Page 356 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“But as the laird’s wife I should thank you also.”

Iain’s mind snapped to attention at the unexpected statement made by his forthright guest.

His captive straightened. “I am not his wife.”

The surprise Jillian expressed turned into a shrewd glance that moved between them. “Ah,” she nodded, “he willna’ make an honest woman of you, eh?” She gave him an anxious look, clearly realizing the unflattering remark was directed at her savior. “I did not mean anything, Laird. I just—” she stopped, her expression dropping further.

“Never mind,” Iain said. “But I believe you are mistaken.” His attention moved to the lass.

“Oh, aye, she is mistaken,” she said through tight lips. “I am neither wife, nor mistress.”

Jillian cocked her head and gave her a look that as much as said the idea was impossible. “Then who are you? You are English. I cannot imagine what an Englishwoman would be doing in the Highlands.” “I am a visitor,” she said.

“Visitor?”

“Aye,” she muttered. “Willing or no.”

Jillian frowned. “What did you say?”

“Nothing.” The lass looked up at him. “Do you have all the information you need, my lord?”

He studied Jillian for a moment. “You know nothing more about Jonathan’s death?”

The girl winced and her eyes clouded over, but she answered. “Nay, Laird. There is little else to tell.

’Tis a tangle for sure.”

Iain smiled at the simplistic analysis of the situation. “Aye,” he agreed. A tangle for sure, if one could sum up a trained Highland warrior found dead by his own sword, and his future wife, the size of a mite, brought before a hasty tribunal to be found guilty of having run him through with that sword. “I do not blame all of them.” “All of who?” the lass asked.

“The men, you know…the ones who…”

“There is no defense for men who abuse women,” his captive said.

“But the grief and all, I do not think Jonathan’s brother knew what he was doing.”

“His brother!” Iain stalked the few steps to the bed.

Jillian’s eyes widened, and the lass came to her feet. “Is something amiss, my lord?”

“What do you mean, you do not blame his brother?”

“J-Jonathan’s brother. He was one of the men. It would be hard to lose a brother, and he did have the devil in his eyes.”

“Your betrothed’s brother—”

“Laird, he did me no harm,” Jillian offered, but the denial came too easily for Iain.

“How did you end up on MacPherson land?”

Jillian swallowed visibly. “They took me from Iona with the intention of carrying out the death sentence.”

“Took you?” Iain frowned. “Why take you from your village?”

She shook her head. “They found me guilty, and after a talk amongst themselves, I was placed on a horse with one of the men and we left the village.”

“The council had nothing to say?”

“I did not go before the council. Only David was present.”