Page 1 of Highlander’s Evil Twin

1

Laird William frowned, deep lines furrowing his forehead. He was tired. Fatigue washed over him in waves. Even though he had steeled himself for this moment, knowing there would be anger and tears, he recognized his daughter’s frustration. In truth, he felt it too but there was no way out of this. Worse, it was his fault. Guilt weighed heavily but he also wished fervently that he had not raised her to speak her mind. Heather was feisty, no other word for it. Looking at her in this moment, he saw the anger blaze in her eyes.

“No father, I refuse. I am not going to marry him. I don’t even know him.” Her eyes filled with tears. “You can’t make me do this.” She swallowed hard. It felt as if the words would choke her. Dismay wrapped itself around her. Her mood hung like the dull grey clouds overhead. This couldn’t be happening.

“You will marry him. You must.” He emphasized the latter, then softened his tone. “You know how volatile the people are around here. Each clan must strengthen itself or weaken and die.” He reached out to her, his large hands holding her slim shoulders firmly, forcing her to listen and to look up at him. He swallowed hard, feeling her misery. “I have no choice in this. But, I have chosen well for you. His family are revered. They are powerful and strong, as are we…for now. But together, we are all protected. We become powerful. You, my wee lass, will be safe and looked after. Life will be good for you.”

“It won’t be a good life if I have to marry a man I don’t even love!” Heather almost spat the words at him and wrenched free from his grip. She felt sick at the thought of leaving her home and walked to the window, gazing out across her beloved land. “I can’t leave here. I will die. It’s my home. ”

“Oh, my daughter, surely you knew that you would have to leave us one day. This is the natural order of things. You were always going to find a husband. But Hiram is a good man. He’s strong, he’s commanding, he’s everything that would make a good husband.”

“You marry him then!” she muttered under her breath and lifted doleful eyes towards her father. “I haven’t even met him.”

“You will soon. We are leaving in two days to go to Castle MacGregor where your engagement will be announced.” His words were final.

The pain in her heart was physical and intense. It felt as if her heart was breaking. She couldn’t breathe, tears streamed down her face completely blurring her vision, and her thoughts were erratic. She shook her head in confusion. This wasn’t real. She had to think, to find a solution, but most importantly, she had to get away from her father and to be alone. Head down, Heather stomped heavily to her room, retracting the steps she had taken so many times when she’d first explored this castle as a young girl. She’d thought she would live there forever but now, in only days, she would be leaving. Would she ever see this place again? How could she bear it?

Anger gnawed at her insides. How dare he make such a decision for her? This wasn’t the dark ages. Her fists were tight balls of fury at her side and she directed a swift punch at her pillow. She wasn’t interested in men. She would never be ready for love or this sham of a marriage. She swallowed back her hatred for this supposed love match and directed the intensity of her feelings at her father. She hated him—no, she despised him. No loving father would sell off their daughter in this way. She was a commodity, nothing more.

From her window, Heather surveyed their undulating lands, fields, and pastures where freedom beckoned. She could run away. Perhaps hide on the land? Then they would be so worried by her absence that they would beg her to stay. But deep down, she knew that it was not a solution. Her father would never allow such bad behavior. He would be worried and would set up a search party, but once found, she would be dragged kicking and screaming and plonked at the feet of her so-called betrothed. There was no escape from her fate.

“Hiram MacGregor. I will not make it easy for you,” she vowed. “I may have to marry you, but I will be as bloody-minded as I can be.”

An idea came to mind. What if she could be so disagreeable that he would refuse to marry her? She would face the disappointment of her parents and rejoice secretly once back home...single, but triumphant. That would serve them all right. She would have to be careful but, if she chose her moments to be unpleasant, she could plead innocent.

The next few days passed by in a blur of tears, tantrums, and sulks. Dinner, usually unhurried family meetings, had lost all appeal. They were no longer pleasant. Heather, her face tear-blotched, was sullen, irritable, and as rude as she could be so as to express her disdain for their treatment of her. But, with rising frustration, it seemed that nothing she did would change their icy acceptance of the situation. Heart sinking, she realized her father had changed so much. All her life he had told her that she could shape her own way, carve out her own destiny, but his words had been empty. This had been their intent all along. Now, that brave new future and her destiny was stolen and crumbling before her. No amount of pleading would change it.

“Cheer up, Heather,” her mother consoled her. “This union may be everything you ever wanted in life.”

“Aye,” Heather mumbled without conviction. Pigs might fly an’ all. She had always cherished her father and adored her mother, seeing their loving union as one she desperately wanted. But now, she was nothing but a cheap bargaining chip. Her heart crumbled some more, and she lowered her eyes, trying to blink back tears. She’d let them see evidence of her suffering at first, but they were resolved to it. Now, she didn’t want them to see just how terrified and hurt she really was. Ice gripped her heart and the divide between them grew.

