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“Cruel,” he repeated. “Cruel is firing a pistol into a man you do not know and leaving him bleeding on the ground.”

Sorcha’s eyes filled despite her effort to master herself. “I was afraid.”

“Aye,” Gavan said quietly. “And fear makes beasts of people.”

The chamber fell silent again. For a heartbeat, he wished she would rage at him. Deny everything. Defend her brother blindly. It would have made this easier. But she did none of those things. She merely looked exhausted. Stripped raw by grief and disgrace.

“I am not asking forgiveness,” she said after a long moment. “Only time. Let William speak before men decide his fate in anger.”

Gavan stared at her. The law mattered. That was the heart of it. However much he despised William Sutherland, however much he resented the danger forced upon Clan Munro, he could not allow a man to be hurried to the gallows without proper counsel and lawful examination. If vengeance replaced justice, then none of them were safe from it.

Yet that was not the only reason he hesitated. He could see the bruises at Sorcha’s throat. The damage to her cloak. The careful way she held herself, as though one more humiliation might finally shatter whatever strength remained. Someone had already recognised her vulnerability. Someone had already tried to take advantage of it. And if she walked back into the world now, alone and clanless, others would follow.

The realisation settled heavily inside him.

She was dangerous to keep close. A complication he neither wanted nor trusted. But sending her away might be worse. For her. For the fragile scandal surrounding William. Even for himself, though he refused to examine that thought too carefully.

“Stand,” he said abruptly.

She blinked in surprise before pushing herself unsteadily to her feet. Destiny instinctively moved as though to help her, but Sorcha caught herself before the assistance reached her. Pride again. Even now.

Gavan watched her sway slightly before forcing herself still. Mud-stained. Exhausted. Trembling with cold and fear yet still trying to face him with dignity.

Something inside him hardened in self-defence. “I will prevent your brother from being dragged to the gallows without lawful review,” he said.

Relief broke across her face so suddenly it nearly undid him. However, he would not allow her to mistake justice for softness.

“This is not charity,” he continued. “Nor mercy.”

Her expression faltered.

“You want my influence. My authority in Dingwall. My insistence that procedure be followed.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Then you will repay the debt.”

Wariness flickered through her eyes. “How?”

Gavan glanced briefly towards Cameron, seeing the question already forming in his brother’s expression. He ignored it. The decision had already settled itself inside him with grim inevitability.

“You will come to Lemlair House.”

Confusion crossed her face.

“My residence in Dingwall,” he said. “It has stood neglected for years. Repairs have begun, but much remains undone.” His gaze held hers. “You will serve there until I consider the debt repaid.”

Shock rippled visibly through the room. Destiny inhaled sharply while Cameron straightened away from the table.

Sorcha stared at him as though she could not decide whether he had offered protection or punishment.

The truth was it was both.

Part of him wanted her to understand precisely what William’s actions had cost others. Let her see soot and labour instead of silk and privilege. Let her spend her days restoring what neglect and carelessness had ruined. Yet beneath that anger lay another truth Gavan could not entirely deny. Under his roof, she would be safe. Watched. Untouchable to the men already circling this scandal like wolves scenting blood.

“Your clan has abandoned you,” he said quietly. “And there are men who would gladly use you against your brother if given the opportunity.” His gaze dropped briefly to the bruises darkening her throat. “Others already have.”

Sorcha went pale.

“Under my protection,” he said, forcing the words out evenly, “they will not touch you again.”

For the first time since entering the chamber, genuine uncertainty crossed her face. As though she did not know whether to fear him or to trust him.