Raelynd signaled her horse tomove up in between Crevan and Craig to get a better look at her host andhostess for the next month. The morninghad been quiet since Meriel had paired up with Crevan and she with Craig. Raelynd had been wondering how the monthwould be living in the McTiernay Castle. She had briefly met Lady McTiernay a few times, and knew only that thewoman was very beautiful and that her father thought highly of her. As a result, Raelynd had assumed Laurel wouldbe mild mannered, for her father disliked women who did not respect him orrefused to acquiesce to his being in charge. So when the four of them passed through the McTiernay Castle gatehouse,Raelynd had not expected the lively scene taking place in the middle of thecourtyard.

"Make your choice, my love,"Laurel demanded, uncaring if her voice carried very far or what such a threatmight sound like to those who could hear her. Her long wavy pale gold hair hung loose down her back, elongating heralready tall, slender frame. "You eithertalk right now, here in this bailey, or in an hour in our chambers. But you will explain to me what is reallygoing on."

Both Raelynd’s and Meriel’s eyespopped wide open. Neither of themdoubted the honesty behind the threat. If the laird did not arrive in an hour, Lady McTiernay was undoubtedlygoing to find him. They glanced aroundto the clansmen entering and exiting various buildings. All continued to work as if the idea of thelaird and his lady publicly butting heads was commonplace.

Raelynd leaned toward Crevan andin a hushed tone asked, "Are they actually fighting?"

"Aye."

"Shouldn’t we do something?"Raelynd asked, clearly concerned for the welfare of Laurel after speaking sucha way to not just the laird, but a man far bigger than her.

"Na. Only Conor is fool enough to tangle withLaurel."

"Are you frightened of her?"Raelynd challenged, testing to see if Crevan was really serious.

"Sometimes," he admitted.

"Do they even know we are here?"Meriel asked, clearly as mystified as her sister.

"Certainly," Crevan replied,completely relaxed and unmoved by the scene.

Raelynd forced herself to stopstaring at the arguing couple and looked at Craig and then Crevan. Neither seemed bothered by the heatedargument taking place across the courtyard, which only confused her further,for the fierce love between Laird and Lady McTiernay was known throughout thewestern Highlands. "This cannot begood. Maybe we should leave."

Crevan shook his head andexplained, "What you are seeing is far from strange. If they weren’t fighting, then Craigand I would be concerned."

Meriel, who had finally gottenher mare to stop beside Craig’s horse, gave voice the other question onRaelynd’s mind. "What could they bearguing about? I mean the laird onlyarrived this morning."

"Most likely it is about us,"Craig answered nonchalantly.

Seeing that Craig’s explanationonly further puzzled Raelynd, Crevan added, "Craig is most likely right. My guess is that Laurel doesn’t believew-w-we f-fell in love and w-w-wants to know w-what really is happening."

"She isn’t the only one,"Raelynd whispered.

"But why would Lady McTiernaynot believe the news before even meeting with us?" Meriel innocently posed.

"Lots of reasons," Craiganswered. "Including the one that just afew weeks ago Crevan and I had come back for a short visit and neither of usmentioned you or your sister. Laurel isnot going to be easily convinced that anyone--in particular you two, whom wehave been in company with for months--suddenly caught our attention. Especially after we have stated for yearsthat marriage was not in either of our near futures."

"W-w-watch," Crevan said,pointing his finger at the still quarreling couple, "see how Conor just tuckedhis hands underneath his arms?" Raelyndnodded. "That means it is almostover. Laurel w-w-will attempt to get thetruth from o- one of us next."

Meriel leaned forward so thatshe could see her three companions and asked, "Should we tell her? I mean, if she already suspects the truth,how are we going to convince her and everyone else otherwise?"

"No, absolutely not," Craigquickly countered, knowing that neither Meriel nor Raelynd knew the real riskthey faced. "Promise me, Meriel, thatyou won’t say a word."

Meriel looked at Craigintensely, eventually nodding in agreement.

Crevan, still concerned becausehe knew how crafty his sister-in-law could be, said, "Laurel can be quitetricky w- w-when she w-wants something, so be careful."

Somehow, they needed to convinceLaurel that there was going to be a wedding. Almost victim to an arranged marriage herself, everyone knew LadyMcTiernay’s feelings about nuptials that were not based on love. If Laurel discovered their wedding was afarce, there was a good chance she would explode, spreading the truth waybeyond the McTiernay borders.

