Page 81 of The Highlander's Auctioned Hellion
“Tommy, ye are charged with makin’ sure yer mother gets back to the castle safely, is that clear?”
Tommy’s little chest puffed out as he nodded and took his mother’s hand, leading her back toward the carriage.
“I should go with them,” Lydia said, moving to hand Amy to Alexander.
“Dinnae even think about it,” Callum growled. “Ye arenae goin’ anywhere without me.”
CHAPTER 22
“Checkthe perimeter and lock the doors, Alex. Search the castle, I dinnae want anythin’ left to chance.”
Lydia stared after the man-at-arms as he sprinted away up the stairs, accompanied by two guards.
She glanced at Callum. He still held Eilis in his arms, but as the housekeeper approached him, he lowered the little girl to the floor, and she clutched at Lydia’s skirts.
Callum had removed his jacket in the carriage, and his customary léine was all that covered his torso. The sweat from his fight still clung to him, the fabric puckering against his wet skin.
Lydia swallowed, uncertain what was expected of her under the circumstances.Should I take the girls to bed? If I stay, will he answer my questions?
She still did not understand what had taken place, but the girls were terrified.
“Why was the church attacked?”
Her mother’s voice cut through the rising fear that had been building in her heart.
“I do not know,” she whispered.
“He has not told you of his enemies? For they must be many in number.”
Lydia glanced down at the girls, stroking their heads. “He has told me that he will keep us safe.”
Her mother scoffed. “That is all very well, but how can you know what issafewhen you do not know what to fear?”
Lydia bit her lip as Callum turned back toward them.
“Wait in the dining hall until we ken it is safe,” he barked, and stalked away, drawing his sword to search the lower levels. Three guards peeled off behind him and marched into the darkness.
The man shows no fear of anything.
As they shuffled through into the adjoining room, Lydia was grateful for the fire.
Three guards attended them, coming to stand at the edges of the room, swords drawn and ever watchful.
The wedding should have necessitated a great feast for the guests, but after the attack, Callum had sent everyone home.
Now, the table was laden with food that no one would eat.
Lydia smiled fondly at her brother as his eyes grew round as saucers staring at the cold meats, cakes, and preserves that were scattered over the table.
An enormous pig had been roasted and placed in the center, with an apple in its mouth.
“Mama, may I?” Tommy let the question hang in the air, and when her mother nodded, he went to the table.
Tommy lifted a plate of sweet meats toward Eilis and Amy, who looked too terrified to eat anything. Then there was a faint mewing from beneath the table, and Raven jumped onto a chair at the end.
Amy went to stroke him, and Lydia smiled as her brother offered her some ham to give to the cat. The girls set about feeding the kitten, distracting them from the horrors of the day.
For Lydia’s part, she could not eat. She wanted Callum beside her again. Whenever he was close, it felt as if no one could harm her.
