Free Regency Romance: The Rake's Fake Marriage (Historical Arranged Marriage Romance) (19th Century Victorian Romance) by Sarah Thorn

together we will be able to defend ourselves.''
    ''And is he a good man? Eana is a sensitive, shy young woman, and she will need an understanding man.'' She stared at the swords hanging on the wall above them and hoped her daughter's new husband would love her.
    '' Eana is a lonely person. Her powers have alienated her and made her the object of Laird Sutherland's aggression.'' Laird Irving leaned towards his wife and spoke more softly. ''You and I know that her powers are good in nature, but people are suspicious and believe her to be evil. Her husband will learn to understand her, and in time, her reputation will improve.''
    “Shall I ask her to come and talk to us?'' she asked.
    ''Yes, I would like to tell her about her new future.''
    When Eana arrived in the hall, her father gave her a loving smile. Her green eyes reminded him of the jewels the Sutherland Clan had stolen from his mother's room when they'd ransacked the castle thirty years before. It was the same day as they'd killed his father. 'My dear, I want to tell you what I have planned for you.'' She nodded. ''You are to marry Laird Muir's son. His name is Alexander.''
    ''I will not,'' Eana looked desperately at her mother.
    ''It has been decided. Laird Muir and I have agreed to unite our clans against the danger of the Sutherland's.''
    ''Is that all I am to you? A pawn in a battle? I am your daughter, how can you treat me like this?'' Eana's tears flowing freely.
    ''You are in danger. When Angus Sutherland died, his father declared you his chief enemy. Alexander Muir is a strong man who will care for you long after your mother and I are gone.'' He was sorry for his daughter's loneliness, but none of her tears would change his mind.
    ''You are cruel people, both of you. Why don't you leave me alone?'' Eana shouted and stormed out of the hall.
    *****
     
    Alexander Muir stood in the circle marked out by lines of sand and roared. ''Come on who's next?'' The group of men looked at each other, none of them wanted to step forward. ''Laurie, it's your turn.''
    Laurie Hamilton was six feet three and broader than any other male in the clan. He walked into the ring and looked sheepishly at Alexander. ''Attack me,'' Alexander said. Laurie flew at him but Alexander swerved out of the way, and Laurie landed on his backside outside the ring. The other men laughed. He got up and charged again. This time, Alexander caught him in his arms, turned him around and slammed him into the ground. Laurie looked up at him and shook his head. ''Enough?'' Alexander asked him. When he nodded, Alexander turned to his men.
    ''Not one of you warriors can beat me at wrestling,'' he laughed. Every one of them liked and respected him. He was just twenty-one but a bear of a man whose loyalty to his fellow warriors knew no limits. They all knew that he would never expect any of them to do something he wouldn't do himself. At six feet six, he was the tallest and strongest. As a very young man he'd been thin and gangling, but after hundreds of hours of training, he'd developed awesome muscles. He was unusually dark for a Scotsman. His father was fair, but he'd met a dark haired French woman while fighting in Southern Scotland and fallen in love with her. She'd died soon after giving birth. ''You all need to....'' Alexander stopped talking when he saw two horses approaching. It was his father and his bodyguard. ''Father, would you like to wrestle,'' he quipped.
    ''You are not yet ready, my son,'' he joked. The men smiled at Laird Muir's quip. ''Please leave us, men, I want to speak to my son.'' The men walked over to an oak tree and sat down to rest. As they looked across at Laird Muir and Alexander, they saw them deep in conversation.
    When Laird Irvine mounted his horse and rode away, Alexander shouted. ''Laurie come over here.''
    ******
     
    The Village of Wellbridge was under the shadows of Drummond Castle, halfway up Ben Shee. It had a wall around it which was patrolled by men in kilts with axes