Page 64 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
"MacDougal?" Angus asked.
Seamus gave a single nod. "Our men followed MacDougal's entourage from the moment they left the wedding. They've traveled straight home, barely stopping to rest. If they continued on their path, they should be back in MacDougal lands by now."
"And ye're sure?" Cameron pressed. He glanced at Daniel, who had been uncharacteristically quiet for the last half hour.
Daniel watched Seamus cautiously, tentatively hopeful that Laird MacDougal was no longer a threat.
"Of course, there is some delay," Seamus said. "The messenger set out this morning. But they heard the men speaking of going back home. There was nay talk of staying in our land."
"So, nay talk of kidnappings?" Angus asked.
Daniel detected the mocking tone in the man's voice. He had a feeling Angus thought he was overreacting to the threat of Laird MacDougal.
"That doesnae mean we should let down our defenses," Daniel reasoned, feeling the need to push back against Angus and his dismissive nature.
"The man ye are worried about is gone," Angus said. "Perhaps we can at least send the villagers home to their families? We daenae need to be prepared for war."
"This is good news," Cameron interjected before Daniel could snap at Angus. "Lana and Skye are safe. And in a few days, ye will visit MacDougal and show him that ye want his friendship. Ye can mend what is broken."
The council seemed satisfied. Daniel heard Seamus call for a guard so they could tell the extra soldiers to stand down. They no longer needed the additional force Daniel had set up around the castle.
But as his councilmen moved forward, Daniel couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his belly. They all stood up, ready to end the lengthy meeting.
Cameron crossed to him to clap him on the back. "Dinnae look so serious." He laughed. "All is well."
"Aye," Daniel muttered. "But I cannae shake the feeling that something is wrong."
"That's because it is." Cameron laughed. "But it isnae with our clan. Now that matters of state are settled, it is time for ye to mend things with yer wife."
Daniel scowled at Cameron, but his brother pressed on.
"She is special, Daniel. Daenae let yer past get in the way of yer happiness."
"Who are ye?" Skye asked as the man emerged from the shadows.
Lana pulled the child to her side as she watched Laird Cullen step toward them.
"I hear ye had a wedding," he slurred, the cadence of his voice rising and falling in a sing-song manner.
Lana watched the man step toward them and noticed how unsteady he seemed on his feet. Though she was no expert in the subject, she had to assume he was drunk.
"Aye," she said carefully, trying to speak confidently so she wouldn't scare Skye. "I am sorry ye couldnae join us."
"But, Me Lady," he snarled, "I wasnae invited."
"Lana?" Skye whispered. "Who is that?"
Lana gave Skye's arm a comforting squeeze, but she kept her eyes fixed on Laird Cullen. They were in a corner of the barn, some distance from the doors, and Lana couldn't see any stable boys around them. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her arms began to tremble with fear.
"If that is the case, Me Laird, it was a mistake. We dinnae mean to exclude ye."
"Ye lie!"
The cry was loud and abrupt, and Lana felt Skye jump at the man's outburst. Laird Cullen stepped toward her again, and she stepped back, desperate to keep some distance between them.
"Ye humiliated me once," he hissed, pointing an accusing, long finger in her face. "And now ye humiliate me again."
"I promise, Me Laird," Lana said, swallowing hard to keep her voice steady. "We dinnae mean to insult ye."
