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CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Nora’s heart pounded in her chest as she felt herself slip in and out of awareness.
It is not a dream. Lord Bennett is truly here—my true betrothed. Right there, in the midst of everyone she had come to know, of those who had come to trust her, Nora felt her lies begin to unravel.
They might hate me for this, but they would understand the reason for which I did what I did, Nora hoped. She dared to raise her gaze to her husband. He was more outraged than he was perplexed by the Englishman's words. Nora knew it was only going to get worse when Lord Bennett revealed her secret—that she was not who she claimed to be.
That she was Nora.
What will Jonan think? What will Leah think of me? “I did it for Amelia,” Nora muttered quietly before no one could hear her. She lacked the courage to speak up and admit her deception.
So, like the rest of the Scots in the room, she awaited Lord Bennett's daring reveal. Despite the fact that the two of them had known each other since they were children, there was no sign of familiarity on his face, only possession—a maddening sense of ownership that drove him to seek her out.
What about Amelia? Has he returned her to Father?
As she stood there, holding Jonan's arm, she was packed with thoughts and worries.
“And what was stolen from ye?” Jonan asked firmly.
“My bride, my betrothed bride,” Lord Bennett replied, more confident than before; standing tall and righteous as a man who had done no wrong.
Jonan's strength was the only thing keeping Nora standingas her world crumbled around her.
“She knows herself,” Lord Bennett sneered before turning his gaze to Nora.
Shecould feel his rage, however,she had no fear for herself. Amelia's life was the only one that mattered.
“Speak the name of this woman,” Jonan dared.
She could feel Jonan's muscles tense in her grip, but he didn't move away from her.
“Answer the Laird!” Callan yelled with less zeal than before. It was clear that he, like everyone else present, had figured it out.
“You have five days to return my bride to me, or elseI will punish the one who lied to be my bride,” Lord Bennett threatened. “I will hurt Amelia.”
Callan’s arm fell from Lord Bennett’s neck as he looked back to Jonan. Everyone butNora looked to the chief, wondering what he would do.
“Ye have some nerve comin’ into me clan lands and makin’ demands,” Jonan said, pulling his arm away.
“I want ye to leave me lands this moment,” Jonan ordered.
Lord Bennett walked past a perplexed Callan and came to stand in front of Jonan.
“You know your place is not here with these people. It is with me,” Bennett said to Nora who was behind Jonan. “Your sister is nothing like you. I asked your father for your hand, and I always get what I want.”
“What did you do to Amelia?” Nora agonized. Her only concern now that she'd been discovered was for her sister.
“You will find out if you come with me,” he promised.
What choice do I have?If she hadn't just been exposed as a liar, the Scotsmen would have defended her in a heartbeat. Jonan did not even look at her; his eyes were fixed on Lord Bennett.
"Come, leave this place," Lord Bennett said as he extended his hand to her.
“I told ye to leave!” Jonan raised his voice, startling everyoneas it echoed off the old walls. He was holding a knife.
“Ye ken why the commander didnae cut yer throat with his blade?” Jonan bellowedas he closed the distancebetween them.
Despite the Englishman's stern expression, Nora could tell he was terrified. She'd known the lord long enough to notice when he buffled.
