Page 19 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander

“Very well, thank ye.”

The dress that the maid picked out accentuated Lilith’s curves in such a way that made her look all the more like a recently plucked newlywed.

“MustI wear this one?”

“Smith laid it out, Me Lady. Kennin’ what the Laird is wearin’, I’m sure she meant well in coordinatin’ the wardrobes today. Nae for much longer, though.”

“Aye, I will wear this today. But ye will resume the responsibilities of dressin’ me, movin’ forward. Ye ken me well enough to ken that I dinnae wish to match—I didnae even like to match with me own twin.”

“Aye, Me Lady. As ye wish.”

Matching attire. How gaudy…

“Tell me, Greer. What do ye ken about the goings-on in the castle? Do ye ken what happened last night?”

“Honestly, Me Lady, I dinnae ken. Smith was careful that nay one told me.”

“Why is that?”

“The Laird’s order, Me Lady.” Greer shrugged as she tied the laces at the back of Lilith’s dress.

Knowing that Greer would not share much more, Lilith let the matter go for now. But she trusted that her maid was speaking the truth.

After dismissing her, she stood facing the window.

What shall I do today if Damon has gone and locked up the stables?

Moments later, she burst out of her chamber and strode toward the grand staircase. Finley quickly caught up to her, not having missed a single beat.

“Mustye hover like a shadow?” Lilith snapped as they descended the stone staircase toward the Great Hall.

Finley’s lips curled into a faint smile. “The Laird’s orders, Me Lady. A shadow I must be.”

The Laird’s orders, the Laird’s orders, the Laird’s orders—I’ll surely go mad from ‘the Laird’s orders.’

“Of course, it’s just—well, ye ken what it reminds me of,” she muttered, her irritation simmering.

Damon had barely spoken to her, and he’d already assigned her a guard.

The thought alone made her blood simmer. This wasn’t the first time Finley shadowed her, nor was it even the second or third time.

No, Finley had taken it upon himself, when Magnus was still alive, to be her unofficial man-at-arms. He also accompanied Willow, but after her departure, he remained close to Lilith exclusively.

Finely had been aware of Magnus’s tendencies when he let his anger rule him. He had made his disapproval known, and was subsequently dismissed. But Willow and Lilith reinstated him, and they worked together against their brother to ensure that Finley remained on the guard.

Since he had shadowed her before, of his own accord, Lilith found his new assignment incredibly unnecessary. Especially since she wasn’t made aware of the reasons behind his assignment. But she wouldn’t fight it—Finely’s companionship was a thing she’d grown accustomed to.

I just wish it wasnae forced.

Finley followed her silently, his presence a constant reminder of Damon’s overbearing protectiveness. Her irritation, while directed at Finley, wasn’t meant for him. He was loyal and sharp, but his new constant proximity only added to her frustration.

What is goin’ on in this castle?

No one had told her what had happened during the night. The vague tension in the air made her feel like an outsider, a pawn in a game she didn’t yet understand. And Damon, her infuriating husband, was nowhere to be found.

By midday, Lilith had had enough. She paced the library, her frustration mounting. She needed answers, and Damon was going to give them to her.

She stormed out of the room and toward the courtyard, Finley hot on her heels.