Page 2 of A Kilted Marriage of Convenience

“Thank ye, then. Thank ye truly,” he said.

His eyes pierced hers, and she felt her whole body tremble. The enormous, handsome beast stroked her shoulder tenderly before releasing her from his grip.

Ciara was flustered. Receiving such sincere praise was unusual to her. She nodded stiffly and spun on her heel without looking back, running for the shadowed path that would take her back to the castle.

The man was nothing but danger, and she had had enough danger to last her a lifetime.

Ciara was sure that the MacDonald party would be able to escape on their own from that point, so all she had to worry about now was herself. She moved as quickly as she could. She just needed to get to her chambers.

If I can get there, nae one will know what I have done.

She slipped into the cellar. She was just about to turn the corner and see the heavy wooden door of her chamber when she bumped into someone again.

This time she did not bother holding onto her cloak when she fell backward, landing on the ground. Her heart skipped a beat, and her body went numb. The tall, domineering man she had stumbled into glared down at her with eyes that felt like bottomless pits of darkness. His red hair created a halo of fire around his head, making him resemble a divine being of judgment.

If looks could kill, she’d be dead and buried under his murderous gaze.

“Father! I-I…” Ciara stuttered as she got to her feet.

He knew. Oh, how well he knew what she had done. It was clear from the silent rage Keir MacNeil was exuding, just standing there.

As they stood there in pained silence, neither breaking eye contact, a soldier ran in. “The invaders have escaped, sire! They got away with the prisoner!”

Like kindling to a flame, the words of the soldier incited her father to move. Keir was so quick that Ciara could not react. The next moment, the back of his hand met her cheek so hard that blood filled her mouth, and she spun around before crashing to the ground again.