Page 73 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

“I ken it well enough, but she’s a strong woman. She’ll do what needs done.” She’d managed to get from London to the wilds of northern Scotland all on her own. He frowned, thinking of the state she’d been in that day. Thin, dirty, and dressed in ratty clothing.

He liked to imagine Mari as a duchess, sitting in a parlor in pretty dresses with maids to do her bidding. Being married to Cam was not elegant or luxurious. Though he’d never once heard her complain.

“It will not be the only time,” Lach said. “They’ll come back over and over again to check to see if she is here.”

“Then each time they return, we’ll not be here.”

Cam would do whatever it took to protect his wife.

…

While Cam worked every waking hour with his men, Mari spent the days gathering and making spare clothing she could hide beyond the castle in case she needed to flee. Since the incident with the adolescent bounty hunters she had remained in the keep, guarded by one of her husband’s men when he was unavailable.

“You’ve received a letter,” Kenna said, handing her a thin envelope.

Mari used to love to get mail, though she rarely did, thanks to the duke. But now, here at Dunardry, mail addressed to her could only mean trouble.

“Who knows I’m here?” she asked as she took it. They had agreed not even to tell their brothers she was here. If anyone mentioned it to any of the many English soldiers who patrolled the lands, she would be found.

“Read it.”

The missive had been addressed to Kenna, and the seal was broken.

Mari shook her head and unfolded the letter. Peering at the parchment, she squinted to make out the poor scratching on the page. It was from Lucy, her maid.

Your Grace,

I hope this letter finds you well. Or for that matter finds you at all. I remembered you once said you had a sister in Scotland who’d married a laird. I looked through your things and found a letter from her. Don’t worry, I burned the letter after I copied the address. I’m doing everything in my power to make sure the crown’s tracker doesn’t find you, but he is relentless. He’s questioned everyone in the house many times and has made threats that if we servants didn’t confirm that you ran to Scotland, we would be put out without a reference.

He’s a beast with a juicy bone and won’t give it up.

He says as soon as one of us verifies you went to Scotland, he will have enough evidence to go and fetch you home for trial.

Be vigilant, Your Grace. It won’t be long before one of the staff corroborates his claim just to be done with him. And when that happens, he will be heading for you.

Stay safe, Your Grace.

Your faithful servant,

Lucy

Mari had been a fool to hope she’d been forgotten. She’d prayed that enough time had passed and that she was free to live her new, happy life with a man who treated her kindly.

It was so easy to pretend things were fine, being so far north. Away from London. Away from her past.

But Sir Ridley, the tracker, hadn’t given up. She was not safe here. Nor would she ever be. Eventually the tenacious man would be granted his warrant, and he would show up at the castle gate to collect her.

What would happen when he did?

Visions of Cam being hauled away or killed for trying to protect her haunted her mind. He’d vowed to protect her with his life, and she didn’t want him to be forced to honor his promise. Especially when there was no chance of saving her.

Even if he gave his life to keep her safe, she would still be taken to stand trial for a murder. And since she was in fact guilty, she would surely be hanged.

There was no reason for Cam to be harmed. Her plight was hopeless, but his need not be. She would do whatever she had to in order to keep him safe.

“We must not speak of this letter to Cam. I will not ask you to keep a secret from your husband, but please tell him not to mention it to mine. I don’t want him to be upset or worried over this.”

“Worried?” Kenna’s eyes went wide. “Worried isn’t even half of what the man will feel when he finds out.”