“Captain?”
A new voice entered the conversation, younger and unsure. There was silence. Cait thought she heard whispering but wasn’t certain.
“Where is Mrs. Campbell?” Palmer asked sharply.
“Unavailable,” Iain snapped back.
“We need to speak to her.”
“No.”
Cait walked down the steps. “I’m here,” she said.
“Cait—” Iain warned, but she kept her gaze on Palmer. He looked severe, but his look turned to shock when he saw her face.
“Good Lord,” he said, but then seemed to shake himself from his shock. “Donaldson was found dead, Mrs. Campbell. And I’ve just been informed that his horse is in your paddock.”
She blanched, having completely forgotten about his horse.
“Do you care to explain to me why my dead lieutenant’s horse is in your paddock?”
“Don’t say a thing, Cait,” Iain said.
She held her hand out to him and he took it. She squeezed but kept her gaze on Palmer. “I can’t explain that, Captain.”
After a moment, Palmer nodded. “I’m afraid I have to take you with me for questioning regarding Lieutenant Donaldson’s death.”
“No!” Iain exploded, but Cait kept a firm grip on his hand, holding him in place. “I won’t let him take you,” he told her.
She looked at Iain steadily. “There is no choice.”
Iain turned to Palmer. “Look at her. She’s been beaten. Who do you think did that?”
Palmer’s gaze went to her face and then slid away. “I have to do my duty and investigate my officer’s death.”
“I killed him,” Iain said. “I came upon him attacking Cait and I killed him.”
“No!” Cait stepped between them and faced Palmer. “It was me. I did it. He chased me into the forest and attacked me. I hit him with a tree branch.”
Palmer looked between Cait and Iain, uncertain.
“Do you really believe her, Palmer? Do you think she has the strength to kill a man with atree branch? She’s just trying to protect me.”
She spun around to face Iain. “Why are ye doing this?” she hissed.
He looked at her steadily. “Because I love you.”
“Very well,” Palmer said. “Iain Campbell, you are to come with me for questioning in the matter of Lieutenant Donaldson’s death.”
“Stop this!” Cait yelled. “Ye can’t do this.” She didn’t know whom she was addressing, Palmer for taking Iain away or Iain for lying on her behalf.
Neither man paid her any mind. Palmer led Iain out and Cait hurried after them. The young soldier with Palmer was leading Donaldson’s horse around the side of the house. Iain approached his own horse and was about to mount when Cait gripped his arm.
“I love ye,” she said. “I love ye, Iain Campbell, but right now I am so angry at ye. How can ye do this?”
He grinned. “You love me?”
She huffed out a frustrated breath. How could he be so nonchalant at a time like this? “Aye. I love ye, and our life together is no’ going to end like this. I’ll find help.”
