Page 76 of The Highlander’s Improper Wife

His eyes shifted to Taran. “So sorry, my lord, Lady Albrey waylaid me and I had to brandish this revolver in order to get the woman to let me pass.”

Caroline burst into tears.

* * * *

Taran pulled Caroline into his arms.

Footsteps pounded around the bend and Edmonds shot into the hallway as Taran started down the corridor.

William came to a sudden halt. “My God.”

“Aye,” Taran said. “See to our guest. And Patterson,” he added as he neared the butler, “call for the sheriff.”

Caroline clung to his neck and he held her trembling body close as he kept to the servants’ hallways until they’d reached his bedchambers. Taran lowered her feet to the carpet. She stood motionless as he unbuttoned her dress, then stripped her of the shift. Anger twisted his gut at sight of the blood that had seeped through the dress. Etherton would have splattered her brains across the floor if necessary. Taran urged her between the covers, then stripped off his clothes, and slipped in beside her. When he pulled her into his arms, the dam broke, and she cried into his chest. He forced his shaking hands steady and stroked her hair.

He would never be able to wipe from his mind the picture of that pistol pressed against her temple. Taran closed his eyes. He’d almost lost her a second time. Was ever a bigger fool born than him? It hadn’t occurred to him Etherton would chance coming to Strathmore. He hugged her tighter. She buried her head in his neck. The quick beat of her heart reminded him she was alive and well, but she had intended to sacrifice herself for him. His chest tightened. How would he ever let her out of his sight again? “You knew all along I was Aphrodite.” Taran froze at Caroline’s words.

“Do not deny it, Taran.”

Emotion flooded him. He wanted to laugh. Leave it to a woman to try and save a man, then take him to task afterwards.

“Aye,” he replied.

“You enjoyed watching me twist in the wind.”

“Aye.”

“This is all your fault.”

All amusement vanished. “Aye.”

A moment of silence, then, “Is he dead?”

“Aye.”

Caroline leaned her head back and levelled her gaze on him. He traced a finger down her tear stained cheek.

“Aye?” she said. “Is that all you can say?”

He blinked, then nodded. “Aye. And that I love you.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Your Aphrodite?”

He rolled onto her. “Nay. My Caroline.”

Her mouth parted in surprise, and he covered her lips with his.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The door to the drawing room opened and Caroline looked up from her needlework.

Taran entered. She smiled as he crossed to the couch and sat beside her.

“What did you learn? Did the captain have any news?”

His brow rose. “Not even a kiss?”

She pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “Well?”