Highlander’s Wicked Temptation: A Steamy Scottish Historical Romance Novel by Maddie MacKenna (red novels TXT) 📗

“Word is spreadin’ of the attack on ye and Hugh throughout the castle. Ye ken what rumors do to the servants. We need to stifle their whispers before they get out of hand.”

“And what is it that ye’d have me do?” Jude asked as his fists tightened once more. He could feel his nails digging into his skin as he glared at the soldier before him.

“Ye should be honest with them,” Aidan said as he stole a step deeper into the room. “Tell them what has happened here. They are scared, m’Laird. And truth is ye cannae blame them. Ye need to get a handle on this before nay one wants the position of taster.”

“Ye’re right,” Jude said with a sigh. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he took in a deep breath.

“What is it that ye want me to do? Just give me the word and I’ll do it.”

Jude sighed heavily as he stared at his soldier. Aidan was more than just his right-hand man in the castle ensuring everything ran smoothly. He was someone Jude had grown up with and trusted completely. He moved over to his old friend and placed his hand on his shoulder.

“I need ye to care for Cleo. The lady may be in grave danger and I want her protected at all costs.”

“And what of yer son?” Aiden asked as he arched an eyebrow. Confusion swept over Aidan’s face.

“I have Felix and others protectin’ me self and me son. But what I daenae have is someone reliable and trustworthy watchin’ over Cleo. If her faither is behind these attacks, which I believe he is, she too will need our protection.”

“So, it’s the Earl’s doin’, is it?” Aidan asked as Jude dropped his hand from Aidan’s shoulder and stepped back, nodding absentmindedly. Jude glanced over to the open window. The sun’s rays poured beams of light into the room.

“Truth of the matter is we’re nae sure who is behind the attacks. But we must be vigilant and, on our guard, until we discover the culprit. I trust that ye will take care of Cleo and watch over her when I cannae?”

“Aye, of course, sire, as ye wish. Would ye like me to be stationed outside of her door now?”

“Nay, there is somethin’ I need to speak with her about and I will send for ye later.”

Jude stole one last glimpse at Aidan before he moved toward the door, his heart was heavy with grief knowing what and he needed to do. Uncertainty swirled about him as his heart pounded like a boulder within his rib cage. He knew the only right thing to do was tell Cleo of his exchange with her father before he had left her father’s house. But the idea of speaking such things terrified him.

This is nae goin’ to be easy.

He hoped that by telling her, the guilt he felt would drift from his shoulders, but he knew nothing was ever that simple. The truth of the matter was far more complicated. In the depths of his being Jude wanted Cleo to stay and to be with him. He had grown fond of her, not to mention, he owed her a great deal of respect and gratitude for what she had done for him.

With a heavy heart, Jude walked out of the study and into the foyer. His feet felt like he was stuck in the undercurrent of a vast ocean that wanted to pull him out to sea.

Climbing the stairs, he thought about all the different ways that he could present the information to Cleo. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her or make her feel unwanted. She had already been through so much and yet now here she was in his castle along with the murderer who may have been sent by her father.

She needs to ken her choices. There’s nay other way. What kind of man would I be if I allowed her to think that she was protected here if her faither has a grudge against her and wants her dead? How can I compete with somethin’ like that? Or keep such information to meself? Nay, she must ken what is goin’ on before it is too late.

Slowly he reached Cleo’s door and stared at the grain of the wood. His hand felt as if he carried an ax made of pure steel. Clearing his throat and pulling a deep breath, he rapped his knuckles on the hard wooden door and waited for her to answer.

Slowly the door opened. “M’Laird?”

Jude’s heart sank into his stomach as he realized Paige was the one to answer the door. He looked over her shoulder, trying to spy into the room, hoping for a glimpse of Cleo. “Where’s the lady?” he asked.

Paige curtsied quickly and stepped back. Opening the door wider to reveal Cleo lounging on the bed. The moment Jude’s eyes saw her, he realized that she was the most exquisite thing he had ever seen. The midday sun streaked through the curtains and kissed her face. It was almost as if time stopped in that moment and he saw Cleo for what she really was: an angel in disguise.

“I was not expecting you,” Cleo said as she turned her head to find Jude standing in the doorway.

“If it’s all right with ye, Paige, I would like some privacy please.”

“Of course, m’Laird,” Paige said, dipping her head as she glanced over her shoulder to Cleo for second confirmation that she should leave. Cleo flashed her a quick smile and the servant girl scurried from the room, leaving Jude with Cleo.

“What’s happened? Is Hugh all right?” Cleo asked, slipping off the bed.

“He will be fine. He is well looked after. Most importantly, he is alive, thanks to ye.”

“When you said you wanted to see my again today, I did not expect the tone to be so serious,” she said moving to him and running