In the back of her mind, however, she already knew what he meant. Residing in a new castle in a new country, courting this handsome man, stripping bare in front of him and relishing in his touch, she had thought she had already left her old life behind her. But if itdidfollow her to this place, she knew she would have to choose.
Perhaps, it was not so easy to shed a former life, especially if there was someone out there who would not allow her to.
15
“M’Laird? Are ye in here?” Footsteps echoed across the stone floor of the castle’s arsenal, where Owen was making a list of the weapons in Clan Dunn’s possession. It was something he often did, so they would never be caught in a weakened position.
“Over here!” Owen called, recognizing Sawyer’s voice.
The man-at-arms skidded around the corner, clutching something in his hand. His face was ashen, aside from two patches of red in his cheeks, though Owen could not tell what had caused the flush: anger or exertion?
“There’s news, M’Laird.” Sawyer flopped down onto the bench where Owen sat, handing him two letters. “Ye must be popular, M’Laird. I daenae like it.”
Owen took the letters and wasted no time in opening them. He was not afraid of what they might contain, even if they hailed from Elias Spencer, for Owen had been expecting word from that English Earl ever since Heather had chosen to ride north.
Ye cannae have her back, ye wretch. I cannae give her up. Aye, it’ll be her choice, but it’ll break me heart if she leaves.Owen could understand how his actions with Heather might be perceived as revenge of the pettiest kind, but they could not see into his mind or his heart. If they could, they would know his affections were genuine, as was his hope to marry her one day.
Laird Dunn,
I consider this a letter of courtesy, though you deserve none. You must have thought you had escaped my wrath, but you have only stoked it by your despicable actions.
Indeed, I would have written sooner, but I thought it best that you were given the chance to remedy your grave mistake. As you have not, you leave me with no choice: you will pay dearly for kidnapping my daughter, just as you will pay for killing my beloved son.
This is not a warning. This is a promise.
The Earl of Gallagher
“At least he was concise,” Owen muttered, scrunching up the letter.
Sawyer cast him a concerned look. “Was it the Earl?”
“Aye, of course.” Owen sighed. “He’s threatenin’ me. He disnae say how or when, but we can likely expect an attack. Have the guard strengthened and send scouts into the forest, so we’re nae taken by surprise. Ye never ken with these Sassenachs—he might’ve sent this from a few miles away.”
Sawyer nodded stiffly.
“Speak yer mind, Sawyer,” Owen said, having no patience for stoic silence.
The man-at-arms swept an anxious hand through his hair. “Do ye regret bringin’ the lass with us?”
“Nae at all,” Owen replied without hesitation. “Can ye fathom what he would’ve done to her if we’d left her? At best, he’d have kept her imprisoned in her room for the rest of her days. At worst, he’d have beaten her bloody. It wouldn’ae be the first time a father has punished a daughter so severely that she’s lost her life.”
Sawyer unleashed a huff of frustration. “Och, we should’ve pretended to kidnap her back then, so she could’ve gone back and claimed she had naught to do with it.”
“Do ye think he would have treated her any differently?” Owen challenged. “He’d have howled at her, claimin’ she’d been dishonored, and she would’ve met the same fate.”
Sawyer raised an eyebrow. “Hasshe been dishonored? I mean, in the most honorable sense of the word.”
“That’s none of yer business,” Owen chided, but his expression no doubt gave him away, for Sawyer began to grin.
“Och, ye devil! Have ye fallen for the lass, M’Laird?” Sawyer clapped his hands together in excitement. “That changes everythin’, M’Laird. If yelovethe lass, then I’ll be the first to celebrate ye bringin’ her here!”
Owen swallowed uncomfortably. “We havenae confessed love to each other, but… I want to take her as me wife.”
“M’Laird! Do ye ken how relieved everyone will be?” Sawyer punched his Laird lightly in the arm. “The whole Clan were thinkin’ they’d never see any of yer bairns runnin’ around to secure the Clan’s future. Even though she’s a Sassenach, they’re goin’ to welcome her as one of their own if ye reveal that!”
Owen shook his head. “Until this unpleasantness with her faither has been remedied, I cannae reveal me intentions to the Clan. So, ye best nae say a word about it.”
“Me lips are sealed.” Sawyer drew his fingertips across his clamped mouth.
