Page 99 of Never a Duchess
Lorna appeared from the spare room, tying the belt on her wrapper, her long braid hanging over her shoulder. “Callan? What brings ye here at this late hour? Is it Miss Ware? Dinnae say something terrible has happened.”
“Aye, something terrible has happened. But it’s MacTavish who will hear my gripe. I dinnae care if he’s ill. He’ll speak to me now before I head out on a murderous rampage.”
Lorna stumbled back in shock.
She knew the sweet boy who hated his father.
She knew the honourable man, the respectable duke.
She did not know the vicious Highlander. The beast who’d not rest until blood coated his hands.
“Angus lied to me,” he cried, hurling daggers of disdain at Angus’ door. “Ye lied to me all these years. Let me think an accident in the woods claimed my mother when ye knew her secret.”
He saw it the second Lorna’s lips trembled.
The truth they’d never dared speak.
“Callan, ye need to calm down and tell me what’s happened.”
“I want to speak to MacTavish.”
“Angus needs his rest and—”
“Lorna!” Angus’ weary voice echoed from the depths of the master chamber. “I’ll see him. Send him in.”
Lorna muttered under her breath. “Be mindful of his condition. He’s been a dear friend to ye all these years. Remember that.”
“Aye, a friend who’s lied through his rotten teeth.” They knew he valued honesty. They were the closest thing he had to kin. Now he had no one. “Happen my forebears were right.”
Trust no one but yer clansmen.
A MacTavish will stab ye in the back.
Hearing the commotion, Ailsa appeared on the landing. “Tell me something hasnae happened to Lillian.”
Lillian!
He’d left her in that bastard’s office with no explanation.
Daventry would take care of her.
Callan was incapable.
Nothing but hatred flowed in his veins.
Vengeance had encased his heart in stone.
Lorna ushered Ailsa back to bed, reassuring her Miss Ware was safe and well and there was nothing to fear. “This is a private matter between Dounreay and yer father. It will all be fine come the morning.”
It would not be fine.
Not unless Lorna could bring his mother back from the grave. Or knew a spell to make him forget the depth of everyone’s betrayal.
Inhaling deeply, he opened the door to MacTavish’s bedchamber and marched across the room to glare at the pale man in the bed.
Angus raised a shaky hand and pointed to the chair near the washstand. “Bring the seat closer and sit down. I’ll nae have a crick in my neck.”
“I’ll stand.” Nervous energy meant he could not keep still.
