Page 40 of A Laird and a Fugitive

Ryan smirked at her. “Dinnae fret, lass, I am nae sae foolish as that. I need tae ride tae the MacLeod Clan and speak tae the laird directly. I will also send yer uncle a notice of our marriage, and this may buy us some time.”

Caroline believed it would only anger him further. More concerning was Ryan’s desire to visit Laird MacLeod.

“Laird MacLeod is nae inclined tae help ye. I read the letter. I know he dinnae want tae get involved in a conflict. What makes ye think he will listen tae ye?”

“I dinnae know, but I hae tae try. Yer uncle cannae be allowed tae get away with this. I will implore Laird MacLeod tae help. My words may come across as more convincing in person,” Ryan explained.

But Caroline knew Laird MacLeod. He was not the kind of man to change his mind unless he was given good reason to do so, and he wanted to protect his people above all else. She wasn’t certain he would risk them in this conflict.

“Let me accompany ye.”

“That is out of the question,” Ryan replied.

Caroline stepped forward, her eyes flashing with an intense stare. “Dae ye think yer guards can protect me better than ye can? Hae ye suddenly lost faith in yerself?” she challenged, hoping that by insulting his pride, she might goad him into doing as she asked.

Ryan bristled at her words. “I am nae gaeing tae be swayed by yer tricks. The matter is nae about me or my guards, it’s about the environment. These walls are safer for ye than the open air.” He gestured about with his hands.

“But ye stand a much better chance of convincing Laird MacLeod with me at yer side. I know him. He will listen tae me. Our voices in unison might be able tae sway him. We certainly stand a much better chance taegether than ye gaeing alone. He can hear from my own lips that I became yer wife willingly, lest he think that ye stole me and my uncle hae a righteous cause in storming yer Keep tae rescue me,” Caroline stated.

Ryan frowned. If he was trying to gain Laird MacLeod as an ally, then perhaps Gorram was as well. He could well be telling the Laird that Ryan had kidnapped Caroline, Nessa, and Tara, and was holding them prisoner. It might have been more believable to Laird MacLeod than the conspiracy of a poisonous scheme to kill Caroline’s father.

Caroline watched as thoughts turned in Ryan’s mind, as he weighed the pros and cons of taking her with him. Eventually, he curled his hand into a fist and thumped it against the arm of the seat.

“Very well, but stay close tae me. I dinnae trust the shadows, and I dinnae trust yer uncle,” Ryan said.

Caroline smiled. It was going to be an easy request to follow, as she wanted nothing more than to stay close to him. Beside her, Tara whimpered and Nessa was shaking her head with warning. Caroline gave them an emphatic look that suggested she was going to be safe, and that this was the best course of action for them all.

Her heart swelled with pride that she would be able to have a direct hand in the outcome of these matters. And she was pleased that Ryan was doing her the courtesy of treating her like an equal rather than a captive. Her eyes shone with adoration as she watched Ryan rising from his throne, ready to embark on this perilous journey.