Brenna was trembling so violently, she was forced to grip her hands together until her knuckles were white with the effort. When the queen opened her mouth to speak, Brenna stared at her with a pleading look in her eyes. She swallowed the lump that threatened to choke her and heard the queen's imperious tones.
"How kind of you, Lord Windham, to offer to take on the challenge of marriage to the Scotswoman." Elizabeth's voice purred, with just a hint of sarcasm.
"Would that all loyal subjects were so noble."
Brenna closed her eyes and prayed that she would not embarrass herself by fainting again. If it killed her she would hold her head high, her spine rigid, and face her punishment like a true Scots.
"Unfortunately," the queen continued, enjoying the drama of the moment, "you are too late."
Someone gasped. Brenna wasn't certain if it had been her or someone else.
The queen's words sent another shock through the guests.
"Morgan Grey has already asked for the lady's hand."
Chapter Sixteen
"I will choose a day for their official betrothal," the queen stated.
The crowd erupted into a great clamor of exclamations and congratulations.
Brenna heard but a single word. Betrothal. Not to Lord Windham, but to Morgan Grey. She was besieged by conflicting emotions. Relief, that she had been spared the ordeal of marriage to the cruel Windham.
Outrage, that her fate had been so callously sealed without regard to her feelings. But deep inside, despite her denials to herself, she felt a thread of excitement that this man, whose very touch thrilled her, would seek to wed her. English or no, he made her burn as no other man ever had.
Morgan stood very still and regarded her reaction.
"A wedding. Cherie, how wonderful." While the others surged around them, Madeline drew Brenna into her arms and hugged her, then turned to Morgan with a laugh.
"How could you have kept such a thing from us during tea? You rogue.
How soon will you wed?"
"As soon as I have" -he turned toward the queen with a grave look "--completed a favor for Her Majesty."
Richard pulled Morgan down in a fierce hug.
"Secrets, brother? I thought we told each other everything."
"I would have told you. If there'd been time."
"But you gave not a whisper."
"Aye. Some things are decided quickly."
"I am happy for you." Richard glanced at Morgan's grim features. He threw back his head and laughed before muttering, "Smile, Morgan, else they will think it is a funeral you are planning."
Morgan forced a grim smile to his lips.
His reaction was not lost on Brenna.
Cordell's face fell, but only for a moment. Covering his dismay, he kissed Brenna's hand.
"My lady, I am fortunate to be here at such a time in your life. I wish you all happiness."
"Thank you." Brenna felt her lips quivering and prayed she would not give in to the tears that threatened.
From the time she had been a young girl, she had dreamed of a romantic courtship and a fine wedding, with her sisters attending her and all the people of their clan surrounding her.
What a foolish child she had been. A lump formed in her throat. What silly, romantic dreams she had spun.
The Frenchman turned to Morgan and offered his hand.
"You are most fortunate, Lord Grey. Never have I met a lovelier lady than yours."
Morgan could read the sincerity in the young man's eyes. And though he still considered the callow youth to be offensive, he accepted his handshake.
On Lord Windham's face was a look of unveiled hatred. For long moments he studied the Scotswoman, then turned toward the man who had won her hand. How many times had he been bested by Grey in the past? He felt a wave of fury. Too many times to count. His need for vengeance was a living, palpable thing. And yet, he cautioned himself, the duel was not yet won.
He carefully composed his features and bowed over Brenna's hand.
"A.
pity, my lady, that you must be saddled with frayed baggage like Morgan Grey. "
"Frayed baggage?" She seemed puzzled.
"You did not know?" His lips curled into a cruel smile.
"Your intended has been wed before."
Wed before? Morgan had a wife? Brenna felt herself reeling from his statement. But as she turned to Morgan for reassurance, Lord Windham continued, "Arrangements like this are common enough. As he did the last time. Grey now acquires another piece of land, and you acquire an English title. And in a few short months the two of you will feel free to move on to other conquests." His smile grew.
"Other lovers."
Brenna shuddered at his suggestion.
He turned to Morgan, whose only show of anger was the little muscle that worked in his jaw.
"Congratulations, Grey. I pray this lady remains loyal at least until after the wedding."
The crowd had grown uncomfortably silent.
"Enough, Windham." The queen clapped her hands and ordered her musicians to play a tender ballad.
"This shall be the lovers' dance.
Morgan, dance with your intended. "
Morgan turned to Brenna, whose face had gone pale.