from the room and headed upstairs to where he could keep Abigail in his sight, where she was safe.
He entered her room via the tapestry, heading for the door to ensure she’d locked it.
“What are you doing here?” She sat up in bed, her hands clutching the sheet to her chest.
He came to stand at the end of the bed, leaning against one wooden post. She looked so vulnerable and scared. He wanted to pull her into his arms, hold her, revel in her for as long as he could. Her hair was unbound and tumbled about her shoulders, pulling his gaze to her slender, beautiful neck. “What did Rory Kirk say to ye, lass? I know he’s threatened ye in some way, and I need to know how.”
“I can’t. He said if I said anything, he’d hurt Gwen. I can’t put her safety at risk.”
“Gwen is being watched by the man who loves her. She’ll be safe, I promise ye. Now tell me, please.”
Tears slid down her cheek, and his resolve not to touch her until she’d explained what was going on crumbled. He walked around the bed and sat beside her, pulling her into his embrace. Her hands came about his back and held him. Nothing in his life felt as right as this, Abigail beside him, trusting him.
“Are you sure Gwen’s safety can be ensured? I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to her.”
“I promise. She’s well cared for.” He remained silent, knowing she’d tell him when she was ready.
“Rory Kirk did threaten me. He found me alone today and continued to hound me, insisted I am his missing fiancée. He’s steadfast that I’m his betrothed. It’s ludicrous. He wouldn’t listen when I explained, again, I’m not who he thinks I am.”
“What was his threat?” Rage boiled up in his blood, and Aedan kept his focus on the mantle across the room, the flames licking the wood as hot and wild as his temper. He’d spoken to the troublesome laird after breaking his fast. Warned him to cease his insistence that Abigail was his missing Coira lass. That the man had stood before him, lying to him that he’d already let the similarities between the two women go, made his temper soar.
“There were two,” she muffled against his chest. “The first one was to rape me. The second was against Gwen. He said she’d have an ‘accident’ while out riding. He mentioned her falling and breaking her neck.”
Aedan swallowed, unsure if speech was possible. His grip tightened around Abigail. Clan Kirk would pay for such threats, as the O’Cains would. He thought back to today’s games, having thought all his guests were enjoying his home and hospitality.
How wrong had he been? All the while, the vile Rory Kirk had been threatening his woman. Had abused her peace of mind.
I’ll kill him.
“Did he hurt ye? And dinna lie. I want to know everything.”
Abigail looked up at Aedan. “It doesn’t matter now. I’m more concerned about what you’re thinking.”
He leaned down and kissed her, the touch soft and far too quick. This would be their last night together. The last thing he wanted to do was spend it worrying about a man not worthy of the name.
“Tell me, lass.”
Abby ground her teeth, hating the fact he could read her so well. But what good would it do to tell him what Rory had done? Nothing. Aedan certainly couldn’t change the events of the day, no matter how much she may wish it.
“I know what you’ll do if I tell you, and so I won’t. I’ll be gone soon enough. No need to cause you or your people any more trouble.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “Damn it, Abigail. Tell me. That bastard cannot treat anyone under my protection in such a way. I’ll not have it.”
She sighed, her stomach knotting. “Aedan, please.”
“Tell me. Now.” His voice brooked no argument.
“He hit me, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear? Does it make this situation any better? No. It doesn’t.” When Aedan didn’t say anything, she glanced up at him and stilled at the murderous rage she could read in his eyes. “What are you thinking?”
“He’ll not harm you or anyone else from this night on. I promise ye that.” He stood and walked to the door, pushing a large chest in front of it. “Leave it locked and with the chest there. I’ll be back before dawn.”
Abby jumped from the bed, following him toward the tapestry. “Where