Page 58 of The Outlaw's Bride
Caitrin looked back at Adaira, her frown deepening. “Where have ye been all this time?”
Adaira heaved in a deep breath. “Do ye want to sit down?”
Her sister shook her head, folding her arms across her breasts. “I’d prefer to stand—go on.”
Adaira cast a look over her shoulder at Lachlann. He could see the concern in her eyes, but Lachlann merely nodded. They both knew this wouldn’t end well. It couldn’t be helped or avoided though.
Turning back to her sister, Adaira began to speak. And as she did so, Lachlann stood in silence, watching Caitrin’s face.
The woman didn't give much away. Yet when Adaira revealed that Lachlann had betrayed her, taking her back to Talasgair rather than to the mainland as promised, Caitrin’s expression altered. Her blue eyes hardened, and her jaw tensed.
Adaira pressed on, explaining how she was locked in the tower and informed by Morgan Fraser that she was to become his wife. She chronicled her time at Talasgair, finishing with how Lachlann had freed her on the eve of Samhuinn.
“We hope Morgan Fraser won’t follow us here,” Adaira concluded, with another glance at Lachlann. “For he’ll have to cross MacLeod lands to do so.”
Caitrin didn’t answer. Her face, even when she looked upon her sister, had gone stony.
Adaira stepped forward, and took one of her sister’s clenched hands, squeezing it. “We won’t impose on ye for long,” she continued. “As soon as it’s safe, Lachlann and I will travel to the mainland.”
“Ye can’t go to Gylen Castle,” Caitrin replied, her voice clipped. “Da has left instructions with our uncle to send word if ye ever turn up there.”
“Then we’ll go somewhere else,” Adaira countered. “Will ye give us shelter in the meantime? Da must never know though.”
A ponderous silence fell in the solar, broken only by the crackling of the hearth.
Caitrin drew in a long measured breath, before she eventually replied. “Of course I will give ye shelter, my sister,” she murmured. “Da has stopped searching for ye, for now, so ye should be safe here.”
Caitrin then swung her gaze to Lachlann, favoring him with a baleful look.
Lachlann tensed. He knew what was coming next.
“I thank ye for bringing my sister here,” she said coldly. “But at first light tomorrow ye will leave Duntulm.”
Lachlann held her eye. He hadn’t opened his mouth once during the sisters’ reunion and knew that to do so now would only damn him. Even so, Lady Caitrin’s imperious attitude was starting to chafe.
Adaira surprised him then.
He’d thought she’d appeal to her sister, plead with her. But instead she moved back and stood next to Lachlann, her arm curling around his waist. Instinctively, he looped his arm over her shoulder in response.
“No,” Adaira said softly. “Lachlann stays here … with me.”
The Lady of Duntulm stared at Adaira, her face paling. Her gaze shifted from Adaira to Lachlann as realization dawned. “This man’s a self-serving liar,” she finally managed. “Ye shouldn’t have anything more to do with him.”
Adaira shook her head, and when she answered, there was steel in her voice. “Thisman will be my husband soon. We will not be parted.”
Chapter Twenty-four
One Chance
CAITRIN’S SLENDER JAW tightened. Adaira could see anger flickering in her sister’s eyes, yet she didn’t care. A thrill had gone through her as she’d stood up to Caitrin. Like Rhona, her eldest sister had a habit of thinking she knew what was best for her.
Not anymore.
Caitrin heaved in a deep breath and smoothed her hands upon her skirts. Then, her attention settled upon Lachlann. “Can ye give me a few moments alone with my sister?”
Lachlann inclined his head before nodding. Adaira tensed and looked up at him, but he merely smiled. “I should see to my horse,” he murmured. Reaching down, he gave Adaira’s hand a gentle squeeze.
With a nod to Caitrin, he left the solar.
