Black Richard's Heart (The MacCulloughs #1) - Suzan Tisdale Page 0,12
Richard is a good man, Aeschene.”
’Twas the first time she’d ever heard anyone compliment a MacCullough, especially the one named Black Richard. According to her family, he was the stuff nightmares were made of. Keeping her opinion on the matter to herself, she listened to David extol the man’s virtues.
“Ye ken the Chisolms raided the MacCullough keep several years ago. Many people were killed on both sides. I believe other men would have run away to lick their wounds, never to be heard of again. But Black Richard successfully fought to get back what had been taken from him.”
There was an immense sense of pride in David’s voice. Without a doubt, she knew she would, if she were able, see that pride shining in his eyes.
“I like to believe I be a good judge of character,” David said. “Just as I know Black Richard to be a good man, I believe ye to be a good woman. I think the two of ye would suit well.”
Suit well? Aye, mayhap she had misjudged David’s character as well as his state of mind. A blind woman married to a monster. ’Twas almost enough to make her want to laugh out loud.
“Under normal circumstances, I would not ask either party what their opinions were on such a matter. I would simply order it and be done. But these are not normal circumstances.”
No, no they most certainly were not.
“I am goin’ to give ye a choice, lass. A choice on whether or not ye wish to marry Black Richard MacCullough.”
For the first time in hours, if not years, she began to feel a glimmer of hope.
“A choice?” she asked, trying to hide the hope bubbling up from her stomach.
“Aye,” David replied. “A choice.”
Had she ever been given a choice in any matter other than what color dress to wear — other than today, of course. “And if I choose not to marry him? What would happen to my family?”
“They will be allowed to retain their titles and lands. At least for now.”
It seemed too good to be true.
’Twas too important a decision to make lightly. She understood all too well what was at stake. Regardless of whether or not she married the MacCullough, her family’s future was precarious at best. How long would they be able to hold on to their lands? In her heart she knew her father would make no attempt to stop the feuding. Unless, of course, his hands were tied by a marriage betwixt the two clans.
But to make such a life altering decision without first meeting the man in question, seemed foolish. She might not be able to look Black Richard MacCullough in the eyes, but she could at least listen for sincerity or duplicity in his voice.
“I should like to speak with the MacCullough first, before makin’ a decision,” she said, then held her breath while she waited for his reply.
“Verra well,” David said. She listened as he stood and walked toward the door and opened it. David spoke in hushed tones to the guard.
“I should warn ye,” he said as he retook his seat. “Betimes, Black Richard can seem a gruff man.”
“I would imagine he is more ‘gruff’ this day, considerin’ he is on MacRay lands, and bein’ forced to marry a woman he has never met, and the daughter of his sworn enemy to boot,” she replied, hoping to lighten the somber mood.
David laughed at her jest. “Aye, yer assumption would be correct.”
“Pray tell me, yer grace, just how ‘gruff’ is he?” She wasn’t certain she wanted the answer.
David did not try to soften the truth. “As happy as yer father was with the news.”
He must have seen her grow pale, for he quickly added, “But I find that Black Richard is far more open-minded than yer da.”
A cat-o’-mountain with mange was more open minded than her father. David’s words did little to soothe her worries.
“I ken yer family has undoubtedly told ye many stories of Black Richard MacCullough that do not hold him in a good light,” he said.
Aeschene could not deny it. “Aye, I have heard stories.”
“While there might be a grain of truth to every story or rumor, ’tis often that the truth is twisted to the benefit of the storyteller.”
There was no time to ask him what he meant for a moment later, the door opened and she felt Black Richard MacCullough as he thundered into the room.
She was beautiful.
Breathtakingly so.
’Twas infuriating.
He had been preparing his heart and mind to meet a