Chapter 1
1340 – MacNeil Keep, Scotland
Connor MacNeil stormedthrough the castle gates like a dark thundercloud, his black hair whipping behind him as he took the stone steps three at a time.His boots echoed through the corridors with the force of his fury, servants scattering from his path like leaves before a gale.
"Ewan!"he bellowed, his voice reverberating off the ancient stone walls."Where are ye, ye scheming bastard!"
His older brother appeared at the far end of the corridor, hands raised in a placating gesture."Connor, ye need to calm—"
"I need to what?"Connor's roar cut him off as he stalked forward, his dark eyes blazing with rage."Tell me it isn't true!Tell me ye haven't agreed to marry me off to some Finnigan wench!"
"Connor, lower yer voice."
"I'll not lower anything!"Connor slammed his fist against the stone wall, making a tapestry flutter."I am not getting married to the daughter of some grasping clan!Have ye lost yer bloody mind, brother?"
Ewan glanced nervously toward the Great Hall, trying to step between Connor and the doorway."Listen to me, Connor.Just calm yerself!"
"Calm myself?"Connor's laugh was harsh and bitter."Ye want me to be calm about being shackled to some shrew I've never met?She must be hideous if she's still unwed at five and seven, Ewan.What decent Highland lass remains unmarried so long unless there's something terribly wrong with her?"
"Connor, ye dinnae understand—"
But Connor was beyond listening, pacing like a caged wolf."I've heard the servants talking, ye ken.They say she's crippled.Probably cursed too, if the whispers are true.No wonder her father is desperate to be rid of her.He's probably been trying to marry her off for years!"
"Brother, please!"
"And now ye want to saddle me with this burden?"Connor spun around, his plaid swirling with the violent motion."Some crippled, cursed, old hag who'll probably hex me in my sleep?I'd rather take a sword through the gut than bed such a creature!"
Ewan's face had gone pale."Connor, stop it.Ye need to ken—"
"Ken what?That I'm to be sacrificed on the altar of clan duty?That my happiness means nothing?"Connor's voice rose to a shout again."Well, let me tell ye something, brother.If ye force this marriage on me, I'll make sure it's the most miserable union in all of Scotland!I'll keep a dozen mistresses and parade them through the castle.I'll make sure everyone kens what I think of my cursed bride!"
"Connor!"Ewan grabbed his arm desperately."Haud yer wheesht!"
But Connor had already stormed past him, shouldering through the heavy oak doors of the Great Hall."I need a drink if I'm to face this nightmare—"
Connor’s words died in his throat.
There, standing on the raised dais beside an older man who could only be her father, and another male bearing the same plaid, was a young woman in a deep blue gown.She was not the ancient crone his imagination had conjured.Indeed, she appeared to be near his own age, with auburn hair braided simply and kind green eyes that were now wide with shock and humiliation.
She was not beautiful in the classical sense.Her figure was fuller than was fashionable, her face pleasant rather than striking, but there was an intelligence in her gaze and a quiet dignity in her bearing that made Connor's stomach drop like a stone.When she shifted slightly, he caught the subtle way she favored her left leg, the slight stiffness that spoke of an old injury.
Every cruel word he'd just spoken crashed over him like a wave.She had heard.Every insult, every degrading comment, every threat.It was written plainly across her pale face.
For a moment, their eyes met across the Great Hall.Hers were bright with anger and wounded pride, while his reflected the dawning horror of what he'd done.The silence stretched between them, heavy with the weight of his thoughtless cruelty.
Then Connor did what he always did when faced with emotions he couldn't handle.He fled.
Without a word, he turned on his heel and strode from the hall, leaving Ewan to stammer apologies to their guests.The heavy doors slammed behind him with a finality that seemed to echo through the keep.
***
FIONA FINNIGAN STOODfrozen on the dais for a long moment after the Highland warrior had disappeared, her face burning with shame.Every word he'd spoken felt like a physical blow, each insult carving itself into her heart with cruel precision.
Crippled.Cursed.Old hag.
She'd known this marriage was unwanted, but hearing the raw hatred in his voice, the disgust at the very thought of touching her, it was worse than she'd imagined.
"Laird MacNeil," her father's gruff voice broke through her paralysis.He looked as uncomfortable as Fiona felt, his weathered face creased with embarrassment."Perhaps we can discuss this another day when yer brother is better prepared."
