William offered a hand. Lydia did not accept. “What are you wearing?”

“It’s no concern of yours, William.” Lydia felt her face heat with embarrassment. “Anyway, two men riding together is far less interesting than a man and a married woman. Wouldn’t you say?”

William, put in his place, simply nodded. Now he was the embarrassed one. “Your mother needs you to come home. Mary is in grave danger.”

“Then I haven’t much time.” Lydia mounted one of the horses and stared down at her guide. “I have no interest in traveling with you. I must be honest. The English I have met are not subtle in any way, nor are they trustworthy.”

William looked dejected. “I assure you—“

“I’m sure you would.” Lydia liked this side of herself. Why was it she could never be this assertive with her husband? He would likely break her neck, she knew. “I do not trust you.” Lydia started away. “Thank you very kindly for the horse, but I must be on my way.” Lydia left the handsome, dumbfounded man behind her wondering what had just happened.

Chapter Sixteen

Traveling through the Highlands was like trudging through the gates of hell, Lydia decided. Day two was the hardest so far. Her body was not as strong as it used to be, that much was evident. The horse she commandeered was not at all strong, either. It was a miracle they made it to the end of the day together.

In the evening Lydia made a small fire and hunted for something to eat. She shook from nerves as she ate. Had Nathanial returned from his brother’s land yet? Had he learned of her betrayal? If he had, there is not telling what he would do. Nathanial had to have known this was coming, but would he know why she left?

Would he come after her?

It was a horrifying thought to her that he might not. He might consider this the end of their bargain. After all, he had promised. But he had lied. Nathanial told her he loved her. A lie as well? Matters of the heart had never been something she enjoyed dwelling on. Her marriage, at this point, was most likely over. She was most likely riding to her end, one way or another. And what mark would she have left on the world? No one would remember her. Mary might be better off, and their mother. Would Nathanial mourn her?

Thinking was never a friend to her when she was tired. Lydia put it all out of her mind. When leaves rustled in the distance, Lydia was standing with her knife drawn. It was not Nathanial. He would never have made a noise.

“Show yourself!” Lydia shouted. Her voice was strong, lethal. It was enough to make her want to smile with pride, but not right now. Whatever was stalking her had been doing so for at least half a day. No animal was so disciplined to stay hidden for so long.

“I said show yourself!” Lydia tried one more time. Her nerves were getting to her now.

Slowly, painfully slow, William emerged from the trees. His hands raised; a foolish, sheepish smile on his face. His blonde hair was a tad disheveled, but all in all he looked in place. It was suspicious to Lydia.

“It’s just me.” William lowered his hands.

“Keep them in my sight.” Lydia was even more petrified now. “What do you want?”

“Lydia, take a breath. It’s been a long few days… a long few months for you.”

“I swear to God I will cut you open, sir.” Lydia took a step forward.

“That’s no way to treat your brother… by marriage.”

“What?”

“Soon to be.” William corrected himself.

“What on earth?”

“My name is William Ryan.” The man started with his hands raised. “I am in love with your sister, Mary.”

“She’s the only sister I have.” Lydia did not lower her weapon. She was not ready to relax just yet.

“Indeed.” William tried to lower his hands once again, but changed his mind when he saw the fear in her eyes.

“Did my mother send you?”

“Yes, though it is not the true reason I came.”

“Explain yourself.”

“Mary did not want you to know, Lydia. She is afraid, rightfully so, if you come back, you’ll be killed. She’s willing to marry the Baron to spare you.”

Lydia shoulders eased. It sounded exactly like her sister.

“When your mother told me where you were, I thought maybe I could convince you to come back.”

“To die?”

“No, I was more hoping your husband might come instead.” William was obviously disappointed. When he saw Lydia’s heartbreak over the matter, even though she nodded, he was quick to add, “He is Laird.”

“He is Laird.” Lydia agreed. With many obligations, she added in her mind.

“We’ll come up with another plan, a better plan.” William tried. Lydia shook her head.

“No.” Lydia sheathed her knife but was still not willing to reason with him. “You are not welcome here.”

“You are as stubborn as your sister.” William sat on a rock and warmed his hands by the fire. “Luckily so am I.”

For some reason, Lydia smiled. She shook her head. “Mary would have gotten word to me if she was engaged.” Lydia’s smile vanished once more. She suspiciously eyed the man sitting by her fire.

“She doesn’t know it yet.” William’s charming smile had Lydia laughing.

“That’s a thought men have in common, I suppose.” Lydia thought of her husband and frowned once more. He’s Laird, she said to herself once more. Many obligations. And he was no longer hers. Not really.

“Lydia,” William stayed where he was and watched Lydia in so much pain. In a way it was like watching the woman he loved in pain. It was like finding out he was going to lose the woman he loved all over again. It shook him to the very center of his being. That was a feeling he would never forget. He hated how he was being forced to remember it right now. Yet, “I have to believe that everything will—“

“I’m very tired, William.” Lydia cut him off, not willing to listen to his good will. “Feel free to stay but you had better be willing to leave at first light.” Lydia marched to her bedspread and ignored William for the rest of the evening.

It was at least a partial win, William mused. His heart went out to Lydia. He could tell she had no idea her husband loved her. Lydia did not know the agony Laird Garrison was going to go through when he realized his wife was gone.

