Page 32 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

"That went well," Tristan said dryly.

David started toward where their horses were being held. "We leave. Now."

"Now?" Elinor hurried to keep pace. "We just arrived."

"And now we're leavin'. Come on."

"But…"

"Now, Elinor."

Tristan was already mounting his horse. David swung onto his own, then reached down to help Elinor up. She took his hand, and he pulled her into the saddle in front of him.

"Hold on," he said.

"Where are we going?"

"Home. Tae Keppoch."

They rode out of Alnwick at a pace just short of suspicious. Fast enough to be urgent, slow enough not to look like they were fleeing. David didn't relax until the castle was out of sight, until they were on the open road heading north.

"Why are we in such a rush?" Elinor asked. Her back was pressed against his chest, her body rigid with tension. "The Duke accepted our marriage. He dismissed us. Why does it feel like we're running?"

"Because we are," David said bluntly. "That wasnae an acceptance, lass. That was a temporary truce." He urged the horse faster, needing distance. Needing time. "The man’s suspicious. He's goin' tae dig into our story. And when he daes, he's goin' tae find holes."

"Then we need to make sure the holes are filled."

"We will. But first, we need tae get ye tae Keppoch. Once ye're on MacDonald lands, ye're under me protection. The Duke cannae just take ye."

"Can't he?" Her voice was small. "He's the Regent."

"The Highlands dinnae always bend tae the Crown."

"That sounds like treason."

"That sounds like survival." David's arms tightened around her.

"Am I in danger?"

The question was so softly asked he almost missed it.

"Ye're protected." He said it firmly. "I'll nay let anythin' happen tae ye, lass. That's a promise."

"You can't promise that. You don't control the Regent."

"Nay. But I control Keppoch. And once we're there, he will have a much harder time touchin' either of us."

Elinor was silent for a long moment, processing. When she spoke again, her voice was steadier.

"How long until we reach Keppoch?"

"Three days of hard ridin'. Maybe four if the weather turns."

Behind them, Tristan rode in silence. David could feel his friend's disapproval radiating like heat. They'd have words later, he knew. About the risk he'd taken. About the danger he'd put them all in.

But for now, they rode north.