Page 82 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

“I’ll hear it,” he said. She hadn’t expected him to agree without hearing her request, but it would have made things easier if he had.

“I know you’re aware I received a letter some weeks ago from my maid in London. I know she would have sent it with the utmost discretion. However, it speaks of danger.”

“From London?”

“Yes. It seems they have not given up on their search for me. As you can imagine, when someone murders a peer of the realm, the English are sticklers for justice. Even as we speak, there may be trackers on their way with a warrant for my arrest.”

His brows pulled together. She could see he was trying to come up with a solution, as good lairds did. “And if that is so, what would you have me do?” he asked.

“You have guards posted at the borders to alert us when the soldiers arrive. We should have a few hours’ warning at minimum, yes?”

“Aye. A day probably. You would have plenty of time to escape.” He nodded once. “We could spare some money, and Cam will find you a new home. He’s already made provisions—”

She shook her head. “Dunardry is Cam’s home. You are his family. I cannot ask him to give all that up for me.”

“I do not think you would get a chance to ask him. He would leave with you the instant you were in danger.”

“Yes. He promised to protect me with his life. Which is why I’m willing to do whatever it takes to protect him with mine. They won’t stop looking for me. We would have to keep moving forever. Keep running. That’s no life. Always waiting, wondering if today will be the day I’m found. And when they finally do come upon us…?”

Lachlan pressed his lips together for a moment before turning back to her. “What would you have me do?” This time the question was asked with a hint of desperation.

“If the time comes, I would like you to send Cam on an errand in the opposite direction. I do not wish him to be here when they take me away.”

“Cam would draw his blade across my throat for even considering such a thing.”

“You are the laird.”

“And as Kenna points out, it means nothing if I don’t have the respect of my people behind me. Turning you over to the English is a sure way to lose their loyalty.”

“Perhaps it seems as if I’m a coward, wishing to give up. But if they come here looking for me, they will question everyone in the clan. It’s unrealistic to think something wouldn’t slip. And when that happens, the interrogations would become dangerous for everyone.”

It was clear from his expression he had not considered this. “You’ve thought this through.”

“Every night. It fills my mind constantly. This clan has become my family, and I need to do the right thing to protect them, or live with the guilt and sorrow forever. That is no way to live, my lord. Neither is forcing Cam from his home to spend the rest of his life roaming the earth on the run.” She swallowed and looked away, blinking back tears.

“Your husband—”

“Cam’s promise to protect me with his life will come to fruition, and he will be killed trying to save me. My death is inevitable. But his isn’t.” She stood a little taller, having come to terms with it. “I truly believe I would have died that night at the duke’s hands had I not acted to protect myself. I had never seen the duke so angry. Having lived long enough to come here and spend these last months as Cam’s wife and being part of Clan MacKinlay was more than I ever hoped to have.”

Lachlan did not look happy. “As you’ve said, you are one of us. And Clan MacKinlay protects its own. When you married Cam, it wasn’t just his promise of protection you acquired.”

A tear ran down her cheek. “I appreciate that, and it is because you have all become my family that I could never bring a fight with the English to your gates. When the time comes, I ask you to deliver me to them without resistance.”

“I think your sister is going to have something to say about that.” Lachlan rubbed the back of his neck.

“Which is why you cannot tell her.”

He laughed once. “You ask me to keep this secret from my wife?”

“I do. I know you have given her a promise of protection. Delivering me to the English is keeping that vow in the best way you can. I am sorry you are caught in such a situation. She will be angry with you, I’m sure. But when she calms, she’ll see you did the right thing.”

“It’s the when she calms part that has me worried.” He rubbed his jaw. “Let me consider all of our options. Mayhap there’s still a way to protect ye without such an extreme plan.”

She nodded and went to the door, hoping he could come up with something she hadn’t thought of.

Hiding here wasn’t a viable option. The soldiers would rip the village and the castle to shreds looking for her. If she wasn’t found, that wouldn’t be the end of it. Surprise inspections and searches would be ongoing and relentless. She’d thought of every possible outcome, and the only one that ensured the people she loved remained safe was turning herself in.

“I ask that when the English arrive, you at least let me know, so I can be part of your decision.”