Chills prickled Lathir’s arms and she shook her head, unsure if she was angrier or sadder that her father hadn’t spoken with her first. “I have already agreedto wed Kieran.”
Surprise flickered in his eyes. “When?”
“Upon my reaching Wynshire Castle. Before Lord Torridan would help rescue you, he demanded I accept the union you and he had negotiated.”
Her father gave a tired exhale. “As for the betrothal, I only wanted to protect you.”
The anger inside faded. Fatigue at worrying about her father, Kieran, Lord Torridan, Rónán, and the others had her collapsing in the chair beside his bed. She didn’t want to fight, nor, regardless of her wishes, could she change the pending marriage now. Her father was alive. For that she would be thankful.
Lathir rubbed her brow. “I know.”
Her father shot her a hesitant glance. “The Earl of Craigshyreis a fine man.”
“He is.”
The chapel bellbegan to ring.
Hope surged through her, and she ran to the window. The stone sill cool on her palms, she searched the gatehouse for Rónán leading his small force entering the bailey.
Naught but women carrying buckets of water, food, and other goods moved about while men practiced in the lists.
“Who is arriving?” her father asked.
“I—” The ripple of a sail upon the loch caught her attention. “Lord Torridanhas returned!”
Eyes drooping with sleep, her father nodded. “He has been successful, then.”
She fisted her hands. “How do you know?”
“He wouldna have given up, but fought until his ship went down.”
After meeting the fierce nobleman, that she could believe. She studied the majestic cog cutting through the whitecaps toward shore. “After we talk, I will inform you ofwhat I learn.”
A soft snore rumbledin the chamber.
Sheglanced back.
Propped on his bed, face pale, the lines of strain easing on his face, herfather slept.
On a hard swallow, she walked over and gave him a hug. However upset at his making arrangements for her betrothal, he’d done so out of love. Never could she hatehim for that.
* * * *
Hours later, Lathir stared at Kieran, prone on the bed. Face pale, his eyes closed, his breathing remained steady.
The soft scuff of leather sounded as Lord Torridan stepped beside her. Since his return, after checking on her father’s progress, he’d remained by Kieran’s side. “Your father is speaking with the steward, but he asked me to inform you that once finished, hewill be here.”
“I thank you. I thought he would sleep longer when I gave him the herbs.” She shook his head. “You wouldna know that, but mere days ago my father was critically wounded.”
“Lord Sionn is strong-willed, a trait,” he said with pride, “his daughter carries as well.”
A smile touched her mouth, faded as she took in her betrothed. “I am pleased that you and our men returned so quickly.”
A satisfied grimace touched the noble’s face. “We caught the Sassenach moored on the coast. With the fog beginning to thicken, they believed they were safe. Before most could haul up their anchors, our ships attacked.”
“Most?”
“Aye, though we sank most of their ships, one cog escaped.”
