Page 8 of The Ruthless Laird's Virgin
“Is a brave man,” she corrected him quickly. “We cannae ken whether he is dead or alive.” Tears almost began to well up in her eyes. If she ever lost Andrew, she would not be able to forgive herself. She had only one brother left in the world, and the first had died many years prior in her presence.
The Laird simply nodded at her. “We cannae ken. If he went after the men who wanted me gone, he placed himself in a very dangerous situation, but we cannae ken for certain.”
She met his gaze then, seeing his thoughts without him having to speak them aloud.
He thinks Andrew is dead.
She swallowed hard, wrapping her fingers around the warm cup of tea as she looked down, her heart breaking.
Breaking the silence that had formed, Fiona chimed in. “That is all good and well now that everyone kens who everyone is, but the question is, what will ye both do?” She offered Eleanor a sympathetic smile before casting a sterner gaze at Callum.
“Both of us?” Callum asked, his brow furrowed with confusion.
Sitting back, Fiona flung one arm lazily over the back of her chair. “Ye have to come up with a plan. Ye cannae just walk back up to yer own castle, me Laird. Everyone thinks ye are dead. And the lass here is in danger because her brother offered his life to try and save yers. It sounds to me like the two of ye should stick together.”
Callum glared at her. “If ye are suggestin’ that I daenae have a plan, then ye are wrong.”
“And what plan would that be?” Eleanor continued to glare at him, resenting his tone even toward the healer who had helped him.
Lifting her hand to her face, Fiona pinched the bridge of her nose between her fingers and thumb. “The Lord have mercy on me for havin’ to deal with the two of ye.” She cleared her throat beforelooking at Eleanor. “Where do ye plan on goin’ now, lass, now that ye ken the man who yer brother was lookin’ for isnae dead?”
Her brow creased into a frown as Eleanor chewed the inside of her cheek thoughtfully. She could go back to Edinburgh with her father, but that would leave her wondering if Andrew was dead or alive. She could not very well go looking for him if the men were indeed as dangerous as the laird would have her believe. And there was always the possibility that she, too, would be in danger because of her name.
The healer nodded as if she could read Eleanor’s thoughts before turning back to Callum. “Would ye care to tell us yer plan, me Laird?”
The change in his demeanor was instant as Callum made a fist beside his cup and cracked his knuckles.
Tearing his eyes away from Fiona, Callum looked at Eleanor. “I cannae just walk back into Castle Fraser. A missin’ laird suddenly comin’ home will draw too much attention and make men act, but a laird with a bride…”
Realizing what he was saying, Eleanor sucked in a sharp breath. Being tied to the Fraser name would certainly provide her with more protection, but it was mad to think that she could tie herself to this man. “Ye mean, pretend we are betrothed?” she blurted out quickly.
Turning toward her, Callum smirked this time. “Aye, we must pretend to be betrothed while the enemy waits and watches.Because waitin’ men can only grow impatient, and impatient men make mistakes. But ye must understand, lass, for people to believe our story, ye must stay by me side, and I shall help ye find out what happened to yer brother.”
“And after we find me brother and settle the matter with these men, what of the betrothal then?” Her heart pounded furiously as she waited for a reply. Would a man as powerful as Callum Fraser allow her to walk away?
He sat quietly for a moment, his eyes searching her face. “Ye walk away with yer life, lass. Stand with me, and they must face us both. Stay hidden, and they will hunt ye down…” his voice trailed off on an ominous note.
Saints preserve me. He is nae askin’.
She exhaled slowly, feeling her hands trembling. How was she to trust a man she had only just met? Forged titles and deeds meant nothing if she lost her life. There was a chance, even if she did not want to admit it to herself, that if this man was Callum Fraser, her brother had died trying to reach him.
And what would she do if that were the truth? She and her father would be in danger. Callum Fraser was a powerful man; he could protect her and help her build a new life if that was what she needed.
She began to tap the tips of her fingers against the cooling cup in her hands. There were not many options at her disposal, and even less time to make the decision.
Leaning over the table, Fiona reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Choose life, lass. Laird Fraser can protect ye.”
Her insides stilled as Eleanor looked into the older woman’s beautiful eyes. There was trust there, more trust than she could say she felt toward Callum.
She exhaled slowly. “Very well, but I shall leave the moment that we find me brother. We can start our lives anew once the matter is settled.” Her heart skittered when his smile turned to a smirk.
“Trust me, lass. I shall nae keep ye any longer than ye are willin’ to stay. I have better things to do with me time than look after ye.” He placed his hands flat on the table on either side of his cup, pushing himself up as he held her gaze.
This man will be the death of me if I am nae careful.
CHAPTER FOUR
The storm raged on beyond the doors as Eleanor hurried into the cabin and shut the door behind her. Her hair was soaking wet, and her clothes clung to her skin like wet rags.
