Page 13 of The Laird’s Wrong Wife

“I wouldnae trust that innocent manner,” he said quietly. “The last person he smiled at disappeared for two days. When we found the man, he refused to explain where Tommy had sent him.”

Ceana searched his face for amusement but found none. “Are ye jestin’?”

“He was found,” Tommy interjected. “And I didnae send him far.”

“That is comfortin’.” Ceana turned back to Oscar. “Perhaps yer son inherited his manners from ye after all.”

The corner of Oscar’s mouth twitched before he smoothed it as another rut pushed their knees together. He made no immediate effort to move his leg.

Ceana swallowed, trying not to show how briefly her heart had jumped.

“Me family doesnae ken where I am,” she said. “They daenae ken whether I am safe or why I vanished.”

“Daenae worry. Yer faither will receive me message and a formal contract later.”

“A contract willnae undo what ye have done. It will force him to answer a powerful laird after ye took his daughter from a festival.”

Oscar’s gaze remained steady. “We will discuss the terms at the castle.”

“And if I refuse every term? Do I have any say?” she asked, her voice rising enough for Tommy to hear.

The boy looked between them with a frown. “That isnae fair, Faither,” he said. “When Paisley and I quarrel, ye listen to both sides before decidin’ who gets punished.”

“Ye are usually the one punished, though, because ye are usually the one teasin’ yer sister.”

Tommy considered this. “Are ye teasin’ her, then? Ye took her away and willnae listen.”

Heat spread from Ceana’s chest up to her neck. Tommy’s innocent question made the cramped bench and Oscar’s thigh against hers seem far more intimate.

Oscar’s gaze paused on the color in her face before lifting slowly to meet her eyes. “I am offerin’ her a choice,” he corrected. “She may become the lady of one of the strongest clans in the Highlands.”

“A choice generally implies more than one permitted answer,” Ceana pointed out.

Oscar held her gaze for another moment. “Rest. We will speak properly when we reach MacKane Castle.”

He stepped out and reclaimed his horse. The space beside Ceana opened, though warmth remained where his body had pressed against the bench.

Evening had darkened by the time the carriage stopped beside a narrow burn. The guards surrounded the road while the horses drank. Ceana studied the unfamiliar hills beyond them. She had no cloak suited for travel, no food, and no knowledge of the route. Running into the darkness would also leave Tommy alone among men too occupied to notice him climbing ropes.

Oscar approached with bread and a cup of water. He held them toward her without apology.

Ceana folded her arms. “I am nae hungry.”

He set both on the carriage step and walked away to question the driver.

Tommy took the cup and carried it to her. “Ye need water after helpin’ Ness and travelin’ all this way.”

Ceana accepted it.

Across the road, Oscar checked the horses and spoke to the guard responsible for Tommy. He crouched briefly to examine Ness’s freed leg before ordering food brought for his son.

They resumed their journey after nightfall. Tommy soon curled up beside Ceana, with his head resting against her arm, while Ness settled across their feet.

Ceana watched the dark road through the curtain and counted the mounted guards whenever moonlight revealed them. Somewhere behind them, her parents might already know she had vanished. Angus might believe Daphne had publicly rejected him for Oscar.

Tommy slept safely against her as Oscar rode beside the carriage through the night. Soon enough, she dozed off as well, the thought of what to expect in MacKane Castle lulling her to sleep.

The morning light entered through a gap in the curtain and woke Ceana with an ache running from her neck to the base of her spine. Tommy slept against her arm, his mouth slightly open, while Ness shifted across their feet and lifted her nose toward the window.