His world tilted.Kidnapped.The word slammed into him, stealing his breath.She’d drugged him.Stolen his memories.Taken away his choice.Completely.
Rage roared through him—white-hot and consuming.His hands shook with the urge to act.To lash out.Damn.Someone at home was probably panicking, wondering what had happened to him.His friend from the gathering might think he was dead.
But even as the fury burned, another voice rose—quieter but insistent.She was desperate.Her family needed help.Look at her—she’s terrified you’ll leave them defenseless.
No, he wouldn’t let sympathy override the magnitude of what she’d done.She’dkidnappedhim.Made him a prisoner without bars, using his own decency against him.
Yet… Hedrek’s face flashed in his mind.The old man’s relief when Liam promised to protect his family.The boys’ joy over something as simple as heart-shaped pottery.Tamsin’s quiet gratitude.
Damn it.He wanted to stay angry.Anger was clean, simple.This tangled mix of fury, understanding, and reluctant admiration was far more complicated than he could handle right now.
“Did Tamsin approve?”he demanded.
“Ma thinks I should drive you back to the castle, but there’s a problem.”
He shot her a sharp look, anger tightening his muscles.
“We’ve spent our nest egg on supplies for Papa and the boys.It will be weeks until we have enough to hire a car and pay for the fuel to Scotland.”
Liam scowled.“My promise to your father—”
“We’re not helpless,” Sienna snapped.
“But if those hunters turn up at the cottage, could you hold out against them?They’re less likely to cause trouble if there’s a male around.”
Sienna spat out a quick curse, her mind racing over the whole mess.The hunters might catch wind of gossip and innuendo.It all depended on how or why they had come to Stoneford.“The entire village knows I went to the gathering.A few have asked about you, but nothing direct.Yet.”
Liam’s mouth twisted.“Some wouldn’t have approved of you seeking a mate.”
“I’m sure you’ve caught surreptitious glances, but I’m surprised no one has asked you why you picked a family with faulty genes.”
“I’ve received looks, but everyone is acting standoffish.Your mother is waiting for us.”He jerked his head toward the cottage doorway where her mother stood, frowning.“Before we join her, is there anything else I should know about me?”
Sienna hesitated, feeling the ground shift beneath her feet.
“Sienna, I won’t be happy if I learn you’re still lying to me.”
She swallowed.Her plan had imploded beyond repair.No wonder Liam hated her.
“Sienna.”
“You and your friend talked about a place called Middlemarch.I looked it up.It’s a country town.”
“All right,” he said and strode toward her mother.
Sienna gaped after him.That was it?Didn’t he want to know more?
Her mother embraced Liam, and they entered the cottage together, leaving Sienna staring at the empty doorway.They liked him—her parents especially.Her brothers had taken to him immediately, and he seemed to enjoy their company in return.
Sienna sighed, uncertain what to do next.She’d told Liam everything.Now the question was: what did he intend to do?And why did the thought of his leaving unsettle her so much?
Chapter 8
“I’dliketostay,”Liam told Tamsin as she stirred a pot of soup.“At least until my memory returns.”He’d spent time raging inwardly over Sienna’s confession, yet surprisingly, he couldn’t hate her.The woman had risked everything for her family.
“But don’t you want to contact the gathering organizers?Or press charges?”Tamsin asked.
“You have enough trouble without me adding to it.”He forced a laugh.“Besides, my past scares me.”
