Page 25 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

“What is it?” Cam asked.

“The contract. It said we had to wait a full year to build a ship to moor at their port. I was fine with that, since we weren’t prepared to build our own ship yet. But it also said if anything happened to Dorie within that year, the alliance was void.”

Cam scowled. “And you agreed?”

“I thought he was worried we wouldna care for her. He was her da. I’m a father, and it would be something I might have negotiated if I had a daughter. Though he must not have cared so much for her since he didn’t come to the wedding. But at the time, it seemed easy enough to agree since we’d not harm her and she appeared hearty enough. It wasn’t much of a risk. I didn’t think more of it. I should have.”

Anger and outrage pricked up Bryce’s spine. “They’re trying to get out of the contract by killing my wife,” he said, then slashed a hand through the air. “We’ve dealt with them long enough. It’s time we take Baehaven and end them for good.”

Lach remained silent, his brow raised. No doubt he didn’t like Bryce giving orders, but surely the man had to agree. Now was the time to put a stop to their treachery.

Finally the laird spoke. “Aye. We tried to do things the honorable way, but they are not honorable. We’ll need more men. I think we may be able to get the Stewarts to help. I can send Liam with a message. Bryce, you’ll need to speak to your father’s family and see if the Campbells will join us.”

Bryce frowned. He didn’t want to visit the Campbells, let alone ask for their help. He’d been sent to Dunardry a year after his mother died. She’d been the sister of Lachlan and Cameron’s fathers. As the laird’s daughter, she’d married far beneath her status when she took Thomas Campbell, a lazy soldier, as her husband.

Bryce’s father had remarried a young lass only a month after his mother died. His stepmother was soon expecting a babe and they didn’t have enough room or coin to feed Bryce, so he was sent off to live with his uncles at Dunardry.

It had been for the best. The MacKinlays had welcomed him, and he’d been able to grow up with Lach and Cam. Their fathers were honorable men and had taught Bryce to be honorable as well.

As much he had no desire to face his wastrel of a father, he’d do it if it meant putting an end to the McCurdys and keeping Dorie safe.

“Aye. Once I’m certain Dorie has recovered, I’ll approach the Campbells. And the McCurdys will pay for this.”

Chapter Nine

Dorie’s chest and throat burned and her head throbbed, but she was happy to be alive. She would see that Rascal received a juicy reward for his heroism, for she might have succumbed to the smoke and not had the chance to escape if not for her loyal friend waking her.

Tears sprang to her eyes when she thought of the cottage she’d lost. It hadn’t been grand, but she’d made it her home. It was safe, and most important, she’d been able to go outside whenever she wished.

She tugged at the soiled shift she still wore and pointed in the direction of the cottage with a frown.

“You lost your new dresses,” Mari said, patting her on the shoulder. “Not to worry. We’ll get to work on making you new ones tomorrow.”

“And you can wear one of mine until we get one ready. It will be a bit short, but it will do in a pinch.” Kenna offered a smile and Dorie squeezed their hands in thanks. She’d never had friends before, but she had to think these two ladies were the very best possible.

“For now, we must all go to our beds and get some rest. We’ll have a busy day tomorrow, and it will be here in just a few hours.”

Nodding, Dorie slid off the table and stumbled when the large hall spun around her. Bryce was there in an instant, putting an arm around her waist to steady her.

“Up you go,” he said, scooping her into his arms.

She didn’t know where she would sleep. She assumed she would stay on one of the benches in the hall. Some of the soldiers slept there. She didn’t mind. The room was large enough she wouldn’t feel trapped.

But instead Bryce carried her upstairs, stopping at the very end of the corridor. He set her down in front of the last door and opened it. His chamber. “You’ll stay with me until we come up with something else.”

She’d been in his room for a few days after she was poisoned but hadn’t noticed how small it was. Perhaps it was the fire that had her panicked. She still felt like she was suffocating.

She whimpered when he closed the door after Rascal came in. The large dog and man seemed to make the room shrink even more. The walls were coming closer. She opened the door and stepped out into the corridor, desperate for breath. There wasn’t enough air in the room. She couldn’t survive in there.

“We can prop the door open, if it helps,” her husband offered, and she wanted to hug him for his kindness. She didn’t know how he always seemed to know what she was thinking, even when she didn’t speak the words.

So many times since she married him, she’d wanted to talk with him, but she was still keenly aware of the dangers of saying the wrong thing. Of spilling secrets and putting those she loved at risk. Silence was better. Silence was safe.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to share the bed. Don’t worry, you’re safe with me,” he reassured her. “I’ll not touch ye.”

She hoped she hid her disappointment. While she wasn’t up for touching tonight, filthy and sore as she was, she might welcome it another time.

She simply nodded and looked around the room.