Page 15 of The Highlander's Accidental Wife
Again, the Laird looked at her father, and his lip curled.
“Ye would have done the same, though I wonder what sort of man would send such brutes after his kin in the first place.”
Helena could not speak.
Her father began to bluster and snap, grousing at the Highlander for interfering, then turned to her. “What’s done is done, and I do not give a damn at this point. What matters is that with Emma becoming Lady Ronson, you have decided to completely disregard the Queen’s Edict…”
“The Queen blessed my union with Laird Ronson,” Emma cut in, while her husband said at the same time, “Queen Marianna sent word that Emma and I were to wed.”
Lord Lovell waved them off. “Fine, but that does not mean Helena is freed from it. And do you think the Queen would bless you for kissing a one-eyed Highland brute?” He gave his head a mournful shake as Helena felt scorched where she stood, already anticipating what he would say next. “No one will marry you now—you areruined. What will I do with you? Why does Providence test me so?”
Helena struggled to breathe. She moved forward and spoke softly, even as she stumbled over her words, “Is that such a bad thing, Father? I could earn money. You know I could.”
Her father glared at her. “It is not a matter of whether you could, Helena. How can’t you understand that? No matter if you became as rich as Croesus, you have ruined yourself—and your sister. You ruined her future just to kiss that bastard, do you understand that?”
His words were as lethal as blades, sinking into her chest, and she flattened her hands against her stomach.
What have I done?
She looked at Sophia’s tiny, worried face, her eyes fierce but her lips trembling. Her sister was just as clever and knew that the world was not kind or accepting of such women.
“LairdMacCabe.” The snow crunched underfoot as Laird MacCabe stepped between Helena and her father, a shadowed wall of fury. “Ye keep callin’ me suchsweetnames, but I think it’s high time ye kenned me real name and position, Englishman.”
The fury in his voice almost had Helena reaching for Sophia, but Emma was there, and Helena stepped to the side to see herfather gaping at Laird MacCabe in a way that she’d never seen before.
But oh, it wassatisfying,no matter how wicked that might be of her.
Her father rallied, though he seemed subdued as he attempted to challenge Laird MacCabe. “That is neither here nor there, MyLaird.” He paused and glared at the man with a cruel fury. “You kissed my unwed daughter.”
Helena sucked in a breath, not sure how she wanted Laird MacCabe to answer. At this point, though, she was ruined. Her father would never let her forget that she kissed a man outside of marriage, nor would he ever let her go, it seemed.
Her heart sank, and she sucked in a harsh breath, fighting down sobs.
Laird MacCabe will deny it.She squeezed her eyes shut.Otherwise, if he doesn’t, it will mean?—
“Aye, I kissed yer daughter,” Laird MacCabe said in such a wicked voice that her cheeks heated, for his words seemed to echo into the night, and he seemed to also be saying,And I’d like to do it again.
Instead, he said, “And I’d like…” Helena’s eyes flew open and met his. A smile flitted over his face. “I’d like to have a word with her.Alone. So, all of ye.” He looked around. “Leave us. Now.”
“Leave it to a MacCabe to give orders on Ronson lands,” Laird Ronson muttered. Then, louder, he said, “Ye heard the man. Let him and Lady Helena speak. Come on, Lord Lovell, let me treat ye to a drink at the castle. Emma, come on, love.”
Emma pouted but trotted after her husband, but not before giving Helena a wide-eyed look. Sophia seemed confused, and her father did not look at her.
Laird Ronson paused, before exchanging a glance with Laird MacCabe. Then, he gave a slight shake of his head and offered Helena an encouraging smile.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Helena blurted out, “You could have lied.”
Laird MacCabe tilted his head to the side and let out a sigh. “Dinnae make me regret it, lass.” She flinched, and his face softened. “Ach, that was uncalled for. And nay, I couldnae do such a thing to ye, nae with yer faither—” His jaw clenched. “If I thought it would help ye, I would have.”
Silence fell between them.
Helena shook her head. “Now—what?” Her mouth felt too dry. “What did you want to speak to me about?”
He gave her a searching look, and this whole business took on a surreal edge as he took a step closer. To think that they hadmet on a warm spring night all those months ago, had danced together, then shared a single kiss—and now this.
Should I apologize?
“Ignore that thought,” Laird MacCabe said in a stern voice, and he caught her chin. “Whatever just came to yer mind and made ye look like that, never think it again, d’ye hear me?”
