Page 31 of The Laird’s Sinful Obsession

This was impossible. All of it. Being there, being near him, feeling things she had no right to feel.

She had to go home. Had to get back to her own clan, her own life, where everything made sense and she didn't have to worry about wine-loosened confessions or dangerous proximity or the way her heart raced every time Lachlann looked at her.

But until the roads were safe, until Torquil was dealt with, she was trapped there.

Trapped in Lachlann MacNeil's castle, trying desperately not to fall even deeper into feelings that could only lead to heartbreak.

CHAPTER NINE

"Ye're broodin'."

Lachlann didn't bother looking up from the leather lead he was inspecting. "I'm workin’."

"Ye're broodin' while workin’," James corrected, leaning against the fence of the dog enclosure. "Which is somehow worse. What happened?"

"Naethin’ happened."

"Right. That's why ye stormed out of the hall this mornin’ and came straight here instead of dealin’ with the dozen matters waitin’ fer yer attention."

Lachlann finally looked up, his jaw tight. "Did ye come here tae help or tae lecture?"

"Neither. I came tae make sure ye hadnae done somethin’ spectacularly stupid." James crossed his arms. "Have ye?"

"Nay."

"Then why daes Lady MacKinnon look like she wants tae disappear into the stones, and why are ye out here hidin’ among the dogs?"

"I'm nae hidin’—" Lachlann stopped himself, took a breath. "The seatin’ at breakfast. It made her uncomfortable. People were starin’, talkin’. She's worried about her reputation."

Understanding crossed James's face. "Ah. And ye tried tae fix it?"

"I told her I'd keep me distance. Change the arrangements." Lachlann went back to inspecting the lead, his movements rougher than necessary. "That's what she wanted."

"Is it?"

"Aye. She made that clear."

James was quiet for a moment. "And what dae ye want?"

Lachlann's hands stilled on the leather. "What I want daesnae matter."

"Daesnae it?"

"She's Calum's sister. That makes her⁠—"

"I ken who she is, Lachlann. I'm askin’ what ye want."

Before Lachlann could answer—before he had to put into words the things he'd been trying not to think about—one of the dogs barked sharply, demanding attention.

Grateful for the interruption, Lachlann set down the lead and moved to the enclosure. "Come on then, let's see tae ye."

James watched him for another moment, then shook his head and walked away, leaving Lachlann alone with the animals.

The dogs crowded around as he entered, tails wagging, pushing against his legs for attention. Lachlann knelt and began his inspection routine—checking paws for cuts or thorns, running his hands over their bodies to feel for injuries, looking for any signs of illness or distress.

This was familiar. Comfortable. Animals didn't judge or speculate or whisper behind their hands. They just were, honest and straightforward in their needs and affections.

"Right, let's work on yer commands," he said to the largest of the dogs, a shaggy grey beast named Storm. "Sit."