"I'll never be your betrothed."
He went on as if she hadn't spoken. "I'll join ye for supper." When fear flared in her eyes, he made a dismissive gesture. "You dinnae know me well enough yet to trust me, but ye have my word you'll come to nae harm while you're here."
"Just the harm of losing my freedom."
"Aye, at least until you're reconciled to wedding me."
"So forever, then."
His grunt expressed impatience. "Aye, forever, if it comes to that."
He waited for her to argue, but instead she clasped her hands in front of her. "What have ye done with Flossie?"
"Flossie?"
"My maid. Did your man…kill her?"
"No, by the devil he didnae," he snapped, although he supposed he shouldn't blame the girl for always thinking the worst of him.
"How can ye be sure?"
"Because Duff doesnae murder defenseless women." He saw her expression. "Or force them into his bed. I assume the lassie is locked up downstairs. Since we’ve been back at Achnasheen, I havenae left your side to find out."
"Can ye… Can ye find out for me?"
Callum noted that she was willing to make a request for her maid's sake but not for her own. When necessary, common sense could temper her pride. That offered a glimmer of hope that in time, she might change her mind.
"Aye, I'll find out and send ye word," he said, his tone softening. The more he saw of her, the more convinced he was that Mhairi was born to be his lady.
"Even better, can ye send her to me?"
And give his bride a co-conspirator? Not likely. "No, the lassies who serve ye will be Mackinnons. Flossie will be safe, ye have my word on it."
Her eyes hardened, and she turned away. "Leave me, Mackinnon."
He gave a brief laugh. "Already giving orders, mistress?"
"Ye say I'll be treated with respect and kindness while I’m here." Her voice was flat, and the back she presented to him was straight as a ruler. "The kindest thing ye can do right now is remove yourself from my sight."
Although she wasn't looking at him, he bowed. "As ye wish, my lady. I'll see you at supper."
She didn't respond as Callum strode out of the chamber, leaving her to brood on her fate. And to his regret, shore up her hatred.
Chapter 6
Mhairi was still reeling from the revelations of that conversation with the Mackinnon when the room filled with what felt like an army of maids setting up her bath and laying out clothes for her.
Marriage to a Mackinnon. Staying at Achnasheen. She'd never considered that was her future. She'd assumed Black Callum meant to use her as a bargaining counter in the endless squabbles between her clan and his. Then return her to her father once negotiations were over, likely not in her current virginal state, if wicked human nature proved stronger than the code of honor.
It had never occurred to her that he meant to make her his wife. It had never occurred to her that he might be looking beyond the next retaliation for a Drummond raid toward a long-term solution to the ongoing strife.
She couldn't argue with his conclusion that too many lives had been lost over the years with no real gain, and it was well past time to choose another path. But she did argue with how he went about achieving his aims. He might have a vision for a new way in this wild corner of the Highlands, but kidnapping his enemy's
daughter just seemed to perpetuate the cycle of futile violence.
Nor did she relish her role in his plans.
At least he wouldn’t force himself on her. Or so he said. But she hadn't missed the glint in his eyes when they rested on her. She'd done nothing to make him like her, but she'd learned over the years that men needed only to spy a pretty face to go stupid.