She gave her head a little shake as though unable to believe her eyes.

"I promise I won't let anything happen to ye, lass," McWilliam said. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, needing to be as close to her as possible. When he'd found Rodd's body with the note pinned to his front, he'd been unable to think of anything but Rosa. He'd rushed back here as fast as possible, leaving his search party miles behind. Thank God nothing had happened to her while he'd been away. He'd never have forgiven himself.

He'd never have recovered. She was his everything.

He tried to pull her closer but she frowned, her eyes still locked on the note.

"What about Amelia?" she asked. "You can't promise nothing will happen to her."

To hell with her cousin. He only cared about keeping Rosa safe.

"We'll find her," he said instead. "I have men in London and Manchester. She can't have disappeared completely."

"We don't have time," she moaned. "There's only four days left until the trial. I can't leave it to chance."

"Nay." He shook his head. He knew what she was about to say and there was no way he was letting her leave.

"I have to go."

"Nay." This time she let him pull her closer. He wrapped both arms around her shoulders, hunching over to bury his face in the hollow where shoulder met throat, breathing in her scent. He'd never have guessed any woman could make him feel like this. And an English women to boot.

"Never," he reaffirmed.

"I can't let you to stop me," she said, her words muffled by his shirt. "I can't let you distract me from Amelia."

"Aye, Love, you can."

He straightened long enough to tilt her head up towards his, capturing her lips with his own. The taste of her was intoxicating. He wanted to bathe in it until her taste and her smell was infused into his very essence. And when anyone looked at him he wanted them to see her mark upon his skin.

"McWilliam," someone snapped.

Rosa jumped, trying unsuccessfully to scuttle back, but McWilliam keep a firm hold of her as he looked over her head towards this uncle.

"Cameron." He released, too late, he'd practically growled in warning at the older man.

"What's going on here?" His uncle didn't back up. In fact, McWilliam could almost feel displeasure radiating from him as heat radiated from the sun.

McWilliam cocked an eyebrow. "Can't you guess? Did you need me to reenact the scene for you?"

He felt Rosa shake her head and glanced down at her. She was glaring daggers at Cameron, her eyes narrowed in defiance. She was a game wee thing. And for some reason she'd taken a real dislike to his uncle.

"Can I have a word?" Cameron asked, completely ignoring Rosa.

"I don't—" he began, fully intending to tell his uncle no, but Rosa interrupted.

"You two talk. I'll sit in with Miss Rhona."

"Nay." Cameron stepped in front of his niece's bedchamber door, his walking stick between them like a blockade. "She's sleeping."

"No, she isn't," Rosa said tightly. "I heard you talking with her just a moment ago."

It was Cameron's turn to glower at Rosa, but she paid him no heed, ducking into Rhona's room before McWilliam could ask what was going on.

"What are ye doing?" Cameron was asking before Rosa had even closed the door behind her. "She's..." He struggled to find a word to describe Rosa, and McWilliam didn't want to hear it.

"We found Rodd," he interrupted. "He's dead and this was pinned to his shirt." He held up the note.

His uncle swore. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm not letting Rosa go to prison."

"But she can't stay here. She isn't safe. Obviously." He gestured to the note.

"Nay." McWilliam let out a deep breath. "That is why I want you to take her to McCrae."

Cameron opened and closed this mouth, looking slightly calmer.

"She'll be safe in McCrae. Grant will take her in. I've already organized everything."

"You have?" Now he looked downright gleeful.

"It was always the backup plan. I just prayed it would never come to this." He'd sent a message to the McCrae Estate asking Grant if he would take in Rosa when he'd sent a couple of men there a few days ago looking for Rodd and Amelia. "You and Rosa will leave this afternoon. I'll tell everyone you're taking her to Leeds. It will just be me, you, Rosa and Grant who'll know the truth." The less people he trusted with this information, the safer Rosa would be.

"It's a good plan. Ye could have told me sooner, but it's a good plan." Cameron clapped him on the back, looking calmer than he'd been for a while.

"Good. Though I thought you'd need more convincing."

Cameron shrugged. "I won't lie, I don't trust her, so anything that takes her away from us, even for a short time, is a good idea in my opinion."

"Regardless of your personal feelings, I'm trusting you to do right by her." As much as McWilliam wanted to accompany Rosa, he couldn't go. He was needed here; the search for Amelia was still underway and now he had another killer to worry about—whoever that was.

"Grant said he'd gladly welcome Rhona as well," he continued. "The two ladies can keep each other company until all this messy business has been sorted out."

Cameron shook his head. "That's isn't a good idea. Rhona's ankle hasn't healed. She cannot travel on horseback and we don't have time to take the chaise. I don't even know if it's still in working order."

"I don't know." He didn't want to put Rhona in harm's way just because of a sprained ankle. Then again, nobody had used the chaise for many years and it wasn't like they had the money to keep it well maintained.

"You can confine Rhona to her chamber," Cameron insisted, "and Fenella can keep an eye on her. You can even lock her in if you really feel the need."

