Page 37 of A Laird and a Healer

When Caroline entered the hall, she could feel that something was wrong. There was a coldness to the air that made a chill run down her spine. Ryan was slumped in his high seat, a frustrated and pensive look upon his face. His elbow rested on the arm of the seat, while his fist was clenched and pressed against his chin. His eyes were dark, and the look he exchanged with Caroline had no air of mystery about it.

He was worried.

The three women approached him, and he adjusted his position, sitting forward and clasping his hands between his legs. It was a far cry from the way he had acted in their previous meetings, where he prowled like a wolf, ready to attack them at a moment’s notice. There was less of a savage nature in his eyes now, and more concern.

When Caroline looked at him, her first thought was not that this was her captor, nor was her first feeling a flinching fear. Instead, she knew this man to be her husband, and he was becoming associated with warmer feelings, feelings that invited her closer to him. However, the nature of their conversation prevented her from truly embracing these feelings for the time being.

“I hae grave news. I received a missive this morning. It’s from yer uncle. He knows where ye are, and he hae asked for yer return,” Ryan announced bitterly.

The girls gasped. Nessa and Tara turned to each other with frantic looks in their eyes, while Caroline felt the strength slipping away from her, but she never turned away from Ryan.

“Are ye gaeing tae give us up?” Nessa asked.

“Nae,” Ryan replied immediately. “Ye are under my protection, and I am certainly nae gaeing tae surrender my wife.”

Caroline’s heart skipped a beat when she heard him speak about her with such determination and strength. The ring she wore to symbolize their marriage felt less like a shackle now and more like a gentle reminder of the power that came with love.

“He will nae take nae for an answer. He will stop at naething tae get what he wants. This is only gaeing tae end one way, Ryan,” Caroline added.

Ryan sighed. “I know, but the truth is this hae been inevitable. I suppose it’s my fault for wanting a war,” he confessed with a rueful smile. “But ye should remain in the Keep. My guards will protect ye. These walls have stood for hundreds of years without being breached, and I hae nae plans for that tae change.”

“Where are ye gaeing? Ye are nae gaeing tae meet him directly, are ye? Uncle is a cunning man, and he would surely anticipate anything ye might dae. Ye would be walking intae a trap,” Caroline warned, her voice rising and falling with worry.

Ryan smirked at her. “Dinnae fret, lass, I am nae sae foolish as that. I need tae ride tae the MacLeod Clan and speak tae the laird directly. I will also send yer uncle a notice of our marriage, and this may buy us some time.”

Caroline believed it would only anger him further. More concerning was Ryan’s desire to visit Laird MacLeod.

“Laird MacLeod is nae inclined tae help ye. I read the letter. I know he dinnae want tae get involved in a conflict. What makes ye think he will listen tae ye?”

“I dinnae know, but I hae tae try. Yer uncle cannae be allowed tae get away with this. I will implore Laird MacLeod tae help. My words may come across as more convincing in person,” Ryan explained.

But Caroline knew Laird MacLeod. He was not the kind of man to change his mind unless he was given good reason to do so, and he wanted to protect his people above all else. She wasn’t certain he would risk them in this conflict.

“Let me accompany ye.”

“That is out of the question,” Ryan replied.

Caroline stepped forward, her eyes flashing with an intense stare. “Dae ye think yer guards can protect me better than ye can? Hae ye suddenly lost faith in yerself?” she challenged, hoping that by insulting his pride, she might goad him into doing as she asked.

Ryan bristled at her words. “I am nae gaeing tae be swayed by yer tricks. The matter is nae about me or my guards, it’s about the environment. These walls are safer for ye than the open air.” He gestured about with his hands.

“But ye stand a much better chance of convincing Laird MacLeod with me at yer side. I know him. He will listen tae me. Our voices in unison might be able tae sway him. We certainly stand a much better chance taegether than ye gaeing alone. He can hear from my own lips that I became yer wife willingly, lest he think that ye stole me and my uncle hae a righteous cause in storming yer Keep tae rescue me,” Caroline stated.

Ryan frowned. If he was trying to gain Laird MacLeod as an ally, then perhaps Gorram was as well. He could well be telling the Laird that Ryan had kidnapped Caroline, Nessa, and Tara, and was holding them prisoner. It might have been more believable to Laird MacLeod than the conspiracy of a poisonous scheme to kill Caroline’s father.

Caroline watched as thoughts turned in Ryan’s mind, as he weighed the pros and cons of taking her with him. Eventually, he curled his hand into a fist and thumped it against the arm of the seat.

“Very well, but stay close tae me. I dinnae trust the shadows, and I dinnae trust yer uncle,” Ryan said.

Caroline smiled. It was going to be an easy request to follow, as she wanted nothing more than to stay close to him. Beside her, Tara whimpered and Nessa was shaking her head with warning. Caroline gave them an emphatic look that suggested she was going to be safe, and that this was the best course of action for them all.

Her heart swelled with pride that she would be able to have a direct hand in the outcome of these matters. And she was pleased that Ryan was doing her the courtesy of treating her like an equal rather than a captive. Her eyes shone with adoration as she watched Ryan rising from his throne, ready to embark on this perilous journey.

Chapter 16

Ryan was uneasy as he saddled the horses. He turned his gaze to the horizon. He was a master of his own territory, but what lay beyond that was beyond his control. There were bandits, foul creatures of the night, and prowling Gilmour men looking to take his wife away from him.

He had spent so much time by himself that worrying about other people was an uncommon notion. Anxiety laced his heart as he feared that a grim fate would befall them. He had almost lost Caroline once and had only just gotten to her in time.