“Gertie gave Lady Wildwood a tincture. A war could not awaken her.”

“There ye are, then. See?” Duncan smiled at her widely. “Come. We should discuss this.” Sweeping her up in his arms, he hurried down the stairs with her, unwilling to give her the opportunity to free herself again.

Taken by surprise, Iliana could do little but grab at his shoulders nervously as he started out of the keep.

“Husband,” she said at last as he hurried toward the stables. “Husband?”

“Aye, sweetling?”

“What are you doing?”

“I told ye, I’m takin’ ye somewhere where we can talk without disturbin’ yer mo—Oh, damn!” He stiffened suddenly, then broke into a jog, jostling Iliana wildly in his arms as he nearly ran the last few feet to the stables.

Glancing sharply around, she tried to spy the source of her husband’s agitation. But all she saw was Lord Angus hurrying toward them; then they were inside the stable. “What—” Iliana began, but paused as he shouted to the stablemaster.

Duncan had barely finished the order for his horse to be brought when the stablemaster was leading it to stand before them. Her husband set her down long enough to mount the beast, unsaddled as it was, then reached down to pull her up before him. As soon as he had her situated, he sent it charging out of the stables, right past his father.

“Duncan!”

Iliana caught a glimpse of her father-in-law’s tight-lipped face as they flew past him; then he was out of sight beyond Duncan’s shoulder. Clutching those shoulders, Iliana held on for dear life as they rode out of the bailey.

“He seemed angry at you,” she murmured as the woods closed around them.

“Who? Father?”

“Aye.”

“Hmm. Well, and most like he is.”

Iliana frowned slightly when he did not explain, but merely asked, “Where are we going?”

“To a clearin’ I ken. Yer screams’ll not be heard there.”

Iliana rolled her eyes with tired exasperation. “There is no need for it. I am no longer yelling.”

“Nay, ye aren’t are ye?” He grinned at her slightly, then kissed the tip of her nose before murmuring, “I shall have to see to that first thing.”

Iliana frowned at him with confusion at that. “See to what, husband?”

“To teachin’ ye to scream,” was his confusing response.

Chapter Thirteen