"Fine." It wasn't like his sister was the murderer's next target. Whereas Rosa certainly was.

* * *

"Did ye tell him?" Rhona asked the moment Rosa closed the door behind her.

She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then shook her head. "It isn't my place to tell."

Rhona visibly relaxed. Leaning against the headboard, she let go of her counterpane. It pooled at her waist. She wasn't showing yet. But she probably would be soon and then it wouldn't take McWilliam long to work it out.

Rosa guessed the only reason he hadn't realized yet was because he'd been too busy chasing her and then Rodd.

Rodd's dead, she should say. Instead, she asked? "How far along are you?"

"About three months." Rhona sniffed. "I didn't mean to. It just happened. We only...it only happened once."

She sounded just like the young girl she was, and Rosa's heart melted. She sat on the bed patting Rhona's leg through the counterpane. "It's nothing to worry about."

But that was a lie, and Rhona's eyes narrowed.

Rosa signed. "I'm sorry. You should tell him."

She shook her head.

"Miss Rhona, he's going to find out eventually. Don't you think it will be better coming from you?"

Rodd's dead, and Amelia's life was forfeit.

"He doesn't ever have to know," Rhona whispered. "Cameron has sorted everything."

"What do you mean, Cameron? What has he sorted?"

"Nothing." Rhona brushed Rosa's hand away.

"Cameron hasn't hurt you, has he?"

"Cameron?" she frowned as though that thought was the most ludicrous thing she'd ever heard. "Of course not."

"Then how has he got everything sorted?" She didn't understand.

"I don't know. He just has." Rhona's voice rose.

"All right," Rosa conceded. She could hear McWilliam's murmur in the corridor though she couldn't work out what he was saying. Either way, she might only have seconds left with Rhona before one of the men interrupted. And she didn't trust Cameron has far as she could throw him.

Rodd's dead, and Amelia's life was forfeit. I have to get to Leeds!

Out loud she said: "You need to tell him. McWilliam deserves to know.

Rhona pursed her lips defiantly. Stubborn girl!

Rosa grabbed her shoulders, her fingers biting into the girl's flesh. Rhona let out a startled yelp, but Rosa didn't let go. "You have to tell him. This is important, Rhona. He's your brother. He loves you. He'll look after you."

"Cameron says—"

"I don't care what Cameron has said to you. McWilliam is the laird and your brother. He's stronger and smarter than Cameron. And he loves you. More than you can ever imagine." She'd seen the way McWilliam looked at his sister. She knew what it was like to love someone like that. It was the same love she'd felt for Amelia and Emily. But when push came to shove, she'd failed to protect her youngest cousin.

McWilliam wouldn't made the same mistake. He'd take care of Rhona no matter what trouble she'd gotten herself into.

"Andy," Rhona bottom lip wobbled.

Amelia's life: forfeit. But she knew McWilliam won't let her go. His loyalty and determination forbade him from admitting defeat regardless of its inevitability. That left only one option.

Rosa pulled her into a quick hug. This might be the very last time she saw Rhona before she escaped to Leeds. If only she'd had such a chance to say goodbye to Emily.

"You're an amazing young woman," Rosa said, pulling back to look into Rhona's face. "You're going to be a wonderful mother."

As if on cue, the door banged opened. Cameron didn't hesitate to shoulder his way between Rosa and Rhona. McWilliam followed more slowly, stopping by Rosa's side and keeping a barely respectable hand-width between himself and her.

Rosa forced a smile. She was going to miss Rhona. They'd formed an unlikely friendship. The Scottish girl was loud, over-emotional and always seemed to act before thinking, but she was McWilliam's sister.

McWilliam. How was she ever going to say goodbye to him?

He swept a hand through his hair, brushing ruffled strands away from his forehead. Even now, he still managed to retain an air of assured command; it filled the entire room. In comparison, Cameron seemed to be getting smaller by the second, as though McWilliam's sheer size was overpowering him.

She owed him so much. He'd started off as her kidnapper, but now he was her protector and the man responsible for the massive search effort that was going to find Amelia.

She locked her hands behind her back to stop them shaking.

McWilliam nodded at his sister, his eyes jumping instantaneously towards Rosa. Her knees weakened. Somehow, the silver speaks in his pupils were brighter than ever before. They flashed like lightning in a stormy sky.

She couldn't say goodbye. He'd know what she was planning to do in an instant.

"What's going on?" Rhona asked. She reached towards her brother, but it was Cameron who answered.

"Why don't you lie back down?"

"What's happening?"

Rosa didn't envy anyone the job of telling Rhona that the father of her baby was dead. Murdered. She caught Cameron's eye and, for a spilt second, saw a hint of pain in his face. He knew exactly what this was going to do to her.

"Rosa." McWilliam rested a gentle hand on her upper arm, leading her out of Rhona's room and into his own.

