Highlander Unbroken (Highland Adventure Book 8) (25 page)

Vardon hastened out of the room and, once he'd disappeared down the stairwell, Neacal headed to his own bedchamber. He knocked at the door. "'Tis me," he murmured to Anna through the wood. "I need to talk to you for a moment."

Anna unbarred the door and opened it. Her worried gaze searched his. "Is everything all right? Who was the guard chasing?"

"All is fine for the moment." Neacal closed the door and patted Dunn's head, trying to calm the whining, excited animal. "I strongly suspect it was Constance outside the door."

Anna's mouth dropped open. "Why? What was she doing?"

He shrugged. "Most likely planning to stab me in my sleep. Although I have no inkling how she planned to get past Dunn. Mayhap she was hoping the dog would ignore her since he's so accustomed to her being around. I have a question for you. Did you realize Vardon knows your true identity? Did you tell him?"

Her eyes rounded. "Nay! Of course not."

"Well, he just admitted to me that he told Constance, and I'm guessing she sent a missive to Blackburn. That explains why his men were in the area and at the tavern in the village."

"How did Vardon find out? And even if he did know, why would he betray me? I thought he was my friend."

"I don't think he realized how much it would hurt you. He figured Constance didn't know how to contact Blackburn. 'Tis plain to see he's smitten with Constance. She's been using him for information to get revenge against me because of Farquar's death. She knows I care for you. She's hoping Blackburn will take you away from me."

"Good heavens. I didn't know she was so vindictive."

"Aye. And she has never been the most rational person." He released a long tired breath. "I'm going back to speak with Constance again, and see if I can get any more information from her. After breakfast, I'll see the two clans off."

"Very well. Do you think 'tis safe for me to return to my room?"

"I'm not certain because I don't ken who might have been working with Constance. I'll have to find out who the messenger was who delivered the missive to Blackburn. Why not stay here and sleep until I return?" Neacal kissed her forehead and couldn't resist kissing her lips, too. He had so wanted to do far more than sleep while he had her in his bed, but that would have to wait.

"What if one of the servants wants in this room?" she asked. "I wouldn't want the elders to ken I'm sleeping here."

"I'll have Leith stand guard outside. He'll turn away any person who tries to get in here."

"Very well."

After kissing her again, Neacal returned to the library where Constance sat, no gag in her mouth as of yet. Her expression was blank. The room was silent as the others looked to him.

"You'd best hope that none of your MacDonald cousins die in the upcoming battle. Their blood will be on your hands."

"I'm not the one committing adultery," she said, smugness written on her face.

"Don't play the holier-than-thou role. 'Tis not convincing coming from you."

"You're a murderer and an adulterer. I don't have to play at anything."

He gave a humorless half grin. "Everyone kens I have never murdered anyone. As to Anna Douglas' marriage, 'tis a farce she was forced into. 'Twill be proven null and void. You think 'tis funny to bring more destruction to the MacDonald clan by leading the MacCromars here?"

"You are the one who has taken the chief's wife prisoner."

"You ken good and well Anna Douglas is here of her own free will, taking refuge from an abusive murderer."

"You mean Lady MacCromar? I'm certain Chief MacCromar will want her back. What do you think? He has been searching for his missing wife for a long while now."

"And you told him exactly where she is."

"'Twas my civic duty to help."

"I knew you'd sent a missive to him."

She shrugged. "You'll get what you deserve, cousin."

Neacal shook his head, unable to believe she was a blood relation to him. She was far more like Sleat than any of the other MacDonalds. She was not at all like her mother, his father's sister.

Mistress Gilbert entered the room, carrying a cloth bundle, then she dropped it onto the table, metal blades clanging. Neacal drew the parcel open and found three more daggers inside. He frowned at his cousin. "Planning to go to war?"

She merely glared in response.

"Who did you steal these from?"

"I didn't steal them. I borrowed them."

"Ah. Until you're done killing people? Then you'll return them?"

"I was but protecting myself."

"Uh-huh. Well, then, you'll feel safe locked in your chamber until the conflict is resolved."

"Nay! I will not be locked in my room."

"Indeed you will." He looked to Matthew. "See that she's locked in and unable to escape. Dugan, you guard her today. I'll find someone else to take over the night shift."

They agreed and helped her from the chair to escort her to her chamber.

After Neacal left the room, he met Hugh in the corridor. "Where are they taking Constance?"

"To her room. She was lurking about outside my chamber during the night and carrying weapons. I don't trust her. She's had it in for me since I was forced to kill the guard, Farquar, she claimed to love. She's being locked in her room until further notice."

Hugh laughed. "That is ridiculous."

"Is it?" Neacal demanded, sudden fury scorching over him. "You underestimate her as everyone else does. The lass is a menace and she would like naught more than to see me dead."

"I think you're overreacting but… you're the chief."

"Exactly."

"What is this we've heard about some clan we don't know attacking us?" Hugh asked.

"You can thank Constance for that, too. She sent a missive to the vile and villainous Chief MacCromar, telling him that Anna Douglas is here."

"Why is he interested in her?"

"He claims to be wed to her."

Hugh's white-bearded chin dropped. "Wed? We cannot keep her here! If she's the chief's wife, she must go back to him. That is adultery, lad."

"Nay, 'tis not, for the marriage will be proven illegal. Anna was forced into it." Neacal went on to explain the entire situation, then said, "Blackburn will beat and abuse her—perhaps even kill her—if she's returned to him. Do you wish her blood upon your hands?"

"Nay," Hugh said. "But 'tis not our quarrel. Our clan is still suffering from the last siege."

"That's no reason to allow a woman to be murdered."

