Page 395 of Wicked Highland Heroes

All eyes, including her husband’s, turned on her.

She didn’t hesitate this time. “I will stay.”

“You need not fear him,” Edwin said. “I can protect you.” His hand moved to the hilt of his sword.

Anger shot through her. “I told you, I will not leave.”

Iain stepped in front of her. “You have your answer.” His savage tone was reflected in the ferocity of his touch when he grabbed her wrist with an iron grip and dragged her toward the castle.

* * *

Victoria awoke the following morning to find the place beside her empty. She laid a shaky palm on the smooth sheet. As expected, cool as the morning breeze that wafted in through the window. Iain hadn’t slept there.

Her pulse jumped. Had he gone to Madeline as she’d feared when he left her yesterday afternoon? Her wait for his return had ended with her crying herself to sleep deep into the night. Tears rose to the surface again. Could she live with another man who kept a mistress only minutes away? What if he decided to bring her into their bed? Unlike in England, there would be no retreat from Fauldun

Castle and Iain MacPherson—or a mistress whose anger bordered on insanity. Pain twisted her heart. She had endured Richard’s rejection because she knew he was incapable of love. But Iain was different. Or was he? Mayhap returning to England with Edwin was the better choice.

Victoria threw back the covers and rose. Upon encountering Thomas in the hall after she’d dressed twenty minutes later, Victoria learned Iain had departed early that morning.

“Where has he gone?” she asked with a nonchalance she wasn’t feeling.

“He had business in Dawilneh.”

Dawilneh. The opposite direction Edwin would have gone—if, indeed, Iain went to Dawilneh.

Victoria started to turn away, but halted. “Did he go alone?”

“Aye, my lady, he did.”

With a nod of thanks, Victoria hurried to the stables. Dawilneh was but twenty minutes away. People rode from the keep to the village often. But a woman alone, the lord’s wife, could raise question.

Would the guards let her pass?

Gilbert saddled a mare and she set out for the gate. She smiled grimly when the guards let her pass without so much as a nod. It would seem her husband hadn’t lied when he said the wife of Lord MacPherson enjoyed the privileges of free men.

* * *

In the hours that passed when Victoria watched Dawilneh from the hill overlooking the village, she saw no sign of Iain. What had she hoped to gain by coming here? What had she thought to say to him? Whether a day, a year, or a century, I could not betray you because…because what? She loved him? Could she love a man who had taken her captive? Her heart squeezed. Could she love any man?

The time drew near to return home, but she could muster no heart to go. Velvety cool grass enveloped her as she eased onto her back and closed her eyes. Tears threatened and she squeezed her eyes shut only to see Iain’s face when he’d said “You care for him that much?” She choked back a sob. He believed she cared for Edwin. The sound of a metal clank jerked her upright. She cried out at sight of the wall of men surrounding her. Recognition of the Fraser plaid was immediate and her heart leapt to a gallop.

“’Tis plain to see ye are havin’ a bad day, lassie.”

Victoria swung her gaze onto the aging warrior who had spoken.

“Surely it canna’ be as bad as all that?” he asked.

His thick brogue confounded her. She stared in silence and he cocked his head.

“Are ye all right, lass? Are you lost?”

She shook her head, and a frown creased his craggy brow.

“Are you saying no to being all right, or being lost?”

His quandary brought an uncertain smile to her lips and he grinned in response.

“Much better. ’Tis no’ good to see a fine lass such as yourself shedding tears.”