Page 41 of A Wife for the Highland Wolf
“Good.”
Anger still burned under his skin, anger and protectiveness. His hands were shaking with the force of his wrath. He turned to Lydia. “Are ye hurt?”
“I daenae think so.” Her voice was small and quavering, her face ashen. He didn’t know if it was because of how close she’d come to being hurt, or the violence he’d shown in front of her.
He didn’t care.
Murdoch sheathed his sword and lifted Lydia smoothly into his arms. He turned to Gordon. “I’m takin’ Lydia back to the castle. Collect statements from everyone here, and every scrap of information ye can.”
“As ye command.” Gordon nodded.
Murdoch turned to face the townsfolk still huddled by the stalls and in the doorways of the square. His voice lifted to ring through the space, as harsh as a crow’s cawing with his anger and disgust.
“Ever since I claimed the lairdship, I’ve fought to see this clan thrive. I married for alliance, gave the clan an heir. I’ve done everything ye ever wanted and more. And this is how ye repay me stewardship, with distrust and violence.”
He swallowed hard, his throat aching with a disappointment so sharp it felt like it could mortally wound him. “I could forgive yer suspicions of me, even though I’d have thought ye would have more faith in yer laird. But now ye attack me and ye attack me bride. Even those who dinnae lift a weapon against me I hold accountable, for ye dinnae stand with me either, and for all I ken, ye saw the attackers and did not a thing, nae even warn yer laird of what was coming.”
He couldn’t find any more words to speak, none that would convey the rage, betrayal and sorrow that burned through him. He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath. Then he addressed the assembled folk once again. “Any of ye who ken anythin’ about this attack, speak to me man-at-arms and me cousin. The rest of ye…pack up and get to yer dwellings, or whatever shelter ye have. This festival is over.”
Wilma appeared at his side, pale and solemn. Murdoch nodded to her. “Come with me.”
Still carrying Lydia, he turned and made his way toward Lochlann Castle, Wilma following like a silent shadow.
They arrived at Lochlann Castle gates to find Arthur waiting for them. “Murdoch, are ye all right? Was anyone injured?”
Murdoch felt himself stiffen and fought to keep his face impassive. “What do ye mean? How do ye ken that anythin’ happened?”
“Some of the villagers made it to the castle to tell us ye were bein’ attacked by brigands.”
Murdoch’s stomach clenched.
Gordon said that nay one got away from the square. There was nae time for anyone to get to the castle. If someone had come to sound the alarm, warriors would have been mobilized.
Somethin’s very wrong.
He quickly pushed that to the back of his mind. He had other things he needed to take care of. “Very well. We’re nae hurt, but Lydia’s been fair upset. I’m takin’ her to rest in her quarters.”
“I’ll go to check on Finn.” Wilma spoke up, her usually cheerful voice subdued.
“Aye. I’ll be in to look in on the lad in a few minutes.” Murdoch nodded to his cousin, then turned and started for the castle proper.
He was inside, almost to Lydia’s rooms, when she spoke. “Is that what really happened to yer wife?”
It had all happened much too quickly. The attack itself, and the way Murdoch had dealt with the attackers who’d come for them with swords drawn. Even now, Lydia wasn’t sure she’d really had time to realize what had happened. She felt numb and shaky, as if trapped in a dream state.
Even so, she recalled clearly what she’d heard Murdoch mutter.‘Not again.’
Admittedly, there were any number of things he might be referring to, but the way he’d protected her suggested one particular event. The one thing he’d refused to talk about in all their time together.
The death of his wife.
She waited until they were alone before she asked the question. Murdoch stiffened, his steps faltering for a moment before he continued. “Ye daenae ken what ye’re speaking of.”
“I heard what ye said. Not again. Ye said ye couldnae let it happen again.” She swallowed hard. “And the way ye were so determined to protect me, it seems clear to me.”
Murdoch stayed silent until he reached the door to her rooms. Then he paused and set her down gently. His voice was low and flat when he spoke. “We were on the road from her family’s home, on our way back to Lochlann Castle. We hadnae visited them since our wedding and we wanted them to meet Finn.”
“And ye were attacked by brigands?”
