Page 46 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
"Hello, wife," Daniel returned.
Lana leaned in, and he wondered if she wanted to be kissed. He didn't dwell on it. He simply leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, teasing her gently with his tongue as he kept them in step with the dance.
The kiss had the desired effect, and Lana stepped closer to him, closing the distance between them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again, long and slow. Nearby,Daniel heard someone clear his throat, and he glanced up to see Alexander glaring at him. Her brother was dancing with his wife, who had the opposite reaction, giving Lana a conspiratorial wink.
Daniel wouldn't be intimidated, though out of respect for her brother, he put some distance between himself and Lana. Still, he kept his mouth close to her ear as he whispered to her.
"Are ye ready to give up?" he asked.
His thoughts drifted to his study just down the hall. Perhaps he could whisk Lana inside without anyone noticing.
"Areyeready to give in?" she asked back.
Daniel slid his hand down her back, though he stopped himself before he got too far. As much as he wanted to lift Lana into his arms and carry her out of this room, he knew it would cause a scandal that people wouldn't soon forget. And after the last scandalous wedding he had attended, he was trying his best to behave.
He resumed spinning her on the dance floor.
Angry voices carried to where they danced, interrupting their reverie. The pit in his stomach grew as he heard angry words and women's cries.
Daniel looked at the main entrance and saw soldiers bursting through the crowd, dressed for battle.
He found Cameron immediately, and the brothers rushed for their swords. Even intoxicated, Cameron knew a threat when he saw one, and Daniel didn't want anyone else by his side if they had to fight. The other men in the room began to gather with him, suddenly recognizing the danger.
Guests pressed themselves against the walls as the interlopers marched forward. After drawing his sword, Daniel searched the room for Lana and Skye, relieved when he saw them with Lana's sisters and mother. Alexander and Magnus were suddenly at Daniel's shoulders, and the group moved forward to meet the soldiers, who stopped in the center of the dance floor.
"What is the meaning of this?" Daniel boomed. He noted the green and gold of the soldiers' tartan, and as the men parted, he knew with certainty who would emerge from behind them.
Laird MacDougal stepped forward, his hair grayer and his stomach rounder, but Daniel would recognize his ex-father-in-law anywhere.
He stepped forward and stood face-to-face with Evelyn's father and Skye's grandfather.
"Where is the woman ye've chosen to replace me daughter?"
Lana pulled Skye closer to her, scanning the room to see if she could get the girl away from this terrifying intrusion.
"Who is this?" Skye whispered.
Lana gave her a reassuring hug while she kept her eyes locked on the fight occurring in the center of the room. Daniel's men fought against Laird MacDougal's soldiers, the clashing of their swords echoing through the room. As the soldiers were distracted, Lana walked Skye toward the perimeter of the room, seeking escape.
"What are ye doing, MacDougal?" Daniel growled, facing off against the man. "Ye arenae welcome here."
"Aye," Laird MacDougal said, pacing in front of Daniel as if he owned the place. "I understood that when I dinnae receive an invitation."
He stepped backward, sending another group of men in Daniel's direction.
Lana pushed Skye's face against her shoulder as Alexander and Magnus surged forward to join forces with Daniel and Cameron. The wedding guests watched with shocked faces and horrified gasps as the happy celebration turned into a nightmare.
Daniel surged forward, but the soldiers outnumbered him, and the crowd cried out as one of them pushed him backward.
"Papa!" The little girl's cry cut through the gasps and grunts, and suddenly all eyes were on Lana and Skye.
Lana pulled Skye back, placing a hand over her mouth, but it was too late. Laird MacDougal turned to them, and his eyes locked directly with Lana's.
"Get the child!" he cried.
Lana took off for the corridor. Her heart pounded in her chest as the soldiers surged, trying to cut off their exit. But Daniel was even faster. He took the opportunity to race forward, shoving Laird MacDougal's soldiers out of the way until he stood beside Lana and Skye, his sword poised to protect them. Laird MacDougal's soldiers rushed forward, and Daniel raised his sword, ready to single-handedly take them out.
"Enough!" Laird MacDougal boomed.
