Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
"Stay here. Rest."
David's voice was gentle as he settled Elinor into their bed, pulling the covers up over her. The bandage on her neck was stark white against her skin, a reminder of how close he'd come to losing her.
"I'm fine," she protested, but her voice was tired.
"Ye're exhausted. And ye've been through hell today." He brushed a strand of hair back from her face. "Sleep, lass. I need tae speak with me braithers about what happened. They'll have questions." He moved toward the door. "I'll nae be long."
He paused, looking back.
The kiss was still fresh in his mind—the taste of her, the way she'd melted against him, the soft sounds she'd made when he'd deepened it.
"Get some rest. We'll talk later."
He left before he could do something foolish like climb into that bed with her and forget about councils and attacks and everything else that demanded his attention.
The walk to his study felt longer than usual. David's mind kept replaying the moment he'd seen that blade at Elinor's throat. The cold terror that had flooded through him. The desperate sprint across the courtyard.
If he'd been a second slower, if his aim had been off…
He shoved the thoughts aside. She was safe. That was what mattered.
He pushed open the study door to find four men already waiting for him.
Euan sat in the chair by the window, his bad leg stretched out before him.
Calum leaned against the desk, arms crossed.
Archibald stood near the fireplace, and Lachlann had claimed the other chair, looking far too comfortable for David's current mood.
"Well," Euan said without preamble. "That was a disaster."
"Good to see ye too," David muttered, moving to pour himself a drink. "Help yerselves tae the dram, why dinnae ye."
"Already did." Calum held up his glass. "So. Want to tell us what in God's name is goin' on?"
David took a long drink, feeling the burn of it steady his nerves. "What dae ye want tae ken?"
"Everything." Euan's voice was sharp. "Starting with why Langley's men are attackin' yer wife at a clan celebration."
"Because Langley's a bastard who cannae take nay fer an answer."
"That's nae an answer, David. That's a deflection." Euan leaned forward. "We're nae stupid. We saw the way ye reacted when that arrow flew. The way ye went after her like the hounds of hell were at yer heels. This is nae just about some English man bein' a poor loser."
David stared into his glass, debating how much to tell them. These were his brothers in all but blood. Men he'd grown up with, trained with, trusted with his life.
But this—this was different.
"She was at an auction," he said finally.
Silence fell over the room like a stone.
"What?" Lachlann asked carefully. "What possible reason could ye have fer buyin' a woman at a bloody auction?"
Euan stood, getting in David's face. "Christ, David. We swore. All of us. After what happened tae yer maither, after what yer uncle did tae her, we swore we'd never treat women as pawns tae be moved around fer political convenience. And now ye're tellin' me ye bought yer wife?"
"I saved her! At an auction. Fer brides.
" David's jaw tightened. "Her faither was sellin' her tae the highest bidder.
Langley was there. They had been betrothed a few years ago but her faither broke the betrothal because he needed more coin.
I found them arguing over her, Langley insisted she was his.
When her faither refused, Langley started biddin' on her like she was livestock. "
"Christ," Archibald breathed.
"In the meantime, I was contacted a few weeks ago by the Regent, who wanted me tae take an English bride. She's an English bride." David kept his tone even. "I did what was asked. I helped her and myself."
"Through deception and word games." Euan stood, his movements stiff. "Dae ye ken what the Regent will dae if he finds out?"
"He'll nae find out. We were summoned, we told him we had been betrothed fer a few years but kept it a secret.
That then her faither attempted tae break our betrothal fer financial reasons, trying tae sell her off tae another man.
So I interfered tae prevent it, as we had a previous agreement, and we wed immediately tae ensure her faither couldnae interfere again. "
"How can ye be sure he willnae find out anyway that this was all a lie?"
"Because I'm married tae her. Properly married. Legal and bindin'." David met his friend's eyes. "There's naethin' fer the Duke tae find out because the marriage is real."
"Real," Calum repeated slowly. "David, a marriage is only considered final if it's consummated. Have ye… " He stopped. "Have ye consummated the marriage?"
