Page 35 of A Wife for the Highland Villain (Breaking the Highland Rules #3)

Nathan walked into the study and shut the door behind him. Alasdair looked up at him, an expectant look on his face.

“Well?”

“It looks like she left with only the clothes on her back,” Nathan responded.

Alasdair threw his head back. “For the love of God, Lily.”

“Nothing was packed.”

Alasdair rose from his chair, his unease growing. “So she’s gone.”

Nathan nodded. “Sorcha says she hasnae seen Lady MacKane either since last night.”

Alasdair’s thoughts twisted quickly, one after the other. He stepped closer. “What about Laird Mackane?”

“His chamber is empty too,” Nathan replied. “According to the footmen, he left early with his wife.”

Alasdair’s jaw clenched hard. “Aye,” he muttered.

He dismissed Nathan with a nod. The man gave a short bow and left.

The study felt colder once Nathan was gone. Alasdair started pacing back and forth, his mind working overtime as questions that he had no answer to continued to pop up in his head.

Where could she be? Had she already taken it upon herself to leave for her village? Did she go with Conall and Brigid instead?

He swallowed as the last question niggled at his mind.

He ran a hand through his hair, each step heavier with the thought that he had lost her.

The door opened again, and this time, it was Finn who strolled inside, his arms folded across his chest.

“I’m hearing whispers that yer wife fled the castle. What did ye do this time, ye arrogant bastard?”

Alasdair looked up at him, guilt written all over his face.

Finn pressed his hand to his forehead. “So it is true.”

Alasdair stopped pacing and swallowed again. “I was trying to protect her.”

Finn nodded. “Ye’ve said that so many times, it doesnae make sense anymore.”

“Someone wants us dead, Finn. Dead . I needed her safe and did what I had to. She was meant to leave this afternoon in a carriage I arranged. Now, I daenae even ken where she is.”

Finn leaned against the wall, unimpressed. “So she slipped out. Is this the point where ye admit ye made a mistake?”

Alasdair’s throat worked. The words were bitter, but he forced them out. “At this point, all I want is for her to be alive. Whether she ever calls herself me wife doesnae matter. I only want her safe and sound.”

Finn lifted his eyebrows. “Lily is tougher than ye give her credit for. She can handle herself.”

Alasdair shook his head, and his voice dropped low. “And what if she cannae?”

“That right there,” Finn shot back, raising his finger. “That is the very thing that drove her away. Yer doubt. Yer need to shield her so badly that ye daenae see how strong she is.”

The truth of those words cut deep, and Alasdair gripped the edge of his desk, his knuckles white.

Finn was right. Lily never once doubted him. She believed she was safe with him. But he doubted her. He doubted them . And in his desperation to guard her, he pushed her away.

Finn’s voice softened, though his smirk stayed. “Well then, ye’ve done it. But daenae worry. We can wait another ten years, track her to some remote village, and abduct her all over again. Worked fine the first time, did it nae?”

A bitter laugh escaped Alasdair’s lips. “I’ve truly stepped in it this time, have I nae?”

Finn tilted his head. “If ye have to ask…”

Alasdair dragged his palm over his face, the weight of it heavy. “There’s nay coming back from this. I ken there’s a traitor within these walls, Finn. Ye have to understand that I couldnae keep her here while such a serpent roamed free. Did ye ken she was almost killed in her chamber last night?”

“I didnae ken,” Finn muttered, shrugging. “I was… occupied.”

Alasdair’s eyes narrowed. “Occupied with what?”

Before Finn could respond, a knock sounded at the door. They both turned and watched a maid enter.

“Me Laird, the councilmen have arrived. They’re waiting for ye in the Great Hall.”

Alasdair gave a curt nod. “Tell them I’ll be down shortly.”

The maid nodded. Then, her gaze flicked to Finn, and a flush spread across her cheeks. She mumbled a greeting and hurried out.

Finn grinned after her, slow and satisfied.

Alasdair looked from the door to him, his confusion plain. “So that was what ye were doing?”

Finn’s grin widened, his eyes alight with mischief.

Alasdair blinked. “Wait, I thought?—”

“Variety is the spice of life,” Finn cut in. “And I like to taste every spice.”

Alasdair stared at him blankly. “Finn, if this is the moment ye tell me ye’ve been bedding them by the handful, I swear?—”

“Ah, I prefer to savor a single taste for itself,” Finn interrupted, still smiling. “Mostly.”

Alasdair pinched the bridge of his nose, his patience wearing thin. “We’ll speak of yer…preferences later. Or never again, preferably.” He shoved away from the desk and strode to the door. “Right now, I have councilmen waiting. And I need to speak with me uncle.”

Finn pushed off the wall and followed, curiosity lacing his tone. “Why do ye need to speak with him?”

Alasdair’s voice was low and rough. “Because I need to ken why he wants me and me wife dead.”

The words echoed through the room, heavy as steel, and the silence that followed was thick enough to choke.

Alasdair gripped the door handle. He had faced raiders, battles, and betrayals on the field. Yet the thought of facing his uncle with his suspicions settled like stone in his gut.

Finn’s voice broke through the haze. “If ye mean to accuse him, ye’d better be sure. Accusing a member of the council without proper evidence isnae advisable.”

Alasdair clenched his jaw. “Just trust me, will ye?”

Finn studied him for a long moment, then shrugged. “I’ll come along. Someone needs to drag yer stubborn arse out if this turns ugly.”

Alasdair gave a short nod, the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

He closed the study door behind them as they stepped into the passageway, the sound of their footsteps echoing across the floor.

