To Deceive a Highlander: The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle ~ Book 1 Page 3

  * * *

  'Twas the last day of the Sutherlands’ visit. Ainslee was only too glad to see them go, but her heart ached for her sister. Elsbeth had retreated into herself from the time she’d awoken from her swoon until the supper they now sat at, awaiting Da’s announcement of the betrothal. It had been decided due to the possibility of a rebellion in the near future, the wedding would take place in a fortnight.

  The Sutherland men would return to Dornoch Castle on the morrow to prepare for the wedding, and the bride, accompanied by her father and sister and a troop of Johnstone warriors, would set out in a sennight.

  Ainslee had tried over the past few days to calm her sister, but she was afraid her dislike of the mon was coming through in her attempts to make it all seem pleasant.

  “’Twill no' be so bad, Elsbeth. Ye will have yer own household to manage. From what Da told us, the Sutherland Clan is large and wealthy. And one day ye will have bairns to love.”

  That, perhaps, had not been the best idea to put into Elsbeth’s head since she paled at the thought of what the appearance of bairns would require.

  If Ainslee were true to herself, she would admit the thought of climbing into bed with the Sutherland would be the only reward a woman would have for wedding the arrogant mon. She had spent the rest of their visit forcing herself to stop watching when he took a turn at the lists each day. Especially since he was apt to remove his shirt and fight in just a tartan or trews and boots. And of course, the blasted mon always managed to catch her watching—grinning at her, no less.

  Ach, but the mon had muscles. Hard as stone, they rippled as he swung his sword. He tied his hair back from his face, but always a strand would fall forward, teasing his hard jaw. He focused entirely on his opponent with an intensity that had her stomach fluttering, wondering what it would be like to have that passion directed at a woman.

  Not her, of course. But a small part of her that she refused to acknowledge envied her sister that part of her life. Nothing else, of course. The mon was an arrogant, overbearing oaf and would probably spend his days directing her sister’s life.

  She'd known from a mere child that marriage for her would not involve submitting to some mon, flattering his overblown ego, and no' having a say in how she conducted her life. Unfortunately, 'twas not the way things were for women, but she'd intended to chase away any mon who descended upon them to offer marriage if she didn't feel as though she would be happy.

  Ach, and the worse would be if she fell in love with the mon she married. Then she would have no peace at all, happily deferring to him in all things. Nay, not for her.

  Now she sat at table alongside Conall Sutherland, who she’d found over their visit to be a verra pleasant mon. He flirted with her, but he flirted with all the lasses. Ainslee had spent far too much time steering serving wenches and scullery maids back to their duties instead of trying to gain Conall’s attention.

  “Yer sister is a charming young lass. I believe, after a while, she will be happy with my brother.” Conall spoke to Ainslee as he sipped from his mug and stared at Elsbeth.

  Elsbeth had grown more subdued and anxious since the announcement. The past three nights Ainslee had awakened to her sister pacing the floor in their room. When she attempted to calm her, Elsbeth brushed her off, telling her ‘twas nothing to be done for her. She was doomed.

  “I wish I could be certain of that.” She leaned in close to Conall and lowered her voice. “I doona mean to offend ye, but I find yer brother arrogant, barbaric, and high-handed.”

  Conall burst out laughing, drawing the attention of others on the dais. “Lass, please doona hold back. Tell me what ye really think of the mon.”

  Ainslee’s face flushed, and she caught Da looking at her curiously and the Sutherland glowering in her direction. Dinna the mon ever smile?

  Aye, he did. When he caught her watching him swing a sword.

  Attempting to regain her dignity, she raised her chin. “Perhaps I was a bit harsh, but I doona think he will do right by my sister. She is a shy lass, easily upset, and no’ one to take too quickly to strangers.” She studied Elsbeth as she nodded, her eyes downcast as the Sutherland lowered his head and spoke to her.

  Suddenly, the thought of them being separated hit Ainslee with a force like when she’d been tossed from a horse as a young girl. All the breath left her body. Her hands shook as she reached for her mug of ale.

  “Are ye all right, lass? Ye seem a bit upset of a sudden.” Conall looked at her with concern.

