Page 26 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander
“Aye,” Hunter said simply.
“I suppose that makes me yer aunt now,” Erica added, her voice warm.
Lily’s face lit up, though she bit her lip. She fixed her gaze on Hunter, and he caught a glimmer in her eyes that always hinted at something unsaid. There was a silent question there, one he could never quite catch. However, what or who the question was about was lost on him. He hoped Erica would have better luck as the two of them got to know each other better.
He gave his niece the briefest of nods, hoping it would suffice—as it usually did.
At Lily’s side stood Calvin, his trusted man-at-arms, who was observing the exchange with a raised eyebrow and a knowing smirk.
Ach, great. Always somethin’ smart to say.
Hunter let out a breath, realizing he couldn’t afford to linger any longer. He nodded to Calvin. “A word.”
Calvin’s expression turned serious, and he gave a brief nod before following his Laird down the hall, leaving Erica and Lily behind.
As they stepped into the corridor, Hunter’s thoughts drifted back to the arrow and whoever was bold—or foolish—enough to aim it at him. Calvin fell into step beside him, his usual laid-back manner replaced with a rare tension.
Knowing Calvin had already been informed about the attack, he started without any further delay. “Any sign of them?” he asked, his voice low.
Calvin shook his head. “Whoever it was, they’re long gone. But that arrow was meant for ye, there’s nay doubt about it.”
Hunter clenched his hands into fists and clenched his jaw.
Someone had aimed that arrow at me but had nearly injured me wife.
The fact that Erica had been nearby—that she could’ve been hurt—angered him in a way that surprised him.
“We’ll double the guards around the castle,” Hunter said. “And I expect ye to keep an eye on Lady MacKinnon as well.”
Calvin nodded, his expression grave. “Aye. I’ll tell the men and make sure they ken it is an order.”
Hunter turned, glancing back down the hall where he’d left Erica and Lily. His hands still tingled where she’d touched him, and he forced himself to ignore the sensation.
This marriage was meant to be a matter of necessity. He hadn’t expected it to unsettle him at every turn, and he certainly hadn’t anticipated the way his wife seemed to draw him in, tempting him to let down the walls he’d carefully built around himself.
But he knew he needed to remind himself—and her—that their arrangement was not meant for romance or folly.
Not just yet, though…
“Gather them now—I’ll tell them meself.”
7
Erica stood in the entrance hall, where Hunter left her and his niece. Her gaze raked over the intricately carved wooden beams and the stone walls that echoed with history.
The air was thick with the scent of woodsmoke and something sweet—perhaps honeyed bread. It was a far cry from the vibrant chaos of her family’s home, where laughter and chatter filled every corner. Here, the silence was punctuated only by the occasional bustle of servants and the distant crackling of the fire.
“Are ye all right, Lady MacKinnon?” a small voice broke through her thoughts.
Erica turned to see Lily standing a few feet away, her big, bright eyes studying her with an earnestness that took her by surprise.
“Aye, just gettin’ used to the place—and please call me Aunt Erica,” Erica replied, forcing a smile.
The child looked about the same age as her youngest sister Eileen, but something about Lily felt different. There was a sensibility in her eyes that seemed out of place for her age.
“Aunt Erica, I ken it can feel strange at first,” Lily said, nodding as if she understood exactly how Erica felt. “But it’s home. Uncle Hunter always says it protects us.” She glanced around as if ensuring they were alone before leaning in slightly. “I think it’s a bit grumpy, though. It needs a smile or two.”
Erica couldn’t help but laugh. “Grumpy, ye say? A castle can be grumpy?”
