Page 115 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
His eyebrows drew together.
He had not paid any mind to Finn’s peculiar friendship with Marian’s maid, though he had noticed it in passing. But now, he caught a hint of sadness in his expression and thought about it.
Lilly seemed to have been crying when he had gone into Marian’s chamber earlier.
Perhaps…
The door burst open, striking the stone wall behind it with a loudbang.
Lachlan jumped to his feet at once, his hand instinctively reaching for the dirk at his belt before he even looked up to see who it was.
“Lilly?” Finn’s voice was a pitch lower than usual as he crossed the room quickly.
Lachlan paused, his dirk half unsheathed as he followed his gaze.
What is she doin’ here?
He pushed the dirk back down into its sheath, watching the two.
Lilly trembled as she stood before Finn, and he gently gripped her shoulders, steadying her before gazing softly into her eyes.
“What has happened to ye?” he asked.
Lachlan’s eyebrows flew up. He had half expected Finn to usher her out of the study. Instead, the man waited patiently for her to speak, even as her breath came in sharp, broken gasps.
“It is not me, Finn,” she hiccupped, her lips trembling as tears streamed down her face. “It is… it is Her Ladyship.”
Lachlan froze. Something twisted sharply in his chest, and he quickly rounded the desk, his eyes darkening as he moved toward Finn and Lilly.
“Marian.” His voice was tight. “What has happened to her?”
Lilly let out a sob, and Lachlan’s jaw tightened, his patience wearing thin.
“Speak, lass.” His tone was sharper than he had intended, but he did not care. “Now.”
His mind raced ahead of her words, grasping at many different scenarios, each worse than the last.
“Where is she?” he demanded.
She stifled her sobs. “In the receiving chamber.”
Lachlan’s shoulders relaxed for just a moment.
She hasnae left.
He released a breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding.
“Then why are ye cryin’, Lilly?” Finn asked gently.
Lachlan picked up his sword and fastened it to his belt impatiently.
God help me if?—
“Her uncle…” Lilly sniffed. “I think…”
Lachlan’s head snapped up.
“I heard shouting,” she continued, her voice shaking, “And then… something like a blow.”
