Page 24 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
Lana felt a sudden fear grip her chest. She had never imagined that Daniel could refuse the little girl's present. If he took the kitten away, this kind gesture would quickly turn into a nightmare fueled by tears and pain. It was the last thing Lana wanted, and when she turned to Daniel, she could see that he was considering the same scenarios.
"I'm sorry, Me Laird," Lana said, appealing to his pride.
She would take the blame for this over and over if it meant Skye could keep her present. After only five minutes with the girl, she already felt intensely protective of her.
"Cameron, will ye show Moira her chambers?" Daniel asked, his gaze still locked on Lana.
Lana felt her mother's eyes on her, and she glanced over before giving her a comforting nod. "I'll see ye at dinner," she told her.
Moira hesitated for a moment, but when Cameron held out his arm to her, she took it. Lana watched her mother disappear into the large entryway of the castle.
"Silvers," Daniel nearly barked out, and the housekeeper scurried forward to hear his instructions. "Take the child inside."
"With that… thing?" Silvers asked.
But a single glare from Daniel kicked her into action. She gripped the child's wrist and pulled her toward the castle as Skye held the kitten with her other arm.
"Thank ye," Skye whispered to Lana, resisting the pull of the old woman as long as she could.
Lana smiled at her even as her stomach churned with unease—she could almost feel Daniel's wrath.
"Ye're welcome," she whispered back. "Maybe after supper, ye can show me the garden."
Lana saw the vigorous nod of the girl as she finally gave way to the housekeeper's pulling.
Silvers dragged the child up the stairs, but Skye didn't seem to mind. She was too busy cradling the cat in her arms and talking to her.
Now Lana stood alone with Daniel. His gaze was heavy and intense. She glanced up, aware that she had angered him. Fifteen minutes at the man's castle and she had already upset him. Lana didn't know whether to feel bad or triumphant.
"Come with me," he instructed.
He turned and walked into the castle. Lana watched him and then, with a deep, encouraging breath, followed him.
"That is the last time ye make decisions for me daughter without speaking to me."
Daniel paced in his study, a glass of whiskey in his hand. Lana sat on the sofa in front of him, watching him storm back and forth across the small room.
"I thought that's why ye're marryin' me," she challenged. "Am I nae here to take care of her?"
"Nay!" Daniel cried, raising his voice more than he meant to. "Ye are here to teach her to be a lady. Not to spoil her and bring herpets. I told ye already ye arenae the child's maither."
"She's four years old!" Lana argued. "We are a long way off from the rules of womanhood. What she needs is somefun."
"Do ye think me home is some prison?" Daniel asked. He slammed his glass on the table and refilled it, splashing liquid over the rim in his anger. "Do ye think she is locked away in some windowless room until I require her?"
"Nay," Lana said. She stared back, her eyes on fire with accusations. "But I think she is afraid of ye. If the child doesnae feel safe with her faither, how will she feel safe with anyone?"
The glass flew out of his hand before he knew what happened. He heard the impact as it hit the wall and shattered into pieces. They both froze at the sound of it, and Daniel felt his body go cold as Lana looked up at him with hatred in her eyes.
They were silent for a moment, letting the shock of the moment slowly subside. And then Lana spoke up.
"Ye told me I could do as I pleased," she reminded him, choosing her words carefully. "As long as it was safe. Wasnae that yer rule?"
"We arenae speaking of rules," Daniel spat out.
Lana stood up and walked over to him, her eyes full of challenge. "Aye, we must," she insisted. "Because now ye are breaking the rules. It isyewho is putting me in danger."
Daniel looked up to the ceiling, trying to dismiss the comment. "I wouldnae hurt ye, lass," he said gently, and there was remorse in his tone that seemed to catch her off guard. "But I daenae take kindly to accusations that me daughter isnaesafe."