****

 Lydia wished she had nightmares like other people; the kind that scared you so bad your eyes flew open, while your hand lurched for your fast beating heart. She never really had nightmares before this fateful morning. Lydia dreamed for a lifetime, or so it seemed. She dreamed that her husband never came for her. Why would he? She was obviously running away for him. If Nathanial ever caught up to her again, he would most likely crush her. Or simply look right through her the way she was dreaming right now. It was the most horrific encounter of her life. But she could not force herself to open her eyes and end the dream.

There he was, standing in front of her. At first, it seemed as though he was there for her, but he was not. He was there for the
wedding
. Lydia looked down and saw herself wearing that godforsaken dress once again. It was too heavy for her, making it hard to breathe. Lydia was being given back to Baron Fane. Laird Nathanial Garrison stepped forward from the crowd, took her hand, and walked her to her new husband.

“Laird! Nathanial!” Lydia called out to him as he walked away from her for the last time. He did turn to her. Nothingness in his eyes. She was nothing to him. This dream was the bowels of hell and she could not force herself to wake back to the real world.

Hearing the sound of an arrow being pulled back, close to release, did have her opening her eyes quicker than lightning. Lydia already had her hand on her knife when she saw William kneeling next to her. He was motionless, holding his frame, waiting for the right moment to loose his arrow. Thank God it was not pointed at her, Lydia thought as she watched him. There was little doubt in her mind this man knew what he was doing, and would end the life of whatever he was stalking.

William loosed the arrow before Lydia could see what he was killing. She heard the death cry of some poor animal; the shriek was short and in the end, the animal gave up its life quickly.

He said nothing as he skinned the creature and cooked it for them. There was an odd air between them now. Lydia could not put her finger on it. Until…

“I kill when I need to, Lydia.” William finally made eye contact with her. It chilled her to the bone. “I do what needs to be done.”

Lydia simply nodded.

Moments later as Lydia stood, readying her horse for their travels, she could not help but soak in his words. What was he trying to tell her? Lydia watched William pack his belongings and mount his horse.

“Come along. We’re not more than a half days ride away.” He commanded. Lydia obeyed, but she had the sinking suspicion that she made a mistake by letting him follow along. What was his plan?

I do what needs to be done
.

****

For the next several hours, Lydia held onto that thought, now positive she was walking into some sort of trap. She was not naive, never had been. The other thought that haunted her was that of her husband. Where was he? Had he returned from his duties with his brother? Had he discovered her treachery? Was he coming for her? Before Lydia knew, these thoughts had consumed her until they were arriving very near their destination.

William reined in his horse and dismounted. He hid behind a tree and took note of the activity below. Lydia followed suit. It was a home she knew well. She spent many winters in the warmth those walls brought. Now, as the snow started to fall on William and Lydia and the cold set into their bones, Lydia realized it looked more like a stronghold now. Guards walked to and from the structure, carrying all manner of weaponry. They were her father’s men, and Baron Fane’s men. Fane was planning something big.

“I’ll not fight with you, William.” Lydia did not turn to the man as she spoke. She did not see the disappointment, the pain wash over his face. “I’ll not stop you from what you’ve been hired to do.”

“I know.” William admitted.

Several minutes later, after Lydia had surrendered her weapons, the two walked towards the massive structure.

“Have you ever met my sister?” Lydia noticed one of the soldiers up ahead. He saw them and shouted to the others.

“Never.” William forced his voice to be cold now.

“You’re one of Fane’s men. I never saw you with my father.”

“No. I belong to no one.” William could not fathom why he was opening up to this woman. They stopped when they entered the gate. They waited for long moments, all eyes on them. “Forgive me.” William had never once asked forgiveness for doing his job before.

The doors to the great hall swung open and Mary ran out with tears streaming down her face. “You stupid girl!” Mary shouted. Mary swung her arms around Lydia and started weeping. Mary pulled herself together quickly. This is when she noticed William.

The hunter was greeted by a loud, hard and very cold fist to the face. “You coward!” Mary shook her hand vigorously.

William was able to compose himself before his employer reached him. Lydia’s mother exited the building and approached them.

“You are worth the price.” Mother smiled as she handed William his pay.

Lydia finally understood. Nathanial was protecting her… from her own mother.

“Mother, please.” Mary was now weeping again. “You cannot do this.”

“I can do whatever I please, child.” Mother glanced at her daughter. “She took your father from me. Ended his life by marrying that barbarian. I have to even the score.”

“I could take care of the job, milady.” William chimed in. “For… the right compensation.” Did he seem too eager? Now that he collected his fee, he would not mind letting the girl go free.

Lydia was the only person in the group not fighting to keep her alive, minus her mother. She was silent, she watched her mother, letting g the realization of her life flood her in this one moment. It had been her mother all along. Mother inspected her daughter for long moments. Then she turned to William.

“Leave before I change my mind, young man. I am feeling very generous today.” Mother turned and walked away. “Bring her inside.” Mother called out to one of the soldiers.

Lydia wondered if Nathanial knew how deep this went, and how long he knew. She silently prayed he was not coming after her. Lydia watched all the men get ready for some sort of battle. Her husband, she feared, would not survive.