Highland Blessings (14 page)

“Ye can drag me to the vicar all ye want, but I’ll not agree to any wedding vows.” Akira refused to yield on the matter.

He let go of her and stepped back. “If ye don’t wish to be present at yer own wedding, that’s fine by me. I’ll wed ye by proxy and be done with it.” He waved his hand in the air as if to dismiss her.

“Ye jest.” A chill slithered up her spine to her neck.

“I assure ye, lass, I wouldn’t jest about such a thing. Proxy weddings are perfectly legal. I’ll find another woman to stand in yer place if ye aren’t there in person. I’ll have the vicar prepare the papers in yer name and the woman who stands in for ye will sign yer name. I have your father’s seal on the document signed by yer father, stating that ye’re betrothed to the MacPhearson chief.”

Akira straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin in defiance. “I’ll not allow ye to intimidate me.”

“Then don’t.”

Unsure how to respond, Akira yawned, covering her mouth with her hand, and stretched her back. “I’m tired. I wish to retire for the night.”

His white teeth flashed against the shadow of his face in a rakish grin. Before she realized his intent, Bryce leaned forward and his lips touched her forehead. He paused, his mouth smooth and gentle against her skin, and then slowly pulled away from her.

Akira felt something stir inside her as he whispered, “Goodnight, and sweet dreams, my lady.”

The next morning someone slipped a document under Akira’s chamber door. The shuffle noise caught her attention, and she bent to retrieve it. She turned it over and read her name beside Bryce’s on an agreement of matrimony. Last night when he had threatened to wed her by proxy, she didn’t actually believe he would go through with it, but now she held the proof in her hand. Bryce’s bold signature leaped out at her. Vicar Forbes had signed the parchment as well. She looked at her own name in unfamiliar round letters and wondered who had signed on her behalf.

Fury burned inside of Akira like a bonfire. Who would believe her against the word of the MacPhearson chieftain and Vicar Forbes? She had begun her morning devotions, but now she felt too angry and distracted to continue her daily routine. Even the clergy had sided with Bryce by signing the marriage agreement. She felt betrayed and abandoned.

Lord, why are ye allowing this to happen to me?

Akira clutched the thick paper in her hand and stormed from her chamber in search of Bryce. Her mind filled with worry as she flew down the flight of stairs. She bumped into Finella as she rounded a corner, nearly knocking her over.

“Oh!” Finella wrestled with the bundle of dirty linen in her arms and toppled from side to side to keep her balance.

Horrified, Akira took a moment to help steady her. “I’m so sorry, Finella.”

Finella turned an exasperated expression in Akira’s direction, which instantly turned to surprise. “Lass, ye left yer bed-chamber in yer nightgown?” Finella eyed her in the white material cascading down to her bare toes, protruding beneath the hem. Her eyebrows rose in concerned suspicion.

Akira ignored her attire and raised the document in her fist, shaking it. “Do ye know what Bryce has done?”

Finella adopted a dazed look as she searched her mind for some outrageous deed the lad might have committed.

“I canna think of anything,” she answered honestly, and then brightened. “He hasn’t slept in his bed. Has he left on another adventure then?”

Akira hesitated with that bit of news and then decided to tell her anyway. “I awoke this morn’ to find a written document under my door that says Bryce wed me by proxy last night. Even the vicar signed it.” She waved the paper in front of Finella’s nose. “And I don’t know how to get out of it.”

She clamped her jaw, barely holding back tears of frustration. Sighing, Akira lowered the document in despair. It wasn’t Finella’s fault. Ranting at the poor woman would do no good.

Finella looked sympathetic, her bottom lip puckering in an understanding frown. “Lass, I don’t think he intends for ye to get out of it,” she said, patting Akira’s hand as if she were a small child.

Not wanting to hurt her feelings, Akira pasted on a smile and moved past her without another comment. When she reached the door to the library, she looked down at the signed document, mustering the courage to face Bryce. A loud crash sounded behind the door. Akira’s head jerked up. Could someone be hurt? She turned the knob and pushed open the door.

Shattered glass fell from the wall above the hearth.

“Who dares disturb me?”

Akira’s gaze shifted from the wall to the man towering in the middle of the room. He shoved a hand through his disheveled hair as he turned, clearly annoyed by the intrusion. His eyes burned like ashes, and his black brows were knit in a tight frown. She allowed her gaze to roam over his wrinkled attire.

Grief lurked in the gray depths staring back at her with a raw and primitive threat. She realized Bryce had picked up the glass goblet from a nearby tray and thrown it. Hardening her heart, Akira held up the marriage agreement in her hand.

“I don’t suppose ye might be losing any sleep over this?” She held herself rigid as she waited for a response.

“Come hither.”

His smoldering gaze took in her appearance in the long white nightgown and how her hair hung loose about her shoulders and down her back. Akira hesitated. Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea after all. Hauling herself to the library in a mad rage wouldn’t likely change his mind. Discomfort gripped her as an afterthought and shame rose through her alert senses.

“Don’t make me repeat myself. I’m in no mood for games,” Bryce snapped, crooking his finger, beckoning her to him.

Akira clasped her nervous hands in front of her, still holding the wedding agreement. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, pausing nearly three feet from him.

“Closer,” he commanded.

She took another step.

“Closer,” he demanded again.

Akira met his gaze, ready to deny him, when he gave her a warning look meant to intimidate her. Determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cower before him, Akira stepped forward until she was only inches away.

“I want to see yer every expression in the glowing firelight.”

