Page 73 of Married to the Highland Devil
Yvaine had tears in her eyes, while his mother’s voice shook as she spoke. Duncan could tell they were both worried about Amelia.
I hate this feeling.
He went to the bed, took Amelia’s hands in his, and kissed her palm. Her body was cold… so cold, he feared she was no longer alive.
He consoled himself with the healer’s words. Amelia would be all right. He held onto that tiny shred of hope because it was all he could believe in.
* * *
Dawn broke out a few hours later, but it did not feel like the start of a new day for Duncan. His heart stayed heavy as he went to his study to carry on with his work on the tax reports, and during the meeting with his advisors, all he could think about was Amelia.
Watching her pale body on that bed was the most difficult thing he had ever done. He couldn’t bear seeing her like that or watching the healer feed her with tonic and herbs, hoping she would regain her consciousness soon.
Duncan was still handling his grief on the next day when Matthew rushed into his study with news of an unexpected visitor.
“My Laird, the Duke of Brandon just arrived.”
“What?”
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Anumber of thoughts ran through Duncan’s mind as he marched out of his study and headed to his castle’s drawbridge where the Duke, his men, and Lily waited for him to receive them.
The Duke of Brandon wore a tight-lipped frown when Duncan approached him.
“Your Grace,” Duncan greeted, bowed his head a little, then extended a hand to exchange pleasantries with him.
The one and only time he had met Arthur Milton, the man had been more welcoming, and his current frown made Duncan suspect he came here with some intentions in mind.
“Laird McLennan,” Arthur returned and kept his hands folded at his back.
“This is a surprise, Your Grace, but a pleasant one. Please, come in, I shall have the servants prepare chambers for ye and yer men at once. I would have done it sooner if I was aware of yer arrival.”
“And where is my daughter?” Arthur queried instead of paying attention to Duncan’s welcoming speech. “I have come for Amelia. I must see her at once.”
Duncan could only imagine how best to tell the Duke about Amelia’s accident and her current state. Judging from the displeased look on his face, Arthur probably came here with a purpose.
What does he want?
“Please, come inside, and we shall speak in my study, Your Grace.”
Duncan could tell Arthur did not want to move an inch. The muscles in his jaw hardened, and his eyes stayed steady on Duncan’s own for a long second before he finally moved and let Duncan lead the way.
When they reached Duncan’s study and settled down, Duncan poured them both some brandy and sat on the settee, facing the Duke.
“I wasnae expectin’ ye, Your Grace. May I ask why ye have visited us so unexpectedly?”
Arthur cleared his throat then reached into the pocket of his coat and produced a letter. “I received this from my daughter a fortnight ago,” he answered before he handed it over to Duncan. “I never assumed that this would be the case when I let her journey all the way to the Highlands with you. You gave me your word that you would care and protect her, regardless of her condition.”
Duncan frowned, then he opened the letter and read the bold words.
Dear Father,
I write to you with the help of the only friend I have made here in the Highlands. This place is nothing like I would have imagined. I am a prisoner and not the lady of the keep. I shall not be able to spend the rest of my life here, Father.
The Laird is a vile man. He keeps me locked away in his castle every day, and his people hate me. I have heard the rumors. They believe I am a witch simply because I am different from them.
I…
