Highland Destiny (22 page)

"Nay, my Lady, I ken that ye have been sharing the Laird and Lady's chambers, but that is all. I've only arrived home this morning."

"You've heard we share what?" Mackenzie's eyes popped open wide and heat flooded her face. Liam looked amused by her flustered appearance.

"That ye've shared the..."

"I heard what you said," Mackenzie interrupted Liam. "I just hadn't realized that's what they were called. The rooms I mean." She was trying to salvage her faux pas.

"Ye thought I'd heard ye share a bed with my brother." He was teasing her again, but he was right.

Mackenzie actually choked on her bread at that. Between coughing fits, and Liam pounding her on the back, she tried to explain, but then decided that she might as well admit it.

So once her voice was working, she lifted her chin and rasped out, "And if I am?"

Liam gave her a friendly smile and simply shrugged, saying, "Connor's a grown man. He can do as he pleases."

Liam looked Mackenzie up and down, making her feel as if she were naked. "I'd seduce ye meself if I dinna ken his claim on ye."

Mackenzie's cheeks were stained with the faint pink of the blush she tried in vain to fight back. But she batted her eyes coyly and smiled, playing along. "Perhaps I've picked the wrong brother."

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"Aye lass, ye did. Ye should have met me first. I'd show ye a proper Highland welcome." He waggled his eyebrows at her.

Before Mackenzie could ask what he meant, or if she even wanted to know what he meant by that, Connor walked into the kitchen. While she jumped, looking slightly guilty, he surprised her by laughing.

"I see ye've met my brother Liam. Is he trying to convince ye that he'd be the better brother?" Connor put his arm around Liam's shoulders and squeezed.

"Yes, he..."

Connor interrupted, "He asked the first girl I ever kissed if she would marry him the second I introduced them. He fancies himself a charmer."

Liam chuckled and said, "I am charming, my brother. But I'd rather not waste me charms on the likes of you; 'tis only for the lassies."

Connor fondly punched Liam in the shoulder, "Whoever told ye ye were charming, well, they lied."

Mackenzie had to make sure to keep her mouth closed in fear her jaw would drop; she'd never seen Connor like this.

She liked it. He seemed...happy.

"Liam, what do ye think of my betrothed?"

"I like her Connor, but careful she doesn't come to her senses and fall for me charms." He winked at her. They reminded Mackenzie of little kids who were up to no good.

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Mackenzie had to laugh at the exchange, but it died in her throat. Wait—-
Betrothed?
Connor held her eyes as he said it.

Mackenzie's jaw dropped. Liam must have sensed the change in the atmosphere because he tactfully excused himself and left the two of them alone.

"We're getting married?" She was thoroughly confused.

"Aye, sweeting. I've been speaking with the bishop and he has agreed to marry us on the morn." His voice was tender.

Even through her shock, his assumption that Mackenzie would just acquiesce grated on her nerves. "Did you ever think to ask me if I'd even want to marry you?"

His brows drew down over his eyes. "Ye mean that ye doona want to marry me? But ye gave me your innocence."

As if that alone was explanation enough.

"I'd like to be asked, to have a choice in the matter. I mean, in my time, people fall in love, and then the man proposes. Women aren't just told 'You're getting married tomorrow' whether they are virgins or not."

He smiled at her rant; he understood that she wanted the freedom to say no. It was important to her. "Might I try once more? Mackenzie of the clan Stewart, will ye give me your hand in marriage and agree to marry me on the morrow?"

Her eyes widened, but she persisted. "We can't get married, Connor. I mean, I'm leaving in a couple of weeks."

Mackenzie's voice rose slightly. His eyes tightened.

Connor switched tactics: logic. "I've heard talk that the Campbell wants to steal back his missing bride. If we are 214

"Oh," Mackenzie felt disappointment flood her body. But what did she expect Connor to do? Drop to one knee declaring his love? "Well, I guess that makes sense, in a sensible sort of way." Mackenzie tried not to pout.

"Good it's settled."

"Just one more thing..." Her brows were knit in concentration.

"Aye?"

"What'll I wear?"

Connor bit back a smile as they walked out of the kitchen.

Women
. He wanted to roll his eyes. He held his arm out for her as they left the Hall. He led her towards the outer doors, thinking they might take a walk. She cared for him, of that he was certain. Once the fog of doubt had cleared, it was obvious. But he also knew that she wasn't in love with him, yet. This was just the beginning, however and he hoped that she would learn to love him. They matched well in bed, and most marriages were based on less, far less. If she felt even a fraction of what he felt for her, when the time came, mayhap Mackenzie wouldn't want to leave.

When his man Duncan had pulled him from his chambers early this morning he'd only been told he was needed, he hadn't known why. But he'd guessed. He'd heard rumors that the Campbell was plotting a counter-attack to reclaim his bride. Being that he had yet to even set eyes on Mackenzie, Connor knew that it would be a personal assault against him.

Mackenzie had always been right about one thing; she was 215

From what he'd gleaned from his man on the Campbell's lands, he needed a sacrifice, a virgin. The Campbell planned to use his dark magic to ensure his victory in clearing the MacRae from lands he felt were rightfully his now.

Highland law was imprecise and unclear, usually enforced by chieftain and sword. The clan chiefs dealt out what they considered justice; some were fair, some were not, and some laws were vague, varying from clan to clan. The king was reluctant to meddle in the affairs of the Highlands, where land was scarce and men were territorial. The chiefs dressed up and went to court once a year as required (to model their

"good behavior" for all to see), but since the Scottish King James VI had merged Scotland and England, there had been nothing but trouble for the people of the Highlands. King George III, amongst rumors that he had bouts of madness, didn't actively do anything. He preferred to live in his precious Hanover rather than deal with the British politics. So Connor and his fellow chiefs had been stripped of most of their judicial powers, while confiscated lands were "redistributed."

