Page 60 of The Icy Highlander's Virgin
"I'll speak with him," Lachlan said, rising from his chair. His jaw was set in that hard line she'd learned meant barely controlled fury. "Duncan kens better than to discipline the servants. That's nae his place."
"Good. But there's more we need to discuss about?—"
"Nay." His voice cut through hers with quiet authority. "Ye've done yer part by tellin' me. The rest is between men."
Erica stared at him. "What do ye mean, 'between men'?"
"I mean this is a matter of clan hierarchy and authority. Duncan overstepped, and I'll handle it accordingly." Lachlan moved around the desk toward her. "But ye shouldnae have confronted him directly. It put ye in a dangerous position."
"A dangerous position?" Her voice rose despite her efforts to stay calm. "I'm the Lady of this castle. Those servants are under me protection."
"Aye, they are. But stay out of any matters concernin' Duncan." Lachlan's tone remained maddeningly reasonable. "I'll handle this, Erica. In the future, come to me first."
"Come to ye first?" The words exploded from her lips. "So, I should stand by and watch while he terrorizes the servants, waitin' for yer permission to act?"
"That's nae what I said?—"
"It's exactly what ye just said!" She stepped closer, her dark eyes flashing with fury.
Lachlan's expression hardened. "I want ye to be safe. And smart. Confrontin' Duncan without backup was neither."
"I daenae need backup to face down a bully. I've been dealin' with cruel men since I was a child." Her voice turned bitter. "But I suppose that's nae somethin' a delicate flower like me should handle on her own."
"Daenae put words in me mouth, lass."
"Then daenae treat me like a child who needs her husband's permission to breathe!" She whirled toward the door. "I handled Leo's cruelty for years. I led a clan through the aftermath of his death. As a matter of fact, the only reason I'm here is because of me responsibilities as a clan lady. But apparently, none of that matters to ye."
"Erica, wait?—"
But she was already gone, the door slamming behind her with enough force to rattle the hinges.
Erica stormed down the corridor, her fury building with each step. How dare he dismiss her like some helpless maiden? She'd proven herself capable of facing far worse than Duncan, yet Lachlan still saw her as someone who needed protection rather than partnership.
Lost in her angry thoughts, she rounded a corner and collided solidly with Frederick's broad chest.
"Whoa there, m'lady," he said, steadying her with gentle hands. "Where's the fire?"
"In me temper," she snapped, then immediately looked contrite. "Forgive me, Frederick. I dinnae mean to walk without lookin' where I was going."
His weathered face creased into a knowing grin. "Let me guess—ye've just had words with me stubborn laird, and he's bein' about as flexible as a granite boulder?"
Despite her fury, Erica felt her lips twitch. "That's... actually quite accurate."
"Aye, I've seen that look on many a face after dealin' with Lachlan. I meself have held it many times." Frederick leaned against the stone wall, crossing his arms. "What's the lad done now?"
"He wants me to run to him like a helpless child every time there's trouble, instead of handlin' matters meself." The wordspoured out in a rush. "His cousin was strikin' a servant, and apparently I should have fetched Lachlan instead of stoppin' it."
Frederick's amusement faded. "Duncan was strikin' servants?"
"Aye. And when I told Lachlan, he said it was 'between men' and I shouldnae interfere in future." She kicked at a loose stone with more force than necessary. "I've led a clan, Frederick. I've made life and death decisions. But he treats me like a decoration."
"Hmm." Frederick was quiet for a moment, studying her flushed face. "Can I tell ye somethin', m'lady? About our laird?"
"What about him?"
"He lost his mother when he was barely sixteen. Lost her because she couldnae protect herself when his father turned on her too." Frederick's voice grew serious.
He lost his mother when he was barely sixteen - lost her to her own cowardice." Frederick's voice grew serious. "She couldnae protect herself when his father turned on her, aye, but more than that, she wouldnae protect her own son. When Lachlan became laird after... after what happened, he exiled her. She chose her own comfort over her child's safety, and he made sure she paid the price."
