Page 28 of The Highlander's Runaway Nun
“Enter, if ye value yer hide.” The door creaked open, and Alan stepped inside, his expression grim but steady, bowing his head in respect.
Alan shut the door behind him, crossing the room with quiet steps until he stood before the desk.
“Laird,” he began, his voice low, “I’ve come to report on Ethan Gilmour, as ye ordered.”
Bradley’s dark eyes fixed upon him, a silent nod pressing Alan to speak further.
The younger man drew a breath, then continued with measured words.
“He leaves his cottage early, afore most stir,” Alan reported, his hands clasped behind his back. “Spends the mornin’ walkin’ the grounds, then heads to the tavern where he drinks heavy with two merchants from the village. At midday, he meets with a land-broker, a shifty sort, likely dealin’ in underhanded matters. By evenin’ he walks back to his cottage, alone, but he keeps strange hours, often gone after dark.”
Bradley listened, his face an unreadable mask, though a flicker of dark satisfaction stirred in his chest. The thought of Ethan,carrying on his days as if he were innocent, churned Bradley’s rage hotter.
“Good,” he said finally, his voice deep and low. “Every step, every face he meets, I’ll ken it all. He’ll pay for what he’s done to Laura.”
Alan inclined his head, though his eyes lingered with a trace of unease.
“I’ll keep watch, Laird, and report back on every movement. Shall I dig deeper into these merchants and the broker he meets?”
Bradley’s lips curved in a grim line, more a predator’s smile than anything kind. “Aye. Leave nay stone unturned.”
Alan nodded firmly, knowing better than to question the Laird’s wrath. “It’ll be done.”
Bradley rose from his chair, placing a heavy hand on Alan’s shoulder in approval.
“Ye’ve done well, lad,” Bradley said, his voice carrying a rare note of approval. “Yer report on Ethan Gilmour will give me a way to punish him for his wrongdoings against the Lady.”
Then the door burst open once more.
Laura entered, her cheeks flushed, her eyes blazing with fury. She strode into the chamber with a boldness that startled even Alan, her skirts swishing as she came to a halt before Bradley.
“What is the meanin’ of this?” she demanded, her voice sharp with anger. “Are ye spyin’ on me faither?”
Bradley’s body stilled, then he straightened slowly, a dark presence seeming to fill the chamber. His gaze locked on her, and the fury in her eyes struck something deep in him, though he wouldn’t show it.
Laura’s chest rose and fell rapidly as Bradley closed the space between them.
“Answer me,” she snapped, her fists clenched at her sides. “How dare ye invade his life like this?”
Bradley loomed over her, his expression hard, his eyes dark as storm clouds.
“I told ye, lass,” he growled, his voice rumbling low, “anyone who’s harmed ye will be punished.” His hand lifted, his fingers brushing her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Why would I let him live in peace, when he laid a hand upon ye? Nay, I’ll see to it he pays for every scar he gave ye.”
Laura jerked back, her eyes wide, her breath caught between anger and fear.
“He’s still me faither, Bradley,” she said, her voice trembling. “Ye cannae destroy him… vengeance willnae change what happened to me.”
Bradley’s eyes narrowed, his jaw flexing as his fury warred with the strange ache in his chest. “I’ll nae stand by while the man walks free as if he’d done naught but breathe.”
Her hand pressed against his chest, the warmth of her touch both steadying and infuriating.
“Ye’re wrong if ye think this will heal me,” she whispered fiercely. “What he did was cruel, aye, but his punishment belongs to God, nae to ye.”
Bradley seized her wrist, holding her hand firmly against his chest, his heart pounding beneath her palm.
“God may have His justice,” he said, his voice dark and unyielding, “but mine will come first. I’m nae a man to let such sins slide, Laura. Ye’re mine, and I’ll protect ye with every breath I have.” His gaze softened only a fraction, though the storm in his eyes did not ease.
Laura’s eyes shone with unshed tears, though her chin lifted stubbornly. “I daenae need ye to fight me battles, Bradley.”