Now she was back in her room and packing, stuffing gowns into her large case without care of creases. As she crammed more and more into it, mindful that the delicate fabrics were spilling out beyond the confines of her luggage, Heather turned to see a young servant girl standing in the doorway.

“Are you ready to get dressed Ma’am?”

Heather eyed the lavender dress laid carefully over the girl’s arms. “I have other clothes that I am planning to wear.” Heather nodded towards the dress with disdain.

“I know Ma’am, but I was told that you need to wear this new gown. It has been purchased specially for this...big event,” the servant explained, lowering her eyes discreetly after noting Heather’s tear-stained cheeks.

“Fine…” Heather sighed, defiance leaving her. What did it matter? She may as well wear it and save the discord. She tried to smile at the young servant, but the smile wouldn’t come. Her eyes told of the hollowness within.

She allowed the young girl to assist her, but she clung to her misery like a shroud. She felt utterly exhausted and fragile. Her world and her ability to enjoy it had become disconnected. Heather lifted her arms over her head so that the dress and the complicated layers of fabric could be eased over her shoulders. She fought rising panic as the material engulfed her and she struggled to breathe, but the moment the dress was fitted, she knew exactly why her mother had purchased it. The delicate silk with this subtle shade of lavender enhanced the green of her eyes. It was as if it had been designed just for her. In an instant, she had changed from tomboy Heather into a worldly, womanly, and…perhaps, sensual being. For a moment, she felt grown-up and tasted anticipation. She courted happiness turning first one way and then the next as the material flowed around her legs. But happiness was short-lived as she remembered why she had been given this gift. It was merely there to ensure Hiram was dazzled by her. The MacGregors were buying her but even though she wanted to hate the dress, she couldn’t. Everything about it was a work of art. Delicate yellow daisies had been hand-sewn around the neckline—a final connection with her innocence, soon to be lost. The dress said sensual and vulnerable all at the same time, as well as here is your virgin. She was to be served up on a silver platter for Hiram to feast upon.

Sighing again, Heather smiled ruefully in the mirror. It was beautiful but she didn’t want to wear it.

“It is truly a lovely gown, Milady. It looks perfect on you, I must say.” The young girl beamed, her smile widening as she gazed in rapture at her.

“Thank you for your help,” Heather said. “You may go now.” She smiled regretfully at the servant girl and waited for her to leave before turning back to her reflection. It was truly beautiful, designed with innate knowledge of the fabrics and of her shape. If she had really been in love and relishing her engagement, she would have been so happy right now. With eyes closed, she let her fingers explore the soft, silky material. It flowed against her body, enhancing her figure. It teased the eyes and Heather knew any man would be appreciative of her right at this moment. If she could only forget what was waiting for her when they arrived at Castle MacGregor, but she couldn’t. The dress merely displayed her as a sacrificial lamb and her anger, a tight knot within, squeezed hard. She felt she would never be happy again.

“Hiram my dear boy, you are to be betrothed to Heather Douglas of Clan Douglas. Yes, yes, I know—you may have chosen someone else, some unsuitable little...” He stopped in mid-sentence, stroking his curly, ginger beard thoughtfully before continuing. “Believe me, this is a good strategic move for both of our clans. In fact, it will make us virtually undefeatable,” Laird Malcolm MacGregor announced triumphantly.

Hiram took a deep breath. What could he say? He could see his father was pleased with himself but it wasn’t what he wanted at all. He understood the strategic needs of both clans, however, and that they had a duty to pay. He’d been raised to make sacrifices for the sake of the estate but couldn’t help but wonder what she was like. Beautiful? Sensual? Would she be entertaining and pleasant company? Would she stimulate his mind and his body? Would he be that lucky? Please don’t let her be some simpering fool. He almost groaned inwardly at the latter.

“Are you sure this is the best deal that we can make?” he asked his father. “What about other options?”

“Nah my boy, I’ve considered all options. We need this marriage to strengthen our own clan. They are, after all, the second strongest clan in the region. Their men are trained almost as well as our own and I am sure they are strong and brave warriors in battle.” He contemplated again. “Yes, I think this is the best move to give us the advantage to bring the other clans to their knees. We will conquer them all.”

He looked smug and Hiram’s heart sank. His father had obviously thought this through and he knew, once his mind was made up, there was little chance of changing it. Hiram knew much about strategy, but his father was so much smarter on these things. If it pleased his father, he would acquiesce.