Page 47 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

The laird burst into the solar with a string of curses trailing behind.

“The children,” Kenna reminded him as two sets of wide blue eyes stared at their father in surprise. Lizzy began to cry and Mari frowned at her brother-in-law before pulling her daughter up into her lap with the babe.

Dorie had not seen Lachlan lose his temper in the whole time she’d been at Dunardry. She could see from everyone’s surprise it didn’t happen often. Dorie tried to make herself smaller in case his anger was directed at her.

“Forgive me, I’ve just gotten word from the McCurdy.” He held up a missive.

“What has happened?” Kenna asked.

“It has been more than two months since Dorie and Bryce wed, and we still hadn’t received word on a ship available to take goods to trade. I wrote to inquire on the delay and the bastard returned this.” He shook the paper again. “The blighter has gone back on his word. Nay, he says he never gave it in the first place.”

Kenna gasped and took the paper from her husband’s fist. Cam and Bryce stepped into the room, the three large men filling it to capacity.

“What is it that has you so angry?” Cam asked, taking Lizzy to calm her.

Kenna’s eyes flashed back and forth as she read the document. She looked up. “He says the wedding was not a true alliance because Wallace did it without his knowledge, and because Dorie is not even his daughter.”

All eyes turned to Dorie. Some with confusion, some with worry. Bryce’s were filled with compassion, for he knew the truth.

“His word is not worth the air he uses to speak it,” Cam said.

“’Tis not a lie,” Bryce said quietly, his gaze capturing hers. “I think it’s time you told them.”

She nodded. It was time they all knew the truth. Time they realized exactly who they’d let join their clan. She was no more than a murdering bastard.

Cam scolded his cousin, smacking Bryce in the shoulder. “Are ye daft? You know she canna tell us anything.”

Bryce’s gaze didn’t move from her. Instead he gave her an encouraging nod and came to kneel next to her. He took her hand, placing a kiss to her palm. “It’s time.”

She nodded.

Turning toward the group, she spoke to them aloud for the first time. “I’m sorry,” she said first, as it was the most important.

Mari gasped and Lach whispered a curse—though Dorie heard it easily enough in the silence that followed her first words to them.

Taking a deep breath, she launched into her story and didn’t stop until she reached the end, revealing how her words had caused her mother’s death and that she’d been secluded in silence until her marriage to Bryce.

“It’s true I’m not the laird’s daughter. I didn’t mean to deceive you. I had no idea he planned to use this knowledge to get out of his agreement. In truth, I wasn’t even aware of the agreement.”

“Of course you didn’t mislead anyone on purpose. No one blames you.” Kenna came to her side and wrapped her arm around Dorie’s shoulders. “Though you could have told me you can talk,” she added in a whisper.

“My sister is not one for secrets,” Mari said with a laugh. “Unless she’s on the side that’s keeping them.”

Dorie looked up at the laird. “I should have spoken sooner, but I was afraid you’d turn me out. And I didn’t want to have to go back there.”

“I wouldn’t have allowed it,” Bryce said sharply.

“Oh? You wouldn’t have allowed it?” Lachlan tilted his head.

“No. I wouldn’t have.” Bryce stared at his cousin in a silent challenge.

Dorie didn’t want to be a point of contention between them and quickly said, “I’m afraid I’m just the bastard daughter of a certain Captain Dorien Sutherland, for whom I was named.” She hung her head and prayed they wouldn’t run her out of the castle. This was the first place she’d felt at home since her mother died. If only she’d remained silent back then, perhaps her mother would still be alive. And the MacKinlays would have their alliance.

A hush followed her confession for only a few seconds. Marian was the first to speak. “My God,” she said with a frown.

Dorie bit her lip. Of anyone, she had thought the kindhearted Marian would be most accepting of her situation. After all, she’d murdered a duke with her own hands.

Cam went to his wife. “It’s fine, love. We’ll find another way.”