Page 4 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
Daniel felt a surge of anger at the injustice. He was not the Laird who should be thrown out.
"He was only helping me!" Lana protested.
"Lana, I will thank ye to stay out of this!"
After her mistreatment by Laird Cullen, Daniel couldn't bear to see her dismissed by her brother. His rational mind told him he should walk away from this situation and leave these people to their problems. So he was shocked when he heard himself jumping to the girl's defense.
"He tried to touch her," he said, his voice cool and even.
Laird Cullen sputtered at the accusation, unable to form words, but Alexander turned back. His gaze was on Daniel, seeking confirmation even as he re-evaluated the situation in front of him.
Lana stood beside her brother, seemingly holding her breath, and Daniel saw gratitude reflected in her eyes.
"It's true," Daniel added, giving a small nod, and he saw understanding flash across Alexander's face.
"I dinnae mean any harm, Laird Gunn," Laird Cullen said.
But Alexander wasn't listening.
"Ye will leave at once," he ordered, his voice even and calm. "And ye willnae return until ye are sober enough to behave civilly."
"I was only speaking to the lass as ye asked, Laird Gunn."
"Go now, Laird Cullen," Alexander insisted. "And daenae return unless ye are ready to apologize to me sister."
Laird Cullen glared back at him as he realized he was being unceremoniously thrown out of the wedding.
"It is ye who should apologize to me!" he screamed. "Ye spoke to me of a wedding to yer sister, but ye dinnae tell me she was already betrothed to this… barbarian!"
Daniel stepped forward, ready to draw his sword once more as this drunken man insulted him, but Laird Cullen quickly turned on his heel. It was clear he did not want any further confrontation with the man who had nearly broken his wrist with one hand.
Daniel watched him storm out of the castle, shoving his way through the guests, who tried to look like they were not eavesdropping. Only then did he realize what the old man had said.
Lana let out the breath she was holding as she watched Laird Cullen disappear. Alexander put his arm around her and pulled her against his side as they watched the door slam shut.
I hope I never have to see that man again.
As she forced the memory of Laird Cullen out of her mind, her eyes found the tall Laird who had saved her. Warmth flooded her cheeks when she found his eye on her.
"Did ye tell him that?" Alexander asked, pulling her attention away from the handsome man. "Did ye tell him ye are betrothed?"
The comfort Lana found in her brother's touch was quickly replaced by unease as he began to chastise her. He kept his tonequiet, hoping others wouldn't hear him, but his words were full of frustration and outrage, making her feel like a naughty child.
"What was I to do?" Lana argued, overcome with frustration as she turned to face her brother.
"Ye shouldnaelie," Alexander told her. "Ye should ask for help."
"And how was she to do that, Laird Gunn?" The tall man with the eyepatch was suddenly in front of them. "If it was so easy to get help, surely someone would have noticed the lass was struggling against the old fool."
"She could have walked away," Alexander pointed out, and suddenly he and the mystery man were facing off against one another, fighting overher.
Lana's head spun as she watched them, but instead of wishing for this to stop, she felt a strange thrill to be the subject of their conversation.
"The lass crossed the entire room, and thatdrunkfollowed her."
"Daenae speak of him like that," Alexander spat. "That man is an important ally of Clan Gunn."
The man with the eyepatch let out a dry laugh filled with sarcasm and disgust. "I see," he uttered. "Ye would rather put yer sister in harm's way than ruin yer connections with neighboring clans. Is that what this is about?"
