A Nightmare Marriage Read online

  A

  Nightmare

  Marriage

  The McCabe’s Book 4

  Bethany Hauck

  Copyright © 2017 by Bethany Hauck

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing, 2017

  KDP Publishing

  Books by Bethany Hauck

  An Honest Mistake

  The McCabe’s Book 1

  (Jacqueline and Connor)

  A Good Man

  The McCabe’s Book 2

  (Ross and Angela)

  The Man of Her Dreams

  The McCabe’s Book 3

  (Ham and Fiona)

  A Nightmare Marriage

  The McCabe’s Book 4

  (Fiona and Logan)

  Coming Soon:

  A Man of Honor

  The McCabe’s Book 5

  (Alastair and Mairi)

  Characters: (so far)

  Gleann: McCabe’s

  Hamish McCabe -father and Laird of Gleann

  Annabell e-mother (died shortly after giving birth)

  Children:

  Eadan

  Ross and Ham (twins)

  Alastair

  Craig and Rory (twins)

  Owen

  James and Jacqueline (twins)

  Eadan Hamish- Eadan and Nessa’s son

  Nessa McDougall -Married to Eadan

  Flora Munro -Married to Ham

  Ina -Healer and Midwife

  Tarmon: Fraser’s

  Connor Fraser -Married Jacqueline McCabe

  Fiona -Connor’s sister

  Caiden -Conner’s father and Laird of Tarmon

  Alyssa -Connor’s mother (deceased)

  Alyssa and Annabelle -Connor and Jacqueline’s twin daughters

  Angus -Tarmon guard

  Helga -Tarmon midwife.

  Edith -Ladies Maid and friend to both Fiona and Jacqueline.

  Brayden -Wes Betrothed to Fiona

  Tioram: McCarthy’s

  Iain McCarthy -Laird of Tioram Angela’s Da.

  Catrina -Angela’s mother

  Kenna - 17 Angela’s sister

  Rhona - 14 Angela’s sister

  Angela -Married to Ross McCabe

  William -Captain of the McCarthy guard.

  Deacon -Messenger

  Villains:

  Catherine McCoy -Connor’s mistress before marriage.

  Lachlan Stewart -Tried to force Angela into marriage

  Dunnottar: Stewart’s

  Logan- Laird. Married to Fiona

  Gregor- Logan’s brothe r

  Brody- Logan’s best friend and Captain of the Guard

  Isobe l-Betrothed to Logan

  Seamus- One of the guards, befriends Fiona

  Blair- Seamus’ wife and maid at Dunnottar

  Who knows...they may turn up in later books:

  Robert, Elaine and Angu s-Children rescued by Flora and Ham

  Suzan -Their mother and a seamstress

  Wynda -Tavern girl in Edinburgh

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1 Logan

  Chapter 2 Fiona

  Chapter 3 First Impressions

  Chapter 4 Wedding Day Misunderstanding

  Chapter 5 Gregor the Arse

  Chapter 6 A Wedding Night to Forget

  Chapter 7 Dunnottar

  Chapter 8 A Second Chance

  Chapter 9 Too Many Accidents

  Chapter 10 Punishment

  Chapter 11 It Was Her Arrow

  Chapter 12 True Family

  Chapter 13 The Truth

  Chapter 14 Home

  Chapter 15 Return to Dunnottar

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1 Logan

  “This is your fault,” Logan Stewart angrily said to his brother Gregor, waving the scroll that had been delivered to him just that morning in the air so Gregor could see it. “If you wouldn’t have started that fight in the tavern in Edinburgh with Owen McCabe, this wouldn’t have happened.”

  “What are you talking about?” Gregor asked, having just walked into Logan’s study where he’d been summoned. He took the parchment out of Logan’s hands, “what does it say?”

  “Remember the fight you told me you got into in the tavern while you were in Edinburgh?” Logan explained.

  “The one with Ross McCabe’s brother?” Gregor asked.

