Page 76 of The Highlander's Auctioned Bride
She backed away from him, her mouth pursed in fury. James closed his eyes, not wishing to give his next instruction. He knew it would only anger her further, but he could not think of another way to keep her safe.
“I think ye should return to yer faither’s for the time being,” he said softly.
For a long time, all he could hear was the crackle of the fire and Maisie’s quiet breathing as there was a long, ominous silence.
“What did ye just say to me?” she said, her voice low and threatening.
“I cannae find who is doin’ this to us if ye are here. I cannae protect ye without bein’ with ye at all times I cannae dae that?—”
“Of course nae, that would mean leavin’ yer precious people!”
“Ye will listen to me, Maisie, so help me, I will be obeyed.” He stood up and took a menacing step toward her. She recoiled from him, and he was glad of it. The more fury he could induce in her the more likely she would be to leave.
I willnae lose ye, nae after I have finally found ye.
“You would send me away? After everythin’—”
“Ye are in danger, and I want ye somewhere ye are protected. If ye arenae in the castle I will root out whoever has threatened ye and defeat him.”
Maisie’s eyes were wide and cold. Her hand came up to her throat, squeezing the flesh as her mouth worked. She clearly wanted to say more but could not find the words.
He was looming above her now, his face inches from hers and they glared at each other. He lowered his head, wanting to kiss her and hold her in his arms, preventing her from ever leaving him again.
His lips lowered to hers, but just before they connected, she pulled away, her eyes flashing.
“If I go to me faither’s, I might just nae come back.”
Now it was James’s turn to recoil.
The idea that he might drive her away for good was a terrible thought. As she stepped back, however, she limped heavily on her injured leg. He watched her wince, and his resolve instantly returned.
Perhaps bein’ away from me is the only thing that can ever save her.
A lance of pain almost shattered him, but he kept the stoic mask in place.
“Ye havenae been happy,” he bit out. “I cannae give ye what ye want.” Bile rose in his throat. “I understand and I am sorry.”
With one last look of derision and unhappiness, she walked out of the room. He watched her close the door, possibly for the last time.
CHAPTER 28
Although the journeyto her father’s townhouse was not so very long, it felt to Maisie as though it stretched out endlessly. As she left the beautiful countryside of Clan MacLennan the carriage slowly began to move through the busy streets and bustling thoroughfares of Larkhill.
I left as a Brown and returned as a lady;she thought wistfully as she looked out of the carriage. She tried to make sense of the barrage of feelings that were knocking about inside her head.
She would never have imagined that James’s only solution was to send her away. Watching his cold mask fall into place had been chilling. He had looked at her like she did not even matter to him
Yet he has sent me away to protect me. Surely he cares a little.
She would miss him. She had tried to deny it, but she knew it was the truth. She had grown attached to him. She missed himalreadyand it had only been a few hours.
But what had been truly hard was seeing his indifference to her departure.
I understand, and I am sorry.
She scoffed under her breath at the audacity of the man to simply send her away to keep her safe, as though her very presence was a nuisance.
She felt as though her existence in his life had only brought him more trouble. A part of her wondered whether she would ever return to that beautiful castle on the hill again.
