Page 78 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

“That sounds like war.”

“Perhaps it is.” He held her gaze, unflinching. “I willnae allow him to take her. She is mine and has been since the moment I brought her home with me.”

“She’s yers,” Skye said quietly. “Whosever blood runs through her veins.”

“Aye, she is.”

“So am I,” she added, before she could stop herself. “Or so ye’ve told me often enough.”

His expression softened, just slightly. “So are ye.”

“For now,” she said, bitter despite herself.

“For now, lass.” He stepped closer, closing the distance between them. “We cannae allow ourselves to do anything foolish, like care for each other. Elsie cared for that guard, and it killed her.”

“But—”

Dougal reached out to stroke her cheek. “Please, Skye.”

She sighed but nodded. “I hope ye get the justice ye are looking for, Dougal. I do.”

“That’s nae what I asked for.” His thumb stilled against her cheek. “I asked ye to be careful. With yer heart, I mean. Nae just with Angus.”

“Too late for that, I think.” The words slipped free before she could catch them, and she felt her whole body flush.

Dougal sucked in a sharp breath. “Skye?—”

“Daenae.” She closed her eyes briefly. “Daenae say me name like that if ye mean to walk out that door tomorrow and put yerself between Lily and a man with a sword. I cannae bear it twice in one day.”

“I have to go.”

“I ken.” She opened her eyes again, and there was no bitterness left in her now, only something raw. “I ken ye have to. I’m only asking ye to come back.”

“I will.” His hand cupped the side of her face, and for a moment, neither of them breathed. “I have too much waiting for me here nae to.”

She searched his face, looking for the lie in it, and found none. “Ye’d better mean that.”

“I do.” His forehead nearly touched hers. “I mean it more than I’ve meant anything in a long while.”

The fire crackled behind them, and neither moved for a long moment, caught in something neither of them dared to name aloud.

“Go to bed, Skye,” Dougal said finally, his voice rough with the effort of stepping back. “I need ye rested, clear-headed, and here when I return.”

“I will be.” She caught his hand before he could fully withdraw it.

He left her standing there with her heart still pounding long after the door had closed behind him.

Watching Dougal leave after saying a tearful goodbye to Lily was more than Skye could bear. The girl was already distraught and confused by what had happened. She didn’t understand why her father was leaving so soon after.

Skye held her as Dougal rode away, the two of them standing there until his horse vanished down the road.

Lily went to her room afterward to lie down. She claimed she wasn’t tired, but the moment her head hit the pillow, she drifted off. “Da,” she kept muttering under her breath, breaking Skye’s heart every time.

Skye stroked her cheek until she calmed down, only daring to leave the room once she was sure that Lily had settled down.Dougal had to confront Angus, she knew this, but it didn’t make it easier to accept.

Moments later, she found Kenna in the sitting room, the old woman already reaching for parchment and quill with the same brisk determination she’d shown while planning the treasure hunt weeks ago. She had bid Dougal farewell early in the day, wanting to give Skye and Lily a moment alone with him to say goodbye.

Skye appreciated that more than the woman could ever know.