Page 77 of The Icy Highlander's Virgin
"Please escort Councilman Boyd from the castle and ensure he gathers his belongings promptly," Erica commanded. "He is nay longer welcome here."
The guard nodded crisply. "Aye, m'lady. Come along, sir."
As Boyd was led away, still sputtering protests, Lachlan kept his hand on his sword until the man was completely out of sight. Only then did he relax his stance, though his eyes remained watchful.
"Well," he said quietly to Erica, "that was educational."
"More than ye might think," she replied grimly. "If Boyd was bringin' in his own men and tryin' to override Ewan's authority, he was likely preparin' for somethin' more than just border defense."
Lachlan's expression darkened as the implications sank in. "Ye think he was plannin' a take over?"
"I think," Erica said carefully, "that some people assumed a new bride would be too distracted to pay attention to what was happenin' in her own castle."
"Clearly they were wrong." Lachlan muttered drily.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
"This was me parents' room."
Erica practically bounced into the chambers, her face still glowing with joy from the reception they'd received in the courtyard. The afternoon light streamed through the tall windows, and she moved toward them with quick, excited steps.
"Look at this light!" she exclaimed, throwing open the heavy curtains to let more sunshine flood the room. "I'd forgotten how bonnie this room is in the afternoon."
She spun around, taking in the familiar space with fresh eyes—the large four-poster bed with deep blue hangings, the writing desk by the window, chairs arranged near the fireplace. Her movements were quick and animated as she touched various objects, like a child rediscovering forgotten treasures.
"I moved in here when I returned after Leo died," she said, running her fingers along the polished wood of the bedpost, "but I havenae changed anythin'. Couldnae bear to."
Lachlan moved to stand beside the window, watching her with amusement as she bustled about, straightening already-straight objects and adjusting perfectly placed items. The contrast between this vibrant woman and the composed lady he'd married was remarkable.
"Ye seem different here," he observed.
"Do I?" She laughed, the sound bright and carefree. "I feel different. Like I can breathe properly again." She moved to a small table near the fireplace, touching the surface lovingly. "Me father used to sit here every evening, reviewin' reports and correspondence. He'd let me help him sometimes, said I had a good head for numbers."
"And Leo? When he became laird, did he use this room?"
Her animation dimmed slightly. "Nay. He chose chambers on the other side of the castle. Said this room felt... wrong to him."
"Wrong how?"
"I'm nae sure. Guilt, maybe?" She moved toward the large wardrobe that dominated one wall. "He could be cruel, but he wasnae completely without conscience. Perhaps bein' surrounded by their things reminded him of what he'd done."
The joy that had been radiating from her began to fade as she approached the wardrobe, her steps slowing. Lachlan watched the change with growing concern.
"I havenae opened this in months," she admitted quietly, her hand hovering over the brass handles. "Sometimes it's too painful."
But today, perhaps bolstered by his presence, she pulled the doors wide.
The scent that escaped made her gasp—lavender and rosewater, the faint musk of fine wool, and something else that was purely maternal. Her mother's dresses hung exactly as they had been left, rich velvets and fine silks in jewel tones.
"Oh," Erica breathed, her earlier excitement returning as she reached for a gown of deep emerald green. She pulled it from its place and held it against herself, burying her face in the fabric with childlike wonder. "It still smells of her! After all these years, it still smells of me mam!"
The pure joy in her voice made Lachlan's chest warm. This was Erica as she was meant to be—happy, carefree, surrounded by love.
"She was beautiful," he stated, pointing at a small portrait within the wardrobe.
"Aye, she was." Erica's fingers traced the painted face lovingly. "Everyone said so. And kind—so kind."
She pulled out a small jewelry box, her movements quick and eager as she showed him each piece. "She wasnae vain, but she liked bonnie things. Said a lady should always have somethin' beautiful to wear, even for her own pleasure."