  Good glory, she was about to cry right here in front of everyone. “If you will excuse me.” She went to stand and Conall stood with her. “I will escort you outside. Ye look as though ye need a bit of fresh air.”

  “No need,” she muttered, but he followed her anyway.

  Once outside, she felt a bit better. Conall ne’er said a word but walked with her as she took in the cool night air.

  Attempting to get herself under control, she looked up at the sky. “How many stars do ye think are up there?”

  “More than we can count.” After a few minutes when she couldn’t think of anything to say, Conall took her hand. “Doona worry so about yer sister. Ye will be welcome to stay at Dornoch Castle for as long as ye like to see her settled.”

  Ainslee shook her head. “Nay. Da is anxious to see me wed. Now that Elsbeth is settled, he’ll be looking for a husband for me.”

  He patted her hand. “Doona fret. She will be fine.”

  Nay. She won’t.

  They started a slow walk back to the castle when an idea Ainslee hadn’t been allowing herself to seriously consider pushed to the front of her mind. She could do it. It would be a disaster at first, but she could handle anything, where Elsbeth could not.

  Now all she had to do was convince her sister.

  * * *

  “Are you addlepated? We could ne’er get away with that. Da would be furious, and the laird could even beat ye!” Elsbeth regarded her with horror when Ainslee told her of her plan that night. They had just returned from supper, and the announcement had been made. Early the next morn, the Sutherland men would ride for home. Elsbeth was in possession of the betrothal ring, and all was set.

  “Of course, we could get away with it. We look exactly alike. The Sutherland will never know the difference until ‘tis too late.”

  “Aye, too late, but then what? God’s bones, what might he do to ye?”

  Ainslee raised her chin. “Whate’er it is, I can handle it.”

  “But you hate the mon!” Elsbeth paced again, wringing her hands. “I canna allow ye to do it. ‘Tis not fair to ye.”

  “And ‘tis fair ye doona get to marry someone you want to wed? Someone who doesn’t make ye pace the floors in the middle of the night? If we do this, ye will be free to pick yer own husband.”

  “Nay. Da will find someone else. Maybe even worse.”

  “Hah! There is no worse. He will be so shocked by what we’ve done, it will take him a while to recover. Meanwhile, we will have time to convince Da to allow you to stay with me at Dornoch and maybe even find someone there. Doona forget the rebellion. There won’t be a whole lot of time to go fishing for a husband. And ‘twill probably be safer for you there, anyway. ‘Tis a major holding the Sutherland has.”

  Elsbeth collapsed on the side of the bed. “What about ye? ‘Tis of a life of misery ye will be facing.”

  “Pfft. Doona fash yerself. I can handle the Sutherland. He doesn’t frighten me.”

  In fact, the idea of crossing verbal swords with him held great appeal. And there was the bedding…

  She flushed as she thought of seeing all that golden skin and rippling muscles uncovered. Ach, but he would be so angry at being thwarted. That alone made her smile. She took Elsbeth’s hand and gave her a curt nod. “Aye, we will do it.”

  * * *

  Busy with wedding preparations and packing all their belongings, the time between the Sutherland’s departure and their arrival at Dornoch Castle passed quickly. Much too quickly, and in no time, it seemed the day of the wedding was upon them.

  Ainslee and Elsbeth were in the bedchamber assigned to them at Dornoch. Ainslee wore the gown that had been sewn for the bride, and her sister wore the one meant for Ainslee.

  They stared at each other, two women who looked exactly alike, except for the glow in Ainslee’s eyes. She could do this. It would save her sister from a life of misery. She loved her twin far too much to let her suffer as she would surely do married to the Sutherland.

  The betrothal ring given to her sister hung heavy on Ainslee’s finger, and she fussed with it as she wondered at the uproar they were about to cause. There was nothing to be had for it, and she would no’ change her mind. They had made sure to ply Da with whisky before they retired to the bedchamber to dress. Hopefully, he would be too much in his cups to realize they’d switched places.

  Taking a deep breath, she picked up the sprig of pink heather laying on the bed, considered to be good luck to the bride and groom on their wedding day, and looked at Elsbeth. “Are we ready?”

