Page 1 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

1

Dougal crossed the yard, sweat-damp and satisfied after the morning’s training. He saw them before he reached the door.

His mother and Stephen stood too still, too casual. Their attempt to appear casual was odd. Almost suspicious.

“Ye’re hiding something, both of ye.”

No need to hold back; he’d better find out what trouble hung over his head this time sooner rather than later.

“Hiding’s a strong word, son.” Kenna smoothed her skirts, not meeting his eyes.

“Maither, what is it?”

“It’s naught that cannae wait till after ye’ve eaten,” she assured him. “Bad news is always best told on a full stomach.”

“Is it now?” Dougal asked flatly.

Stephen nodded. “Yer maither is right.”

Dougal couldn’t agree. If anything, his mother telling him to wait sounded even more suspicious.

“Stephen.” He turned to his man-at-arms, who at least had the decency not to flinch under his gaze. “Ye tell me. This is an order.”

Kenna sighed and left without another word, which told Dougal more than anything she might have said aloud.

Stephen waited until she’d gone, then held out a folded pamphlet.

Dougal took it with a raised eyebrow. “What is this?”

“Ye should read it yerself.”

He didn’t like the sound of that, but Stephen persisted, nodding towards the pamphlet.

Dougal unfolded it and scanned its contents.The Lion of the Highlands.A crude sketch of his own face stared back at him—the mask, the scar, the eyes half the Highlands had learned to fear.

“What’s this supposed to mean?”

“Read it.”

Dougal bit back a growl. “Stephen?—”

“It’s better if ye read it yerself, I… To be frank, I daenae dare to repeat what is written in there.”

He scanned a few lines, his jaw tightening with every word. “He pulled her against him, and she trembled, unsure if it was fear or—” He stopped. “How dare they? I’m gonna find out who wrote this and kill them. I swear it.”

The words came out before he could even stop himself, rage taking over. Whoever had written this was going to pay. Had they given any thought to how it would add to his already tarnished reputation?

He had long since stopped caring about the rumors, but for Lily’s sake, he did worry.

“That’ll do wonders for yer reputation.”

“Do ye agree with it, then?” His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “That I’m some beast who’d?—”

“Ye were called the Lion in battle long before any pamphlet, me Laird.” Stephen shrugged, unbothered. “Ye’ve survived worse rumors than a lass too scared to indulge a man who might kiss her. Ye ken ye’ll survive this.”

“This is different.”

The image of Lily flashed through Dougal’s mind. Her bright green eyes were always filled with curiosity. She loved animals and stories, always asking him to tell her one. She would tug at her blonde braid whenever she had a thought, much like her mother used to do in those months leading up to the wedding.