Page 58 of The Highlander's Virgin Nun
The words stung a little, but Caelan knew that was how it sounded. Not to mention that it was exactly how he had explained himself to Rosaline, whom Conall had gotten his information from.
He remained calm and hoped that Conall would listen to reason, that the man was not fueled by rage, as so many lairds were.
“If ye would allow me to explain?—”
“I certainly hope ye will,” Conall snapped.
“If ye let me get a word in,” Caelan barked back. The men’s voices had risen to an uncomfortable volume, and he restrained himself as much as he could.
“As ye may have heard, me life is under threat.”
“Me sister told me about the two attacks. There have been more?”
“Aye, many. Ever since me faither passed and left me the Lairdship, anonymous assassins have come after me at every corner.”
“And I hear she saved ye in one of these encounters,” Conall jumped in.
“Somewhat, aye. One of the reasons behind these attacks is the fact that there is nay one else in line for the Lairdship, as I have nay heir. I asked Rosaline to marry me and give me an heir, and she agreed.”
Conall did not nod or indicate that he understood; he simply waited for the explanation to become good enough.
“I should have been notified before the weddin’, but go on.”
Caelan did not feel the need to explain that Rosaline had tried, but they did not have the correct address yet. It was beside the point, and he did not want to be argumentative. Her brother had every reason to be frustrated and confused.
“Yesterday, I was attacked in the gardens by the village, and Rosaline was with me. For the first time, they came nae for just me, but for me wife. News of her pregnancy has somehow spread, so I quickly realized that, as the person carryin’ me heir, she had become as much of a target as I am.”
“So it is someone close to ye who is givin’ out this information,” Conall mused.
“That is somethin’ me man-at-arms and I are lookin’ into, believe me. But until I have these answers, I cannae keep Rosaline safe. Her proximity to me alone puts her and the clan in danger. If they kill us both at the same time—as these assassins very much aim to do—me clan will be theirs.”
Caelan paused to gauge Conall’s reaction. His face looked angry and tense, but he did not shout or rise to pace the room. He remained still, waiting to hear the solution.
“Very few people here ken Rosaline’s surname. And even if they realize it from yer presence here today, they will unlikely be able to find ye. It took us fair work to find yer new address, as I believe ye have changed locations discreetly?”
“This is true,” Conall confirmed.
“I believe that keepin’ the two of us separated will at least make these assassins’ job harder. I believe they will have a hard time findin’ her if she is with ye, and as her braither, I trust that ye will care for her and keep her safe?”
Conall considered his words for a moment before nodding. “Of course, I will keep her safe. But what about when the child is born? Will the bairn become the target then?”
“I am goin’ to sort this situation once and for all. While Rosaline is safe with ye, growin’ our child, I am goin’ to find out the scoundrels who are after me and kill them. By the time the child is born, the pesky threat will be gone. If nae, I will pay for Rosaline and the child’s upkeep for the rest of their lives.”
“Why did ye nae explain it to Rosaline this way? Why have ye allowed me sister to think that ye have abandoned her?”
“Because her loyalty is too strong,” Caelan answered immediately.
He was steadfast in his decision to push Rosaline away. He may not have known her for long, but he knew her well. He saw so much of her thoughts in her eyes and her movements, even when she did not voice them.
“If I told her it was for her safety, she would have dismissed me concern. She has survived so much that she believes she can survive anythin’—she will want to remain here because of the vow she made. She deserves time with her family and in safety while I sort out the mess I dragged her into.”
Conall sighed and bowed his head, deep in thought.
Caelan watched him decide whether to trust his explanation and work with him, or conclude that he was lying and take his wife and his heir away forever.
He had to accept that he had done everything he could. He had told Conall the truth—all of it.
“All right,” Conall finally said, lifting his eyes to Caelan’s. “I’ll take her, keep her, and look after her. I dinnae ken ye very well, Laird Sinclair, and I cannae see how me sister does either after only a matter of weeks. But regardless, I can see that she has become fond of ye, and in this mess, ye have hurt her. I want ye to take care of yer issues here—remove anythin’ that threatens her—and then I want ye to come and take her back. If she is married and with child, ye owe her the life ye have promised her.”