  “If yer sure?”

  She gave her a curt nod. “Aye. I’m sure.”

  Ainslee kept her eyes downcast as the two of them walked with a slightly swaying Laird Johnstone the distance from the castle to the front of the small Kirk on the Sutherland grounds where they were to be married. Since the taking of the vows were traditionally spoken outside the Kirk, Elsbeth stopped about five feet from where the priest and the Sutherland stood.

  Ainslee peeked from under her lashes as she continued to his side and sucked in a deep breath, all fear of her trickery vanishing at the sight of her future husband. Dressed in the full formal regalia of the Sutherland clan, the laird stood tall and proud as he awaited her. His wavy, black
hair was pulled back and tied at the back of his head, with a few shorter strands already attempting to make their escape. His white linen shirt was tucked into the green, blue, white, and red pleated plaid of the Sutherland Clan, which came barely to his knees. The tartan thrown over his shoulder was anchored with the Sutherland Clan badge and a Cairngorm brooch.

  A jewel-hilted sword hung at his side from a black patent leather sword belt, ornamented with buckles and more jewels. A soft, white, furry sporran covered the front of the plaid. His stockings needed no garters to hold them up, with the bulging muscles of his calves doing a fine job of it.

  He was magnificent, everything about him large and powerful, and she was about to enrage the beast. Unable to help herself, she stopped and looked directly into his eyes.

  A mistake.

  He frowned and cocked his head in a questioning manner. Before he could say anything, she dropped her eyelids and moved alongside him.

  After a moment, the laird leaned down. “Ye look lovely, lass.”

  Her mouth was so dry she could not respond, but merely nodded.

  “Have you nothing to say?” Something in his voice sent shivers down her spine. A tinge of confusion, perhaps anger.

  She shook her head, continuing to stare at her feet. She told herself ‘twas not because she was fearful of the mon, but in keeping with her pretense of being the shy Elsbeth.

  “Shall we begin?” The priest’s voice sounded as if it came from a distance, and for a moment she was afraid she would faint.

  No. I must be strong. This is for Elsbeth.

  “Aye, let us begin.” The Sutherland pried her left hand from the heather she grasped like a lifeline and took her hand in his. Hopefully, he would excuse her sweaty palm and shaking hand to mere bridal nerves.

  The priest wrapped their hands together with the Sutherland plaid and began. During the preliminary rumbling about the sanctity of marriage by the priest, the laird leaned down again. “Are ye all right, lass? Ye seem a bit out of sorts today.”

  Oh, Lord, had he already guessed and was playing with her? If he knew, why didn’t he bellow out the truth and disgrace them all?

  “Nay. I am fine. Thank ye,” she barely whispered. By now, her entire body shook, and if the priest did not get to the important part soon, she would run screaming back to the keep.

  The priest cleared his throat. “My laird, please repeat after me: I, Haydon Alasdair Michael Sutherland, Earl of Sutherland, Laird of Clan Sutherland of Dornoch, take thee—” He paused and nodded at the laird.

  “I, Haydon Alasdair Michael Sutherland, Earl of Sutherland, Laird of Clan Sutherland of Dornoch, take thee—” he stopped and squeezed Ainslee’s hand. “Look at me lass.”

  Ainslee raised her eyes and whispered. “—Lady Ainslee Elizabeth Rose Johnstone,”

  His lips tightened, and just as she thought he would stop the ceremony and demand she and Elsbeth switch places, he stared directly into her eyes and repeated “Lady Ainslee Elizabeth Rose Johnstone.”

  The priest looked back to his book and then to the two of them with a frown. “I doona understand.”

  “Continue,” her groom snapped.

  “Aye.” The priest cleared his throat. “To be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, for fairer or fouler, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth.”

  4

  Haydon held his temper, and not wishing to disgrace his wife, or provoke her father, finished the ceremony, his curt responses causing Conall to stare at them both with confusion.

  As they turned to face the gathered crowd, Haydon glared in Elsbeth's direction. Her eyes grew wide, and she clutched her throat.

