Page 102 of A Wife for the Highland Villain
“I will leave,” she cut in. “And I will only take what I had with me when I came here. Nothing else.”
He reached for her, but she turned her back before he could speak again. Her footsteps were quick and hard against the floor as she stormed out of the study, her throat tight and her eyes wet.
When she barged into Brigid’s chamber, her sister and Conall looked up. Brigid was perched on the edge of the bed, and Conall was sitting in the chair beside her.
“What’s wrong?” Brigid asked, rushing to her side.
“He’s doing it again,” Lily choked out. “He cannae run, so he’s sending me away instead.”
Conall stood up at once, his chair scraping across the floor. “Where is he?”
“Nay.” Lily raised her hand. “I’m grateful, Conall, but now isnae the time. The castle might be attacked soon, and he thinks there’s a traitor among us. So he wants me gone before it all comes to a head.”
Brigid wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close. “Oh, Lily. I’m so sorry.”
Conall’s jaw flexed as if he might explode. “I cannae believe the bastard did it again.”
“I was a fool,” Lily whispered.
Brigid held her tighter, stroking her back. “Ye’re nae a fool. Ye trusted him. And now he’s breaking yer trust again. But ye will survive this, Lily. Ye always do.”
Lily pulled away, wiping her face.
Brigid’s eyes softened. “Do ye need help packing yer things?”
Lily shook her head. “Nay. I’m nae packing anything. A carriage is set to pick me up this afternoon, but I willnae take it. I daenae want anything to do with him.”
Conall crossed his arms. “Then ye’ll come with us. We were planning to leave tomorrow, but there’s nay reason to stay now.”
She gave a small nod, her throat still aching. “That might be best.”
Before another word could be said, a knock sounded at the door.
Brigid frowned. “Enter.”
Sorcha rushed in, her cheeks flushed, and her breath coming fast. “Thank God I found ye. I’ve been looking everywhere. The maids said they saw ye coming here.”
Lily straightened, her pulse still uneven. “What is it, Sorcha?”
“‘Tis Clara,” Sorcha said, clutching the doorframe. “Timothy’s wife. She’s in labor, and the midwives are all out of the village for the day.”
Lily groaned and rubbed her forehead. “Oh God.” She turned to Conall and Brigid. “We must hurry.”
Conall nodded, already moving. “We’ll take me carriage. Once the baby’s delivered, we’ll leave the village.”
Sorcha’s eyes narrowed. “Leave the village? What d’ye mean?”
Lily didn’t respond.
Brigid squeezed her hand. “That’s what we’ll do.”
Lily wiped her eyes again, forcing herself to breathe steadily. “Aye. That’s a great idea.”
As they all turned to the door, Sorcha squeaked, “Leave the village?”
Alasdair made his way back to his chambers, his thoughts swirling like a never-ending storm. Lily’s words refused to leave him alone, no matter how much he tried.
And Christ, had he tried to push them away over and over. He knew why they wouldn’t leave, though. It was because, to some extent, even though it pained him to the core to admit, there was some truth in them.
