“Ouch!” Katherine cried out, and rubbed her scalp when Cora tugged on a strand of her hair.

“Hands down,” Cora snapped, then softened her tone. “I’m sorry, lass. But you must stop fidgeting and hold still while I finish pinning up your locks.”

“Why can’t you just plait it or leave it down?”

“Och, you’ll be the death of me, Catriona Grant. I was told you’ll be eating with your future husband at the feast tonight and you want to look your best, do you na?” Cora said as she added more pins.

“I have no idea what you are talking about. I’m not betrothed to anyone, and certainly do not intend to marry someone I do not know or love.” She turned her head enough to catch Cora’s gaze.

Whether the madness currently happening in her life was a dream or not, after what she’d endured with Ethan, getting involved with anyone — real or imaginary — was not in her immediate plans. And while it might be common for fathers in the thirteen hundreds to promise their daughters’ hands to total strangers in order to enhance their holdings or alliances, she drew the line at being someone’s pawn. Marrying a man she didn’t know, was something she definitely would not consider. But when Ayden’s face crossed her mind, she grinned inwardly, a flutter of joy lifting her heart. In his case, she might be willing to make an exception.

“Sadly, my sweet lamb, you dinna have the luxury of choosing who you marry.” Cora gently cupped Katherine’s face with her hands. “Your da decides for you. He has been waiting for the right match and he believes he may have found it.”

“Lord MacConnery?” the name left a bitter taste in Katherine’s mouth.

“Perhaps. We will have to wait and see.” Cora gently stroked Katherine’s cheek with the pad of her thumb. “It is time you were wed. You’ve seen nearly twenty-four summers, well past the age a young woman usually weds. Do you na want to have bairns?”

“Bairns?” She gasped. “I haven’t given it much thought.” Katherine had never believed women needed to be married and have children to live a fulfilling life, and twenty-four was not old. Her mother was thirty when she wed her father, and didn’t have her until she was thirty-six.

As she thought about her parents, her stomach twisted into knots. An only child, she often wondered if she’d been planned or an accident. Her mother, while loving and kind, was never the nurturing type. When she wasn’t out of town on business, she was at the office closing another real estate deal or with her father at the country club, leaving her grandmother to care for her.

She frowned. Had she turned out to be more like her mother than she’d realized? Unlike many of the women she’d gone to school with — those whose main goal in life was to snag a rich husband and spend their days barefoot and pregnant — her career had always been foremost in her mind. Partly as a means to bury the grief she felt when she lost her parents, then her grandmother, but mostly because it was ingrained in her. She slid her hand over her belly, wondering what it would be like to have a child of her own, a babe with someone she truly loved and loved her back, someone like Ayden.

She was physically attracted to Ethan, and together they were branded by those in the industry as a dynamic duo of advertising. But he never made her feel the way she did when she was with Ayden. And he was just a product of her imagination. She couldn’t begin to picture what it would be like to make love with the real thing.

Katherine loved Ethan. He did have some good qualities, especially in the beginning of their relationship, before he showed his possessive volatile side, but it was never in the romantic, “I can’t keep my hands off you, must know your inner thoughts and be with you night and day” kind of love. And she didn’t think he really loved her like that either. Which ironically, according to Ethan, made them the perfect couple. More than once he likened marriage to a business partnership and she suspected theirs would have been just that. The sex was good, but she wouldn’t call him a considerate lover. He’d insisted on a pre-nup, because he didn’t want a woman marrying him for his wealth. She didn’t need his money because she was capable of earning enough of her own. But rather than argue, she signed.

Cora put the finishing touches on Katherine’s hair and smiled. “Stand up and turn around.”

Katherine rose and faced Cora.

“Och, you look lovely, and so much like your mother. The gown fits perfectly. And I think the deep emerald color really compliments your eyes. Your hair is exactly what your father asked for, so I think he’ll be pleased.” She shuffled over to the table and picked up a piece of polished metal. “Have a look for yourself. You’ll have every man at the ceilidh begging to dance with you.”

“I’m afraid I don’t dance.” Aside from a few waltzes around the parlor while standing atop her father’s feet when she was a wee girl, she’d never learned or saw the need. When she and Ethan attended a party, they were usually too busy discussing business with prospective clients to dance.

“Nonsense. You’re a fine dancer,” Cora said. She raised her chin and brushed her knuckles across her chest. “I saw to it maself.”

Katherine shrugged. She wasn’t about to argue a moot point with Cora. She’d find out soon enough if she was telling the truth. Instead, she picked up the metal sheet and stared at her distorted reflection. Raising a hand to the back of her head, she touched the bun that rested just above her neckline, and marveled at the well-tamed tendrils of hair that hung in loose curls around her face. “You’re a miracle worker. In weather as humid as this, my hair is usually a frizzy mess. It’s the main reason I braid it all the time.” She turned her head from side to side, admiring the hairstyle from all angles.