The council awaited, and so did his uncle.

And whether Thomas liked it or not, he would provide the answers Alasdair needed.

Conall leaned forward, his voice sharp. “Can ye make the horses go faster?”

The driver snapped the reins. “Aye, me Laird.”

The carriage jolted, and much to Lily’s surprise, the horses picked up speed. She gripped the cushions and looked back out the window.

No one was chasing them anymore. A chill settled into the air between the three of them. Her eyes remained fixed on the road behind them. It was empty and quiet. She turned forward again, her heart rate slowing for only a moment.

Brigid’s voice shattered the brief, eerie calm, and she turned to her sister, nothing but pure confusion on her face. “I feel like I already ken the answer to this, but… what if we left?”

Lily exhaled sharply. “What?”

Brigid shrugged. “What if we fled altogether? We could cut across the woods before the sun reaches its peak. Nay more danger or any of these fights.” Her gaze was somber. “I may hate Alasdair at the moment, but maybe he was right.”

Lily turned away from her sister and studied Conall. His jaw was locked, and his hand tightly gripped the hilt of his sword even inside the carriage. He was right to be on alert, after all.

She watched as his eyes continuously scanned the road, alert for shadows, then she turned back to Brigid. “A woman is in labor, Brigid. I cannae leave her to fend for herself.”

“Ye’re nae leaving to roam a field of daisies, Lily. We are being pursued by people who will stop at nothing to see ye dead. That is worth considering, is it nae?” Brigid shot back, her voice sharp with fear.

Lily leaned back, pressing into the cushions. “Ye heard Sorcha. There is nay midwife nearby. I promised Timothy I’d deliver his child, and that is what I’ll do.”

Brigid exhaled, the frustration in her voice growing with each word. “I am certain Timothy—whoever he is—would understand.”

Lily shook her head. “Nay. This is me duty.”

Conall spoke without looking at them, “It is all clear, for now. But daenae think we’re safe. They’ll come again, maybe from behind.”

“Then I’ll hide meself in Timothy’s house until the heat dies down,” Lily murmured. “‘Tis the only way.”

Brigid’s hand clenched over her skirt. “Hopefully,” she whispered.

Lily studied her sister. She noted the fear in Brigid’s eyes and suddenly grew concerned for her safety. She was the big sister here. She should be the one trying to protect her, not the other way round.

“Ye can leave if ye want. Ye daenae have to stay for this.”

Brigid turned to her, blinking in disbelief. “What?”

Lily looked down at her hands. “Let me off the carriage, and ye two can ride through the woods. There’s a creek that leads out of the village. I’ll meet ye there when the bairn is delivered.”

“Ye want us to abandon ye?” Brigid’s voice hardened.

“Do ye see any other way?” Lily asked quietly. “Because I daenae.”

Conall opened his mouth to speak when the driver’s voice rang out, tight with fear. “Me Laird… there are more of them.”

Lily’s heart sank, and she turned her head. “Where?”

“Right ahead.”

The carriage slowed down, and Lily’s breath caught when she saw them.

There were three men, all standing boldly in the middle of the road. Each of them was wielding a dagger, their blades glistening in the pale sunlight. They had the most murderous expressions on their faces, as if they were daring the carriage to move closer.

Conall’s face turned to stone. He reached for the driver and tapped his shoulder. “When I say go faster, ye drive hard. Do ye hear?”

“Conall?” Brigid’s voice wavered.

Lily’s throat tightened. “What are ye going to do?”

Conall turned back to them, his face calm. He took Brigid’s hands and squeezed them gently. “Darling, do ye trust me?”

Her eyes glistened. “Aye.”

Lily leaned forward. “Ye daenae need to do this. We can find another way.”

Conall met her gaze. “With all respect, Lily, we arenae leaving ye. If ye stay, we stay.”

“They’re close, me Laird!” the driver shouted.

The men ahead raised their daggers, their stances expectant. Lily’s breathing quickened, and her heart pounded in her ears.

One of the men spat on the dirt. The second one smirked, and the third dragged his blade across his palm.

Lily felt the air around her thin as the carriage drew closer to them. Her heart pounded in her chest as she held on to the cushions.

“Now!” Conall roared.

The driver lashed the reins, and the horses surged forward. At the exact same time, the three men leapt at the carriage.

Lily squeezed her eyes shut.

The sound of screams and roars filled the air and faded just as quickly. She opened her eyes again and looked back.

The horses had trampled down two of the men. The third clung to the carriage, his hand latching onto the side. The wheels rattled, and he fell inside. Lily scrambled backward, her teeth chattering with fear.

The man sat up, panting hard. “Nowhere to run, witch.”

Brigid shrieked, and Lily remained frozen, her back pressed against her seat. However, before the man could do anything, Conall swung.

His sword cut across the man’s side, tearing deep. The man gurgled, coughed blood, then fell off the carriage, his body hitting the dirt.

Silence fell over the carriage one more time, and Lily let her head fall back against her seat.

Conall wiped the blood from his blade and sank down beside Brigid. His voice was steady, but his eyes were sharp. “I thought we only needed to worry about what followed behind. Now, it seems the road ahead is just as dangerous.”

Brigid clutched his arm. “Ye’re right. We must be ready.” Then, she turned to Lily, her face pale but resolute. “Sister, Conall is right. If ye are staying, so are we.”

Tears stung Lily’s eyes. She blinked them away, staring hard at the road ahead. “Then let’s pray we reach Timothy’s home before more men appear.”