Hearing the almost ominous tone in Crevan’svoice, Raelynd was now absolutely convinced the situation she and her sisterwere in was far more serious than she had been told. "We will," Raelynd assured Crevan. "All will believe our nuptials are going totake place."

I also vow that at the firstopportunity I have, I am going to find you, Crevan McTiernay, and demand toknow what is going on. Crevan wasgoing to explain just why she and her sister were at risk and how pretending toget married was the only solution--for though it sounded preposterous, Raelyndwas sure there were no other options. For if there were, she doubted either McTiernay would pretend he waswilling to relinquish his freedom.

The four of them slipped offtheir horses and began to make their way to the stables. They did not get very far before Laurelglared one last time at her husband, clearly frustrated, and then pasted on abright smile before going to welcome her guests. Such sudden cheeriness made Craig and Crevanuneasy, mostly because it seemed sincere. Laurel’s earnest smile meant she had a plan, but before they could warneither Raelynd or Meriel, they were both being hugged warmly. At the same time, Laurel’s blue gray eyeswere issuing Crevan and Craig an unmistakable message to stay quiet.

"I must admit to being surprisedby Conor’s news of your upcoming nuptials, but I am also very excited at theprospect of adding two more sisters to our family," Laurel said almost toogleefully, clasping Raelynd and Meriel’s hands in hers. "We never did truly have a chance to talkduring one of my short visits to your home. But now, with a month to prepare, we will finally have the opportunityto get to know each other better."

Craig took a deep breath andexhaled, knowing that any control he had had concerning his future during thenext month had ended the moment they entered the courtyard. Whatever Laurel was planning could no longerbe stopped. He started backing up slowlyin an effort to slip away unnoticed, but

Laurel quicklysnatched his arm, halting his departure.

Turning toward him, she issuedCraig and then Crevan a radiant smile, sending chills up both men’sspines. Too many times had they been onthe receiving end of such cheerfulness, and it was never to their benefit. "Before you both leave, please gather yourintended’s belongings and put them in your own bedchambers."

Crevan felt his jaw drop and wasfairly positive that Craig was in a similar state of shock.

Laurel cocked her head, feigningsurprise by their reaction. "I was notprepared for guests and I am reluctant to rearrange the children’sbedchambers. But since you will be sharingmuch more than a room in less than a month, it only makes sense for Meriel tosleep in your bed, Crevan, and for Raelynd to stay in Craig’s."

"But where are we to sleep?"Craig blurted out.

"Why in the Warden’s tower withthe guards or in the fields with the rest of the bachelor soldiers."

A picture of neat and tidyRaelynd cleaning his comfortable, well lived-in room leaped into Craig’smind. "What about Clyde’s room?" heimmediately suggested, knowing his youngest brother was in the Lowlandstraining with Colin. "It might be moreappropriate and they could stay together!"

A loud, grating cackle silencedthe group. Conor, who had been listeningas his younger brothers became more and more intertwined in one of Laurel’screative plans, did nothing to suppress his laughter. It was not a very brotherly or supportivereaction, but he could not help himself. He absolutely loved it when someone besides him experienced his wife’sconniving ways.

Conor, knowing that Laurel onlyjust getting started, was not about to get entangled into her plan by the sheerfolly of being present. He pivotedtoward the Lower Hall and was starting to walk away when she called out to him,"I remind you, my love, that we have a meeting to finish our discussion in onehour and you better be armed with better explanations."

Conor still heading to the hallwhere he hoped to find some food and drink, waved his hand and let go anothercackle. "I just hope you can be happywhen you find only me, because, oh lovely wife, my answers shall be the same."

Laurel exhaled indicating herexasperation, but quickly turned to address Craig’s question. Before she could, however, Crevan issued herstern look and said, "No o-o-one, especially my intended, is going tostep foot in my room, let alone sleep in it. My things are in order, just the w-w- way I like them, and I w-want themto stay that w-way."

Craig immediately echoed hisbrother’s sentiments. "Trust me, Raelynddoesn’t want to stay in my room. That is if you kept your promise."