  “Aye,” Logan said, “that’s the one. Unless there was another fight you didn’t tell me about?”

  “Of course there wasn’t,” Gregor said.

  “Well, somehow the King found out about it too. I’ve just received word on that scroll, he’s ordering me to marry Fiona Fraser because of it,” Logan yelled at his brother.

  “But you can’t marry the Fraser lass, you’re already betrothed to Isobel,” Gregor said.

  “According to this message,” Logan practically yelled again, snatching the scroll back out of Gregor’s hands, “not anymore.”

  “I don’t understand why you’re being married to a Fraser,” Gregor said. “My fight was with a McCabe.”

  “Because Fiona Fraser’s brother is married to a McCabe. She’s the only girl, and since there are no more McCabe lasses, this marriage will tie us to the McCabe’s and make us all family,” Logan explained.

  “What about Isobel?” Gregor asked. “You could marry her quickly, then just say the marriage was done already before the missive arrived.”

  “I won’t do that. Truthfully, I’m not that upset about not being able to marry Isobel,” Logan said.

  “Why not?” Gregor asked. “You told me you had to marry her after what happened between you two.”

  “I’m not sure what she says happened between us, ” Logan explained shrugging, “really happened.”

  “Are you saying Isobel lied?” Gregor asked him, “I can’t believe you would think such a thing.” He defended the lass his brother was supposed to marry.

  “I’ve never been sure what the real truth was that night,” Logan told him. “Something never seemed right about her story.”

  “So you’re willing to marry this Fiona Fraser? Even after what the McCabe’s did to Lachlan?” Gregor asked, becoming angry himself.

  “I’m not angry about what happened to Lachlan. I would have done the same,” Logan said.

  “You wouldn’t have,” Gregor said to him.

  “You do realize that Lachlan was in the process of trying to rape Ross McCabe’s wife when the man killed him?” Logan asked.

  “That’s what the McCabe’s say,” Gregor said. “How do we know it’s the truth?”

  “Because something was wrong with Lachlan,” Logan shouted. “We both know it. The man wasn’t right even when we were lads running around the keep. I believe the McCabe’s.”

  “I’ll never be convinced he deserved to have his head cut off. If that wasn’t bad enough, then they left his body lying there, for the animals to feed upon,” Gregor argued.

  “He did deserve it, Gregor. I won’t hold that against the McCabe’s,” Logan told his brother. He again raised the scroll and shook it at Gregor saying, “I do hold this missive against you though. This could have been avoided if you wouldn’t have picked that fight with Ross McCabe’s brother.”

  “I’ll not apologize. I do hold the McCabe’s responsible for Lachlan’s death,” Gregor said. “I’ll never forgive any of them.”

  “Then I won’t be taking you to Tarmon with me if you can’t behave and control yourself,” Logan said. “I won’t have
you causing trouble there.”

  “Why are you going to Tarmon?” Gregor asked.

  “To get my bride,” Logan said, calming down. Although he wasn’t happy about being ordered to marry a lass he’d never met, the idea of not having to marry Isobel appealed to him. “I’ll marry her in the kirk there before I bring her back to Dunnottar.”

  “Who are you taking with you if not me?” Gregor asked.

  “I’d be glad to have you along if you can control your temper. But I’m also taking Brody and at least twenty guards,” Logan answered. “I’ve heard there are some bandits along the roadways causing trouble for travelers.”

  “What about Isobel?” Gregor said. “I can’t believe you’re going to put her aside and marry another. I thought you loved her.”

  “I have no choice, Gregor,” Logan said. “I can’t go against the king. Where you got the idea I loved the girl from, I’ll never know. I was only going to marry her for one reason, and you know what it was.”

  “When will you let Isobel know your betrothal has ended?” Gregor asked.

  “No time like the present,” Logan said, walking towards his study door to search for his now ex-betrothed. Even though he knew it wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation, because Isobel wasn’t always a pleasant woman, he was relieved that he wouldn’t have to go through with the marriage to the woman.

