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The room was silent now, save for the faint crackling of the dying embers in the hearth and the occasional creak of the old wooden beams overhead. Tammus lay sprawled on his back, staring at the ceiling, his hands folded across his chest. He hadn’t slept a wink—not a bloody wink—all night.

Thank the Saints, they were finally done. For the last hour—nay, two?—he’d endured the muffled sounds of his niece and that damnable MacDougal coupling like a pair of rutting animals. A shudder coursed through him, and he squeezed his eyes shut, forcing the vile memory from his mind. He’d spent a lifetime protecting Davina, seeing her grow from a babe, and now all of that was undone in one night.One very loud night.

He rolled over with a groan, pulling the covers over his head. At least it was over. The marriage was consummated, the deal was sealed, and she was no longer his responsibility. He should feel relieved—and he did, in a way—but mostly, he just felt…bone-deep tired.

Finally, blessed silence descended over the castle, and he allowed himself to relax, sinking into the worn mattress. His eyes drifted shut, and for the first time that night, the sweet promise of sleep began to take him.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

The pounding on his door jolted him upright, his heart pounding in his chest like a hammer. “By the saints,” he muttered, throwing back the covers. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, his joints creaking in protest. His muscles ached as though he’d walked from here to Aberdeen.

Whoever it was, they’d better have a damn good reason for disturbing him at this ungodly hour.

Stomping across the room, he yanked the door open with far more force than necessary. “What in the—”

MacDougal leaned casually against the doorframe, his broad shoulders nearly eclipsing the narrow threshold. The man’s smirk was infuriating, matched only by the glint of devilment in his emerald eyes.

“What the hell do you want?” Tammus snapped. “Shouldn’t you be bedding your wife?”

Broderick’s brow arched, his smirk deepening with lazy amusement. “Perhaps ye’re right,” he drawled, the rich brogue curling around each word. “If she wasnae loud enough for ye tae hear, I’d be happy tae remedy that right now.”

Tammus’s face flushed scarlet, and he threw up his hands in exasperation. “For the love of Saint Peter, spare me! The whole bloody village probably heard you already!”

Broderick chuckled, the sound low and rough as gravel. “Aye, well, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Tammus leveled a glare sharp enough to gut a man. “What do you want? I was trying to sleep.”

Broderick’s expression sobered, though the glimmer of humor lingered in his gaze. “I came tae let ye know ye’re free tae return tae Aberdeen,” he said, voice settling into a serious cadence. “I’ll take it from here.”

Tammus blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “That’s why you woke me? Couldn’t this have waited until a more decent hour?”

The corner of Broderick’s mouth tugged into a crooked half-smile. “Suppose it could’ve,” he admitted with an easy shrug. “But I’ve business tae tend tae. There’s a new route I’d like tae establish, so I’m leaving now and willnae return until sunset. Thought ye might want tae make haste back tae yer own work. Dinnae want tae keep ye lingerin’ if there were any final signatures, arrangements, or instructions.”

Tammus heaved a weary sigh, scrubbing a rough palm over his face. As much as he loathed conceding, the man had a point. “Fine,” he grumbled. “Thank you for the courtesy. There’s nothing else to do.”

Broderick extended a hand, and Tammus shook it grudgingly, eager to end the conversation and reclaim what remained of his restless night. “Oh, there is one thing,” Tammus added gruffly, shuffling to the desk. He tugged open the top drawer and retrieved two iron keys. Returning to the door, he slapped the keys into Broderick’s palm. “To Davina’s bedchamber. She’s your problem now.”

Broderick’s smile spread into something darker, more possessive, as he tucked the keys into his sporran. “Aye, she’s mine now. I’ll see tae it that she’s well cared for.”

“I hope you sincerely mean that. She’s been through enough.” Tammus nodded, his expression stern. “Have a happy union.” He slammed the door on Broderick’s damn smirk.

A deep chuckle echoed down the hall, followed by MacDougal’s retreating footsteps. The man’s laughter lingered, a low hum that grated on Tammus’s already frayed nerves. The thought of MacDougal scaling the castle wall niggled at hisconscience. Tammus shook the superstitious ideas that plagued him and scolded himself. ’Tis just as MacDougal said—he was well practiced at climbing. Nothing more.

Scowling, he shook his head and muttered beneath his breath, turning back toward the bed. Climbing under the covers, he settled onto his back and stared up at the smoke-stained beams overhead. The fire had burned low. The hush of the room pressed down on him.

But sleep, it seemed, was no longer an option.

After several restless minutes of tossing and turning, Tammus threw the covers back with a curse. “Damn him,” he growled, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He grabbed his boots, tugging them on with jerky motions, all the while muttering darkly to himself. If he couldn’t find rest, he might as well pack and leave for Aberdeen. He’d been away too long as it was.

As he tightened the laces on his boots and reached for his traveling cloak, his gaze drifted once more to the bed. The lingering warmth was a siren’s call, but the thought of lying awake, stewing over MacDougal’s smug face, was enough to drive any man to madness.

If he wasn’t getting any sleep, then by God, the rest of the household wouldn’t either.

Snatching up his satchels, Tammus slung them over his shoulder and yanked open the door. The castle lay in quiet hush, the corridors dimly lit by the guttering glow of wall-mounted torches. He strode purposefully through the servants’ quarters, his heavy boots thudding against the flagstones. Without hesitation, he rapped his knuckles against the nearest door, loud enough to rattle the hinges.

“If I can’t sleep, neither can anyone else!” he bellowed, a wicked grin curling his lips at the chorus of groans that answeredhim. Aye, mutual misery was a grand companion indeed.

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