It was the first time she'd been in McWilliam's room with him. It felt strangely intimate, like he was inviting her into his private space. Which, she thought ruefully, was exactly what he was doing.

She became suddenly very conscious of the bed in the middle of the room. It was large, much larger than the one in her bedchamber, with four intricately carved panels at each corner supporting a red velvet canopy. The curtains had been tied back at the head of the bed but, with a simple tug of the golden tassels, would fall to enclose the entire bed in swathes of rich, erotic fabric.

It was outdated—not something that would be seen in the houses of Mayfair or Piccadilly—and, like everything in Fortress Doom, rather rundown, but it suited McWilliam. It was so very imposing, and it did wonderful things to her imagination.

As soon as the door clicked closed behind them, he pulled her to him, urgently seeking her lips. She gave over to him, giving him exactly what he sought. He wasn't gentle. He claimed her mouth. His tongue exploring deeper with each pass. His hand dropped to her bottom and he squeezed, pulling her into his strength and heat.

She loved the urgency of his kisses, how much he seemed to want her. Need her, even.

Tiny shivers of anticipation raced up and down her spine.

Eventually, he pulled away. "Ye can't stay here."

Her thoughts were focused on his delicious mouth and it took a moment for the words to sink in. "What?" She blinked.

"It's not safe for you here anymore."

"You mean the note." She wasn't worried about herself. It was Amelia who was in true danger. "You won't let anyone hurt me."

"And that's exactly why I have to send you away."

Her mouth opened but no words came out. He was sending her away. And after all the trouble he'd gone through to get her here in the first place.

Where was he sending her? London? Leeds! Her heart jumped into her throat. Prison.

As though he could read her thoughts, he shook his head. "You're going to McCrae Castle. Grant Kyles has agreed to take you in, just until all this mess has been sorted."

"This has nothing to do with him."

"He's a good friend. And has been very welcoming to my men when they made inquiries about whether Amelia or Rodd had been seen in that area recently."

"That doesn't mean you should send me there." From what she could guess, the McCrae Estate was McWilliam's closest neighbor and was in the complete opposite direction to the English-Scottish border. Rosa couldn't let McWilliam take her that far north. It was highly unlikely the English mail coach travelled that far. It was a miracle it crossed the border into the Uilleim Estate at all.

"Cameron is going to accompany you," McWilliam continued. "He's already agreed it's a good idea."

She had nothing to say to that. Crotchety Cameron had clearly only agreed because he wanted her away from his family. And maybe he was right. She was a danger to them and to Amelia. All of this trouble would go away if only she could reach Leeds.

Wait. Maybe that could work to her advantage. Cameron didn't owe her any loyalty and didn't bother concealing his dislike of her, so perhaps she could persuade him to let her go. He could look the other way for a few minutes and she'd be out of his hair forever.

And in the meantime, his presence away from the castle might give Rhona the chance she needed to talk with her brother.

"You have to talk with Rhona. Do you understand? Talk to Rhona." She pressed a hand to his chest. Her touch was supposed to install further urgency, but it only acted as a reminder of the muscle beneath his shirt and how gentle he could be when he pressed his body against hers.

He frowned, covering her hand with his larger one. "I know. I just haven't had much free time."

"I know. You've been busy looking for Amelia—for which I am eternally grateful—but Rhona might need someone to talk to, with Cameron accompanying me."

His frowned deepened. "You're taking this very well. I didn't think you'd agree to leave." Then he added, "Unless it was to Leeds."

"I know you well enough by now that nothing I say will change your mind."

She just needed something to pay for her passage back to London... She'd need to buy food, water and passage on the main coach—assuming she could find the mail coach in the first place. Maybe Cameron could point her in the right direction.

"I don't want anything to get in the way of helping Amelia," she said, trying to sound calmer than she felt. "If you think me going to Mr Kyles will help, then I'll do it and I'll do it happily."

He didn't look completely convinced so, daringly, she wrapped a hand around the back of his neck, pulling his head down for another thought-melting kiss.

* * *

It took Fenella less than an hour to prepare everything for Rosa's departure. McWilliam made sure to tell the housekeeper that Rosa was returning to England. If he knew anything it was that Fenella would have spread the news to the entire castle by midnight.

McWilliam lifted Rosa onto her horse himself, a hand lingering at her waist. It was only for a few days, he kept telling himself, a few weeks at the most. But for some reason it felt as though they were saying goodbye forever.

Unshed tears glistened in her eyes.

"Everything will be well, wee lass." He dropped his hand onto her knee, not caring that Fenella and half the castle staff were probably watching, not to mention Cameron.

She bent over to press her forehead to his. "Thank you."

"Thistle—" he began, but Cameron started his stead towards the gate and Rosa's horse obediently followed.

She twisted in the saddle to watch him as she crossed over the drawbridge and his insides began to ache with the loss of her. She was ingrained into his very soul was Rosa Blair.

He would find Amelia, and when everything was right again he would never let Rosa go ever again.

God dammit, he was going to marry that woman.