  **********

  “Logan,” Isobel called out as she seen him walking towards her. “I’m so glad to see you.” She waited till Logan was close before throwing her arms around his neck and rubbing her body against his.

  “Stop, Isobel,” Logan said firmly but kindly, pushing her away gently. “I’ve come to speak to you about something important.”

  “What is it, my love?” she asked sweetly, making Logan cringe as she leaned into him, purposely pushing her breast against his arm. “Are you finally ready to set a date for our wedding? We can do it as soon as you say, even tomorrow if you wish.”

  “That’s just it,” Logan began, “I’ve come to apologize and tell you something important about our wedding. I received a missive from the King this morning, and I won’t be able to marry you at all. I’m being commanded to marry someone else.”

  “What? What about us?” Isobel screeched loud enough for all around to hear, making Logan wince. “What do you mean marry someone else? You can’t marry another: you’re already betrothed to me!”

  Brody, Logan’s best friend and commander of the castle guard heard the commotion, he quickly headed over towards the couple, to see if everything was alright.

  “It seems that King James has other plans for me, Isobel,” Logan explained quietly, trying not to lose his temper. “I have no choice in this. I must do as he commands.”

  “But what about us?” she again screeched. “What about what happened between us? You’ve ruined me, and now you’re not going to marry me?”

  “I have no other choice,” Logan plainly said once again. The more Isobel screeched, the more thankful he became that the marriage to her was off. He wasn’t sure what she said happened between them, had really happened anyway.

  “Why would the King do this?” she asked. “You can write him back or go see him. Tell him you want to marry me.”

  “I can’t-do that,” Logan explained, trying to stay calm. “His missive was clear; I have no choice but to marry Fiona Fraser.”

  “Why?” she asked again. “I don’t understand why this is happening.”

  “Because Gregor picked a fight in a tavern in Edinburgh with one of the McCabe’s. This marriage will ensure that the Stewart’s and McCabe’s don’t become enemies,” Logan explained to her. “The King doesn’t want clan wars.”

  “How does this marriage avoid a clan war?” Isobel asked. “Are you marrying a McCabe?”

  “Nay,” Logan said. “A Fraser, whose brother is married to a McCabe.”

  “So this is your fault?” Isobel yelled, looking at Gregor, who had followed his brother out to find her.

  “I’m sorry, Isobel,” Gregor said. “I didn’t know my fight with McCabe’s younger brother would cause this to happen.”

  “I can’t believe this,” Isobel yelled at them all. “I can’t believe you’re going to marry someone close to the McCabe’s after what they did to your cousin Lachlan.”

  “As I told Gregor, I don’t blame Ross McCabe for what he did to Lachlan. My cousin was trying to rape McCabe’s wife,” Logan told her.

  “I’ll never believe that,” Isobel said. “I knew Lachlan well; the McCabe’s are lying.”

  “They aren’t,” Logan insisted.

  “They are.” she insisted. “You’ll be sorry for treating me this way,” she added more quietly before turning and stomping off.

  “I’m going to make sure she’s alright, and see if I can calm her down,” Gregor said to Logan as they watched her go, he quickly walked away, following Isobel.

  “Gregor,” Logan called to him.

  “What?” Gregor said, turning back towards him.

  “Let Isobel know, that better not have been any kind of threat towards me or my bride,” Logan said, Gregor nodded and once again turned to follow the angry woman.

  Brody, who had quietly listened to it all, waited till Gregor and Isobel were out of listening range before finally speaking. “You don’t seem too heartbroken about canceling your betrothal to the lass,” Brody said grinning.

  Logan laughed before answering, “you know I’m not. I was only marrying her because of what she said happened between us. I still don’t know if I believe her account of that night or not.”

  “You know my feelings on it,” Brody said. “I’ve never seen you take advantage of a woman before, and I don’t believe you did that night.”

