“Kill me,” he demanded, his voice breaking around a laugh.
Connor looked at the bruises forming on Violet’s arm. “Nay.”
“Why?” Lachlan sagged between the guards. “Ye have wanted to for years.”
Connor looked him in the eye. “I want ye sober for it.”
The laughter stopped.
“Take him to the dungeons,” he ordered.
Lachlan did not resist as they pulled him out of the room. He watched Connor until he disappeared around the corner.
John’s cries had weakened to frightened whimpers. Moira held him close, one hand cupping the back of his head. Violet moved toward them, then stopped.
Connor saw the traveling cloak on the chair. A small bag sat beneath it. “Ye were leaving.”
Violet lowered her scraped fingers. “Aye.”
“Nay.”
She looked at him. Her face was pale, though her gaze was steady. “Connor.”
“I can keep ye safe.”
“I ken,” she responded.
The answer cut deeper than any claim otherwise could have.
“Then stay.”
Violet looked toward John. She did not reach for him. “I am trying to keep ye safe, too. Ye and him.”
“Lachlan will never come near either of ye again.”
“I made me decision before Lachlan attacked me.” Her voice shook once, then steadied. “I may be ill. I may have already brought danger into his nursery.”
“The healer will decide that.”
“And if the answer is the one I fear?” She pressed her injured hand against her dress. “Ye daenae deserve to care for someone who may nae be alive for long.”
“Oh well, it is a bit too late for that,” Connor muttered, his voice almost on the edge of a bitter laugh.
Her eyes lifted, and for one breath, he thought she would answer. Her mouth opened, then closed. She turned toward the bag as if she had heard nothing.
Connor understood the choice and hated her for making it necessary.
“Ye willnae ride alone,” he said.
“I didnae ask permission.”
“And I didnae give it. Ye’ll have an escort.”
He sent a rider ahead to Hannah and Aiden. A trusted captain took six guards, a maid, and a covered carriage stocked with food and blankets. Connor ordered stops whenever Violet needed them and no change from the main road.
Violet, unable to find anything else to complain about, accepted each command without argument. Before leaving, she stood beside Moira and touched one finger to John’s blanket. She refused to take him when Moira offered. She refused Connor’s arms too, stepping back when he came close enough to hold her.
Connor watched the carriage pass beneath the gate, and only after the escort cleared Moore land did he return inside.
