Page 126 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
Victoria had to grab the arms of her chair as the room swam before her eyes.
“Forget it,” Alec said. “That will never happen.”
“Miss Knight will not be setting foot outside Kendrick House, I assure you,” Nicholas said, after glancing at Victoria with concern.
“You’re just delaying the inevitable,” Fletcher retorted.
“That may be, but while she is under my roof, she is under my protection.”
“She’s undermyprotection whether she’s under your roof or not,” Alec said, flinging it at Nicholas like a challenge. Then he glared at Fletcher. “Do you have any idea what you’re stirring up, man? Do you have any idea who Victoria Knight actually is?”
Victoria gasped. “Alec, no.” That was the last thing she needed—giving ammunition to the enemy.
“He needs to know who he’s dealing with,” Alec said.
“Gilbride, don’t do it,” Nicholas said in a warning voice.
“I don’t care who she is,” Fletcher snapped. “She’ll be swinging from the gallows when I’m through with her.”
Alec swarmed to his feet and took a menacing stance. Fletcher also stood, looking not the least bit intimidated. Victoria supposed that his rage and his need for vengeance supplied its own kind of courage.
“She’s the natural daughter of the bloody Prince Regent, you fool. She will never hang,” Alec growled.
“Christ.” Nicholas scrubbed a weary hand back through his hair. “That was not a helpful intervention, Alasdair.”
“Someone’s got to defend the poor girl, since you’re doing such a piss-poor job of it,” Alec retorted.
Victoria jumped up and grabbed her cousin’s arm, shaking it. “Alec, please stop.”
“Listen, Victoria—”
“No,” she said firmly.
When Alec rolled his eyes and grumbled his reluctant agreement, she turned to Fletcher, whose pale gaze was filled with astonishment and dismay. Not for a moment, however, did she believe the news would knock him off course for long.
“Sir, I am truly sorry for your loss,” she said. “More than you can know. But I did not kill . . .”
The man’s face turned an alarming shade of red.
“I did notmurderyour son,” she corrected. “I defended myself from his assault, and I’m more than ready to testify to that fact when appropriate.”
When Fletcher replied, his voice was low and harsh. “You think to escape me just because you are the by-blow of that wastrel? By the time I’m through, everyone in England and Scotland will know who you are and what you’ve done. You might escape the noose, but I will destroy your good name and I willruinyour life. I will not rest until I do.”
“That’s enough, Fletcher,” Nicholas said, coming around from his desk. “Gilbride, get this idiot out of my house.”
“I’ll hand him over to your butler, but I’m not leaving you alone with Victoria.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Alec,” Victoria said. “Be sensible.” Nicholas would never hurt her—except perhaps demolish her heart, but he’d already done that.
Alec threw her a skeptical glance.
“Please,” she said. “The earl and I need to talk.”
“Very well, but, I’ll be right outside the door.”
“Do I need to throw you out in the bloody street too, Gilbride?” the earl snapped.
“All right, I’m going.” Alec stalked over to Fletcher and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
