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“The only thing I regret is leavin’ for the north,” he whispered, squeezing her so tight that she could not breathe. “The only thing I regret is nae dancin’ with ye that night at the Masquerade. If I had, ye wouldnae be in this awful marriage that ye never asked for.”
“It’s nae awful and I’m happy, Victor. Please, release me!”
“Ye’re just sayin’ that,” he muttered.
Panic stricken and slowly running out of air, Edwina’s eyes darted around, searching for anything within reach that she could use to defend herself. Seeing nothing, she did the only thing shecoulddo. Clumsily, she drove her knee upward, toward Victor’s groin, just as her father had once taught her to do. Yet, given his height and the way her skirts had wrapped around her legs, she could not drive her knee high enough.
“Victor, release me!” she shouted with the breath she had left, praying a servant or a guest would hear her and sound the alarm.
He shook his head. “Never.”
Just then, footsteps clattered in the hallway, running fast toward her. Two figures shot out of the darkness, colliding with Victor and Edwina. Strong hands grasped her, in an attempt to wrench her from Victor’s embrace, while the other figure slid an arm around Victor’s neck and yanked backward.
It took Edwina a few dazed seconds to realize that her saviors were John and Felix, with Angus and Ryder not far behind. They, in turn, were being pursued by Melissa and Meredith, who were screaming at the tops of their lungs and waving what appeared to be silver candlesticks.
“I’ve got ye,” Felix gasped, as Edwina felt Victor’s grip loosen.
Seizing that opportunity, Felix pushed himself in front of Edwina and wrapped his arms around her. She understood why, a second later, as Victor began to kick out and flail wildly. Felix barely budged, though he must have been receiving some of those desperate blows.
“Would ye calm yerself!” John bellowed, in a most uncharacteristic fashion, as he tightened his hold around Victor’s neck. “I wouldnae want to hurt ye, but if ye persist, I willnae hesitate.”
Victor carried on regardless, trying to fight against the might of John. While it was true that Victor was taller, John was far stronger; his arms bulging through his shirt as he squeezed to incapacitate the threat.
Catching up, Ryder and Angus jumped in, wrestling with Victor’s limbs until Ryder had his arms pinned and Angus had him by the legs. Working together, the men managed to drag Victor down to the floor, where he could cause no further harm. The ties that held back the nearby drapes were grabbed and used as ropes to bind Victor, until he lay limp and panting on the flagstones.
“I’ve got ye,” Felix repeated, as his hands came up to cradle Edwina’s face. “Are ye well? Did he hurt ye?”
Edwina managed to shake her head. “I’m nae injured.” She glanced down at Victor, stunned by his change in behavior. “Daenae hurt him.”
“What?” Felix frowned.
“Daenae hurt him,” she repeated. “I ken he’s been an idiot, but… daenae hurt him. Just… walk him to his horse or his carriage and send him on his way. Escort him if ye have to, but let him leave without further trouble.”
Felix’s expression softened. “As ye wish, Lass.”
“M’Laird?” John looked incredulous.
“Do as she’s said,” Felix instructed. “He’s like a brother to her, and we all ken that family can do foolish things sometimes. The blackberry wine that Mrs. MacDonald brewed likely hasnae helped matters. That stuff is potent enough to turn a monk mad.”
Victor’s head twisted around. “Ye daenae deserve her!”
“Nay, I’m aware of that, but I intend to cherish her until I do,” Felix replied calmly, filling Edwina with a sense of wonder. How could he be so composed? How could he see that, although Victor had done this stupid thing, he was still dear to her?
Victor sagged and said nothing more as John, Angus, and Ryder hoisted him to his feet. With nods to Edwina and Felix, the three men dragged Victor down the hallway, heading for the exit.
“Are ye well?” Melissa hurried to Edwina, pushing her brother out of the way. “I came to find ye and saw that man step out of the shadows, so I went to fetch the men. When I tell ye, I havenae run that fast in all my life, it’s nae an exaggeration.”
Meredith came to the other side of Edwina and pulled both women and Felix into a tight hug. “I thought she’d mistaken what she saw. I thought ye’d crept off to be with Felix. I thank Heaven that Melissa never listens to me—who kens what might’ve happened if she hadnae insisted on everyone hurryin’ here.”
“All’s well,” Edwina urged, safe in the embrace of her new family. “I promise, all’s well… though I rather think the celebrations are over for me, tonight.”
Meredith eased her hold. “Of course, dear Edwina. Of course, ye should retire. We’ll tell the guests that ye’ve gone to yer chamber if anyone should ask.”
“Thank ye.” Edwina caught Felix’s gaze. “Husband, would ye join me?”
He smiled and took her hand, prizing her away from Melissa and Meredith. “I wouldnae leave yer side tonight, even if someone had spied an eagle soaring over the forest.”
“Ye and yer birds,” Edwina teased, letting the humor calm her. “I’ve yet to see one of the ones ye claim ye’ve actually spotted.”
