“Then make the right decision, Da. You heard what’s happening. We may have need of Knox. Tell him his wife is safe anywhere from us.”
Knox took an abrupt step forward, startling Liam enough to stumble back, but Knox grabbed his arm before he could tumble.
“What’s happening?” Knox demanded, then released Liam’s arm.
Liam didn’t hesitate. “Word spreads that Phelan is demanding that anyone who knows anything about Lord Torrance’s half-sister Autumn better tell him, or they will suffer for it.”
“He’ll ransack villages if he even thinks someone is lying to him,” Knox said and realized why his son had spoken and looked to Lady Agatha. “You know something about Autumn.”
“I knew her mother, not well, and only for a short time,” Lady Agatha said. “But this is no place to discuss this. See to your horse, Knox, and join us in the Great Hall when you’re done.”
“Your word, Liam,” Knox said with a hard glare.
A stern look from his wife and a warning look from his two older sons had Liam saying, “Your wife is safe from us… anywhere.”
“You have our word,” Lyle said, and his other brother nodded, agreeing.
Knox turned to Ethan. “Their word is your word as well.”
“Why would I harm her?” Ethan snapped. “She did me a favor taking that hound.” With that he turned and ran inside the keep.
With a whispered warning from Knox to his wife to watch her tongue, he turned and walked off with his mare.
“Come, dear,” Lady Agatha said. “A solid meal and a warm drink will do you good.”
It did sound appealing and Dru gladly followed her.
Once inside, Liam ordered his sons, “The two of you in my solar.” Then he turned to his wife. “Send Knox to my solar when he arrives.”
Lady Agatha shook her head at her husband as he left the room, then turned a soft smile on Dru. “Sit at a table by the fire and warm yourself while I go speak to the cook. I won’t be long.”
Lady Agatha was barely gone when Ethan stepped out of the shadows.
Dru didn’t wait, seeing the anger on his face, she threatened him. “I’ll kick your arse good if you try anything with me.”
“I’ll be punished because of you,” he said on the edge of tears. “It’s all your fault.”
“Not likely,” she said, seeing anger in his teary eyes that warned he might do something foolish and since he was prone to foolish action, she prepared herself. Unfortunately, she had no intention of holding her tongue. “It’s your own foolish doing.”
Ethan leaped at her, swinging his clenched hand. She easily stepped out of his way and gave him a shove as he did.
He landed on his knees and quickly got to his feet.
Dru had her fists up ready to fight.
He threw a punch. She swerved her head, and he missed, while she came up with her fist and connected with his jaw.
“You need to practice your fighting skills, letting a woman beat you,” she said foolishly since it fired him up and he landed a wild punch to her jaw, sending her stumbling back.
He came at her again, but this time she was quick and lowered her head to ram it into his stomach and they both went crashing to the floor. Dru managed to land on top of him and with fists and hands flying she got control of him.
“Are you an idiot? Your family gave their word I wouldn’t be harmed.”
“I don’t care. My da is going to punish me and no doubt hate me more than he already does.”
“So, you blame others for something you can change yourself? That’s pathetic,” She pushed off him and stood. “You got yourself a bloody nose and for what?”
He sneered. “And you got yourself a bloody lip and I’m glad.”