Highlander's Beautiful Liar A Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance Historical Novel - Adamina Young Page 0,35
not want to bother him any further.” His command was clear, and Cora felt sorry for the priest. He was obviously a good man who would strive to see that she hadn’t just made a mistake.
“You didn’t need to banish him,” Cora admonished in a quiet voice. “He’s only concerned for me.”
“Have ye given him reason to be concerned, Lady Sinclair?”
His silky voice sent a shiver down her spine, and she turned her head. Is this how things would be? He ran hot and cold. She feared she would never know which face her husband would put on for the day. How could she live like this?
“I did as you wanted. Is there any hope that you’ll leave me alone?” she whispered desperately.
Instead of responding, he took her hand and brushed his finger over her knuckles. Surprised at the loving caress, she looked up and saw the soft look on his face. Breathing softly, she reached up to touch his cheek, but his eyes immediately turned to the front of the room. Cora followed his gaze and felt her heart drop.
King Edward had entered.
Alec stood, and when she didn’t immediately follow suit, the gentle caress turned into a squeeze. Quickly, she stood and curtsied as King Edward approached them. Edward took in her fancy gown and raised an eyebrow. “A bit early for a ball, isn’t it my dear?”
“Yes, my Lord. But I am not prepared to attend a ball. Today is my wedding day.”
“Sinclair?” Edward said questioningly. “Ye have married yer thief?”
Alec cleared his throat. “Actually, to that, I have an announcement to make. If ye do not mind?”
“This should be good,” Edward muttered and nodded his head.
Alec raised his glass. “Yer Majesty, MacKays, and SInclairs, I proudly present my wife, Cora Isles. Nearly seven months ago, my wife learned of her true heritage. She is the daughter of Duncan MacKay, and I bid ye accept her with open arms. She has witnessed her father at the hands of his son, and faced six torturous months paying for the sins of her birth. With the MacKay blood coursing through her veins, I trust that ye will accept her as my wife, yer Lady, and the mother of the future Laird MacKay. Any babe that she produces will honor Duncan MacKay with his name.”
Loud cheers echoed off the stone walls as everyone raised their glasses. As they toasted, Cora turned her head to watch Edward’s face. There was a mix of anger and pity. “You testify that Seth killed his father?” he asked quietly.
“Yes.”
“Did he act alone?”
Cora hesitated. Edward was now her king by birth, and she felt sure that she shouldn’t lie to him. As she opened her mouth, Alec saved her from any answer.
“Yer Majesty, it would be a great honor if ye sanctioned my marriage.”
“I believe I sanctioned a marriage between Cora Isles and Innes Campbell. I have half a mind to demand that ye dissolve this farce here and now.”
“’Tis a love match,” Alec said as he put his arms around her. “And we had no idea of any betrothal when we fell in love.”
“I will not be made a fool,” the King declared quietly. “If I should later discover that ye are lying to me and this is not a love match, the consequences will be dire. I can strip ye of yer title whenever I want, Sinclair. Doonae doubt that.”
Cora swallowed hard. Edward knew that they weren’t really in love, and yet he was insisting that they continue this charade. What was the point? Was he simply trying to save face if and when Innes Campbell approached him?
Suddenly, Edward smiled and clapped Alec on the shoulder. “Congratulations. Connor will be pleased to hear that ye’ve finally settled down, although, between the two of ye, I’m not sure which one has broken more hearts. My dear Lady Sinclair, I have no doubt that ye want to spend this day with yer husband, but I’m afraid that I’ll be leaving at first light tomorrow, and there are still some things that we need to discuss.”
“Of course.” Cora nodded her head. “Take as long as ye need.”
“Doonae fear my dear, I will do nothing to interfere with yer wedding night.”
As the King winked at her, her heart sank. Her wedding night? That had been the farthest thing from her mind, but she felt the heat of Alec’s gaze on her and knew there was no way around it. Tonight, she would lose yet another part of herself.