Page 81 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander

If I find out who delivered it, I will be closer to eliminatin’ the threat.

Every servant, every guard, every tradesman who had stepped foot in or near the castle was detained. Even the vendors from the village square, the very same ones Erica had visited before their picnic, were questioned.

Hunter gave the order that she was to remain in his chambers—the safest place in the castle. She wasn’t to leave unless she was escorted, and even then, her movements were to be limited.

On the one hand, it was done and said out of anger, and he hoped that she felt the shame of knowing the danger she had put the entire clan in. On the other hand, he knew his chambers were the safest place for her to be.

She hadn’t taken her confinement well, of course. Hunter had heard the staff gossiping about her frustration, how she’d pace the room like a caged bird. But he couldn’t afford to let her out of his sight—not after what he’d promised her brother.

“She’ll be protected and taken care of,”he’d sworn, and he intended to keep that vow, even if it meant sacrificing every last shred of peace between them.

He avoided her as much as he could, retreating to his study and sleeping on the worn leather couch that served as his bed. He told himself it was for the best. That by pulling away, he was doing what needed to be done. But in the quiet hours of the night, the doubts crept back in.

That evening, Kara walked into his study, bearing a dinner tray. “Me Laird,” she said hesitatingly, setting the tray down on the desk almost skittishly.

Hunter barely looked up. “What is it, Kara?”

“She’s strugglin’,” the maid said softly.

Hunter’s jaw tightened. “She’s safe and in a nice place. That’s what matters most.”

“Is it?” Kara pressed, her voice laced with a determination that gave him pause. “She hasnae seen Miss Lily in days. She’s locked away like a prisoner, and ye havenae spoke a single word to her since?—”

“That’s enough,” Hunter snapped, his tone brooking no argument.

Kara flinched but did not back down. “Ye think ye are protectin’ her, but all ye are doin’ is pushin’ her away. She’s yer wife, Me Laird, nae some responsibility… or a burden.”

“It can be locked from the inside,” Hunter said, scowling at the papers on his desk.

“What?”

“Her door can be locked from the inside, Kara. She isnae a prisoner. Ye are dismissed.”

The maid hesitated, then curtsied stiffly and left, her footsteps echoing down the hall.

Hunter stared at the tray she’d brought, his appetite nonexistent. He knew Kara was only there at Erica’s request, but he was furious with her.

What am I supposed to do? Pretend like nothin’ has happened?

22

“Iwasnae sure ye would come back,” Erica said quietly, her voice devoid of emotion.

Hunter hesitated by the door, his heart twisting at her defeated tone. But then he forced the emotions down.

“I came to check on ye. That’s it,” he said gruffly.

“I’m fine,” she replied, though the tension in her shoulders told him otherwise.

They stood in silence for a moment, the air between them thick with unspoken words.

“I havenae seen Lily yet,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Is she well?”

“She’s fine,” Hunter replied. “She’s bein’ looked after.”

“And I’m nae allowed to see her because…”

“I never said ye werenae allowed to see her. I only designated the areas ye cannae go to.”