Page 35 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

Lucas sighed, a hand coming up to run through his fiery hair. Liam watched him close his eyes and pinch the bridge of his nose — the tell-tale sign that he didn’t want to be involved in any of it.

“And noo ye want to help her,” Lucas said. “It’s a sad thing; it really is, Liam. But it isnae yer place to do anythin’ about it.”

Liam scoffed, hands coming to rest on his hips. “How is it nae me place? Someone is in danger. I must help her.”

“And destroy yer family in the process?” Lucas asked. “If Macleod is as ruthless as ye say he is, then what will stop him from attackin’ the clan? Let her faither resolve this. We shouldnae be involved in it.”

“That’s what I kept tellin’ her and meself but I cannae just leave her here!” Liam said. “I cannae let him hurt her.”

“And what about everyone else, hmm?” Lucas asked. “What about all the servants? What about yer family? Is it fine if he hurts them?”

Liam stayed silent for a moment. “I told the servant lass I’d help her, too,” he mumbled and was not surprised when Lucas cursed him, looking as if he wanted nothing more than to knock some sense into him. “If I can help them all, I will. And if Macleod attacks, then we can handle him. Amelia would want this, too. Ye ken that she would.”

“As much as I trust Amelia’s judgement and follow her word, I will have to agree with Ron on this,” Lucas said.

“Ron?”

“Aye. He kent that ye would fall for the lass,” Lucas said. “he told me to bring ye back nae matter what and to make sure that she stays here. It’s what is best for everyone.”

“Nae everyone,” Liam pointed out. “It’s nae what’s best for Muriel.”

“I will write her father,” Lucas promised. “I will send a messenger right to him and I’m sure that he will take her back immediately.”

“It’s nae good enough,” Liam insisted. “What if he hurts her the moment we leave?”

Lucas let out a heavy sigh – placing his hands on Liam’s shoulders and making the younger man look at him. “Ye cannae choose her over the clan. None of us can. As much as I would like to help her, I have orders from our laird and I’m usin’ me own judgement, too, to do what is best for us. Dinnae be a fool. Muriel will be safe. Noo let’s go back before they begin to wonder what we’re doin’. Make sure ye behave.”

Liam leaned against the wall as he watched Lucas head back inside the great hall. As much as he hated to admit it, Lucas had a point but it didn’t matter to him. He knew right from wrong and it was wrong to leave her there. He didn’t care what Lucas or Ron said. Neither of them had fallen for Muriel the way he had. Neither of them knew what torture it was to think that she would suffer.

He wished he could help them all. He wished he could take all the servants away from the keep and give them good lives but he would have to start with Muriel and the young woman he had met.

No matter what happened, he would keep the two of them safe. He had given his word and he wasn’t going to go back on it.