Page 44 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

Dougal had been trying to work in his study when a faint knock sounded at the door.

“Aye?”

“It’s yer maither.”

He paused.

His mother would not bother him at this time unless it was something important. His first thought was Lily, and unease coiled in his gut.

No. If Lily were in any trouble or danger, his mother would not politely knock on the door. She would burst inside, panic-stricken and ready to fight for the little girl she had claimed as her grandchild.

“Come in.”

Kenna slipped inside, a nervous smile on her face. He clocked it immediately.

“Maither, what is it ye have to tell me?”

“Can a maither nae check on her only child?”

“Maither,” he said, his voice sharp. “Get straight to the point. Surely, ye havenae come all the way here to interrupt me work when I clearly told ye nae to.”

She sighed. “I suspect ye ken it’s about Lily.”

“Aye, but what I cannae figure out is what. Is she hurt?”

“Nay, of course nae!” Kenna exclaimed. “If something that serious happened, I would have kicked down the door!”

Dougal chuckled, despite his unease. “As expected. But that still doesnae tell me why ye are here.”

“Lily is exploring the grounds with Skye. And before ye lose yer temper, they have only gone as far as the gardens?—”

He was on his feet before she even finished speaking. He pushed past her, taking quick strides towards the door to the study.The quickest way to the gardens was the back door around the corner.

Kenna lifted her skirts and ran after him. “Son, ye daenae need to be so cross! They have only gone as far as the gardens.”

“So ye said.”

“Will ye please slow down?” she huffed, exasperated. “There is no need?—”

Dougal spun around. “Maither, I explicitly told Skye that Lily was to remain inside the castle unless I gave explicit permission for her to leave. Ye ken that.”

“Aye, I understand, but?—”

“Nay, I willnae hear anything more about it.”

Kenna kept up with him as best she could. He did not slow down, refusing to stop. He was going to let Skye know exactly how he felt.

There was a reason why he kept Lily inside. It was the safest place for her. The circumstances of her birth put her at risk were they ever to be discovered. Many wanted him dead, one man in particular. Dougal was not going to give him a chance to use Lily against him.

He stepped into the gardens, and his anger melted away when Lily turned to him. He was certain that Skye had alerted her to his arrival to soften his anger. It was low but effective.

“Lily,” he greeted.

She beamed. “Da, can I keep the goat?”

“Aye.”

“Da, please!”