Soon after Laurel had arrived atMcTiernay Castle, she had begun ensuring things ran properly. One of those responsibilities was the upkeepof the laird’s and his family’s bedchambers. Upon seeing Craig’s room, she had issued him an ultimatum--help keep hisroom clean or live with the consequences. No longer were the servants going to spend hours picking up hisstuff. Naïve to her willingness tomischievous means to gain her way, Craig had shrugged and quipped back, "Orderis Crevan’s thing, not mine. I don’tcare if anyone picks up after me. Myroom is messy not filthy and I like it that way. Everything is where I can see it." Over time, they had developed acompromise. Servants were allowed toclean just enough to prevent rodents from cohabitating with him, he was tobring his dirty clothes to the laundress once a week, and she would neverattempt to straighten his room.

Laurel stared directly atCraig. "I assure you, everything is asyou last left it." She then shifted hersteady gaze to Crevan.

Raelynd felt ridiculous beingtalked about just standing there and was about to agree to Craig’s suggestionof Clyde’s room, when Laurel raised her hand and Raelynd found herself closingher mouth without uttering a word. Crevan had been right. Laurelheld herself with confidence, not letting the large size of her brothers andhusband intimidate her.

"If you really feel stronglyabout your rooms," Laurel continued, "then I suggest you both go and find some mento marry and act like ladies of the castle somewhere else. There is already a lady of this castle, and Idetermine who stays where."

"I’m going to get Conor!" Craigbellowed, forgetting that Laurel had many ways of making someone see reason.

"Are you sure you want toinvolve your brother?" Laurel posed, crossing her arms loosely.

Crevan narrowed his eyes,clearly angry over the situation for apparently he knew Laurel had the upperhand. If either he or Craig asked Conorto intervene, regret would immediately follow. Based on experience, Conor would intercede, but in a way that was not intheir favor just to teach them a lesson about ever asking him to interfere withLaurel’s decisions on such petty matters.

Craig closed his mouth and shookhis head. He had only crossed Laurelonce and he had no idea how she did it, but he had suddenly found himself withthe exceedingly uncomfortable bedding and his clothes had mysteriously causedhim to itch, among several other clever and very unnerving things. All of them were deviously petty, preventinghim from complaining to Conor without coming off as a weak and soft. The day his bedding returned to itscomfortable state and his skin no longer burned from constant scratching, hehad thanked God and sworn never to cross Laurel again.

Looking at both Crevan and Craigand seeing their acquiescence, Laurel smiled and said, "Now that we have thatsettled, why don’t you both join Conor and your nieces and nephew in the LowerHall once you have finished dropping off your soon-to-be-bride’s things in yourrooms."

Both men grunted hearing her saysoon-to-be-bride in an overly happy tone. Crevan just wanted to end the torture. He snatched a last glimpse of Raelynd andgrabbed his and her belongings while Craig went to get Meriel’s heavy bags fromboth her and Raelynd’s horses.

Laurel watched them leave andwondered just who was supposed to be marrying whom. Neither man seemed aware that he was carryingthe items of his brother’s future spouse.

Still pondering what she hadwitnessed, Laurel pointed to the Great Hall. "Come, let us go sit down. Overrefreshments and food you can tell me just what is really going on."

Raelynd heard Laurel, but hermind was still reeling from what she had just witnessed. "How did you do that?" she finally managed toget out.

Laurel looked at her and blinkedinnocently. "Do what?"

"That!" Raelynd repeated,pointing at the two figures entering the large tower to the right. "No one ever gets Crevan…I mean Craig, tochange his mind."

Meriel nodded her head in agreement. "I was sure you were going to lose thatbattle."

Laurel sighed, realizing anotherone of her instincts had been right. Notonly was something highly suspicious about the supposed upcoming wedding, bothgirls had much to learn. They had beensheltered not just by their father, but by circumstances. Laurel was painfully aware of not just whathappened, but what didn’t happen, when one lost a mother. These girls needed more than help preparingfor a wedding, they desperately needed guidance. For a beautiful body did not make a woman andit especially did not prepare someone to be a wife.

Laurel gave Raelynd amischievous smile and shrugged. "I didit with practice, of course. Don’tworry. You both have a full month tolearn the art of dealing with men…or should I say--dealing with husbands."

Seeing Raelynd’s and Meriel’sfaces blanch confirmed Laurel’s doubts. Neither of them really wanted to be married or more importantly, thoughtthey were getting married in month.

So why was Conor so emphatic forher to do whatever she could to prepare for a wedding?