Still, his announcement set him on alert and would no doubt have attracted the lass’s attention. He tilted his head to the side, indicating that they should move farther away before Logan shared any more information.
Ruaridh hadn’t expected to hear back so quickly from his acquaintance in London, and when he had written to the man to keep him abreast of any developments, it had only been a precaution he deemed overzealous.
Lord Westall seemed to be naught but a coward of such low standing that their incident shouldn’t have drawn enough attention to put his clan in danger of retaliation from the English. But if he had put his clan in danger…
No. He wouldn’t think so grimly.
“What did ye hear?” he asked when he was sure they were a safe distance away.
He didn’t glance back to see if he had hurt the lass by excluding her from the discussion, but he needed to hear the news first. It no doubt affected her as well, and he wanted to spare her some degree of hurt, considering she was as much a victim in this as Keira had been.
“Lord Westall’s been makin’ trouble,” Logan started, his face twisting in a dark frown.
It wasn’t often that something happened to put a frown on Logan’s face, and when it did happen, it was usually a matter of grave importance. The look caused Ruaridh’s hackles to rise, but he didn’t interrupt, wanting to hear the entire news first.
“Reginald reported that the man’s been slanderin’ yer name among the ton, claimin’ ye stole his bride and defiled her,” Logan continued. “Conveniently leaving out how he kidnapped yer daughter.”
Ruaridh frowned. “I hardly kidnapped the lass.Heabandoned her.”
“I daenae think a bastard like him plans to tell anyone the truth,” Logan answered. “Reginald said the man had more callers than he had had in previous months since he began spreading these falsehoods.”
“Has there been any talk of retaliation?” Ruaridh asked.
Logan shook his head. “Nay. Apparently, his complaints are still circulatin’ among the lower rungs of society, but it has begun to climb into the halls of the middle rungs. He had already received a few invitations. ‘Tis only a matter of time before it draws the Court’s attention.”
Ruaridh nodded, even as his heart began to pound uncomfortably.
He had done everything he could to avoid any unnecessary trouble with the English, but this bastard was doing all he could to draw attention to his clan again.
He gritted his teeth and clenched his hand into fists as rage began to heat his blood.
“If it does, I have a good case to make,” he said firmly. “He took me daughter.”
“I doubt the English would come ready to hear our words,” Logan argued.
Ruaridh frowned. “If they willnae listen to us, then I will be ready for war,” he stated. “But before then, I need to ensure the lass’s honor isnae hurt amid our struggle.”
“How do ye intend to do that?” Logan asked.
Ruaridh frowned, gritting his teeth. He had promised the lass he would help her complete her damned list before they wed, but with the speed with which things were moving, he didn’t think he could keep his word. Every second she wasn’t his wife put her reputation in greater danger.
Since when have ye ever kept yer promise to protect anyone?a dark voice whispered in the back of his mind, causing him to clench his fists even harder.
He had promised the lass that he would protect her from the consequences of the fight between him and the bastard Westall, and he intended to keep his word, no matter what.
Tossing and turning, Violet found herself watching the darkness of the night begin to fade into the softer hues of dawn and sighed, knowing her eyes would be ringed with dark circles.
She had been unable to sleep since she had heard Logan’s report, and Ruaridh’s withdrawal after the man had left had filled her with even more trepidation for her future.
To think she had almost allowed herself to be distracted by her newfound freedom and friendships.
Her attempts to sleep were plagued by nightmares of her return to England and the judgmental stares from the ton and asubsequent marriage to an even more odious lord than Lord Westall.
She shuddered and sat up, wrapping the covers around herself. She looked out the window slits again. She could choose to hide in her chambers until Ruaridh finally made a decision about her, or she could enjoy the last days of her freedom.
The latter thought appealed to her more, so she threw the covers off and rose to dress in a thick robe. By now, most of the castle residents would be asleep, so she would be free to roam and explore the grounds.
The air outside was a cool caress against her cheek, and she hastened her steps, following the flower-lined path she had taken with Ruaridh and eyeing the beach in the distance.
