Free Highland Revenge (Fated Hearts Book 1) by Ceci Giltenan Page B

She feels discarded. She may not know Bram Sutherland or have any love for him, but believing that he doesn’t want her either has to hurt.”
    “I was just hoping…”
    “By some miracle ye will find her brother alive, and she will be so grateful she’ll fall madly in love with ye? And then what? She is betrothed to Bram Sutherland. That is an alliance the MacNicols need. Although I doubt Alec is alive, if he is and ye find him, he will thank ye, pay the ransom, and hand his sister over to Sutherland. Sadly, then it won’t only be yer heart that’s broken.”
    “Then I need to find a way to marry her before I find her brother alive.”
    Marcas shook his head ruefully. “Ye’re on a fool’s journey, Laird. She is betrothed. Ye can’t marry her.”
    “Ye’re wrong, Marcas. It isn’t a fool’s journey, and if there is a way to marry her, I’ll find it.” He walked away, leaving Marcas to stare in his wake.
    A small part of him suspected Marcas wasn’t wrong, but he couldn’t turn back now. He did want her. What man wouldn’t? She was beautiful, clever, and feisty enough to be a challenge. He smiled as he remembered the way she’d stepped between him and Anna on the day he captured her. With her hands still bound, she was ready to defend her captor’s sister. Even at the tender age of eleven she’d been brave and cheeky.
    Aside from all that, he owed her his life, and he wanted to repay his debt by spending the rest of his life loving and caring for her, if God would allow it. However, he needed to discuss a few things with Father Tomas first. Priests often served as legal advisors when ecclesiastical matters were concerned. The legalities surrounding betrothals and weddings were among these.
    ~ * ~
    The next day Eoin planned to make good on his promise to escort Anna and Fiona on a brief ride in the afternoon. He made arrangements for an escort and to have their horses ready after the midday meal. However, when he arrived in the great hall, Anna was absent. As he took his seat at the head of the table he asked, “Where is Anna?”
    Fiona answered, “She isn’t feeling well today.”
    “What’s wrong? Is she ill?”
    “There is nothing to worry about. She’ll be fine.”
    “Are ye sure? Anna is almost never ill. Has the healer seen her?”
    “Nay the healer isn’t needed. She will feel better tomorrow.”
    “How can ye be sure?” Eoin was worried. Even a sometimes minor illness could become deadly if not properly cared for.
    Fiona blushed. “I’m sure because it is just—just—”
    “Just what?”
    If anything, her blush deepened and she dropped her voice. “Eoin, it is just her time of the month and she is a bit…uncomfortable today.”
    “Oh.” He should have left well enough alone.
    “But it is very sweet that ye worry so about her.” Fiona smiled.
    Dear God, he hadn’t seen that often enough. “Well I—I—well I’m glad it isn’t serious.”
    They managed to get through the meal without broaching any other painfully embarrassing topics. As everyone rose to leave, Eoin touched Fiona’s arm. “Come. Let me take ye riding as I promised I would yesterday.”
    “But Anna isn’t up to it.”
    “We’ll go again when she is. I thought ye might enjoy an outing anyway.”
    “I would. But Anna…”
    Her concern for his sister was touching. “Anna will understand, and we won’t be gone long.” He offered her his hand. She only hesitated a moment before taking it. They walked to the stables and he held her hand until they reached the stalls. Several of his guardsmen were already there and stable hands were saddling his stallion, Fiona’s mare and Anna’s gelding, Sorely.
    Fiona greeted her mare as a beloved pet, kissing her velvet nose. The mare nuzzled Fiona then pushed her nose against her mistress’s hand. “Morag, my sweet, I didn’t bring ye a treat today, but we’re going to go out for a bit. Won’t that be lovely?”
    Eoin smiled at her enthusiasm. “Lachie, ye