Page 95 of A Wife for the Highland Villain
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Ye are. I can see it on yer face, Lily. Ye have the look of someone who kens this is her place, whether she admits it or nae.”
“Ye’re wrong.” She lifted her chin.
“I’m never wrong.”
“Does being this arrogant ever get exhausting?” she asked, the corner of her mouth twitching despite herself.
“Nae when I can back it up.”
Her laugh was soft, almost reluctant. “Goodnight, Laird MacRay.”
He stepped forward, his gaze holding hers. “Goodnight, Lady MacRay.”
She lingered for a heartbeat longer, then turned and walked out.
He stood there, listening to her footsteps fading down the hall.
For the first time that night, Alasdair released a long breath. The hall had been chaos, blades flashing and blood spilling, but none of that had shaken him the way her touch had.
The thought of her neck under a man’s blade had shattered something inside him. He would tear down the castle stone by stone if it meant keeping her safe.
And yet she still walked away.
Alasdair crossed to the window, staring out into the night where torches flickered along the walls. Somewhere below, Nathan was still questioning the guards. Somewhere in the shadows, men were whispering, plotting, waiting for the next chance.
He clenched his fists. Let them whisper. Let them plan. Whoever had put Lily’s life at risk tonight had signed their death warrant.
He would start digging as early as possible tomorrow. Someone in the castle knew something, and if Nathan was unable to find out who that person was before dawn, he would have to do it himself.
This was not a matter he could leave to chance. Not in the slightest.
He tried to shelve the thought of Lily staring up at him and the way they almost kissed. He felt his trousers tighten and exhaled.
Not now. There were more pressing matters at hand.
The sound woke her.
Sharp.
Too sharp to be part of any dream.
Her eyes snapped open, and the darkness of the room completely covered her. The room should be quiet as well. Except it wasn’t. She had heard something, that much she was sure of.
She pushed up on her elbows, listening. The silence stretched thin.
“Who is there?” Her voice cracked.
No reply.
She scanned the chamber, her heart pounding hard. The fire had died down to embers, leaving the corners shrouded in shadow. Her mouth went dry.
“Come out this instant,” she warned, though her voice shook.
Still nothing.
Then, she saw it—A shadow moving across the walls.
Her breath caught. “Show yerself!”
