Page 61 of The Laird's Masked Desire
Thomas halted at once and bowed low. “Me laird.”
The sound of it snapped something sharp and bright inside Domhnall.
He did not look away from Margaret. “Ye,” he said coldly, “will explain why one of me inner guards is escorting me betrothed beyond me walls in the dead of night.”
Thomas straightened, jaw set, but Margaret spoke first.
“Please, let Thomas go,” she asked of him.
Domhnall had no intention of discussing things with his guard. Margaret was the only one he wanted to speak to right now, and he preferred privacy to do it.
“Fine,” he snarled, addressing the guard. “Leave us.”
Thomas hesitated then bowed again, more deeply this time. “I’ll be close,” he murmured, and withdrew back into the trees without another word.
Domhnall watched him disappear, and as he did so, he could feel his fury sharpening rather than easing.
“So,” he said in a voice that was as low as it was dangerous, “this was planned.”
“Aye,” Margaret replied. “But nae as ye think.”
“Ye met a cloaked figure in secret,” he shot back. “Beyond me lands, with guards killed on the borders and MacGregor testing every weakness I have.” His hand clenched at his side. “Tell me how I am meant tae think otherwise.”
She took a breath, steadying herself. “That was me sister.”
The words landed and slid off him entirely.
“Dinnae insult me,” Domhnall snarled.
“I am nae,” she replied fiercely. “Eleonor is alive. She is safe, and she is married. That is who I came tae see.”
His expression did not soften. If anything, it darkened. All he could see was shadows around them, and any of those could become MacGregor.
“Ye expect me tae believe that ye risked everything, yerself, me men, me house, tae meet yer sister in secret?”
“Aye,” she replied. “Because I had tae ken she was safe. Because I promised her.”
“And Thomas?” Domhnall demanded. “Why is he part of this?”
“Because Annabel asked him,” Margaret said at once. “He did nae act fer reward or favor, only tae protect.”
She stepped closer, her voice urgent now. “Please dinnae punish him. I had him come because Annabel begged he come with me. She knew I would have come with or without him. I will nae have his loyalty turned intae a crime.”
Domhnall laughed once, but it was a harsh and humorless sound. “Ye put him in an impossible position.”
“I ken,” she answered. “And I will answer fer it.”
“Answer fer it?” His restraint finally cracked. “Ye vanished from me castle while men lie dead on me borders. Ye walked intae the dark tae meet a stranger I had every reason tae believe was yer lover?—”
“She—”
“And ye expect me tae thank ye fer yer honesty?” Domhnall’s voice rose despite himself. “Ye endangered everyone, Margaret. But most of all, ye endangered yerself.”
Her eyes flashed. “I didnae dae this lightly.”
“Nay,” he said coldly. “Ye did it selfishly.”
The word struck her like a blow.