The redistribution of certain MacRae lands into Campbell hands had marked the start of the feud.

The Stewarts had given the MacRaes some lands as a marriage tocher several generations back. Connor's ancestor had mistreated the lass and been unfaithful for years. She never gave him an heir so when a leman of his birthed a son, Connor's ancestor had his wife "compromised." Once he'd paid the men who would swear before the clan that it was she 216

So when the Campbell heard that Connor was away, visiting his sister and her newborn bairn, he'd seized the castle and lands that were previously Stewart, but by right MacRae. It had been a short and brutal siege, and if it weren't for the insult to Connor and the deaths of his clansmen, Connor would happily be rid of the lands.

Very few lived on the "accursed lands" and those who do have no livestock or crops; the earth was scorched. That was when the Campbell had sent for his wizards, who in turn brought Mackenzie here. While Connor didn't believe in the power of the curse itself, there was no denying the legend or the connection Mackenzie had to the Stewarts of his time. The power of the curse was in the minds of the simple folk who believed it to be true. This was where the Campbell's marriage to Mackenzie was ingenious; if he could convince the rest of the people that the curse was ended, he might be able to sway their loyalties.

Connor gritted his teeth at the thought of Mackenzie being married to the Campbell. The idea of that man, of any man for that matter, touching her, running his hands along the smooth silk of her skin. Feeling her heart speed as he took her. It made his blood boil and his vision turn red. She was his! The primal claimed resounded throughout the whole of his being. He took several deep breaths to calm himself; he didn't want Mackenzie to ask about his thoughts. Those thoughts, however, continued along the same path as before.

He knew now that he could never let Mackenzie go to the 217

Facing the options of what to do and knowing that he couldn't let Mackenzie leave him, he was struck by the knowledge that the reason he couldn't bear to let her leave him was because he was in love with her. Once that realization hit, it seemed so obvious. How had he not seen this sooner? His chest swelled with the new emotion. He loved her deeply and irrevocably. His life would be forever changed and if she weren't in his life, well, it would be meaningless.

So, he'd devised a plan that both kept her safe, here, with him, and would insult the Campbell a bit more. The bishop had stopped by the Isle of Donan for the night on his way to marry a couple on the neighboring MacLeod lands. Fate had dropped this in his lap and he would not ignore it.

When he had chanced upon his brother and Mackenzie in the kitchen, they'd looked so natural there talking to each other as if they were old friends, despite the slightly guilty look on Mackenzie's face. He smiled to himself at the remembered image. It felt homey and natural. He hadn't been able to stop himself and he'd announced his intentions right there. He knew Mackenzie would be surprised, but when her deep emerald green gaze had met his, he'd held her eyes in his, and held his breath as well. When she had agreed to the marriage, he'd been so relieved that he hadn't noticed the disappointment flash in her green eyes. He had, however, noticed her particularly feminine comment about not having anything to wear.

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Married? She and Connor were getting married?

Tomorrow? She almost laughed out loud. This whole experience felt like one big dream. Maybe that's why she'd been able to take this whole "journey-to-the-past-to-save-hot-guy" thing in her stride. Maybe it really was just a big, elaborate dream. Yeah, that could be it; she was still standing in the Art Gallery of a five star hotel/castle in 2010 Scotland staring at an oil painting of one of the previous lairds. There was nothing wrong with her other than an imagination run amok. Mackenzie sighed, and shook her head slightly, clearing away the logical explanations that made no sense.

Interesting how the only explanation that made any kind of sense at all was the far-fetched one full of magic, rather than the rational one involving a head injury and a vivid dream. If she were being truthful, there was no way she could have imagined Connor...his hands, his kisses, his embraces...it was more creative than her imagination could ever create. But how else could she explain magic and portals and time travel?

She smiled to herself and thought that marrying Connor was just one more experience to chalk up to the dream. Besides, if she was dreaming, then couldn't she indulge and stay with Connor? Marry Connor? But wow, what a dream! She really couldn't have picked a better match for herself if she
had
imagined him. Besides whom would it harm for her to stay here with Connor?

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Would she be able to save her heart from the shatter? But Mackenzie shook it off and squared her shoulders instead focusing on the present. In the immediate future, she'd just try to survive the Campbell's next attack, and worry about the survival of her heart later. But for now, as she was happy and harming no one, she decided to enjoy the dream for the next couple weeks, and just take it from there. Who knew?

Maybe she wouldn't even be able to get home anyways. That thought actually perked her up for the first time instead of bringing on overwhelming sadness. Interesting....

By this point in her musings, Mackenzie and Connor had wandered in silence through the stone courtyard, each lost in their own thoughts. They had stopped by the sea wall and Connor broke the silence.

"You're quiet. You are never quiet; should I be worried?" It sounded like he was teasing her, but his eyes were serious.

Mackenzie wondered what he'd been thinking about.

She smiled sadly and said, "No, I've just been thinking about this whole big mess I've made of things."

Connor pulled her down with him as he sat on one of the stone benches and repeated, "'Mess of things?' What does this mean?" His eyebrows were in a deep v over his nose, and Mackenzie almost laughed aloud at his confused expression.

"It means that I have muddled the plan so much that it is unrecognizable." Mackenzie looked across the courtyard at 221