Page 9 of Hunted By the Hard Highlander

Willy stood, going to the drink cabinet and pulling out three glasses and a stoppered bottle of whisky. “I suppose ye did tell us that ye would find yer own solution.”

Hendry grunted, dropping himself into an armchair near the hearth, separate from their game. “I did,” he confirmed. When his man-at-arms passed him a crystal mug, he asked, “Why did ye nae attend the meetin’?”

“I assumed that ye would want someone watchin’ over that woman and boy ye brought into the castle,” Willy said, his logic irritatingly sound. “And me presence wasnae necessary. Ye ken that I willnae object to what ye think is the best decision for the clan.” He settled back at the table across from Sebastian. “Besides, if ye wish for me opinion, ye will come to me directly. We daenae need the stage of a council meetin’ for important discussions.”

“I assume that ye told yer men that the woman was here on me recommendation,” Sebastian said, waiting for Hendry to nod before continuing his line of inquiry. “Why did ye bring that lady and her brother to yer castle?”

“Her brother is ill,” Hendry said before sipping the amber liquid. “Ye will ken the rest in time. For now, I need ye to trust me.”

“Of course I trust ye,” Sebastian said, sounding as if he were offended that his loyalty had been called into question. “I am simply tryin’ to find out more about this woman that ye found.”

“She and her brother are orphaned,” Hendry said, his tone brokering no room for further probing. “And now they both fall under Anderson's protection.”

“Then they are under MacGregor protection as well,” Sebastian said, downing the drink he had been served. His gaze drifted to the windows, noticing the darkness outside. “I will be retirin’ if ye daenae need me, then,” he said as he stood. “There are still the Managers to deal with tomorrow.”

“I appreciate yer help and dedication,” Hendry said, meaning each word more than he would ever admit to. “Clan Anderson will come to yer aid if ye ever find yerself in need.”

Sebastian bowed his head once in acknowledgment. Then he left, his footsteps echoing off the walls of the corridor until they blended with the crackle of the fire. Meeting Hendry’s eyes, Willy raised his own drink, a silent gesture that could have meant any number of things. Hendry’s mind was too overwhelmed to determine the meaning.

“Ye shouldnae stay up the entire night,” Willy finally said after letting the quiet stretch between them. “Though I ken ye will do as ye wish.”

“Smart man,” Hendry grunted, not bothering to bid his man-at-arms a good night when he slipped out of the room.

Alone for the first time since he came across Aurora in his garden, he savored the silence. In the past four days, Hendry had entertained more conversations than he had in the entire year prior. It was exhausting in a way that physical labor never could be.

I have walked into somethin’ dangerous. Willingly.

Though he had been sure that he could handle whatever hell Aurora’s uncle threatened to bring when she had explained their situation, he was less sure of it now. The apprehension would never be enough to change his mind. The boy was sick, and he could not walk away from an ill child. It had not been too long ago that Hendry had been the child suffering from illness.

“So long as the boy recovers,” Hendry muttered under his breath, getting up to refill his cup, “and so long as the Managers are satisfied, whatever comes next will be an acceptable price to pay.”

What Aurora had told him was not something Hendry felt he could shoulder alone. It was not that he needed assistance in managing the information; holding it close to his chest was easy. He needed someone he could trust when her past became real.

Her presence had stopped him from saying anything to his counsel, but even so he felt hesitant to divulge the secret to Willy. He was too close to her. Hendry needed an ally with discretion, an ally that could act as an extension of his eyes.

O’Kingsley.

* * *

“I believe everythin’ is in order,” one of the Managers said, making a note on a piece of parchment without so much as looking at Aurora. She had scrambled out of bed that morning prepared to be interrogated, but they had not asked a single thing of her. “The contracts confirmin’ yer betrothal have been submitted. We would like to extend our congratulations to ye, Laird Anderson.”

Aurora shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the intense scrutiny she had been under for the better part of an hour. Each question she had been asked terrified her. Now that things were finally reaching their conclusion, she felt a bit lighter.

They daenae seem to ken who I am, and Hendry hasnae allowed them to investigate too far.

“Ye are dismissed,” the manager said, finally looking up from the page. His eyes stayed on Aurora for a beat too long, but he made no further comments after the moment passed.

She got up quickly, not wishing to give them a chance to continue their interrogation. Without even lingering long enough for the servants to extend their polite congratulations on her future role as Lady Anderson, Aurora slipped into the corridor. On the way to her chambers, she did not see another soul, not even a maid tucked away in an alcove.

“I suppose I should be grateful,” she murmured to herself as she pushed her door closed. “He dinnae have to heal me brother. He dinnae have to keep me secret from the Managers.”

Walking over to the window overlooking the courtyard, Aurora watched as Henry assisted the groom and stableboy as they prepared the horses and carriages that belonged to the Scottish Managers. They worked rhythmically, a kind of wordless communication that cannot be taught. From where she stood, it looked as if Hendry were commanding them without speech..

There was a certainness to his strength that was compelling in a way she had not experienced before. Each movement he made was precise. Aurora felt as though she were hypnotized as she watched him work.

Eventually, the Managers appeared, exchanging words that she could not hear. Part of her worried that they were discussing her identity, trying to determine whether or not she was familiar to them. But as she watched them mount their steeds and enter their carriages, the fear lessened.

If they were goin’ to do anythin’ to me, they wouldnae be leavin’.