Cora grasped the bodice of Katherine’s gown and gave it a tug, then smoothed her hands down the front and sides. “There, now, you’re as lovely as a spring morning in a field of heather. Speaking of which…” She paused, picked up several small sprigs of purple flowers from the table, and placed them in Katherine’s hair. “Perfect. You na only look as pretty as a field of heather, you’ll smell like one too.”

Katherine had to admit she did feel like a princess. In her closet back in Manhattan, she had many designer outfits and one-of-a kind cocktail dresses. Being stylishly dressed to impress was imperative in her profession. But nothing she owned made her feel as beautiful as this hand-sewn gown. Cora obviously spent hours making it, paying close attention to every detail. It fit like a glove, hugging her curves and accentuating her tiny waist. The silk fabric felt cool and soft against her skin and the dress had just enough lace and pearl embellishments to make it glamorous, but not gaudy. And shades of dark green had always being her favorite.

“Catriona!” Someone rapped on the door of the chamber.

Cora threw it open and shook her balled fist in the air. “Did I na teach you better manners, lad? You dinna pound on a young lady’s door and shout like a hooligan,” she chided, then slapped Warren on the arm.

When Warren lowered his gaze and shuffled his feet like a young boy who’d been caught stealing a cookie, Katherine covered her mouth to hide a smirk.

“My apologies, Cora. Father sent me to fetch Catriona. Most of the guests have arrived, and the feast will soon begin. You know how he gets when he is kept waiting.”

“She’ll ready soon. Your da will have to be patient a little longer,” Cora replied. “But I suppose if the suitors have arrived, he’ll be anxious for her to meet with them.”

“Aye, and he has arrived,” Warren said.

Katherine’s pulse quickened. Ayden was here. He and Warren were best friends, so it stood to reason he’d know about Ayden’s plan to ask for her hand. She suddenly felt like a giddy teen and couldn’t wait to get to the feast. “Do you know if he’d had a chance to ask for my hand?”

“I’m surprised you’re so excited about Lord MacConnery’s arrival.” Warren replied. “He and his party arrived nearly an hour ago, but am pretty certain he has already spoken to father at length about his desire to marry you.  He’s been asking about you,” Warren said. “Best you na keep him waiting any longer.”

“Lord MacConnery?” Katherine found it hard to hide the disappointment in her voice. She’d hoped he might have decided not to come. Although given what she read in Catriona’s journal, she should have known that was highly unlikely. She lowered her gaze and wrung her hands. “What of Laird MacAndrews and his family?”

“They’re here as well. But what you really want to know is if Ayden is here. Is it na?” Warren cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “I’m aware of how you feel about Ayden. And if up to me, there would be no other choice. But I’m afraid da expects you to spend your time with Lord MacConnery this evening.”

Katherine stiffened and clasped Warren’s wrist. “Could you na speak to father? Tell him I don’t wish to marry Lord MacConnery. Ayden is your friend. Could you not tell him that you think Ayden—” Warren placed his finger against her lips and silenced her. “He willna listen to me. You know how he is once his mind is set. Da invited the MacAndrews out of courtesy. They have never been friends and merely tolerate each other on a good day. In truth, he sees no reason for the laird of an impoverished clan and his family to be here. He would never consider a proposal from Ayden,” he said. “MacConnery is a different story. He’s a very wealthy man.”

“But I don’t care about his holdings I don’t wish to marry a man I don’t love. Ayden promised he’d speak to father.”

“I know.” Warren stroked her shoulder. “But best you resolve yourself to the idea that before the evening is through, you will be betrothed, and sadly, I doubt it will be to Ayden.”

Katherine peered up at Warren. “And there is nothing you can do to help me?”

Warren cast her a sympathetic look and shook his head. “Unfortunately, it doesna matter to our father what you wish, and he sets no store in what I have to say when it comes to such things. Da will decide who you are to wed, and naught I say will change his mind. Best you resolve yourself to that and forget any other notions you might have,” he said, then took a step back and studied Katherine from head to toe. “You look ready to me. Come. I’ll escort you to the feast.”

Cora waved Warren out of the room and followed him. “Your sister is almost ready and we’ll come anon. You go on and I’ll bring her.” She closed the door and they continued their discussion in the hall.

Katherine twisted her hands. “This is not real,” she tried to reassure herself. “And it is just the feast, not the actual wedding. There is still time to come up with an alternate plan.” She released a heavy sigh and decided to go to the feast and put on a smile, pretend to be pleased about her upcoming nuptials and pray Ayden could convince Lord Grant to reconsider. And while she was still convinced she was dreaming and who Lord Grant decided his daughter would marry shouldn’t concern her, for some reason it did. Especially if she was expected to play the part of Catriona Grant until she woke up in her own time.