  Then the lass promptly fainted.

  He tugged on Ainslee's arm as she moved to go to her sister. "Stay right where you are, lass."

  "But my sister…"

  "Aye, yer sister. The one who was supposed to be standing here next to me. Or did the two of you lose yer memories and forget who was to be the bride?"

  To his astonishment, Ainslee's eyes filled with tears, and she whispered, "I'm so sorry. I was just concerned for my sister."

  "So ye think I'm such a brute, then? Are ye sure ye can survive marriage to me? Or are ye to be the martyr sacrificed on the altar of sisterly love?" He moved them forward. "Yer sister looks fine, let us move along to the wedding feast."

  Indeed, Elsbeth was now on her feet, looking everywhere except at him and Ainslee. Deep down inside, where thoughts he refused to acknowledge gathered, a small voice was congratulating him on the switch. Elsbeth was a sweet young lass, but it had bothered him a bit after he'd made his choice that she was no stronger than Donella. Lord knew the keep was falling apart under her guidance. Ainslee would be a much better choice to make things right.

  But Lord help him. She would no' be easy to live with.

  The great hall was overflowing with clansmen and guests from neighboring clans who Haydon counted among his allies. He escorted Ainslee to the dais where they took their seats to accept congratulations from a stream of well-wishers.

  In between handshakes and lewd comments about the coming night, Haydon leaned close to his wife's ear. "Ye have a lot of explaining to do, wife. Doona think because I'm smiling like a fool that defying yer laird as ye did sits well with me."

  The lass had the nerve to hitch her chin up. "Ye were no' my laird when my sister and I decided to switch."

  His jaw muscles tightened. "Aye, and it's sure I am she had to be talked into it. By you."

  Ainslee opened her mouth to speak just as her da stopped in front of them. "Ainslee?"

  "Aye, Da."

  The Johnstone glanced between the two of them. "I thought 'twas Elsbeth that was to be married today."

  It was clear the mon had enjoyed more than a few ales along with the whisky as he stood in front of them swaying on his feet. Haydon looked over at Ainslee with raised brows. "Explain to yer da, wife."

  She took a deep breath. "My laird changed his mind at the last minute." She looked at Haydon, her eyes pleading. No doubt the lass referred to him as my laird to encourage him to remain silent on the matter.

  He had no more desire to embarrass her now than he had at the ceremony. Regardless of her manipulation, she was now his wife, and deserved his loyalty. After a few moments, he said, "'Tis true. After much consideration, I decided Lady Ainslee would suit better, and both yer daughters were willing to abide by my request."

  Haydon doubted the mon understood him, since he continued to sway back and forth. "Glad it all turned out, Laird. Now I just have to worry about getting my other precious daughter married off."

  "About that, Da," Ainslee jumped in. "I was hoping Elsbeth could stay with me for a while." She glanced sideways at Haydon. "To help me settle in."

  It took all of Haydon's control not to burst out with laughter. He doubted his wife ever needed her sister's help to settle into anything. But if the lass wanted to keep Elsbeth nearby, that was fine with him.

  His only thoughts at the time were getting through the meal and the following drinking and dancing so he could retire to his bedchamber with his wife. He might as well get the benefits of having married the wrong woman. Ainslee's spit and fire would be verra welcomed in his bed.

  "Aye, if yer sister wants to stay with ye, 'tis no' a problem for me."

  The Johnstone leaned forward, almost tumbling onto the table separating him and his daughter. "Ye must try to get the lass married."

  "Aye, Da. I will try."

  He stumbled off. Haydon and Ainslee grinned at each other. She shook her head. "He usually doesn't drink so much. I'm afeared he will have a huge headache come morning."

  "Ye doona seem to be enjoying yer food, wife." Haydon nodded toward her almost-full trencher.

  "Aye. 'Twould be the polite thing to say I've lost my appetite, but the truth of the matter is the food is not to my liking."

  Haydon sighed. "'Tis true. That is one of the reasons I needed a wife. My sister, Donella, has been running things since Mamaidh died, and I don't think she's meant to do such a job. She's more herself when she's off doing things that seem silly to me but makes her happy."