Her Highland Rogue: A Wild Highland Guardian Novel by Violetta Rand Page B

Don’t lie to me, child. Haven’t I the right to know?”
    Guilt washed over Aileana. She didn’t want to withhold the truth. But she couldn’t tell her everything. If she did, she risked exposing Sgùrr. “Aye,” she said. “I spoke honestly before. Please believe me. All of this is to protect me from Broc. I am certain Errol had other plans for his life. For some reason he feels obligated to marry me.”
    Margot caught her hand and squeezed it affectionately. “Regardless of his reasoning, you will be the lady of this keep. And for that good fortune, you must go to the chapel and give thanks to the Almighty.”
    She touched Margot’s cheek. “I doona wish to celebrate or give thanks. My heart doesna rejoice. I fear God will punish me if I give false praise for something I can’t accept.”
    Margot stood up. “I’ve heard enough of your complaints. Before today, what hope did you have for a prosperous life? A husband who respected ye? Children that will be clothed and fed? A home to truly call your own?”
    “I wish I could feel differently.”
    “Make yourself.” She walked to the end of the bed and opened up the trunk.
    “Wait!”
    It was too late, Margot clicked her tongue as she lifted the fur-trimmed, blue dress from its hiding spot. “Where in God’s name did ye get something this lovely? Tell me.” She faced her. “Promise me you didn’t take it from one of the noble ladies visiting the laird.”
    That was as painful as a blow to the chest. Aileana stumbled off the bed, heartbroken Margot would think her capable of theft. “ ’Twas a gift.”
    “From Errol?”
    “No.”
    “Who? Broc? If so, we must burn it.”
    Aileana refused to let anything happen to the beloved garment. She tugged it out of Margot’s hands and clutched it to her chest. “I canna tell you.”
    Margot frowned. “What secrets are you hiding, child?”
    Knowing it futile to stop her, Aileana watched helplessly as her auntie rummaged through the old chest that held all of her worldly possessions. It saddened her to think that everything that meant anything to her could be packed away in a dilapidated trunk she rescued from the fire pit. She’d enter into the bonds of marriage by having a servant deliver it to Errol’s bedchamber. And then he’d see what a careless mistake he’d made. For Aileana’s heart resembled that aged trunk, cracked and faded—and irretrievably broken.
    “What is this?” Margot straightened, the piece of animal skin holding the last of the secret treasures in her hand.
    She flinched at the deeper disappointment in Margot’s voice. Why explain, she wouldn’t believe anything now.
    Margot unfolded the fur. “More gifts from an admirer?”
    Aileana eyed the ornate silver bracelet. “Yes.”
    “There’s a small fortune of silver coins in this pouch, lass.”
    “Take it,” Aileana said. “I want you and Edme to have something for your future.”
    Someone knocked on the door, and Aileana sighed with relief. Margot opened it and stepped aside as three women entered, carrying bolts of colorful material and baskets.
    “Laird MacRae has ordered new gowns for the lass,” one of the women addressed Margot.
    She nodded and hid the items in her hand behind her back. “I will sit quietly in the corner while ye take measurements. Aileana is the nervous sort, you may require an extra pair of hands to hold her down.”
    The woman looked between Aileana and her auntie.
    “She is only teasing,” Aileana said. “I am more than willing to stand still while you work.”
    Before she joined the women, she stashed the gown in her trunk, then closed the lid. Obviously the conversation with Margot wasn’t over, just put off until this next step toward her marriage was completed.
    For what seemed like hours, Aileana stood in her linen shift while the women poked and prodded her all over. Five dresses were to be made, two wool, two silk, and one of linen. But even as Aileana admired the rich colors the