Page 396 of Wicked Highland Heroes

A roll of thunder brought both of their gazes upward.

“It will be pouring very soon,” he said, looking back at her. “Do you think you should be getting on home?”

Victoria glanced at the men who accompanied him.

“Dinna’ worry.” He smiled gently. “They will do you no harm. Where is your home?”

Victoria stood and brushed off the grass that clung to her dress. “I can find my way from here, sir.” As feared, the surprise on his face said he wasn’t expecting an Englishwoman.

He scratched his beard in a thoughtful manner. “You wouldna’ be headed for Fauldun Castle?” When she didn’t answer, he went on. “You are in luck.” He winked. “That is exactly where we are going.”

Victoria studied him. “Who are you, sir?”

“Liam Fraser. Mayhap you have heard of me?”

Mist had begun to fall when Fauldun Castle came into view. Spotting Thomas on the battlement, Victoria wasn’t surprised when he met them as the gate swung open.

“Good afternoon, sir.” She dismounted and handed her reins to a nearby warrior who reached for them.

Thomas nodded to Liam, then angled his head in her direction with a slight raise of his brow. “It is nearly evening, my lady.”

She glanced around.

“Iain is not here,” Thomas said, and extended his hand to Liam. “Liam, good of you to escort my lady home.”

“Good of me?” He grunted. “I had little choice.” He pointed toward the gate, and Victoria startled to see three MacPherson warriors ride in.

She looked back at Thomas.

He gave her an inquiring smile. “Were three guards not enough?”

Before she could reply, his gaze shifted past her. She glanced over her shoulder and her stomach flipped at sight of her husband riding through the gates. Iain reined his horse to a stop beside them, dismounted, and threw the reins to a nearby man.

After a curious look at her, he faced Liam.

“What brings you to Fauldun Castle, Liam?” “The news of your unusual visitors,” he replied.

“I could not resist learning how you fared.”

Victoria half expected some sort of recrimination from Iain, but he simply said, “They gave us no real trouble. You will stay for the night?”

“Aye, with pleasure,” Liam said.

Victoria started at the feel of Iain’s hand on hers as he slipped it into the crook of his arm and began toward the castle.

“This is the first time I can recall the English leaving so quietly,” Liam said, falling into step beside them.

Iain looked at him. “You sound as if you would have preferred a fight.”

Liam laughed. “Expected one, would be more the like. You will have to forgive me, lad, I am a suspicious sort.”

“Perhaps you are in good company,” Thomas said.

Victoria thought she felt the muscle in Iain’s arm tighten, but they had reached the postern door and he opened it, allowing her to pass before him. He then entered, followed by Liam and Thomas.

She halted at the table and began to unclasp her cloak, but Iain brushed aside her hand and reached for the clasp. Warmth of his fingers against her neck elicited a quiver in her belly. She thought his touch lingered, but discarded the notion when he tossed the garment to a serving lad and withdrew her chair for her without a passing glance.

Katherine appeared from the stairs. Victoria met her eyes and read in them the satisfaction that she knew all was not well between her and Iain. The postern door opened and Riley entered. Katherine’s head jerked in his direction. Victoria winced at the haughty look the girl shot him before she whirled and headed back up the stairs. Perhaps she and Iain had done the lad an injustice by forcing Katherine on him.