He could provide for Mari without engaging his heart. He wasn’t in love.
And he’d make sure he stayed that way.
…
Marian had made it to the stables and was trying to reason with the surliest groom she’d ever met over a horse when Lachlan stepped in.
“What’s going on here?” he asked. His voice—dripping with authority—gave her a chill.
She might have tried to steer the story from the truth if the curmudgeon holding the reins hadn’t spoken up first.
“She asked for a horse, my laird, but couldn’t say that she’d be able to bring it back.”
“And what need do you have for a horse, sister?”
Sister? She laughed at his feeble attempt to win her over. Straightening her spine, she looked at a spot over his left shoulder. Making eye contact with men had become impossible in recent years. Except for Cameron. Even in this short time, she felt safe enough to look into her husband’s honey-brown eyes. The way they seemed to warm over when he smiled gave her courage.
It was yet another reason she should go. She was too comfortable with him. She couldn’t let down her guard. Men watched for such things and struck when a woman was unprepared.
She’d been wrong to come here. It was wonderful to see Kenna again and know her younger sister held no ill will. But this wasn’t her home.
A pull of sadness twisted in her stomach. She had wanted Dunardry to be her home and her refuge. And she wished she had time to get to know Cameron better. For she had liked the feel of his arms around her last night. But it was best to deal with things at once and get on her way.
“I understand you wish I wasn’t here. So I planned to take a horse and go.”
“Just like that. In the dress you’re wearing. No food. No money.”
She looked away. “I made it from London to here with less. At least I’m wearing shoes.”
She hated the tear that betrayed her by falling down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, but a few other tears joined their leader.
“I’m the laird—”
“As you keep repeating. I’m sure you’re aware I used to be a duchess. And I can tell you, titles don’t mean a damn thing when all is said and done. A duchess can wander the countryside with no shoes, and a laird—” Can be an arse, she finished silently, not wanting to anger him.
With that, she turned toward the gate. If he wouldn’t allow her to take a horse, she’d leave on foot. She didn’t know where she’d go, but she didn’t want to lure the English to the MacKinlay clan.
Lachlan was justified in sending her away. He was responsible for the safety of his people. Harboring a fugitive of the crown was counterproductive to his duty.
“Marian, I’m sorry. Please stay,” he said when he caught up to her.
“Ridley knows I’m here. It will only be a matter of time before he returns with soldiers. He won’t leave without me. There’s a price on my head.”
Lachlan nodded and let out a breath. “My wife and children live within these walls. I’ll not endanger them. But you are my sister by marriage, which makes you my family as well. I have a duty to you, and I canna protect you if you leave the castle. So you’ll stay, and we’ll come up with a plan if Ridley returns.” When she didn’t move in the direction of the hall, he added, “Please.”
If he thought she was simply being dramatic, he was wrong. She wouldn’t put herself through the trouble of such theatrics for no good reason.
“I’ll not cause you to live in fear of an English attack because you helped me.”
“There are worse things to fear if you leave,” he said with a grimace, placing a hand on her arm. He didn’t grasp or pull, but still the contact made her flinch away. He released her quickly, his brows pulling together.
Surely Kenna had shared the reason she’d killed the duke. To her surprise, the laird didn’t look on her in pity. Instead, he lowered his hand slowly and let out a breath. “Please, stay.”
Marian nodded and let him lead her back to the hall. She paused and turned to him, offering a half smile when she realized what worse fears he had referred to. “You’re afraid of Kenna.”
“When it comes to my wife losing the sister she’s just gotten back, aye, I am.” He winked at her. “God and all the saints help me if I turned ye away.”
When they returned to the hall, she sat next to Cameron. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze under the table.
“Everything well?”
“Yes. Thank you,” Marian offered, though it wasn’t exactly true. Things were fine for now. But she did need a plan for when Ridley returned.
Lachlan thought it his job to protect the clan, but in this, she was the one who would need to save everyone when the time came.
Chapter Eight
Marian spent the day with Kenna talking about their childhood days and laughing. As the afternoon drew out, they turned to other topics.
“How was your first night in the castle? Did you sleep well?”
Marian could tell by Kenna’s sly smile she was asking a quite different question than the one she’d voiced.
“I did sleep well. Thank you for asking.”
“Can you not take a hint?” Kenna lifted her hands and let them fall to her lap.
Marian burst out laughing as she recalled how impetuous her sister was. Kenna’s laughter joined in, and it felt like old times.
“I’ve missed you,” Marian said sincerely.
“I’ve missed you, as well, but I have to say, despite your struggles to get here, I like that we know each other better now. We seem to have grown out of our differences.”
“You mean that you don’t spend your days swinging from the trees, and I’m not as focused on sitting properly and speaking without a brogue?”
“We’re on more common ground,” Kenna
