Page 58 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

The lad gulped in air and swallowed. “Soldiers. Heavily armed, riding for the castle.”

He turned to Liam who was also preparing to leave for the Stewarts. “Gather the men,” Bryce ordered.

Mere minutes later they were galloping across the field to intercept their visitors. Everyone was surprised when it was English outriders who were spread out across the field, armed and fierce. They remained in place surrounding a fancy carriage until it came to a halt at the line of MacKinlay warriors.

“You are on MacKinlay lands,” Lach bellowed to the intruders. “Please state your purpose.”

The door opened and a tall man stepped out. Elegantly dressed, his hair graying at the temples, he offered an easy smile. As he stepped closer, Bryce noted the man’s posture, thinking he moved with the fluidity of a soldier. Then Bryce noticed the color of the man’s eyes and the way they tipped up in the same way Dorie’s did.

“Good day. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dorien Sutherland, Viscount Rutherford, and I believe my daughter is here.”

Chapter Nineteen

Both Lach and Cam turned to Bryce as if expecting him to say something. Bryce considered asking the blighter if he didn’t know how to return a goddammed letter but decided that was rude and thus remained silent.

While Dorie had stopped talking about her real father daily, Bryce saw the sadness in her eyes each day when she got no word from him. Bryce might have ridden to London and forced the man’s hand if it weren’t so far away. He didn’t want his wife to be disappointed, so it was important that this man be cleared by him and his cousins first.

Lach slid down from his horse and took the few steps to shake hands with the man. “Lachlan MacKinlay, Laird of Clan MacKinlay. This is Bryce MacKinlay Campbell, war chief and your son-in-law.”

Bryce had already dismounted and stepped forward to shake Dorien’s hand as well. “Dorie’s been beside herself waiting for a response from ye. She thought you dinna want anything to do with her.” If his tone sounded accusing, so be it.

The man frowned. “I started many letters and didn’t know where to begin. The thought of waiting to hear back had me packing to come here instead, though the weather hindered my progress until the thaw. I just couldn’t leave it to letters. I needed to see her in the flesh.”

Bryce and Dorien took each other’s measure for a full minute before Bryce finally let out a breath and nodded. “I’ll not send you away. Not when I know she’ll want to meet you. But tread carefully. She’s been mistreated her whole life; I’ll not have you treat her ill.”

“Of course not. I appreciate how fiercely you protect her.”

“We’ll escort you to the castle. Bryce, mayhap you should go prepare Dorie for the viscount’s arrival.”

“Aye.” Bryce nodded and mounted his horse. He tore off for the castle to get there before her father. The man seemed pleasant enough. Bryce could only hope he wasn’t setting Dorie up for more pain. She didn’t need another man to let her down. He knew he was more than enough of a disappointment.

…

Dorie sat on the floor playing with Lizzy when Bryce rushed into the solar. For a moment she worried there was another battle. While it would mean he would have to delay his trip to the Campbells again, she didn’t like this alternative.

“We’ve a visitor,” Bryce relayed, looking only at her.

Normally the duty of delivering messages to the laird’s wife fell to one of the younger boys in the clan. Dorie didn’t understand why Bryce would do such when he was planning to leave.

“Who has come to visit?” Kenna asked excitedly. The woman had no patience for surprises.

Rather than answer, his gaze scanned the room and returned to her. He stepped closer and took the little girl from her arms and passed her to Kenna, whose arms were empty. He reached for Dorie and helped her to her feet.

Something prickled down her spine. The way he hadn’t answered Kenna’s question. The way he was focused only on her.

“You’ll want to come to the bailey,” he said finally. “Your father is on his way.”

Dorie gasped and placed her hand on her chest. “Is he attacking? Are there enough warriors in the castle to defend against a McCurdy assault?” She moved for the door, not knowing what she might do to thwart his plans, but she’d do her best to reason with the man or die trying. This was her home; she would do her part to protect the people she loved.

Bryce shook his head and took her elbow to hold her in place. “We’re not under attack, Dorie. It’s not the McCurdy who rides on the castle. It’s your real father. Dorien Sutherland, Viscount Rutherford. He’s come to see you.”

Dorie blinked as the words surged around her, not making any sense. Finally she pieced them together and nearly fell over. Bryce righted her by wrapping a sturdy arm around her waist.

“He’s here?” she whispered.

“Nearly. I rode ahead to tell you so you could be ready to greet him when he arrives. He’s not far behind me.”

“Do I look all right? Perhaps I should change.” She was wearing her best gown already, though there was dust along the hem where she’d been sitting on the floor with the children.