“Your husband—”
“Cam’s promise to protect me with his life will come to fruition, and he will be killed trying to save me. My death is inevitable. But his isn’t.” She stood a little taller, having come to terms with it. “I truly believe I would have died that night at the duke’s hands had I not acted to protect myself. I had never seen the duke so angry. Having lived long enough to come here and spend these last months as Cam’s wife and being part of Clan MacKinlay was more than I ever hoped to have.”
Lachlan did not look happy. “As you’ve said, you are one of us. And Clan MacKinlay protects its own. When you married Cam, it wasn’t just his promise of protection you acquired.”
A tear ran down her cheek. “I appreciate that, and it is because you have all become my family that I could never bring a fight with the English to your gates. When the time comes, I ask you to deliver me to them without resistance.”
“I think your sister is going to have something to say about that.” Lachlan rubbed the back of his neck.
“Which is why you cannot tell her.”
He laughed once. “You ask me to keep this secret from my wife?”
“I do. I know you have given her a promise of protection. Delivering me to the English is keeping that vow in the best way you can. I am sorry you are caught in such a situation. She will be angry with you, I’m sure. But when she calms, she’ll see you did the right thing.”
“It’s the when she calms part that has me worried.” He rubbed his jaw. “Let me consider all of our options. Mayhap there’s still a way to protect ye without such an extreme plan.”
She nodded and went to the door, hoping he could come up with something she hadn’t thought of.
Hiding here wasn’t a viable option. The soldiers would rip the village and the castle to shreds looking for her. If she wasn’t found, that wouldn’t be the end of it. Surprise inspections and searches would be ongoing and relentless. She’d thought of every possible outcome, and the only one that ensured the people she loved remained safe was turning herself in.
“I ask that when the English arrive, you at least let me know, so I can be part of your decision.”
He gave a reluctant nod. “I will discuss it with you, if ever they arrive.”
…
Cam went to find Mari as soon as he arrived home. He was filthy from travel, but he needed to see her. He’d only made it into the hall before she slammed into him. Her arms looped around his neck and he bent to kiss her, not caring who else might be in the hall to see them.
“God, I’ve missed you. It’s only been a few weeks, but it’s felt like years since I kissed you.”
“It feels the same to me.” She laughed and kissed him again. “I’ll have a bath brought up.”
“Nay. I must see Lach first, because once you get me in our rooms I’ll not come out for a few days.” She blushed, and he pressed a kiss to her head. “You haunted my dreams, wife.”
“You were in mine as well.”
“Do I take that to mean your nights weren’t filled with terrors?”
She frowned, and he saw the truth.
“We’re safe. I’ll make sure of it.”
“And what about your safety?” she asked.
He let out a breath and pulled her to his chest. He couldn’t lie to her, but he wasn’t ready to tell her of the soldiers he’d encountered. He needed to speak with Lach and determine their options first.
“Get us some food. I’ll meet ye upstairs shortly.”
She nodded and left. He watched her until she was gone, then went to find the laird.
“Nay, like this, Roddy. Hold it like this,” Lach instructed his child as Cam walked into the solar.
“Isn’t he a bit young for swords?”
“Do you remember the first time you held a sword?”
“Nay. I thought I was born with one strapped to my hip. My dear mother complained my birth was a horrendous battle.”
They laughed as Lach slapped him on the back in greeting. When he released his cousin Cam took up a small wooden sword and tapped it against the matching one in Roddy’s hand. The boy laughed and made a move to stab him.
Cam fell to the floor and moaned in a display of pain, causing the other twin to jump on him as Roddy struck him again. Both boys dissolved into giggles when he lurched up from his fake death to grab and tickle them.
Once they’d settled, the nurse arrived to take the children away. Cam gave them each a smacking kiss on the cheek before handing them over.
“You’ll make a good father someday,” Lach said when they were alone.
Cam nodded. “I don’t fear it like I once did, but it’s not something I wish for right now. Not with what we may be facing.”
“Something’s happened?” Lach guessed.
“Aye. Squads of English soldiers are visiting every port with a notice about Mari, including a likeness. In a matter of weeks, every sailor and dock mate will know her face. We’ll not be able to board a ship without encountering someone who wishes to earn the hundred-pound reward for her capture.”
Lach drew in a long breath. “We’ll think on it and come up with something.”
Cam noticed the man’s bleak expression and knew the laird had been worrying over this since Cam had brought Mari home.
“I’m sorry this will fall at our door.”
“We do what we must to protect our kin,” Lach said. Cam nodded in agreement and went to find his wife.
…
Mari already had the bath prepared for Cam’s arrival. She expected him to want to sit and relax in the tub while he told her of his trip, but he didn’t. Instead he washed quickly and came to her naked, without so much as drying off.
“If you don’t want your gown drenched, you should remove it.”
She laughed and clutched at the laces as he reached around her, making her clothes wet as he helped. Once she was naked, he kissed her and led her to the bed, where he laid her back and covered her with his body.
The way he touched her scared her. It was as if he knew it was the last time they’d lie together, or he was worried it would be. When they finished making love, he drew her against him, holding her tightly.
“What’s happened?” she asked, her hand continuing to trail up his chest. She felt his breath catch before he uttered the lie.
“Nothing.”
She wanted to push him to tell her, but doing so might force the truth from her own lips.