Free Her Highlander's Promise by B. J. Scott

you wanted to marry that useless sot until I heard if from your lips,” Blair said as he slipped into the room and closed the door.
    “What in damnation are you doing here?” Laurel blurted. With narrowed eyes, she glanced from Blair to Isla and back.
    “That’s no way for a lady to talk,” he said smiling.
    “What if you’d been caught? You wouldna be grinning like a fool then.”
    “But we dinna get caught,” he said, his smile even broader.
    “How did you get by the guards, let alone into the castle?”
    “It wasna difficult once we made it into the storage room off the kitchen. I was able to bring him in through the tunnels beneath the castle. I bid him wait there until I’d retrieved the key from the kitchen. Few people visit the north tower, so once we got beyond third floor, I was certain no one would try to stop us,” Isla replied.
    “That still doesna explain how you got as far as the tunnels? The parapets are well guarded, are they not?”
    “We . . . um . . .” Isla hesitated, her face flushing red.
    “What?” Laurel asked.
    “One of the guards spotted us in the garden, so we pretended to be lovers, and he let us be,” the maid replied.
    Laurel’s eyes darted in Blair’s direction.
    Blair shrugged. “It was that or kill the bugger.”
    Laurel threw her hands in the air. “It matters not how you managed to get in. You can leave the same way. I told Isla to send you away. It wasna a difficult task.”
    “I’m sorry, m’lady. I tried to deliver your message exactly as you wished, but I couldna lie to him. He was so concerned about you, and there was no mistaking his disappointment. He clearly loves you verra much.”
    “Listen to her, Laurel. She speaks the truth. I’ve waited too long for us to be together and couldna stand by while you married another. Especially when it is not a man of your choosing.” Blair clasped her hand, bringing it to his lips, but she tugged free of his grasp and turned her back to him.
    “Nay. It is you who doesna understand. I do wish to marry Allan,” Laurel snapped. She couldn’t face Blair for fear he would know she was lying. In truth, she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him endlessly, to beg him to carry her away, but she had to remain strong.
    “After giving your proposal some thought, I’ve decided to marry Allan instead. He is a MacClay, and by doing so, I ensure the clan name will live on. Besides, you never contacted me for eight summers, not a single missive. If you cared for me, you would have sent word, a note, something.” She almost choked on the words, but had to make him believe she didn’t want him around.
    “You know why I dinna contact you, Sweeting. Your cousins would never have given their consent. I had to wait until the time was right.” He cupped her shoulders and gently squeezed.
    She jerked forward. “Terms of endearment willna win me so easily. I want you to go.”
    “Not until you face me and tell me you love Allan and wish to marry him.”
    She turned and raised her chin. “I am the daughter of a laird and marrying for love is not always an option. I must do what best suits the clan’s needs.”
    “How can marrying Allan be good for Clan MacClay?” Blair asked. “Come away with me, Laurel. We will return once you reach eighteen, and you can claim your rightful place as lairdess.”
    “It’s not that simple. I canna leave.”
    “Why?”
    He wasn’t about to budge without good reason. “It isna safe for you to remain here. I dinna love you, Blair,” she said, struggling to force out the words.
    Blair studied her for a minute before brushing a stray curl from her cheek. “Now, tell me the truth.”
    His touch sent a shiver of excitement racing through her body.
    “Tell him about your suspicions,” Isla said.
    Blair arched a brow. “What is she talking about?” 
    “You know I told you what I did in strict confidence, Isla. I have no proof.”
    “I know you’re upset with me, m’lady,