Heat crept up David's neck. He thought about the kiss upstairs. About Elinor in his lap, her hands in his hair, the way she'd said I want you with such simple honesty.
About how close they'd come to taking things further.
About how he'd stopped because she'd been attacked and was in shock and he refused to take advantage, no matter how much he wanted her.
"That's nae yer business," he said finally.
"It is if ye're lyin' tae the Duke about it." Calum's expression was serious. "Because if the marriage isnae consummated, it can be annulled. The Regent could dissolve it with a word. Send her back tae her faither or marry her off tae someone else. And ye'd be tried fer treason."
"I ken the risks."
"Dae ye?" Lachlann shook his head.
Euan gestured toward the door. "She was nearly kidnapped today! At yer own celebration!"
"Me plan is tae make this marriage so obviously legitimate that nay one questions it." David's voice was firm. "The Cèilidh was the first step. Showin' the clan that we're a proper couple. Buildin' support."
"And if the Regent sends investigators?" Archibald asked quietly. "If he demands proof of consummation? What then?"
"Then I'll provide it."
"How?"
"I said it's nae yer business." David's jaw tightened. "What happens between me and me wife is between us. But I'll handle it. One way or another."
"Ye're arguin' semantics," Lachlann said. "And the Duke willnae see it that way. He'll see betrayal. Defiance. And he'll make an example of ye."
"Only if he finds out the truth of how it came about. And he willnae." David poured himself another drink. "Everyone who kens what really happened is either in this room, has nay reason tae talk, or is dead. Langley can rant all he wants, but he has nay proof."
"What about the people at the auction?" Calum asked.
"Anonymous. Discrete. That's the whole point of those gatherin's." David's smile was sharp. "Nay one is goin' tae admit they were there. Would be bad fer their reputations."
"And her faither?"
"Her faither got five hundred pounds. He'll nae risk losin' that by openin' his mouth." David's voice went cold. "And if he daes, I'll make sure he regrets it."
The four men exchanged looks. David could see the concern written on their faces. The doubt.
"This is madness," Euan said finally. "Ye ken that, aye?"
"Perhaps."
"There's nay perhaps about it." Euan limped closer, his expression deadly serious.
David's hands curled into fists. "I'll find every last one of Langley's men and make sure they never threaten her again."
"And Langley himself?" Euan asked. "What happens when he comes fer her? Because he will, David. Men like that dinnae give up."
"Then I'll deal with him too." David's voice was flat. Final. "Whatever it takes."
"Even if it means war?"
"Even then."
The room fell silent. David could feel their eyes on him, weighing his words. Judging whether he'd truly lost his mind.
"Ye've changed," Euan said finally. "Since ye met her. Ye're different."
"Aye. I am."
"Is that a good thing?"
David thought about Elinor's smile when he'd given her freedom to explore hobbies. About the way she'd stood up to him about the rules. About the kiss they'd shared just minutes ago—her hands in his hair, her body pressed against his, the taste of her on his lips.
"I dinnae ken yet," he admitted. "But I'm nae goin' back."
"Even if it costs ye everything?"
"Even then." David met Euan's eyes. "She's me wife. And I protect what's mine."
"Then God help ye both," Euan said quietly. "Because ye're goin' tae need it."
The four men left shortly after, their concerns voiced and their warnings given. David remained in his study, staring into the fire and thinking about everything they'd said.
They were right. He knew they were right.
It was madness. Dangerous, reckless madness that could cost him everything.
But when he thought about Elinor—about her smile, her strength, the way she'd kissed him back like she was drowning and he was air—he couldn't bring himself to regret it.
He was about to head upstairs when footsteps pounded down the corridor. One of his guards burst through the door, breathing hard.
"Me laird. We found another one."
David's blood went cold. "Another spy?"
"Aye. In the east wing. Near yer bedchamber."
The world seemed to tilt sideways. "Near me bedchamber? How near?"
"Watchin' the door, me laird. He had a blade. And rope." The guard's expression was grim. "We think he was waitin' fer an opportunity tae… "
David didn't wait to hear the rest. He was already moving, his heart pounding in his chest.
