Page 74 of The Laird’s Wrong Wife

Tommy released her dress and turned to face Oscar. “Make the bad men leave her family alone.”

“I will defend Morrag,” Oscar promised.

Paisley drew an embroidered ribbon from her sleeve. She approached Ceana and tied it around the silver pin that would secure her cloak. “Send word when ye reach them.”

“I will,” Ceana said.

Mairi had already fastened her keys at her waist. “The lower chamber is bein’ cleared for any families brought inside. I have sent linen to the surgery.”

“The castle is in yer charge until I return,” Oscar instructed. “Keep the children in the inner ward and prepare for those who may need shelter. Captain Brodie commands the walls. Give him whatever the household can supply.”

Mairi nodded her head. “Aye, me Laird.”

Paisley took Tommy’s hand as Mairi led them away. Tommy looked back once before disappearing around the corner.

Oscar waited until their steps receded before facing Ceana. “Ye ride within me reach. Once steel is drawn, ye obey every field order I give. Ye stay away from the fightin’, and ye daenae leave the guard I place upon ye.”

“I agree.”

“And ye willnae take any risks.”

Ceana held his gaze. “I willnae seek danger. I cannae swear I will watch me family die to avoid it. Once the ground is secured, I will help me parents, the wounded, or anyone trapped inside the castle.”

Oscar’s mouth tightened. He would make the same choice if Paisley or Tommy were in danger.

“Ye take a guard whenever ye move.”

“Aye.”

Lennan witnessed the terms with a grave face.

“Have her mare saddled,” Oscar ordered.

The courtyard was crowded by the time they crossed it. The men buckled sword belts, while grooms led saddled horses out of the stables. Oscar chose a sure-footed bay mare that answered to the reins and brought Ceana to her.

Ceana ran one hand down the mare’s foreleg, then checked the bridle and girth. Oscar tested the girth after her and found it secure. She watched him without comment.

He shortened one stirrup by a hole and measured it against her leg. His hand closed around her ankle only long enough to judge the length. Something about the action made him remember the way he had fisted the folds of her dress and the way she had pressed into his hand earlier.

Eventually, he released her and reached for the short knife Lennan offered him. “Can ye draw this quickly and use it?”

“Me faither taught both his daughters enough to escape a man’s hold.”

He fastened the sheathed blade to her hip. Ceana swept her cloak over it, found the hilt, and drew it several inches without catching the fabric. Oscar shifted the sheath up. His knuckles brushed the curve of her waist, and he paused for a brief second. Ceana looked down at his fingers, then raised her eyes to his.

He secured the buckle and reached for her cloak; Paisley’s ribbon was wrapped around the pin at her shoulder. As he fastened it, his knuckles brushed the bare skin above her collar. He could feel her pulse flutter beneath his forefinger.

Ceana remained still anyway.

“At me side until I order otherwise,” he murmured.

“Then keep pace, husband.”

Lennan approached, carrying Bryce’s folded demand. Oscar examined the wax before breaking it. The seal was Bryce’s, and the demand beneath it bore his name alone. Angus had left no mark on the page.

He refolded the sheet and tucked it inside his coat.

“The scouts have gone,” Lennan announced. “The men are ready.”