Page 139 of The Laird’s Sinful Obsession

He looked up at Calum. "How did ye manage this so quickly?"

"Let's just say the king was nae pleased to learn Torquil had manipulated him."

"I imagine nae." Lachlann folded the letter carefully. "Where's Alba?"

"The east garden, last I was told."

"Someone fetch her," Lachlann called toward the door, then turned back to Calum. "Thank ye, braither."

"Ye're me braither and she's me sister," Calum said. "What else was I goin' tae dae?" He paused, his expression turning more serious. "How is she? Truly?"

"She's—" Lachlann considered how to answer that. "She's stronger than she was. Still healin' from some of it. But she's here, and she's safe."

"Calum!"

They both turned as Alba appeared in the doorway, her face lighting up when she saw her brother.

She ran to him and Calum caught her in a tight embrace, his eyes closing briefly.

"Ye're all right," he said into her hair. "Thank God ye're all right."

"I'm all right," she said, pulling back to look at him. "Ye brought word from the king?"

"Aye." Calum gestured to the letter in Lachlann's hand. "It's over, Alba. All of it."

She stared at him for a moment, and then her knees buckled slightly. Lachlann was there immediately, his hand at her elbow, steadying her.

"Easy," he murmured.

"I'm all right," she said again, but her voice was shaking. "I just, it's truly over?"

"Aye," Lachlann said. "It's truly over."

She pressed her hands to her face and took a long breath. When she lowered them, her eyes were bright but clear.

"Good," she said. "That's––that's good."

Calum was watching her with the careful attention of someone who knew her well enough to see past the composure. "Alba. What happened here? Lachlann's letter said Torquil attacked."

"He's dead," Lachlann said flatly. "He came fer her with ships and men. We fought. I killed him."

Calum's eyebrows rose. "Ye killed him?"

"Aye."

"In single combat?"

"More or less."

"Good," Calum said, with the same finality Lachlann had used. Then he looked between them, his gaze sharpening. "Is there somethin' else I should ken?"

Alba glanced at Lachlann, and he saw the question in her eyes. He nodded slightly.

"We married," Alba said. "Two nights before the attack. In the chapel. It was fast, we had tae strengthen our position against the warrant."

Calum went very still. "Ye married."

"Aye."