Page 85 of Highlander's Wild Lass
“He wants us to turn over the list of our customers, the underground one too,” she told him, guiding them toward Helena’s healing room.
“How does he ken about that list? I thought it was under lock and key?” Anthony followed along, his hands fingering the handle of the dirk he always wore at his belt.
“It is, Anthony, I dinnae ken how,” Celestia said, thinking about a possible time she maybe slipped up, feeling she could trust Robbie, and brought out the logbook from the safe.
“I’ll ride after him at once,” Anthony said.
Celestia gripped his arm and tugged him to her. “Ye will do nay such thing. He told the lads that I have until sundown tomorrow to deliver the list, or he rides to the closest English garrison and tells the commander about us.”
Anthony exhaled sharply. “And what of Auralia? What is he goin’ to do to her if we daenae do what he wants?”
“He dinnae say,” she muttered, but a hundred different terrible scenarios played in her head. She shooed the twins through to Helena. “Get fixed up,” she told them.
Celestia turned to Anthony, folding her arms over her chest. “I’ll ride to the distillery and grab the lists, and then—”
“Lass, ye are nae goin’ to do anythin’,” Anthony said, placing a gentle hand on the base of her neck. “Ye are stayin’ right here. Sebastian and I’ll get Auralia back, and we willnae need the lists.”
“What do ye mean?” Celestia asked. “He said it could only be me.”
“He can think that, surely,” Anthony said, pulling her close. “But it will be me, Celestia. He will nae lay a single finger on ye or any one of ye again. I’ll see to that.”
He pulled her into a kiss. “This will nae take long,” he said, leaving her standing outside Helena’s rooms.
“Nay, Anthony, I’m comin’ with ye whether ye like it or nae,” Celestia said, rushing after him. “Are ye goin’ to dress up as me? Ye wouldnae make a bonnie woman, Anthony. If he spots ye, he will go straight to the garrison.”
He wiped a hand across his brow. “Please, daenae fight me on this, Celestia. It isnae safe for ye.”
She grabbed hold of his wrist, challenging him. “It will be safe enough.”
* * *
He hated this idea.
Anthonyhatedthis idea.
He looked over at Celestia as they both dressed to travel to Koll Distillery, sliding into her trews and braiding her hair. Like she was readying for battle.
“Celestia,” he tried again as he clasped his belt.
“Nay, I will nae hear of it, Anthony,” she said, sitting on top of the bed to slide into her boots. “There is nothin’ ye can say that will stop me.”
Anthony took the two steps that it took to get to her and lifted her chin to face his. “Ye ken why I dinnae want ye to go, right?”
“Because ye daenae want me beaten by that brute again.”
“Nay, lass,” he said softly. “Ye are with child. Have ye nae been countin’ the days between yer courses?”
She stood abruptly, stepping out of his grasp. “There is nae way, I would ken if I was...I bled...” Anthony saw the realization dawn on her. “There’s nay way.”
“Ye have nae bled, Celestia. In two months.”
Her hand went to her belly, still flat. “I feel nay different. I’m sure I had my courses last month?”
Anthony shook his head. “I promise I would nae lie about this, lass. It’s been chaos since we wed and with yer Da dying, ye might just have nae been thinkin’ about it.”
Celestia turned inward, thinking. “Possibly,” she murmured, hand still over her stomach.
Anthony laid his hand over hers. “That’s why I daenae want ye to go. Ye’ll nae only be puttin’ yer life in danger.” He kissed her forehead. “It would be too risky.”
