Page 83 of The Iron Earl

“I apologize again for any fracas my grandson caused with yer daughter, Lord Falsted.” Still sitting in his chair, his grandfather’s words came clipped with spite. “Hot-headed one, he is. Always been so. Does not like to think on the consequences of his actions.”

Lachlan ignored his grandfather’s words, his gaze slicing into Evalyn’s stepfather. “As you can clearly see, Evalyn is well and here of her own free will.”

His eyes fixed on Evalyn, Baron Falsted’s hand jutted out, grabbing her chin and twisting it upward. “This is true daughter?”

Evalyn nodded, her look not rising to him. Even with her chin captured by Falsted, her body pressed into Lachlan as though she were trying to crawl inside of him.

He knew she’d be scared at seeing her stepfather—but this—the complete and instant crumbling of her body and spirit he hadn’t anticipated.

He resisted the urge to send his fist through the man’s jaw—it wasn’t the time. Not yet. Lachlan cleared his throat, taking a decided step backward and bringing Evalyn with him. It broke Falsted’s hold on her chin.

Instant ire flashed in Baron Falsted’s dull grey eyes. “Speak it, child.”

Her voice came out tiny, a squeak barely heard above the crackling of the wood in the fire. “I—I do wish to be here.” Her body tensed, defense against a sure blow to her person.

Lachlan took another step backward with her, moving her out of striking distance. “You heard her. Your stepdaughter left of her own accord and this is where she chooses to be.”

“Except the choice wasn’t hers to leave Wolfbridge.” Falsted’s look lifted from Evalyn to Lachlan. “You stole her away and I intend to take her back and bring charges against you, sir.”

A cold smile pulled Lachlan’s lips back. “You can try. But I have eight men that traveled with us that will attest to that same fact—she came with us of her own free will. Married me of her own free will.”

“She had no choice but to marry you after you stole her away—the girl’s not an idiot—she knew she’d been ruined.” Falsted dared a step forward, his right hand flexing, the fat sapphire ring he wore on his index finger flashing in the light of the sconce behind Lachlan.

The trembles running through Evalyn exploded, turning into a full shake that took over her body. It twisted into a full fire the anger that had been coursing hot through Lachlan’s blood since they stepped foot into the room.

Two minutes alone with the monster and he’d have his head smashed into the marble of the fireplace and Evalyn would never have reason to crumble like this again.

His grip around her waist went into an iron hold—nowhewanted her to crawl inside him.

Lachlan swallowed, reining in his fury. “Whether you want to believe it or not, everything Evalyn has done since departing Wolfbridge she has chosen willingly.”

“Ha.” Falsted’s caustic chortle boomed into the room. “You think you can hide the fact that she tried to escape you twice to no success? You wouldn’t let her leave your traveling party. Does that sound willing? I don’t think the courts will look lightly upon that.”

Lachlan angled Evalyn behind him as he took a step forward, his glare skewering Falsted. “Where did you hear that?”

A demon smile curled the left side of Falsted’s face. “It doesn’t matter how I know, it matters that I do. It matters that your grandfather knows it as well.”

The fire raging through his blood pounded into Lachlan’s brain, turning his vision red. Who the blasted hell had been talking to these two?

“There will be some sort of retribution for stealing my only daughter away.” Falsted’s look went pointedly to Evalyn half hidden behind Lachlan. “Or I take her back.”

“What—no.” Evalyn turned her body into Lachlan’s side, her hands going to his coat, clutching the dark fabric as her look went frantic to his face.

“Leave the room, girl,” Falsted said. “This conversation isn’t for a dim-witted chit like you.”

She jumped and what little fire was left in her eyes went out, her gaze panicking, looking for escape.

“You’d be wise not to speak to my wife like that, Baron.” Lachlan’s voice had dipped so low, the rumble in his own chest took him aback.

The sneer on Falsted’s face deepened. “Your wife? I was told she’d be no such thing for long.”

“Who the hell told you that?” Lachlan’s look shifted to his grandfather.

Of course the old bastard had told Falsted. He wanted Evalyn gone just as much as Falsted wanted her back.

“Get out of here, girl.” His words barking, Falsted lifted an arm, pointing to the door. “You’ve caused enough trouble.”

Lachlan took another step forward—ready to pounce, to pummel Falsted—when Evalyn ripped herself from his side. Her head bowing, she scampered to the door, her feet shuffling as though she would tumble if she picked up her heels.

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