John went to step forward, but Sorrell grabbed his arm in a silent plea, stopping him.
“You will apologize to my sister,” James demanded.
“I will not apologize for speaking the truth. I didn’t trust Sorrell from the start and my instincts to have her followed proved wise.” Seth pointed an accusing finger at her. “I’ve been told that this isn’t the first time she’s been to his cottage, closed in there alone with him. I’m no fool and either should you be, James. She’s been poking that good-for-nothing wanderer and probably already has his bairn growing inside her. I’ll not wed a wh—”
“You’re right,” James interrupted. “You’ll not wed my sister. You’re not worthy of her.”
“Worthy?” Seth said with a snicker and another snort. “There’s not a sensible man alive who would wed her.”
“I’ll wed Sorrell,” John called out to the shock of them all.
Seth laughed. “A whore and a wanderer, a perfect match. The Lord of Fire will be so pleased.”
John moved so fast that Seth was on the ground before anyone realized what had happened, including Seth. He was shaking his head to clear it, and his jaw was already beginning to bruise.
John stood over Seth, his hands fisted tightly at his sides and he looked as if he struggled not to throw another punch.
“Call Sorrell a whore again and I’ll rip that lying tongue of yours right out of your mouth,” John threatened in a manner that left no doubt he would do exactly that.
Sorrell never knew Seth to back down from a threat. He was the one more likely to threaten, but he had never come up against a man the size of John. She thought it wise of Seth to hold his tongue and not chance losing it.
Seth got to his feet and rubbed at his jaw once he stood. He cast an angry eye at James. “You and your clan will suffer for this and the Lord of Fire as well. I’ll not pledge my fealty to him. I’ll pledge it to Walsh MacLoon.”
Sorrell only realized that she had been leaning against John since he had returned to her side and his arm went around her. It was getting to be a habit with her, seeking him out, leaning on him, and he never refused to offer comfort or support. She needed both right now, since she feared what James had once warned her about—someday you’re going to get yourself into something you can’t get out of—was upon her.
What had she done? What would happen to the clan now? And what would the Lord of Fire do when he found out he had lost the support of the Clan MacCannish?
“You know Walsh MacLoon reached out to a distant relative for help to secure his rights in this land dispute, don’t you, James?” Seth asked.
“Aye, I heard it mentioned,” James acknowledged curtly.
“He received word the other day that his relative will give him all the help he needs.”
“And why should that matter to me?” James asked.
Seth smirked as if about to claim victory. “Because that relative is the powerful Lord Finn Northwick.”
James actually paled and Sorrell felt her stomach roil. The Clan Northwick was the most powerful and influential clan in the north and Lord Finn a legend. He had never tasted defeat, not once.
“Lord Northwick let it be known that his son will return home soon and from the tales spreading about him, his time spent away has made him a fiercer warrior and far more ruthless than his father.” Seth grinned. “The Clan Northwick will sweep down on you and conquer your clan and the Lord of Fire as well. Tarass may be a fierce warrior himself and have superior warriors, but Northwick far outnumbers him in warriors.”
This time Sorrell paled, upset. This was all her fault.
“Good luck to you, James,” Seth said and laughed as he turned and walked away.
Sorrell stepped away from John, ready to approach James and offer her heartfelt apology, but he held up his hand, halting her steps.
“Not now, Sorrell. I have to send a missive to Tarass and make him aware of the situation before Seth does, and you both,” —James looked from Sorrell to John— “need to prepare to take your marriage vows today.”
Sorrell didn’t bother to tell him that that was yet to be decided. She would talk with him later about it. She did, however, turn to John, once James walked off, to make it clear he was under no obligation to wed her.
“It is not necessary for you to wed me,” she said, still a bit shocked that he had even offered to do so.
That they were attracted to each couldn’t be denied and that there was a good chance she was in love with him couldn’t be denied either. But she wanted no forced marriage between them.