Near the bedchamber. Watching the door. Waiting fer Elinor.
He took the stairs three at a time, his mind racing. How many more were there? How many of Langley's men had he let into his own castle?
Two guards stood at attention outside his chamber door. They snapped to attention as he approached.
"Is she safe?" David demanded.
"Aye, me laird. We've been here the whole time. Nay one's gone in or out."
David pushed past them, opening the door. Elinor was curled up in bed, fast asleep, her face peaceful in the firelight.
Safe.
For now.
But for how long?
David closed the door quietly and turned to his guards. "I want this door guarded at all times. Day and night. At least three men. Men I trust. Men who've been with me fer years."
"Aye, me laird."
"And I want the entire castle swept. Every room. Every corridor. Every storage space. Find anyone who daesnae belong here."
"We're already daein' that, me laird. Captain's orders."
"Good." David's jaw was tight. "And ban all visitors from the castle. Anyone who's here fer the Cèilidh who isnae clan, send them home. Now."
"But me laird…"
"Dae it." His voice was hard. "And triple the guards on all entrances. Nay one comes in or out without me express permission. Is that clear?"
"Clear, me laird."
David left them to their work and headed back down to the guardhouse. The spy was right where he'd been left—bound to a chair, his face bruised and defiant.
"Where's Langley?" David demanded without preamble.
The man spat at his feet. "Go to hell."
"How many more of ye are there?"
"Enough."
"That's nae an answer."
"It's the only one ye'll get." The spy's smile was ugly. "Sir Edmund will have what's his. One way or another."
David's hand moved to his dirk. "She was never his."
"That's where ye're wrong, Highland savage.
Sir Edmund made his intentions clear months ago.
She should have been his bride. And she will be.
" The man's eyes glittered with fanaticism.
"Ye can kill me. Lock me up. Torture me if ye want.
But it willnae matter. More will come. And more after that. Until Sir Edmund gets what he wants."
David studied the man's face. Saw the blind loyalty there. The absolute certainty that Langley would prevail.
It made him sick.
"Lock him up with the others," David told the guards. "I'll decide what tae dae with them in the mornin'."
"Aye, me laird."
David left the guardhouse and found his captain in the courtyard, organizing the sweep of the castle.
"How many have ye found?" David asked.
"Three so far, me laird. All Langley's men."
"Three." David's hands curled into fists. "How many more are there?"
"We dinnae ken yet. But we're searchin' every inch of the castle and grounds."
"Good. And I want word sent tae every guard, every servant, every clansman. Tell them that if they see anyone suspicious, anyone they dinnae recognize, they report it immediately. Nay exceptions."
"Aye, me laird."
David watched as guards fanned out across the courtyard, torches in hand. His castle. His home. Infiltrated by enemies who wanted to take his wife.
He thought about Elinor upstairs. About the kiss they'd shared. About the way she'd said I want you with such simple honesty.
About how much he wanted to protect her.
And about how he was failing.
"Me laird?" The captain's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "We've finished the initial sweep. Found five in total. All Langley's men."
"Five." David's voice was hollow. "Five men got intae me castle during a celebration. While me guards were everywhere."
He stopped.
"Post guards at every entrance," he said. "And I mean every entrance. Gates, doors, windows on the ground floor—everything. Nay one enters or leaves without me knowin' about it."
"Aye, me laird."
David turned and walked back toward the castle, his mind churning.
Five men. Five assassins inside his walls, waiting for a chance to take Elinor.
And he'd almost already lost her that day.
Almost.
But not quite.
He climbed the stairs to their bedchamber slowly, exhaustion pulling at his bones. The guards at the door nodded as he passed. Inside, Elinor was still asleep, her breathing soft and even.
David stood in the doorway, watching her.
He hesitated, then sat at the edge of the bed. Slowly, as though he was giving her time to wake up, but was happy that she didn’t. He lifted his hand. His fingers brushed her cheek—light, almost reverent.
His thumb traced the line of her jaw, careful to avoid the wound at her neck and not wake her up.
I'll keep ye safe. Whatever it takes. Whatever the cost.
Even if it means war.