Page 57 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
"I was only playing with Clara," Skye said carefully.
Daniel saw her scan the area around them as more people came running. Word was getting around that the children had been found.
"Lana!"
She pulled away from Daniel and raced toward Lana, who was running toward her.
Lana lifted the girl into her arms, hugging her tightly. "I was so worried," she sighed. "It isnae right to run off like that, Skye. Ye cannae leave without telling me," she spoke gently.
Skye nodded, her lower lip slightly protruding. "Clara wanted to show me her tree," she said, though her enthusiasm was replaced by caution.
Cameron came up behind Lana, summoned by a guard. He looked at Daniel, who was glaring in Lana's direction, and took Skye into his arms.
"Take that child back to her mother," he ordered, nodding to the guard holding Clara. "And notify the council the child has been found. Ye can call off the search."
The soldiers began to disperse after the brothers thanked them and dismissed them.
Daniel waited until most of them were gone before he turned back to Lana, still fuming. "Anything could have happened," he barked. "We could have lost her."
"I ken ye were worried, but she was only out playing," Lana argued. "We daenae need to worry."
"After everything that happened yesterday, ye can still say that?" Daniel snapped. "There are people who want to take her away from me!"
Lana glanced at Skye, her face etched with worry. Daniel noticed his daughter regarding him, clearly trying to understand his words.
"Daniel," Lana said carefully, "perhaps ye should let Cameron take her inside."
"Aye," Daniel uttered, turning to his brother. "Take her with ye and stay with her."
Daniel glanced at the main entrance of the castle, feeling suddenly vulnerable. He had done everything for his daughter’s safety. He would not risk her life now.
"Put more guards at each entrance. Bring men from the villages if ye need to. Nay one gets in or out of this castle without me say-so."
"Nay one can leave?" Lana asked. "Isnae that a little extreme?"
"Yesterday, at me wedding, a laird snuck into me castle with armed soldiers. Today me daughter disappeared without a trace. Does that sound extreme to ye?"
"Can I still see the cows?" Skye asked.
Daniel knew the girl was worried she wouldn't be able to visit the creatures she was getting so attached to. He tried to tamp down the frustration he felt at her question, telling himself that she was young and could not understand the situation.
"I'll take Skye to her room," Cameron interjected.
But as he turned around, Daniel stopped him.
"Daenae leave her," he ordered, his voice strong and authoritative, leaving no room for argument. "Until we ken what threats we are facing, ye willnae let Skye out of yer sight. Wherever ye go, she goes."
He caught his brother's gaze and saw him nod, accepting the responsibility.
"And Lana?" Cameron asked. "Shall she come with me as well?"
Daniel glanced at his wife and remembered the sunshine streaming through the windows this morning. It was hard to believe the day had taken such a dark turn. He wanted to comfort her, but he couldn't find the words.
"Ye watch Skye," Daniel replied. "Lana will stay with me."
24
Lana scowled in Daniel's study, restless and angry she was being forced to remain in his company. She had spent the day in quiet corners of whatever room Daniel occupied, being left out of all conversations. She had watched him speak in hushed tones with his councilmen while they glanced over at her. And now she sat in his study while he sipped whiskey and penned letters to the landowners nearby.
