The Highlander's Heart by Amanda Forester

Dundaff Castle.
    “Many returns o’ the day, Master Gavin,” said Lady Graham. She sat beside her husband, drenched in fur.
    Gavin was careful to provide his lowest and most dignified bow to avoid Lady Graham’s quick temper should she consider herself slighted.
    “Well now, Gavin, seems ye’ve grown to be a man and I’m sure ye’ve been thinking on taking a wife,” said Laird Graham in a jovial tone.
    Gavin’s breath caught in his throat. He had been thinking no such thing.
    “Ye need no’ concern yerself anymore, we have made you a most eligible match,” continued Graham.
    “One of Laird Campbell’s own sisters,” Lady Graham purred with delight.
    “Lady Caitrina Campbell to be exact. She’ll be coming soon for the wedding. Are ye no’ surprised?”
    Gavin stared at Laird and Lady Graham. Surprise could not do justice to his feelings. Married? Now? Campbell and a few of his brothers had visited Dundaff a few weeks ago, but no one had spoken to Gavin of marriage. Had his mother and Chaumont been part of this plot? One glance at their startled faces told him they had not.
    Chaumont was the first to recover. “You have surprised us beyond measure.”
    “Indeed, we have taken great pains to see to yer comfort. Let me assure ye that Lady Campbell comes wi’ a generous dowry. I saw to the negotiations myself,” said Lady Graham with pride.
    Graham gave his wife a broad smile. “Poor Campbell ne’er had a chance against my lady wife.”
    Gavin knew how he felt. His gaze flitted from Lord Graham to Lady Graham to the tips of his leather boots. It wasn’t that he did not wish to be married… eventually. It was just that he had planned to have some adventures first, maybe even choose his own bride.
    Lady Graham’s smile faded and she gave Gavin a hard look. “Why is the lad silent?” she asked Laird Graham in a loud voice. “Why is he no’ thanking us?”
    Gavin shot a pleading look to Chaumont. One that hopefully conveyed the message, Help, save me!
    Chaumont caught Gavin’s eye and put his hand on his shoulder. “Thank you for your generosity. But Gavin here is of the MacLaren clan. I warrant we should consult with Laird MacLaren before we settle on the lad’s nuptials.”
    “I have already spoken with my daughter and MacLaren about the matter,” said Lady Graham in an arch tone as if they should be grateful she was condescending enough to explain the matter. “She assured me they had made no previous arrangements for Gavin’s bride.”
    “MacLaren told me I need no’ trouble myself,” said Graham. “But it was no trouble at all for ye, my good lad. He gave permission for ye to wed where’er ye please.”
    “Yer bride should be arriving in a few days. I wanted to have some time to train her before ye wed,” said Lady Graham with a self-satisfied grin.
    Gavin gave Lady Graham a shrewd look. It was all becoming clear. Lady Graham was not as interested in a wife for Gavin as in a chatelaine and personal servant for herself. Gavin was determined to get out of this, but how?
    “I thank ye both for this most unexpected surprise, but I… but I…” Gavin struggled to find the words he wanted to say without seeming terribly offensive. Despite his reticence, he was not unaware that a marriage into the Campbell family, to one of the laird’s own sisters, was quite an eligible match. Gavin had no title and only a modest farm on MacLaren land to call his own. Marrying a Campbell would indeed be an advantageous connection.
    “I wish to prove myself, to earn my spurs before I take a wife,” finished Gavin. There now, that didn’t sound half bad.
    “And so ye shall, my lad,” said Graham in his booming voice, the smile returning to his face. “And right ye should.”
    Lady Graham was mollified. “Ye may take a few years if ye like. Lady Campbell will arrive soon. As yer fiancée, she is most welcome to make this her home until ye are prepared to take yer vows.”
    I warrant ye would . Gavin