“He could claim it’s necessary or could claim he’s acting as a guardian. He could sell the story however he likes, really.”
“You think your uncle arranged your abduction?”
“I don’t know,” Charity admitted, sighing. “But I can’t believe he didn’t know something. It’s hard to believe a man like him, who plans everything down to the day, would be ignorant of something that removes his biggest obstacle.”
Duncan stared at her for a moment and then abruptly burst out. “Stop. Why are you telling me all this, instead of your solicitor or your sisters or whoever handles your affairs?” he stepped closer to her as he spoke, and the movement made her heart beat faster.
“Because I’m trapped here, and I don’t know how to get home safely, and I don’t know if the moment I step outside your gates I’ll be taken again,’ she said, feeling frustrated herself.
“That doesn’t answer the question,” he replied.
“You said earlier you needed to know whether this was an attack on me or a threat to you. I’m trying to tell you what I know so you understand that this is not some random accident,” she went on.
“And you think that makes it my problem?” he said, still close to her.
Charity’s chest flared with anger. Was he being serious? How selfish could a man be?
“It became your problem because you brought me to your castle; you’re involved now, whether you like it or not. My sisters are in danger, and I’m sitting here in Scotland with no idea what’s happening in York,” she burst out.
Duncan studied her for a long moment and did not remove the distance between the two of them. She hoped that there was no way that he could know how fast her heart was beating.
“You still haven’t told me why you came here.”
Charity’s hands shook, and she knew that he was far smarter than she.
“I need your help,” she said finally, “I need your protection when I go back home. I must guard my sisters into safety, and I cannot do that alone.”
“You think I’m going to ride into England and threaten your uncle for you?” he asked.
“I think you have more authority than I do,” she said. “Men listen to men, especially men with titles, and if you escort me back, then my uncle will not see me as so vulnerable.”
For a long moment, Duncan did not answer. He was contemplating, surely as he had not yet outrightly refused. But Charity’s desperation made her reckless, and she took a small step closer. “
“Please,” she said, “I don’t ask lightly, as I don’t even know you. But you’re the only person here who can help me with certainty.”
Duncan’s gaze stayed on her face. Then, unexpectedly, he lifted his hand. His fingers came up to her chin, and he tilted her face slightly as if he needed to see her properly.
She hated that her pulse jumped at the contact.
Duncan’s eyes searched her face, and Charity did not look away either.
“You came into my castle half-dead, and now you’re asking for protection.”
“Yes.” What else could she say? That was the honest truth of it, and he had laid it out well. Duncan’s fingers remained at her chin for one moment longer before letting go.
The loss of contact startled Charity more than the contact itself, making her feel suddenly cold. Duncan stepped back, his expression returning that old hardness.
“No,” he said simply.
“No?” Charity blinked. How could he just say no?
“You will leave in the morning as I told you, and handle your uncle with your solicitor and your own household. I’m not involving myself in English inheritance schemes.”
“So that is it?” Charity said, “You will not even consider it?”
“You’re asking me to step into a situation where I have no standing, no knowledge, and no reason to trust anyone involved. Why would I invite such trouble to my life?” he sparred.
“You’re telling me you can’t help an Englishwoman get safely back to her family?” She stood her ground. “You should be more of a gentleman.”
