Page 43 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

R oyce did not let Brianna out his sight.

The next morning when they woke, he remained abed with her until she was ready to rise, and together they went down to the great hall.

He had sent a message to Ian that he would be delayed, and that Brianna would be with him and could Moira come to keep her company while they talked.

He had thought Arran dangerous, but after last night and his discussion with Brianna he realized that the man was far more dangerous than he had thought. Arran was actually deranged.

There was a chill in the great hall, so a fire had been lit, and Moira and Brianna sat at a table near the fire. Royce and Ian sat at the dais, and six men were positioned around the hall. No one could enter without being noticed.

Brianna and Moira talked in hushed voices, not wishing anyone to hear their conversation. “I realize now that I must prepare,” Brianna said. “If Arran should happen to succeed in capturing me, I must be able to keep the babe safe from harm.”

Moira frowned. “You are right. The only life precious to Arran is his.”

“In his fury he lashes out, and I never had any means to stop him.”

“So you surrendered to his brutality.”

“I did not know what else to do,” Brianna said, “and after a while I acted accordingly; it became a habit.”

Moira placed a comforting hand on her arm. “Habits can be broken. It takes strength, and courage and you have both.”

“I hope I do.”

“With all the protection that surrounds you, you still fear Arran will succeed in abducting you?”

“Habit,” Brianna answered. “I am reacting out of habit. He always had his way, so I assume he will do so again.”

“Then if you wish to be prepared, do not act out of habit. You have changed; you are no longer that young woman he could dictate to. You gained your freedom and independence and the strength to do as you must.”

“But he thinks of me as his wife, his property, and I am, so how then can I be free?”

Moira squeezed her arm. “No one but you can own your thoughts and many times our own thoughts can help set us free. If you continue to think fearful, you will react fearful. Think with courage and tenacity and you will demonstrate it. Arran would not know how to respond to a woman of strength and intelligence.”

“You are right. He feared you; I could see it in his eyes.”

“Then he will fear you if you are to meet, for you are much like me now.”

Brianna looked surprised. ‘Truly, you think so?”

“Nay, I know so.”

“Then it must be so.” Brianna laughed and Moira joined her.

Their husbands glanced their way.

“It is good Moira is here with her,” Royce said, relieved to see his wife happy.

Ian nodded, staring at the two women. “Why do you not seem pleased with their laughter?”

“They are plotting,” Ian said with a firm nod. “I know my wife and she plots.”

“I have enough to be concerned about; now I must worry about plotting women?”

“I would make it your top concern.”

Royce rubbed his forehead. “What could they be plotting?”

Ian scratched his head and gave the question thought.

“Knowing my wife and her independent nature, I would say she is attempting to help my sister be ready in case Arran should succeed in abducting her.”

Royce stared at him.

Ian nodded. “I know the feeling; Moira leaves me speechless at times.”

“Arran will get nowhere near Brianna, and even if he did, what could she do to protect herself? She is a mere woman and with the burden of child.”

“I have no answer for you, though it might be wise that she be prepared in case she is faced with the situation. Warriors always prepare for battle. Why not Brianna?”

“She is not strong enough to defend herself.”

“Not physically, but we both know that a battle is often fought with one’s wits.”

“This is difficult for me to comprehend,” Royce said. “My thought is that I must protect Brianna.”

“And you do, but as in battle, being prepared for the unexpected could mean the difference between victory and defeat.”

“I have learned this well. That is why I am always prepared, and I feel Brianna need not worry.”

“What would you do if Arran succeeded in abducting her?” Ian asked.

“That will not happen.” Royce refused to believe it even possible. He would protect her and keep her safe.

“But if it did,” Ian insisted. “What then?”

Royce was just as insistent. “It will not happen.”

“You are as stubborn as my sister.”

“Determined,” Royce corrected with a laugh and a slap to Ian’s back. “Besides, the women make plans. Though it is not necessary, at least they enjoy themselves.”

Ian shook his head. “You have much to learn about Brianna.”

“Do you not have much yet to learn about Moira?”

Ian looked to his wife, her smile wide, her cheeks flushed, and her dark, thick, long plaited hair. “I am forever learning about her.”

“Then we will never be bored, will we?”

‘True enough.” Ian shifted his glance to his sister. She looked radiant, her dark hair pinned up, her hands resting protectively over her rounded stomach and her smile precious.”My sister means much to me.”

“I know this.”

Ian was honest with Royce. “When Arran returned, I would have much preferred to run a sword through him for all the pain he had caused so many. Unfortunately that was not possible.”

“Had you decided what you intended to do with him?”

“It was only a matter of time before he did something himself. His words of regret and forgiveness meant nothing. He meant to charm and misdirect so that what he truly planned was not suspected, and that would give him the freedom to accomplish his true intentions.”

“Abducting Brianna,” Royce said, glancing at his wife, who was deep in her own conversation with Moira. “But I feel there is more to his intentions than just Brianna.”

“Brianna serves a purpose to Arran. She will bring him a fat purse so that he may start over someplace else, perhaps farther south or to the outer Isles. There is nothing left for him here, and he is wise enough to know that. So once again he uses Brianna for his own means.”

“Not this time.”

There was a conviction to his words that could not be denied.

“We should not underestimate him,” Ian said. “He is a troubled man and that can make him dangerous.”

“Far too dangerous, which means he will stop at nothing to accomplish his goal.”

“I think him anxious and that could cause him to make a mistake.”

“Aye, I agree his patience is running out,” Royce said.

“Then he will make another move soon.”

“I do not doubt it, and I expect it will be as foolish as his last attempts.”

Ian sat back in his chair. “There is nothing to do then but to wait.”

To everyone’s surprise several weeks passed and not a word was heard from Arran.

