Page 104 of The Icy Highlander's Virgin

As they made their way toward the carriage, Lachlan's eyes swept the crowd. For just a moment, he thought he saw a familiar figure standing in the shadows near the edge of the square—someone who looked remarkably like Duncan, one of the McLaren conspirators who should have been dead.

But when he looked again, the figure was gone, leaving him to wonder if exhaustion and paranoia were playing tricks with his mind.

"What is it?" Erica asked, noticing his distraction.

"Nothin', love. Just makin' sure our people are safe."

As their carriage rolled away from the village, Erica leaned against Lachlan's shoulder, her heart still light despite the abrupt ending.

"Thank ye," she said again. "Tonight was... perfect."

"Ye deserved perfect."

But as Kinnaird Castle came into view, Lachlan couldn't shake the feeling that their peaceful interlude might have just come to an end.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Erica stepped into the solar, her riding boots still damp from the morning mist, just as Lachlan's voice carried across the room with unmistakable authority.

"—sweep the entire village and make sure Duncan is nae anywhere within this clan's territory. Check every cottage, every barn, every place a man might hide."

Frederick nodded grimly from his position near the window. "Aye, m'laird. How far out should we extend the search?"

"Three miles in every direction from the castle. And Frederick—" Lachlan's voice dropped to a more serious tone. "Make sure the men know he's considered extremely dangerous. Nay one approaches him alone."

"Understood." Frederick gathered up the maps spread across the table and headed for the door, nodding respectfully to Erica as he passed. "M'lady."

As the door closed behind him, Erica settled into the chair across from her husband, noting the tension in his shoulders and the way his jaw was set with barely controlled concern.

"Duncan?" she asked quietly. "Have there been any sightings?"

Lachlan shook his head, his voice calm but watchful. "Just a precaution."

"A precaution that requires searchin’ every building for three miles?" Erica pressed gently. "That sounds like more than simple caution."

"It's better to be thorough," he replied, his tone careful rather than dismissive. "With everythin’ that's happened at McLaren, I want to be certain there are nay other threats lurking close to home."

Erica studied his face, recognizing the protective instinct that drove him but also sensing there was something he wasn't telling her. Still, she knew when to push and when to let matters rest.

"Speakin’ of McLaren," she said, changing the subject, "I received word from Ewan this mornin’. The new recruits are settlin’ in well, and the border patrols report no unusual activity."

"Good. And the families of the men we lost?"

"Provided for, as promised. Their widows will want for nothin’, and the children will have places here at Kinnaird when they're old enough, if they choose."

Lachlan nodded with satisfaction. "It's the least we can do. They died defendin’ what was right."

They discussed clan business for several more minutes—trade agreements that needed renewing, a dispute between two villages over water rights, plans for the autumn harvest. The familiar rhythm of shared leadership felt comfortable, natural, like a well-practiced dance between partners who trusted each other completely.

"Ye ken," Erica said as they finished reviewing the correspondence, "I've been sleepin’ much better lately."

"Oh?" Lachlan looked up from the letter he'd been reading. "I had noticed ye dinnae have nightmares."

"Exactly." She smiled, settling back in her chair with obvious contentment. "Nay more dreams about Leo, no more wakin' up in cold sweats. I think it's Mairi's chamomile tea—she's been bringin' me a cup in the evenings before bed."

"Only the tea?" Lachlan asked, his eyes warming with something that looked suspiciously like amusement.

"Well," Erica said, her own smile growing more mischievous, "there might also be the matter of havin’ a certain brutish Highland husband who makes sure I feel safe and at peace."