“That was uncalled for,” Alexander grumbled.
The two of them kept at it for another quarter of an hour before they jumped out of the ring, exhausted, breathing heavily, but otherwise unscathed.
This has been a fun day. We needed this,” Finlay announced. “’Tis been too long. We need to make it more of a habit.”
“Agreed, ’tis been hard with all that has happened,” Malcolm said. “Mayhap if ye stop getting your wives with bairns ’twould be easier.”
“Or,” Alexander drawled, “ye and Lizzie can start a family and join in the shenanigans of fatherhood.”
Malcolm sighed. “We’re trying. Lizzie is keeping a strong face, but she’s upset that she hasna conceived yet.”
Nicholas clapped him on the shoulder. “Give it time. ’Twill happen when the timing is right.”
Malcolm nodded, but Gunn could see the flash of pain that flickered across his face.
“Well, gentlemen. This has been fun, but I think we should make our way back home to our better halves,” Gunn said. What he really wanted to say was their wives, but of course, Jocelyn wasn’t his wife yet.
Yet.
She would be.
Hopefully soon.
*
When the ladiescalled for tea, Jocelyn excused herself. She was tired and wanted to lie down for a bit.
“Are ye sure?” Lizzie asked, concern furrowing her brows.
“Yes, I fear I haven’t been sleeping much at night and it has caught up with me. I will take a nap and be back down.”
She hopped away as the women guffawed behind her.
It seemed to take her forever to get to the house. She could put some weight on her foot, but not her full weight so she needed to make her way slowly over the uneven landscape to the castle.
Inside the door, she leaned on the frame, catching her breath. A movement behind her caught her attention and she turned to see her worst nightmare.
Victor stood there, a sneer slashing his face, his dark eyes almost black as he advanced.
“Y-y-you are not welcome here.”
“Well, lucky for you I am not here for a visit, Jocelyn. I am here to collect my wayward wife.”
Her eyes darted around the space. He was blocking the door that led outside. She wouldn’t be able to push past him if she tried. Her injured foot would be a deterrent.
Spinning, she moved toward a door that she hadn’t seen used since she’d arrived. Mayhap it would lead her outside.
Ignoring the pain in her ankle, she ran to the door and pulled it open, but as she tried to tug it closed behind her, Victor was there, pulling it open. Leaving it, she moved into the small platform and the stairs that disappeared into the inky darkness below. She had no choice.
As she clung to the wooden railing to assist her down the stairs, she felt Victor’s hands on her back, pushing her forward.
She held onto the railing for dear life. If she let go, she’d go tumbling down and injure herself even more.
“Stop pushing me,” she cried. Finally, she reached the bottom, but the space was only an empty stone room. Her breath was coming in short spurts. Victor would kill her down here.
There was another door, and he swung it open, shoving her inside.
Grabbing her shoulders, he pushed her hard against the stone wall, and she knocked her head against it.
