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Teeth barred and still hissing and growling low in their throats, they prowled over to sit beside Keane. And then, as if it were the most normal thing in the world to have savagely attacked a human, they began grooming themselves.
On the floor, Lorne writhed and moaned, his clothing and flesh shredded, and from the looks of him, probably blinded in one eye.
Keane couldn’t summon an iota of sympathy. He’d deserved that and more.
Footsteps thundered outside the chamber. A heartbeat later, Graeme, Camden, and four clansmen plowed into the room.
Marjorie edged in behind them, keeping Cora’s cherub’s face shielded from the grizzly scene.
“Holy God above,” Graeme said as comprehension took root. He gave Sphynx and Chimera a wide birth, as did the other Scots.
If the situation weren’t so serious, Keane might’ve chuckled at the six huge Scots skirting the cats as if they were fire-breathing dragons.
“Remind me never to make them angry,” Camden muttered, a good deal of awe coloring his tone.
“They were protectin’ me,” Cora ventured. “They’re my friends, and friends help each other.”
Upon hearing Cora, both felines ambled to Marjorie and rubbed against her skirts, loudly purring all the while.
“I think they deserve a special treat for bein’ so brave,” Cora declared.
Her grateful gaze seeking Keane’s, Marjorie agreed. “Indeed, they do, darling.”
He read the appreciation in her eyes. And something more. Something that he couldn’t explore with her brothers-in-law or his clansmen hauling Lorne’s limp form from her chamber.
Her former chamber.
Keane would have her moved next to him, assuring her safety. Assuring she was near him forevermore.
Her head resting on Marjorie’s shoulder, Cora tipped her lips upward at Keane. “I kent ye’d save me.”
Lost in thought, a soft pale green wool shawl covering her nightgown, Marjorie sat in a comfortable chair, gazing out the window into the winter night’s sky.
Driven by the wind, clouds butted against each other like playful kittens or puppies, but glimpses of starlight and moonlight shone through the vast black space between them. There was something immensely peaceful about staring at the stars while waiting for the man she loved.
Candles glowed and flickered in the sconces, and a roaring fire warmed the opulent chamber. Marjorie suspected this was the duchess’s suite.
Brazen of Keane to transfer her to these rooms. Doing so sent an unmistakable message. And instead of pique or vexation, immense warmth curled around her ribs at his daring and presumptuousness.
While she’d tucked Cora into bed once more, servants had moved her possessions. As was their wont, Sphynx had settled beside Cora and Chimera stretched out next to Elana, still fast asleep.
Pinpricks of tears stinging her eyes, Marjorie had run her hand over both cats’ heads. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for saving us.”
Sphynx and Chimera had saved them.
They might not be as docile and tame as the typical tabby cat, but she’d never doubt her daughters’ safety with them again. If she hadn’t witnessed their calculated, feral attack herself, she’d never have believed it.
They had known Cora was in danger, and they’d acted together to save her.
It was a miracle, plain and simple.
No doubt Cora would regale her older sister with the adventure she’d had this night. Hopefully, the awfulness would fade in time and not leave lingering scars in her daughter’s little mind or on her innocent soul.
Before leaving, Keane had tenderly kissed Marjorie’s forehead. “I’ll explain everythin’, jo, but right now my people need me. Their traditions are all some of them have. I try to discover who most needs a first-footin’ to encourage them for the next year. This year, eight families have suffered a loss of some sort, so I’ll no’ be returnin’ for hours.”
And so, after all of the horrific events that had transpired this evening, he’d painted a pleasant expression on his beloved face and gone to the first-footings. To bring a bit of joy, happiness, and encouragement to others also suffering.
He’d known Marjorie couldn’t leave her daughters tonight to accompany him, and he hadn’t asked it of her. But next year… She bent her mouth into a secret smile and nestled further into the chair, drawing her legs beneath her. Next year, she’d be at his side, and she’d prove that red-haired women weren’t bad luck.