Hugh watched him with calculating eyes. "I ken you fancy her. 'Tis obvious to everyone."

"Whether I fancy her or not, I still wouldn't send a lady back to her husband's murderer. Do you have no honor?"

"Of course I have honor! But our main loyalty should be to our clan. Not a woman who's a stranger. If we have a battle, half our clan could be killed. We don't have that many soldiers to spare. You'll dwindle our ranks to naught."

"Why don't we let the clan decide? If they say nay, that they don't wish to protect an innocent woman, I'll fight Blackburn MacCromar and his men single-handedly."

"You are as mad as everyone says!" Hugh shouted.

"Aye, indeed, I am!"

"You are nay fit leader for this clan!"

Rage snaked along Neacal's veins. "Well, then, problem solved. I'll take the lady and leave. You lead the clan if you think 'tis such a simple and easy job."

As Neacal turned to go, Bhatar approached along the corridor. "What is the ruckus about? I could hear the shouting from the great hall."

"You heard Hugh. I'm not a good leader for the clan."

"He didn't mean it," Bhatar said.

"Of course, he meant it." Neacal drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to let the anger drain away and think logically. "I'll ask the clan who wants to stand with me and fight beside me for the noble cause of protecting the innocent. Do you think our clansmen are loyal and honorable, or terrified, like Hugh?"

"I'm not terrified!"

"You're a knight. I expected more from you," Neacal said.

Hugh sighed. "I am merely thinking of the clan. I cannot sanction more of their deaths."

"MacDonalds don't back down from anyone. We don't fear the MacCromars or Sleat or anyone. 'Tis better to die fighting for what we believe in than to cower in the corner until we're old and gray."

Hugh's eyes narrowed. "I may be old and gray, but I have never cowered in a corner. I was fighting on battlefields before you were born!"

"Aye, I'm well aware. So, what happened? My father hailed you as one of the bravest and most fearsome fighters."

Hugh nodded, his eyes glinting with suppressed emotion. "Things change, lad."

"Not that much. The same things are important now that were important back then."

He nodded, looking defeated of a sudden. "Aye. I simply don't want to see the clan destroyed, more of our kin killed."

"You give up too soon. We have allies. Colin brought a few dozen men. And Chief MacRury is sending for several of his own."

"And what if MacCromar brings his own clan allies? We could easily be outnumbered," Hugh said.

"I could ask the MacKenzies for help, but it might take a week for them to arrive."

"Aye, I think you should," Bhatar said.

"But if MacCromar asks for his wife back, how can you keep her here?" Hugh asked.

"Easy. I keep her behind these walls and I shoot him and his men full of arrows from the ramparts."

***

Blackburn MacCromar knew of only one way to get his wife back—hold a knife to her sister's throat, while she watched. He had known for months exactly where his wife's sister, Kristina, was—hiding with her mother's family. He'd left her alone thus far. He hadn't been desperate enough to go carting a blind lass about the countryside.

But Anna—as she was calling herself now—had pushed him beyond the limits of his patience. Over a dozen of the men he'd sent to capture her were now dead. His war leader had told him in secret he'd only seen one man helping her—a MacDonald. Surely, 'twas a whole clan, experts at subterfuge, who had slain his men.

Standing in the bailey, he let his gaze scan over the castle he'd taken from his cousin, John. Oh, high and mighty John, who thought he was better than his lowly bastard cousin. "Not so high and mighty now, are you?" he said beneath his breath. Nay. And the most interesting possession he'd taken from his cousin was his wife, Susanna. Indeed he knew she'd shortened her name to Anna to try to hide from him, but he was no idiot. She might have eluded him all this time, but the missive he'd received over a week ago from a woman on the west coast had told him all he needed to know. The MacDonald chief thought to take his wife away from him. He would be damned if he would allow that to happen.

Since the MacDonalds had already killed several of his men, he was not going to underestimate them this time. He would take his whole garrison plus all the men loyal to him for miles around. This MacDonald chief didn't know what he was up against.

Blackburn's younger brother, Keith, and his war leader, Red Holme, approached.

"Mount up! We go to Stirling," Blackburn told them.

"Stirling?" Keith asked, his black hair blowing back in the stiff wind.

"Aye. We're going to take a hostage, then we'll travel to Moidart and Bearach Castle. Once my sweet wife sees my knife at her sister's throat again, she will do whatever I say."

Keith scowled. "But the lass is blind by your hand."

Blackburn sent his brother a withering glare when he truly wanted to backhand the whelp. If Keith was going to challenge him, 'haps it was time to turn him out and let him fend for himself.

"With all due respect," Keith added.

"Indeed?" Blackburn asked. "I doubt you respect me at all. And I didn't blind her," he growled. "She fell and hit her head. 'Twas not my fault. She shouldn't have fought."

"You cut her face. I fear you will kill her this time. Lady MacCromar, too."

"Why do you care? What is it to you?" he demanded.

"There will be a price on your head, brother. I want us to avoid that at all costs."

"That's not going to happen." Blackburn smiled smugly. He had paid the constable a sizable sum to make certain no charges were brought against him for John's death. And they had no proof, anyway. "I'm not going to kill either of the women. Once Susanna comes with me willingly, I'll bring both ladies home. As long as my wife stays in line, her sister will be safe."

Red Holme nodded silently, his bushy auburn brows lowered. He and Blackburn always saw eye to eye on everything. Blackburn liked how ruthless the man was.

"On second thought, Keith, you stay here and oversee things in my absence." Blackburn could easily see his brother causing trouble when they forcefully abducted Kristina.

"I'd rather not."

"Well, you're going to, like it or not." Blackburn hoisted himself into the saddle. "We'll return in a few days with the ladies."