Page 431 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Chapter Twenty-Six

Iain lifted his head and gazed at Victoria. “What manner of woman are you?”

The near whisper went unanswered, and he stared at her until it became clear she grew uncomfortable under his scrutiny. He stretched a hand to her cheek, stroked it, then rose and sat on the couch beside her.

“What did you hope to accomplish by putting yourself in jeopardy?”

Victoria lowered her eyes. “There was no other way,” she murmured.

No other way? His heart hammered. All harm that had come to her since he stole her from Montrose Abbey was his doing. The attempted rape, David Robertson’s hands on her…Edwin Hockley.

With a finger to her chin, Iain tipped her face upward toward his. “Were you harmed in any way?”

She frowned. “Did Thomas not inform you I was well? He promised to do so.”

“Aye.” Iain released her. “But you would not commit such information to paper.”

Her face reddened. “It matters not.”

Dread coiled deep in his gut. “What do you mean?”

“My lord, please, David Robertson is dead.”

“It matters,” Iain growled, his anger fueled by having been cheated out of thrusting his sword through the coward’s belly. “Were you harmed?”

“I swear, I am well. No harm was done me.” “Victoria—” Iain clamped down on his fury. “Victoria,” he began more gently, “you are my wife. I swear, you need not fear. I do not blame you.”

An indignant brow shot up. “I have done no wrong.”

The words were fearless, but he didn’t miss the quaver in her voice. He covered her hand with his. “I know, love. Now be forthright. What happened?”

She flung his hand from hers. “No one laid a finger on your precious possession.”

His heart twisted. He would die a little more every time he looked into her eyes—and deserve it. “And what of Hockley?” Iain asked. “Had he anything to offer my precious possession?”

“Edwin?” Her eyes widened. “Sweet Jesu, even now you think—”

Iain squeezed her hand. “It is him I distrust, not you. You cannot deny Hockley wants you, and we both know he would use the situation to his benefit.” Something flickered in her eyes.

“By God, the look on your face has signed his death warrant.” Iain startled at his outburst. No war was needed to infect his mistake. Only the death of the man who had taken what belonged to him.

Wasn’t that what his father had thought? Iain tried to shake off the thought. This was different. Eric MacPherson was angry the woman he loved rejected him. Iain was protecting the woman he loved.

Victoria grasped his shirt. “I swear, he never touched me. You ask me to trust you. Can you not do the same?”

Iain refocused on her.

“Where is Edwin?” she asked.

“He journeys here.”

“He knows I am here?”

Fear creased her brow—just as it had the day he took her. Iain’s heart twisted. Did she fear Edwin or him? “You need not fear. When he arrives, I will be ready.”

“My lord, I would not have you harmed.”

“My lass,” he smiled grimly, “it is you alone who can harm me, no one else.”