Page 28 of The Laird’s Sinful Secret

“Lass.” Euan’s hands shot out, catching her upper arms as she tried to push past him. His grip was iron-strong yet measured, pinning her in place without bruising. “Ye think I’d invent such cruelty?”

“Let me go!” She struggled against his hold, but he was immovable as granite. “Let me⁠—”

“Look at me.” His voice dropped to that whisky-rough rumble that had made her pulse race on the battlements. “Moyra, look at me.”

She did, rage and heartbreak making her vision swim. This close, she could see every line of concern etched into his scarred face, could feel the heat radiating from his large frame, could smell him. It made her want to either strike him or collapse against his chest.

“I dinnae want this tae be true,” he said quietly. “But it is. And I’ll show ye the letter if ye dinnae believe me.”

“Show me.” The words came out hoarse. “Show me this letter that says me faither daesnae want me back.”

Euan released her arms slowly, as if afraid she might bolt. He moved to the desk, retrieving a piece of parchment that looked like it had been read and reread multiple times. The MacKenzie seal glinted in the morning light.

Her father’s seal.

Moyra took the letter with shaking hands. The words swam before her eyes at first, refusing to make sense. Then, slowly, their meaning crystallized like ice in her chest.

The words tore through her, vicious and final. The sentences landed like stones, each one heavier than the last. Twice, three times she read them, hunting for mercy hidden between the words—but found only cold dismissal.

There was nothing. Just her father’s complete indifference to her fate, his willingness to let her remain in enemy hands without even attempting negotiation.

The letter slipped from her fingers, drifting to the floor like a fallen leaf.

“Moyra—”

“Thank ye fer showing me the letter.” She moved toward the door, needing to escape before she shattered completely. “I’ll just return tae me chamber now⁠—”

“Wait.” Euan’s voice stopped her mid-step. “There’s more we need tae discuss.”

Of course there was. Because this nightmare couldn’t possibly be over yet.

She turned slowly, wrapping her arms around herself. “What more could there possibly be?”

“Me Council met this morning.” Euan moved closer, and she saw something in his eyes that made her stomach clench. “They’ve made their position clear. Under this sort of threat from yer father, they believe there’s only one way forward.”

“And what way is that?”

“Marriage.” The word fell between them like a stone. “Between us.”

For several heartbeats, Moyra simply stared at him. Then understanding crashed through her shock like a wave.

“Nay.”

“Moyra—”

“Absolutely nae.” She backed away, her voice rising. “Ye must be mad if ye think I’d ever agree tae that.”

“It would protect ye.” Euan followed her retreat, his expression grim. “As me wife, ye’d have status, security⁠—”

“As yer prisoner, ye mean!” The words came out sharp as blades. “Just a prettier cage than Norham’s dungeon.”

“It’s nae a cage⁠—”

“It’s exactly a cage!” She whirled to face him fully. “Ye want tae chain me tae ye legally, use me tae neutralize whatever threat me faither poses. Dinnae pretend this is about protection.”

His jaw clenched. “I’m trying tae dae what’s right⁠—”

“By forcing me intae marriage with a man from a clan that’s been my family’s enemy fer generations?” She laughed, the sound holding no humor. “By taking away what little choice I have left? That’s yer idea of safety?”