  “But I did wake up in her bed, naked,” Logan answered. “I wish I could remember what happened. I swear I only had a few mugs of ale that night, I’ve drunk far more and not blacked out.”

  “Something isn’t right about the whole tale, that’s for sure,” Brody said. “So what’s this about marrying a McCabe?”

  “Not a McCabe, a Fraser,” Logan explained. “Fiona Fraser. You know anything about her?”

  “Not really,” Brody said, “but we’ve never had any issues with the Fraser’s before, or the McCabe’s.”

  “I used to know Alastair McCabe. I fostered with him for a short while when we were much younger. I liked the man,” Logan said.

  “I’ve heard both the McCabe’s and the Fraser’s are good clans,” Brody said. “Lachlan could have caused quite a clan war with what he did, but thankfully, neither seemed to hold the Stewart clan responsible.”

  “I was more concerned about the McCarthy’s. Their keep is only a half day’s ride from here. I did send a missive to Tioram afterward, to Ross McCabe,” Logan said, “telling him we had no hard feelings about what happened. I even apologized for Lachlan and asked that his actions not be held against the entire Stewart clan. We have no hard feelings against the McCabe’s or McCarthy’s for what happened.”

  “That was a good thing to do,” Brody said, nodding approvingly. “With Ross McCabe now married to a McCarthy, the three clans together could be quite a force to deal with in the east.”

  “The more I think about the benefits of this marriage, the less angry I am about it. I’m hoping this Fiona Fraser and I can forge a good marriage and it will strengthen our bonds with her family. It could lead to a strong alliance with the other three clans,” Logan explained.

  “So when do we leave to get your bride?” Brody asked.

  “Day after tomorrow,” Logan told him. “I was hoping you’d travel with me. I’d like at least twenty men to travel with us.”

  “I’ll arrange it,” Brody told him, nodding in agreement. “Is Gregor traveling with us?”

  “Not unless he promises me he’ll behave and not cause problems,” Logan said. “For some reason, he just can’t get past the fact that a McCabe killed Lachlan, even though my cousin deserved what h
e got.” Logan sighed then and added, “but he is my brother, so part of me would like him to be there for my wedding.”

  “If he goes, I’ll do my best to keep an eye on him,” Brody said.

  “I’d appreciate that,” Logan said chuckling. “He does need a keeper at times.”

  “You think Isobel is going to cause problems for your bride here at Dunnottar?” Brody asked.

  “If she does, I may have to just put her over my knee until she agrees to behave herself,” Logan said. Then he laughed and added, “I probably should have done that to get the truth out of her about that night I awoke in her bed.”

  “I would have,” Brody said laughing, before walking away.

  Chapter 2 Fiona

  “Fiona?” called Jacqueline as she knocked on her sister by marriages bedchamber door. “We came as soon as we got word and just arrived home, I wanted to check on you.”

  “Come in,” said Fiona.

  Jacqueline opened the door and entered. “Oh, Fiona,” she said, seeing the state the young woman was in. Fiona was lying across her bed with tears running down her cheeks.

  “What am I going to do?” Fiona said, “I feel so helpless in all of this, how could everything have changed so quickly.”

  “I don’t have any answers for you,” Jacqueline said to her, sitting on the bed and hugging her. “How did Brayden take the news?”

  “He was hurt,” Fiona said. “He wanted me to marry him right away and go against the missive the messenger brought.”

  “You can’t-do that, Fiona,” Jacqueline said, becoming very serious. “The whole clan could be punished.”

  “I know that,” Fiona said, another tear running down her cheek. “How could this have happened?”

  “I don’t know, but Owen feels responsible,” Jacqueline told her.

  “It’s not his fault,” Fiona said. “I’m not upset with him at all. He only defended Ross and Angela as he should. Lachlan Stewart was a horrible man, Jacqueline, I’m scared, what if his cousin Logan is the same?”