Page 38 of Tempted By a Highland Beast
The fire that blazed in his dark eyes at her words sent heat racing through her veins. This was dangerous territory and she was beginning to want things she’d never thought possible.
“I ken,” he said quietly, his voice rough around the edges. “I dinnae think ye could be ornamental if ye tried.”
They stared at each other, the air between them crackling with tension. Rowena could feel her pulse beating rapidly, could see the way Constantine’s gaze dropped briefly to her mouth before returning to her eyes. The realization that he wanted her was both thrilling and terrifying.
A guard’s cough from the other end of the wall broke the spell, and they stepped apart with careful casualness.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of introductions and explanations. Constantine showed her the chapel, Lilias’s solar, his chambers that would be also hers if she accepted hisproposal. Through it all, Rowena found herself caught between familiarizing herself with the place and her growing attraction.
This could work, she realized. A partnership between them. Constantine seemed to value her mind, her skills, her contributions. The question was whether she could trust him to keep his word about helping her reclaim her birthright. And whether she was brave enough to risk her heart in the process.
The afternoon shadows were lengthening by the time Constantine made his way to his private chambers. The tour with Rowena had left him oddly energized, his mind buzzing with plans and possibilities. For the first time since arriving in Duart, he didn’t feel worried about what the future might hold.
That optimism lasted until a knock echoed on his door.
“Come,” Constantine called, not looking up from the correspondence he’d been reviewing.
Theo entered the room, and something in his posture made Constantine’s attention sharpen. His second-in-command carried a folded piece of parchment in one hand, and his expression was grimmer than usual.
“From Finlay?” Constantine asked, setting aside his other papers.
“Aye.” Theo approached the desk, extending the note.
Constantine took the parchment, breaking the wax seal with sharp movements. Finlay’s neat script filled most of the page, and as Constantine read, his jaw tightened with each line.
Finlay had made contact with people at a village near enough the Eilean Donan Castle, the MacKenzie stronghold, allowing him to hear anything valuable without becoming suspicious. Alpin’s men had been through three times in the past days, asking about Rowena. The story they offered was that Lady Rowena went missing while taking a walk through the forest, likely taken by bandits.
The most concerning of it all was that Alpin had been meeting with representatives from Clan Morrison and Clan Ross, likely seeking additional support. The people remembered the old laird fondly and spoke of his daughter with respect. Alpin’s act to inquire after Rowena had only strengthened his position, and he had begun to gather the clans’ sympathy.
However, from what Finlay and his men said, around the castle Alpin’s rule was harsh. People talked about increased taxes, cruel punishments for minor infractions. The MacKenzie clan was suffering.
Finlay ended the message with a note that they would continue tae gather intelligence and return within the sennight. In the meantime, he suggested for Constantine to increase vigilance at Duart. If Alpin learnt of Rowena’s location, he could act quickly.
Constantine set the letter down carefully, his mind already shifting into the cold calculation that had kept him alive through years of warfare. Alpin wasn’t just searching for his runaway bride.
I doubt the men even ken Rowena is a runaway bride…
“How many men daes he have access tae?” Constantine asked.
“Between his own clan and potential allies? Perhaps three hundred fighting men, maybe more.” Theo’s voice was steady, but Constantine could hear the underlying tension. “More than enough tae cause serious problems if he finds out and comes fer the lass."
Constantine stood, moving to the window that overlooked the bailey. The peaceful scene below of servants going about their evening duties, guards changing shifts with casual efficiency, suddenly felt fragile.
“Double the night watch,” he said without turning around. “And send word tae our men in the outlying villages. I want tae ken immediately if any strangers are seen asking questions. I want tae here about any movement that is nae ours.”
“Aye.” Theo hesitated. “What about the lass? Daes she ken how dangerous her uncle truly is?”
Constantine thought about Rowena’s description of her escape, the fear in her eyes when she’d spoken of Alpin’s intentions. “Shekens he’s ruthless. But she may nae realize how far he’s willing tae go.”
“Will ye tell her?”
“Nae. Nae yet.” Constantine turned from the window, his expression hard. “She has enough tae consider without adding the threat of imminent invasion tae her worries.”
“What if she decides tae leave?” Theo asked quietly.
Constantine felt something cold settle in his stomach at the thought. “Then I’ll dae everything in me power tae change her mind.”
“Even if it means war with Alpin?”