The surrounding countryside was quiet with a stranger passing through the village now and again.

Guards remained posted and watchful, but daily routine once again became common, and soon many gave the threat of Arran not a thought.

Moira and Ian began to miss their son, and Brianna thought it unfair that they should remain when there was nothing they could actually do to help the situation. It was nice having them there, but their presence was not necessary.

“It is time for you to leave,” Brianna announced one day over the morning meal.

Ian seemed surprised; Moira did not.

“I was thinking the same myself,” Moira said. “I miss my son and all at the keep.”

“You are throwing us out?” Ian asked with a laugh.

Brianna shook her head slowly. “I enjoy you both here, but there is no reason for you to stay. Your son probably misses you, and your life is there with him as mine is here with Royce.” She reached for her husband’s hand where he sat beside her at the long table.

“Brianna is right,” Royce said. “Go home to your son and worry not. All will be fine.”

“I will return in two months’ time for the birth,” Moira said.

Brianna rested a hand on her protruding stomach. “I cannot believe that in such a short time the babe will arrive. I am relieved to know that you will be here with me.

“I would not miss it, and I know if Anne is well, she will insist on helping as well.”

“Since the decision of our departure appears to have been made, we will leave early tomorrow morning,” Ian said.

“I will have some of my men accompany you,” Royce said.

“I have enough men, I do not think that will be necessary.”

“I do,” Royce insisted, “at least until you leave Campbell land.”

Ian knew it was senseless to argue. He shrugged. “If you wish.”

“Come, Brianna,” Moira said, standing. “We have this one day together to discuss final preparations for the birthing, and then all will be ready upon my return.”

Royce helped Brianna out of the chair. Not that she needed help, but he was an attentive man, and she had grown accustomed to his attention. He did not follow the women, though two guards did without any objection from Brianna.

“Are you certain that you do not require my presence?”

Ian asked with the women gone. “I feel Arran is playing a game.”

“Then he plays with the wrong man, and aye, I am certain. You have spent enough time here. I have a force of men well able to handle the situation.”

“If necessary, you will send for me?”

“Immediately,” Royce assured him and leaned closer to Ian as if about to impart a secret. “Now tell me, what do our women really discuss?”

Ian laughed. “You are finally learning.”

* * *

By late afternoons the weather had turned stormy, and if it continued, Ian and Moira’s departure would be postponed.

The two women along with Delia had decided that the kitchen was the perfect place to spend a stormy afternoon. Delia had joined them earlier to discuss the birthing preparations, and then Brianna had suggested they all bake a fresh berry pie and enjoy it.

They baked an extra one for the two guards who stood silent by the two entrances of the kitchen and then decided that their husbands would probably enjoy one, too.

They laughed and had much fun, and soon the room began to fill with a delicious aroma, and the two guards sniffed the scented air with appreciation.

They began to clean off the table they had worked on and Delia grabbed a bucket to step outside and retrieve fresh water from the rain barrel. Moira and Brianna continued cleaning the table so that there would be room for them to sit and enjoy the pie.

Delia called out for help with the bucket, and one of the guards went to her aid. When a few minutes passed and they had not returned, Moira and the guard glanced at each other.

‘Take her out of here,” the man said to Moira and moved toward the door that the other guard had disappeared through only moments before.

Brianna glanced up from the task of wiping the table and noticed the alarmed look on Moira’s face.

“We need to leave here,” she said, hurrying to Brianna’s side.

Brianna dropped the cloth and grabbed for Moira’s outstretched hand.

“Stay where you are.”

The familiar voice caused Brianna to freeze in her steps.

She and Moira turned to see Arran holding a knife to Delia’s throat.

Both women remained completely still.

“No smile for your husband?” Arran asked, applying pressure to the knife at Delia’s throat and forcing her farther into the room. “I knew with patience I would find you in the kitchen baking berry pies. You always had a penchant for them when the berries were in bloom.”

Moira held firm to Brianna’s hand.

“Did you think I would not come for you? Did you think I did not miss you or know how much you missed me?”

Two men entered behind him, rough and dirty in appearance.

Brianna reminded herself that she had prepared for this possibility, and she was ready. Though her legs trembled and fear rippled through her, she demonstrated not a sign of her fright.

“I care not that you come for me. You mean nothing to me, and there was not a day I missed you.”

Moira squeezed her hand, showing her support and confidence.

A malicious grin spread across his face. “You mean more to me than you know, dear wife.”

He motioned to the two men, and one quickly took Delia from him while the other hurried over and wrenched Moira away from her. In seconds a knife was placed again at Delia’s throat and to Moira’s throat.

“Now, dear wife, the choice is yours as to whether you come with me or not.” He raised his hand, and the two men pressed the knives more firmly to the women’s throats.

She surprised herself with her answer. “You have never given me a choice before, Arran. Why should this time be any different?”

Moira did not hide her grin.

Delia choked getting the words out. “You tell the bastard!”

Arran turned his fury on Delia. “I have no trouble cutting your throat, old woman.”

Brianna stepped forward. “But I have trouble with it. Let her be.”

“You think to give me orders.” He raised his hand to her.

Brianna stopped herself from cringing as she had often done. “I think you foolish enough to stand here and waste precious time arguing with me.”

Before he could strike her, one of the men spoke.

“She is right. We waste time with this nonsense. Take her and let us be gone from here.”

Arran reached out and grabbed Brianna by the arm. “You have forgotten about obedience. I will remind you.”

He shoved her toward the door.

She turned and looked to Moira. ‘Tell Royce I love him.”

Her words infuriated Arran, and he grabbed her by the back of her hair and pushed her out the door but not before saying to Moira, ‘Tell Royce she belongs to me, and he will pay a dear price to own her.”