She could still hear the muffled conversation going on between Warren and Cora in the hallway, but she was too deep in thought to care, she didn’t notice when Cora returned.

Cora hooked a finger under Katherine’s chin and raised it until their gazes locked. “What has you so upset, lamb? You must have known you da intended to offer your hand to Lord MacConnery.”

Katherine wrapped her arms around her waist and sucked in a shaky breath. “The idea of a loveless marriage bothers me greatly. I know it is tradition for a father to choose his daughter’s husband, but hoped I might be allowed to marry a man I cared for, certainly na one who is a stranger to me. How do I know if we’ll have anything in common or will even get along?”

Cora looked puzzled. “A stranger? Why, you’ve known Ewan MacConnery since you were a wee lassie. And he and your da were friends for many years afore that.”

Katherine’s stomach churned with dread. While she meant well, Cora’s confirmation that MacConnery was old enough to be her father did nothing to make her feel better. If anything, it made things worse.

“There has been talk bandied around the estate for some time now that a betrothal between you and he was being negotiated. And as for a husband and wife having things in common or a fondness for each other, it is seldom considered.” She placed her open palm on Katherine’s brow. “Are you ill? You’ve been saying some odd things today.”

Katherine gently brushed Cora’s hand away. “I’m not ill. Yet, I don’t understand why Ayden would not be a worthy suitor as well.”

She’d always liked to give people the benefit of a doubt before making up her mind. And regardless of what she’d heard and read, she’d not been in Lord MacConnery’s presence, so couldn’t justify the intense anger she felt whenever his name was spoken. But she couldn’t dismiss the sinking feeling of despair in the pit her stomach when Warren said MacConnery was waiting for her.

“Ah, that explains the long face.” Cora shot her a knowing look, then clucked her tongue. “Ayden MacAndrews has caught your fancy. I have suspected as much for a while and canna say that I blame you. He’s a braw lad and much closer to your own age. However, that doesna make him a suitable choice for a husband.”

The words she’d read in the journal regarding Catriona’s feelings toward MacConnery flooded Katherine’s mind.

I am not sure what I will do, what will become of me. I canna stand being in the same room as the pompous arse, and the thought of warming his bed and calling him husband is a fate worse than death.

I pray that Ayden can convince my father to give him his blessing and we can be joined as husband and wife. He is a wonderful man who not only makes my heart sing with joy, but touches my soul. If the Almighty is a merciful and loving God, he will grant my wish and answer my prayers.

Again, the events in 1304 mirrored exactly what was happening now, and how Catriona felt about the prospect of marrying MacConnery at the time she penned the entry were the same thoughts and feelings Katherine was experiencing.

She’d dreamed about Ayden for as long as she could remember, but after meeting him in the glen, the words had an even bigger impact than they did the first time she read them. Catriona and Ayden belonged together. Tears welled in her eyes and she batted her lashes several times to blink them away. But despite her effort to keep them at bay, one escaped and slid down her cheek.

“Dinna cry, lass.” Cora caught the tear with her fingertip. “Perhaps if you tell your da how you feel, he will change his mind and grant his permission for you to marry Ayden MacAndrews instead.”

Sniffling, Katherine peered up at Cora. “He’d have to grow a heart for that to happen. And I suspect that isn’t going to happen any time soon,”

“You willna know unless you ask. Tell him how you feel, lamb. You may be surprised.” Cora stroked Katherine’s cheek.

Katherine thought about what Cora said and decided to make an attempt to reason with Rowland Grant on Ayden’s behalf. Dealing with difficult clients was her specialty. So it was worth a try. Again, the hard and fast rule that women were expected to be subservient, to only speak when spoken to, came into play. Fortunately, Ayden was nothing like most of the medieval men she’d encountered, he actually appeared to care about her thoughts and what she wanted more than his own needs. He’d even had enough respect for her to ask her to marry him before he even broached the subject with her father. And to her, that spoke volumes about his character and the sort of marriage they might have.

Catriona’s tumultuous relationship with her father put Katherine at a disadvantage from the start. But Katherine hoped if she could draw on savvy business expertise she’d learned in the twenty-first century, it would aid in negotiations with her father. If successful, there would be no reason for the lovesick lass to kill herself. While she wasn’t sure if changing history in a dream did anything to rectify the real events of the past, Cora was right, nothing would be gained if she didn’t try.

Katherine squared her shoulders and feigned a smile. “Let’s get this over with, Cora. We wouldn’t want to keep his lordship waiting any longer.”