Page 55 of At the Highlander's Mercy
‘Remain here until I call for you,’ he said, the lover disappearing as the commander and chief were needed.
‘Rob,’ she said. There were so many things she needed to say to him.
‘I will send for you,’ he whispered as he pulled the door closed.
And then he was gone.
Chapter Twenty-Two
With his men behind him, Rob led Jocelyn towards the gates.
When Connor arrived this morn, Rob understood why Duncan was delaying—either he knew or suspected that Connor would not stand back and let anyone handle it for him. In a way, though the danger was high, he would finally speak to Connor for the first time in more than four years. If he had doubted it, Connor’s voice yelling out his name over his wall confirmed it.
Dougal held the lady in place behind Rob and Rob nodded for one of the wooden-gate doors to be opened. With guards in position to both defend it and ready to close it immediately if the need arose, Rob walked forwards and found Connor standing on the other side of it.
‘Laird Matheson,’ he said in the booming voice that spread fear and terror in those who opposed him, ‘you have something of mine.’
Rob nodded and Dougal walked Jocelyn forwards. Connor drew his sword, but Rob only placed his hand on his, leaving it in the scabbard for now. Both of themcursed him under their breaths as they passed him. Connor reached out and grabbed Jocelyn, pulling her roughly to him and kissing her before they spoke in whispers. A moment later, Jocelyn sent him a dark glare and walked into the throng of MacLerie warriors.
‘And my daughter,’ Connor called out once more. When Rob did not react, the Beast of the Highlands continued. ‘I will put this keep to the torch and tear it down stone by stone if you do not return my daughter now.’ He advanced a few paces until he stood but inches from the entrance—outside the wall but not by much.
Try as he might, when confronted by the man who was more father to him than his own had been and while he looked at the man who had had as much a hand in destroying Lilidh’s spirit and life as he himself had, Rob could not stop himself. Although he’d sworn that his clan’s needs came first, his need for vengeance or absolution sparked the anger in his blood and he could not simply acquiesce to his mentor now. He stepped closer and spoke in a lower voice so that none would hear it but Connor.
‘I think not. For if you harm one Matheson this day, your beloved daughter will discover your part in what played out four years ago.’
A bleak expression entered Connor’s eyes and was gone in a second. ‘You have not told her?’ he asked.
‘I will let her think what she might, as long as you pay the gold as demanded and leave.’
‘Gold?’ Connor laughed. ‘So this is more about your greediness and less about your honour, as I suspected.’Rob’s hand tightened on the pommel of his sword and he fought not to pull it free and strike.
‘And there is one more condition,’ Rob added.
‘Another?’ Connor asked. ‘I am not certain you are in a position to make any more demands.’
‘I am. I hold your daughter and you want her kept in ignorance of the way you forced me to disavow her. You do not want her to know that you demanded I humiliate her so that there was no hope of a future together. You do not want Jocelyn to know either. And they will unless you seem to find anhonourableway to end this now.’
When Connor let out a breath, he looked much older than Rob had ever realised. And more vulnerable. ‘You will seek no retribution against my clan for this incident. When you leave, when Lilidh leaves, it is over between us.’
Somehow Rob knew he would accept. Under it all, this beast of a man loved his wife and his daughter and would give anything to protect them. And if it was from the truth of his failings or from the truth of his past actions in this matter, Connor would do it. Rob began to walk away, intending to get Lilidh himself, when Connor delivered a blow as only he could.
‘I have a condition as well, Matheson.’
The air thick with foreboding, Rob faced Lilidh’s father and waited to hear it.
‘You must end it completely with her. As you did before. I will not have her pining away, thinking something will come of this.’
Rob closed his eyes for a moment, trying to ignore the screaming in his heart and soul. If he was going tobe laird here, if he was going to be worthy enough to be chief and command the respect and loyalty of his kin, then he must be loyal to them. If he did as Connor demanded, his clan would be left unmolested and able to ally themselves elsewhere. If he did not, Connor would return and destroy them later.
If he was going to be the leader he must be, he had to let her go completely.
Again.
Turning away, he began walking back to the keep. Dougal followed him, whispering furiously, but Rob waved him off. He walked through the silent hall and the kitchens to the chamber where she waited for him. Opening the door, he prepared to do something he’d regret until his last breath to the woman he loved.
‘Lilidh, your father waits for you at the gates,’ he said. ‘Your things are already there.’
She began shaking her head at him. ‘Rob, let me speak to him. This can be worked out. You were willing to handfast with me and I am certain he will accept—’
