him, and then, while she had the chance, she whirled away and fled into the kitchens. And she made a vow to herself that while the duke and his man were here, she would make it a point never to be alone with either of them.
At least, not without her dirk at hand.
*Â Â Â *Â Â Â *
It was all Lachlan could do to control his temper. He didnât know why the sight of Lady Lana in Dougalâs arms had incensed him so ⦠and that was before heâd realized she wasnât a willing participant. Once he caught a glimpse of her expression, twisted with anger and fear, his blood had gone cold. Heâd wanted to rip Dougalâs head from his shoulders.
Something about the vision had enraged him. Acid had surged in his veins. The thought had flashed through his mind, Sheâs mine . Which was ridiculous. She was not.
And she never could be.
Still and all, he knew Dougal. Knew his cousin had a taste for the ladies. He knew how crude and intemperate he could be. Even if Lana was not for Lachlan, she most certainly could not be Dougalâs. He was far too brutal for such a tender soul.
âStay away from Lana Dounreay,â Lachlan said. He didnât intend the words to come out so sharply. Or perhaps he did.
Dougal shot a look at him. A hint of resentment flickered over his features and then he forced a stiff smile. âNever say you want her for yourself?â
âThat is hardly the point.â It wasnât. It was not. âWe are guests here. I will not have another ⦠incident.â
Dougalâs expression went sour, most likely as he recalled the debacle at Lord Winterslyâs house party. Dougal had sworn the woman had been willing, though she tearfully insisted she had not been. Lachlan had wanted to believe his cousin, though heâd still paid the girl off. To this day, the incident pricked his conscience.
In other circumstances, with any other person, Lachlan would have turned the man out with no references after such an unseemly episode, but Dougal was his cousin. His only family. Lachlan had assumed a dire warning would suffice to rein him in.
Now he wasnât so sure.
Regardless, he couldnât tolerate such a thing happening here, certainly not with Dunnetâs sister-in-law. Here, there wouldnât be paying anyone off. There would be blood. âI wonât stand for such a thing.â He scowled at Dougal to make his point, but it only served to make his cousin more recalcitrant.
âI doona understand why you are so put out.â
âDo you not? I am here to try to gain Dunnetâs support.â
Dougal snorted. âHeâs already refused you.â
Yes. He had. Lachlan did not appreciate the reminder, but he had faith that Dunnet would come around and see reason. The man really had no other choice. He had too much to lose.
Aside from all that, Dougalâs derision provoked him. That and his blatant lack of deference to Lachlanâs station. This probably accounted for the bite in his tone. âWhether he cooperates or not does not signify. I am the duke. As such, it is my responsibility to protect these people. I cannot have you badgering the womenfolk.â
âI wasna badgering her.â He quirked a grin. âShe wanted it.â
Lachlanâs gut went cold. That had not been the case. Not by a long shot. It horrified him that Dougal could look him in the eye and lie. Even worse was the likelihood that his cousin believed it was the truth. How he could have reached that conclusion with her fork in his breastplate, Lachlan could not fathom. âThatâs not how it appeared. The woman was not interested in your advances.â
âBah.â
Something like rage washed through him and his temper snapped. âI will not have you undermining my authority.â
Dougalâs eyes narrowed and he studied Lachlanâs face, which, he was sure, was red as a well-cooked lobster, judging from the