No sunlight filtered through the library windows as it neared dawn.

“Yer eyes give yer thoughts away, Akira.” He circled around her as she stood still. “Ye feel sympathy for me because of Evan’s death, and yet, ye fear me.”

“Grief must be hard to bear. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve never had to face it. But ye overestimate yer power, Bryce. I don’t fear ye.”

His lips twisted. “Ye didn’t believe I’d do it, did ye?” He gestured toward the marriage agreement in her hand. “Ye forced my hand, Akira.”

She whirled on him in anger. “I forced no such thing. Ye do as ye wish, with no regard to others.”

Bryce stopped pacing. “Everything I’ve done is for the sake of others.” His restrained voice severed the air.

“Nay.” She shook her head. “Ye did it because of a promise.”

“’Twas only one of the reasons.”

“Release me from this commitment. Please?” She would beg if she thought it would do any good.

“Nay.” His voice was firm as he looked away from her. “I thought ye said ye wouldn’t honor the marriage, so why should it matter if I release ye?”

Tears threatened to storm her cloudy eyes, but she contained them. “Ye know I have no other recourse but yer mercy if I’m to return home. My da hasn’t come for me,” she admitted, hating the familiar pain rising in her chest. “No one will defend me against the vicar’s signature on this document. Women are married off to unhappy marriages every day; ’tis a fact of life. But, ye have a choice. Ye don’t have to do this.”

He shook his head, glaring at his booted feet. “Ye refuse to understand, Akira. I had no other choice.”

Akira threw the document at him. “Ye stubborn, ignorant beast. How dare ye do this to me?”

“Akira, ye’re Birk MacKenzie’s only daughter. I have no other choice.”

“If this marriage brings any harm to my family, I will betray ye to yer enemies, and that is
my
promise.”

In spite of her vow not to cry in front of him, tears of frustration slipped past her lids, but she wouldn’t let it hold her back. “This marriage isn’t real. ’Tis in name only.” She wiped her eyes. “Since ye wed me by proxy, ye must live by proxy. I’ll have naught to do with ye. I’ll not willingly consummate this marriage, and there will be no bairns.”

Akira turned and ran from the library, hoping to reach her chamber before anyone else saw her.

U
nable to stand the sight of the box at the rear of their traveling party, Akira focused ahead as she rode the mount Bryce had provided. Shortly after Evan’s burial and a brief ceremony accepting Bryce as the new clan chief, they set out for MacKenzie holdings. Bryce intended to see Gregor’s corpse home in time for burial, which meant they would have to travel light and make haste. He also planned to present her as his wife and speak to her father about a peaceful truce between their clans.

Akira had no doubt that her father would agree to peaceful negotiations and approve their marriage. It had always been his wish to avoid more bloodshed, and the fact that he had not come for her proved it. In her heart, she had hoped her father loved her enough to find a way to negotiate peace with the MacPhearsons without using her as the bargaining price. As the days turned into a fortnight, her hopes became futile. The harsh reality of her situation became increasingly clear.

Akira continued to pray for her family and for God to give her father wisdom, but of late her prayers had taken on a new focus. She needed God to help her accept her fate, as hard as it was to swallow. She prayed for the Lord to guard her heart from the vile bitterness threatening to take root in her. It pained her that the one man she had loved and highly respected all her life—the man who had sired her—would desert her.

She lifted a delicate hand to shield her eyes from the sun and squinted, scanning the view ahead. Elliot rode several yards away, surrounded on all sides by MacPhearson warriors. After he had learned of Akira’s marriage to Bryce, Elliot would not even look at her, much less speak to her. He knew naught of how she had been forced into the union by proxy. He considered her outward acceptance of her marriage to Bryce as a betrayal of their clan, yet what could she have done to prevent it? She considered telling Elliot the truth, but Bryce had cautioned her of the lives at stake if others thought her marriage an unwanted sacrifice, particularly in light of the recent deaths of Gregor and Evan. Grudgingly, Akira kept silent, tolerating Elliot’s scornful behavior, making her plight even harder to bear.

Akira’s heart beat more rapidly when Bryce rode to the front of their traveling party. He no longer looked as fierce as she once thought, but rather handsome as he sat astride his mount in a comfortable and straight posture as befit a king. His broad, muscular shoulders were quite capable as he held the reins, scrutinizing his men, ensuring that all was in order. He looked as if he would ride by a second time, but a peculiar expression crossed his face, and instead, he pulled up beside her.

“M’lady, ye look upset. Is something amiss?” His gaze captured hers as he analyzed her reaction in what appeared to be sincere concern.

In light of her circumstances, everything was wrong, and yet his nearness gave her comfort. Abandoned by her family and hated by his clan, Bryce felt more like an ally than her enemy with each passing day. Her feelings felt like betrayal. How could she continue to resist him when he seemed so intent on winning her affections with more kindness and thoughtfulness than she ever thought him capable?

Akira shifted in her saddle. She wasn’t used to riding for such long periods, but she wouldn’t waste precious time by complaining. It was imperative that they carry Gregor’s body home for burial before he decayed even more. She shook her head.

“Nay, I’m fine.”

Not satisfied with her answer, Bryce turned to Balloch riding beside her. “Balloch, see that she rests when she needs it. I’ve noticed the lass is a wee bit stubborn at times and won’t tell ye if she’s tired.”

“Aye, Bryce. I’ll take care of m’lady.” Balloch snapped to attention.

Bryce started to move on.