Tags:
Fiction,
adventure,
Romance,
Historical,
Adult,
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Regency,
19th century,
Daughter,
family feud,
Scottish Highlands,
honor,
DeWinter Family,
HIGHLAND LOVE SONG,
English Duke,
Highland Castle,
Warrick Glencarin,
Betrothed,
Bitter Anger,
Scot Warriors,
Loving Touch
the chair away from the door, feeling a bit foolish. Barra greeted her with a quick nod. "Lord Warrick asked if you'll attend him at your convenience. He'll await you in his study."
Fear prickled Arrian's spine. "No. I will not go."
Barra looked amazed at Lady Arrian's refusal. Lowering her eyes, she walked over to Lady Mary. After examining her patient, she turned to Arrian with a worried frown. "The leg's bad. She should have the kind of care I canna give her."
"Dr. Edmondson has also told me this. Are the roads passable?"
"Not yet." The maid walked to the door. "What would you have me tell his lordship?"
Arrian could see the puzzlement in the woman's eyes. "Tell him I. . . don't want to leave my aunt."
Barra merely nodded. "Will you be wanting to take your meals in here?"
"Yes, thank you," Arrian said. "And I will also want a bed brought in, please." In truth, Arrian did not want to be alone. She was too frightened.
"Very well, m'lady."
"Do you think the doctor will come today?"
"No, m'lady, the snow's too deep. Will there be anything else?"
"No, nothing. Only . . . please let it be known that we do not wish to be disturbed by anyone except yourself or the doctor."
Barra nodded. "It'll be as you say. I'll see that your bed is set up before nightfall."
Arrian walked to the window and pulled back the heavy drapery. It was snowing so hard she could not even see the courtyard below. She and her aunt were imprisoned in this icy world, but she had to find a way to get them to Edinburgh.
She traced Ian's name on the frosty window. What must he be thinking? Surely he was worried. Perhaps by now he had initiated a search for her.
Lady Mary groaned, and Arrian rushed to her aunt's bedside to find her awake. She gripped Arrian's hand, her eyes wide with concern. "Do you know where we are?"
"Yes. I have spoken with Lord Warrick."
Arrian didn't know how much to tell her aunt. She didn't think it would be wise to upset her at this time, but Arrian had not reckoned with Lady Mary's sharp perception.
"He won't allow us to leave, will he?"
"I don't believe so."
"My leg is bad, isn't it, Arrian?"
"Yes, dearest, but you must not be concerned. I will find a way to get us out of here. I promise."
"I doubt that man would dare to hurt us physically, Arrian. But don't mistake this, he's our bitter enemy. You are to stay away from him."
"I am frightened."
"And with good reason. If you knew more about Scotland and the feuds that have torn it apart, you would better understand what we are facing."
"Why does Lord Warrick hate the Maclvors?"
"There are many reasons. I fear he will never allow us our freedom until he gets what he wants from my father—whatever that might be. Perhaps I should speak to him."
Arrian laid her hand on her aunt's forehead and found that she was feverish. "You will do nothing of the sort. You must rest and not upset yourself."
Lady Mary closed her eyes and breathed deeply. "I find I am very weary, Arrian, and will be of little use to you." Her eyes opened for just a moment. "You must keep away from that man. Stay by me."
"Don't concern yourself with me. I'm in no danger."
Lady Mary fought against the drowsiness but eventually gave in to it. She was soon locked in a heavy sleep that brought no rest.
That night Arrian lay awake in the small cot that had been placed beside her aunt's bed. She had wedged the chair against the door once more, but still she jumped at every noise.
When a weak dawn lit the corners of the room, Arrian was still awake.
Warrick dismounted and handed the reins to the young stable boy.
"Looks like the snow'll never let up, m'lord."
"So it does, Tam. Give Titus a good rubdown and extra oats. See that the stables are kept warm tonight. I don't want the livestock to freeze."
"What about the sheep still running the bogs, m'lord?"
"We'll lose the youngest tonight, but there is no help for it. We can't find them in this blizzard."
With long strides, Warrick made his way
Mary Crockett, Madelyn Rosenberg