Page 71 of A Highland Bride Taken

“I have decided, and ‘tis final,” Campbell gritted out. “I ken what ye tried to do. I ken ye sent the assailant after the boys, but I willnae let ye have yer way.”

Darragh didn’t have the gall to look sorry for what he had done. Instead, he looked murderous, but he sagged into Campbell’s hands, defeated.

It was good that he finally understood he had no say in his future, but that still didn’t mean the battle was won.

Campbell knew the man wouldn’t rest until he had his way, but for today, he would take his victory.

“Ye hurt me boys and tried to hurt me wife, Darragh, and those are unforgivable offenses. I should end yer miserable life where ye stand, but ye are kin. For me maither’s sake, I will spare ye,” he spat, before releasing his grandfather. “I willnae show such mercy if I see yer face anywhere in Muir lands again. Magnus!”

“Aye, Me Laird,” his man-at-arms answered, coming to his side.

“See to it that this man is escorted off me lands and ensure that he disappears into the horizon before ye return, or ye will receive his punishment.”

“Aye, Me Laird.”

Magnus and a few guards moved to do as Campbell commanded, and it was not until the doors to the hall swung shut that he let out the breath he had been holding.

His mind immediately went to his wife and the boys. Anger was still coursing through his veins, but he pushed it down. He needed to make sure that they weren’t hurt by the ordeal they had just endured.

“Uncle Campbell!” the boys cried, rushing to hug his legs when he entered their chambers. “Are ye well?”

“Aye, lads,” he said, smiling down at them.

His heart clenched at that moment. Innocent children had been in danger and had been hurt by one man’s darkness, and he had failed to prevent it again.

The realization weighed heavily on him, but he pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the boys. He held them tightly, lifting them so he could look at Mabel, who had a small smile on her face.

“Are ye well?” he asked.

“Aye,” she answered. “I am glad ye are home.”

Home.

The word made butterflies flutter in his stomach. In truth, he had ridden back to the castle earlier than planned because he wanted to return home.

These three were the reason he had wanted to return quickly to the castle, and he was glad for it.

If he had delayed his return…

He didn’t want to imagine what could have happened.

Darragh would have bled if he had hit his wife.

“I am sorry for what ye have endured today,” he sighed.

“‘Tis nae yer fault, Uncle Campbell,” Ollie said stubbornly. “That man was evil. I wish I had a sword with me.”

Campbell laughed softly, only to earn a frown.

“I ken ye’re a brave lad, but he would have hurt ye,” he cautioned. “And ‘tis nae yer place to protect the castle; ‘tis mine. I will protect ye going forward.”

“Will he nae return?” Connor asked softly.

“Nay,” Campbell answered, feeling his anger return at the tremor in the boy’s voice. “I willnae let him.”

Connor nodded and rested his head on his shoulder.

The mood turned somber, but Campbell didn’t want his grandfather’s dark stain hovering over them.