Highland Scandal by Mageela Troche

shared between a few. They answered her with a shake of her head. She thanked them and headed toward the clachan.
    A group of masked boys came running down the tract. She ducked into the copse of trees. When the lads passed in cheers and roars, she caught Eacharn’s terse voice.
    She took no pains in being quiet, stomping through the decaying leaves and undergrowth. She almost called out to her betrothed when she heard the steely voices. She halted.
    Behind Eacharn, the sea stretched out behind him and the isle’s mountains zigzagged across the sky.
    “How do you think the clan will react to Rowen?”
    Eacharn turned to his man. “Bran, they will treat her with respect and give her the due as my wife and future lairdess.”
    “She is a banshee. People will think she brings death. Your father was a fool arranging this marriage.”
    “I must marry. She is a MacKenzie and the ties between our clans will strength the Murrays. It is better for us. And if we don’t treat her as a bringer of death people will follow our lead.”
    “I do not like her and her behavior. She is disrespecting you. I am not the only one who has noticed the glances between her and the bastard.”
    He peered across to where Lachlan stood with MacLean. He felt an affinity with Lachlan. Both loved someone they couldn’t claim. He understood the pain of not being able to give all to one person, to hide the depths of the feelings and deny it to others and yourself. “Then you must stop them.”
    “Why? When I agree.”
    Eacharn faced him. His face was red like a ripe berry. “Do not act like a little boy. I am doing my duty, as is Rowen. You must do the same.”
    “My only duty is to you. I have vowed to protect you and I am doing so now.”
    Eacharn turned his face, away from the thick emotion in Bran’s voice. “Then do as you say. I cannot have you fighting with my wife. Do not betray me this way. I need you more than ever.”
    “She will betray you.”
    “You should understand. She loves him and he her. Both are honorable people and will do their duty. She may have this time with him so she can let go and he will let her. She will be faithful. I don’t wish for a melancholy wife.”
     “She is wrong for the clan and wrong for you.”
    “You will think any woman is wrong for me.”
    “You are too good for any woman.”
    “But I must have one and beget children. Our children will be strong and feared.”
    “First, you must do the begetting.” Bran stormed away, heading away from Eacharn and her.
    Eacharn dug the tip of his boot into the dirt.
    Rowen hurried away. She turned toward the castle, and then changed her mind. She was heading to the clachan when Eacharn appeared. She looked over her shoulder.
    “Rowen,” he called out.
    She spoke his name. Her voice sounded breathy to her, but he seemed not to have noticed.
    “Having a good day?”
    “Not as I wish.”
    His thick, black brows pinched, making the skin around his eyes whiten. “Why?”
    “I would rather be home.”
    He grabbed her by both arms. “What has happened?” Redness swelled in his face but the firm, concern in his eyes eased her inner strain.
    “Nothing. Just foolishness. I ought to be accustomed to it.”
    “Rowen.”
    She couldn’t tell him that she had come searching for him. “I’m uneasy about tonight.”
    “Then I shall be with you. None would dare mistreat you with me at your side. Do not let it hurt you. You know Highlanders. Superstitious lot, but I am sorry. I will not allow that once we are home.”
    She gave a watery smile. “Will you stand before the clan demanding they stop believing in such things? Because that shall not work. Highlanders are a stubborn lot.”
    “Maybe not that, but together we shall show how grand you are.”
    “You are a kind man. But”—her nose crinkled—“I don’t think that shall work.”
    “It will. Trust me.”
    That was the first step and when she nodded, he exhaled. She laid her hand on his forearm. That