Page 48 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
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"Someone must have told him," Daniel whispered to Cameron while staring at Laird MacDougal over his glass.
Laird MacDougal gathered his men, finally preparing to leave. The soldiers had integrated themselves into the party, drinking and dancing with Daniel's guests, so it was now a challenge to extract them. But one by one they gathered their weapons and headed for the door.
"It's at least a two-day ride from his castle," Daniel continued. "He needed warning to show up here like this."
"Anyone could have notified him," Cameron said. They watched the old man give Skye a final hug as Lana watched on. "Ye ken how quickly gossip can spread in these parts."
The whole room seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when the last of Laird MacDougal's soldiers set out for his home. Daniel had ordered some of his own men to follow them—while staying hidden, of course. He wouldn't risk Laird MacDougal and his soldiers coming back here to cause more trouble.
"I daenae ken what would have happened if Lana wasnae here," Cameron sighed.
Daniel's eye flicked to his bride. She was standing close with her brother as Skye chatted with Moira, seemingly undisturbed by Laird MacDougal's visit. Daniel couldn't stop thinking of the way she stood up to the old man. He felt a surge of pride as he thought of it.
"Aye," he agreed, "she was brave."
"As was Skye." Cameron smiled. "I think yer bride is rubbin' off on the child."
He smirked at his brother before telling him he would take the child to bed. It was well past Skye's bedtime, and the girl was nearly asleep on her feet.
Most of the guests had left, leaving only Lana's family still milling about. Daniel saw them gathered in small groups, having final drinks and speaking in hushed tones, no doubt talking about Laird MacDougal's visit. Daniel made a mental note to speak with his council about handling Laird MacDougal in the future. He couldn't have any more surprise visits from the man.
As Cameron carried Skye over to say goodnight to her father, Daniel wondered what she would remember of this night. Would she ask more questions about her grandfather and her mother? He had chosen to keep Skye away from her grandfather to keep her safe. Had he been wrong to keep her away from her mother's family?
"Goodnight, Papa," Skye said.
He was surprised when the little girl reached for him, leaning out of Cameron's arms. Daniel took her in his arms and hugged her tight.
"Goodnight, lass," he whispered. "Ye did very well tonight."
He cradled the back of her head, feeling grateful that she was safe. He was all too aware that the evening could have gone very differently tonight.
"I like Lana," Skye said. "Thank ye, Papa."
Daniel smiled and handed his daughter back to Cameron. He watched them leave before shifting his gaze to Lana.
I like her too.
"I see the way he looks at ye," Olivia whispered, turning to Ciara for support. She was nearly bubbling with excitement.
"Aye," Ciara agreed. "And after ye stood up to Laird MacDougal. Ye should have seen Daniel's expression."
"It was nothing," Lana said, feeling shy under the women's praise.
Now that the guests had left and only her family remained, the promise of what came next was looming large and insistent over her.
"He will be kind with ye," Olivia assured her. "Nay man can look at ye like that and ignore yer pleasure."
"Olivia!" Lana hissed, looking around them to make sure no one had overheard. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"It's nothing to be afraid of," Olivia said, squeezing her hand. "It's a sign of being a true man if he can bring ye pleasure as much as he gets himself."
Olivia and Ciara couldn't hold back their giggles of excitement as they spoke of things they both knew well. Lana knew they loved their husbands dearly and had the good fortune to have husbands who loved them back. Her mind drifted to her time with Daniel at the lake and how his fingers had brought her pleasure she had never dreamed of.
But then there was his promise. He had said he wouldn't touch her again unless she allowed him everything. Had tonightchanged that? Certainly, the glances he gave her seemed to tell a different story.
As she looked across the room, she found him staring at her. His look alone sent a wave of pleasure down to her toes.
