Duncan’s insides fired up the moment the heard about the attack. He took Amelia’s hands in his instantly, concern for her wracking him. “Are ye all right? Did they hurt ye? Did they start the nonsense about ye bein’ cursed again?”
Amelia shook her head. “Lily,” she sobbed and tears slid down her cheeks again. “They knocked me out, but Lily… they took her.”
“Goodness,” Arran rasped at his side, and Yvaine covered her mouth with both hands in shock.
“How did this happen?” Duncan’s blood slowly began to boil over as he clenched his free hand at his side. “Lily is part of this family. She should have been protected at all times,” he roared, feeling tension snap in his veins.
“They killed the guards in the garden, m’laird,” one of his men explained quickly with a bow. “Lily took one of the perpetratorsdown, so we were able to capture him. He is locked up and ready to be interrogated.”
Duncan had been through a lot over the past five years, attempting to create a peaceful home for everyone he cared about. This was the first attack in five years since his clan’s war against the MacGregors, and he was not going to let anyone ruin the life he had built here.
“Yvaine, stay with Amelia and make certain she is calm,” he said to his sister.
Yvaine nodded quickly, moving to Amelia’s side.
Duncan faced his wife now, drew her in his arms briefly to offer her comfort, and then kissed her forehead. “I shall find Lily. Ye have nothin’ to worry about. Trust me.”
Charged with tension and a resolve to find whoever had done this, Duncan began a steady march towards his dungeons, his friend at his side.
“Who do ye think could have done this?” he asked as they walked with intent. “A new enemy out of nowhere?”
“Well, there is only one way to find out,” Arran told him with a nod. “And we shall get to the bottom of it, together.”
4
Alow hum sizzled in Killian’s entire body, warming his blood and making heat spike to the back of his neck. He had met feisty women over the years. Just not likeher. During his time in London, he had dined and had the most beautiful of women in the ton.
Killian was not thrilled by the activities of pleasure houses or gentlemen’s clubs any longer, as he had lived a full, young life during his time away.
So, why does this woman thrill me?
His captive was beautiful, but many women were. He just hadn’t met one this persistent and full of spirit. He loved watching her, even though she always had a frown on.
Her unique features captivated him. Then, there was the warmth of her body each time they were close.
Just like now.
The moment they entered the chamber, she charged at him again with an intent to run away. Killian shut the door with his leg and blocked her path with it. She groaned immediately, and he feared he had hurt her, so he withdrew his leg and blocked her path with his body instead.
“Ye willnae escape me,” he threatened as she staggered back away from him when he began backing her into a corner.
Her back was pressed against the wall behind her now, her hands flattened at her sides, and she inhaled sharply when he leaned in and brought his face closer to hers.
“If ye arenae Laird McLennan’s sister, then what is yer name? Who are ye?”
“Lily,” she whimpered when he breathed against her face. “Lady McLennan’s lady’s maid and personal guard.”
Killian snorted. “A lady cannae be a guard.”
“Are you always this arrogant? A lady can be a guard… I killed two of your men and nearly took you down. I am skilled enough to be a guard.”
There was the fire he liked, Killian thought as she tilted her chin up stubbornly. He admired her briefly, his gaze skimming herface so he could take in her lovely features. He had never met a more defiant woman.
When his eyes found hers again, the air around them seemed to thicken, and he felt the snap of tension sizzle through his nerves.
“What will you do with me?” she asked, her voice shaking a little, though she held her head high.
Killian could not let his guard down with this woman, even though staring at her deeply made him realize she had delicate features.
