Page 44 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

A n uproar rose throughout the keep as news spread of Brianna’s abduction, but it was the thundering roar that caused all to shiver and cross themselves, for the leader of the clan’s fury had been unleashed, and the devil himself could not match his wrath.

Several guards had been injured, one seriously, and Delia sustained a minor cut to her throat, her assailant hasty in his departure and not caring where his knife touched. Moira suffered no injuries, though she felt foolish for not being more aware of the obvious.

“When Delia did not return immediately, I should have whisked Brianna right out of there.” Moira paced in front of the large fireplace in the great hall. She was chilled and stopped often to warm her hands.

Ian kept a constant eye on her. He knew she was not shivering from the cold, for the hall was warm; her chill was caused by her ordeal, and while he wanted to hug her to him, he realized she needed to walk off her agitation and concern.

Delia, with a bandage wrapped around her neck, brought Moira a hot cider.

“I told you to rest,” Royce said.

“I am rested and intend to do what must be done” —Delia paused, and tears filled her eyes— “as will you do so that she is returned to us safely.” Delia left the hall, wiping at her fading tears.

Royce looked at Moira. ‘Tell me what you have not.”

“You are observant,” she said and moved to stand beside her husband. Ian slipped his arm around her waist.

Royce waited. He had learned the power of patience when in battle. Sometimes it was better not to charge ahead but to first learn your opponent’s

intentions, and then a wiser choice of tactics could be determined.

Moira took a sip of cider and inched closer to her husband. “Arran told me to tell you that Brianna belonged to him and that you would pay a dear price to” —Moira paused, knowing the words would affect him and Ian— “own her.”

Ian spoke up. “He thinks to sell my sister to Royce?”

“Did he not always think of her as his property?” Royce asked, not as upset as expected. “He treats her as he always did, and that will be his mistake.”

“Aye, you are right,” Moira agreed. “Brianna is not who she once was. She spoke up to him when he raised his hand to her, and he did not like it.”

Royce looked ready to kill. “He raised his hand to her here in her own home?” The thought drove him to the edge of rage.

He had promised Brianna that he would protect her.

He had given her his word, and here she was threatened in her own home and then abducted when he had repeatedly assured her it would not happen.

“He never struck her,” Moira said, hoping to diffuse some of his anger.

“He has raised his hand to her enough; she need not feel it again,” Ian said, his own anger evident in his heated eyes. “We need to reach her as soon as possible.”

“The men gather now. I leave as soon as I finish here.”

“I go with you,” Ian insisted. “There are enough men here to protect Moira and the keep, and he will not be so foolish as to return here.”

“But he will send the ransom demand here.”

“I will see that it reaches you,” Moira said, knowing her husband could not sit idly by while a search went on for his sister.

It had troubled him the last time this had happened, and he could not go, for she was giving birth to their son.

Now, however, there was nothing to stop him, and she certainly would not.

Ian squeezed her waist, letting her know he appreciated her support and understanding.

Royce did not wish to waste time arguing. “I will send men back periodically so you are aware of our whereabouts and so that you may send along any messages received.”

“Then we leave now,” Ian said, removing his arm from around his wife and stepping forward.

Royce stayed him with a raised hand. “Nay, there are things we need to know first, or we ride senselessly.”

Ian was impatient. “Arran disappears fast. We can lose the trail if we do not hurry.”

“If you hurry and ride without thought and purpose, we will solve nothing. And if Arran disappears as quickly as you tell me, then he has already done so and we will follow a worthless trail, which is probably his intention.”

Royce made sense, so Ian asked, “What do you need to know?”

“Brianna mentioned something about land that once belonged to Arran but was in disrepair. I had a few of my men discover where this property is, but I wonder if he would take her there. If so we can easily locate them.”

“You sound doubtful that it would be his destination,” Moira said.

“It seems too obvious, and he might suspect that Brianna had mentioned it to someone. I do not think he would take the chance, though I could be wrong.”

“He cares not if he provides shelter for her. Perhaps he intends to remain in the woods. The denseness of trees and such would provide concealment,” Ian suggested.

“A possibility, but he is a man who observes and waits for people to react out of habit or anger. He knew Brianna would eventually spend time in the kitchen and give him a chance to abduct her. He thinks to anger me enough to ride off immediately after him and follow a senseless trail he has others ride while he goes another way. And of course he suspects that her brother will advise me how he is not an easy man to track, and therefore time should not be wasted but immediate action taken. All will divert us from his true destination.”

“Then where does he go?” Ian asked.

“Perhaps the better question would be where does he not go?” Moira said.

Royce nodded. “He goes where we would least expect.”

Ian nodded knowingly. “There is only one place for him to go.”

“Where?” Moira and Royce asked.

“Home,” Ian said. “He is returning to what is familiar to him and where we would never look.”

“The keep where he and Brianna lived,” Moira said, agreeing with a firm nod.

“I have not assigned anyone to reside there since Arran’s betrayal. I had hoped that Brianna would one day wish to return,” Ian said.

“With a new husband?” Royce asked.

“I had hoped.”

“She will have a new husband before she leaves there,” Royce informed him. “Gather what you need. We leave within the hour.”

“We will be ready,” Moira said, realizing they would be close to home and missing her son.

The two men glared at her.

It was Ian who spoke. “You may go as far as our home.”

Moira did not protest. It was where she wished to be.

“You will take care, the two of you, and see to bringing Brianna home safe.”

“That I promise you,” Royce said with a strength that sent a shiver through Moira. Within the hour they were gone, their pace steady and their destination known.

* * *

“No complaints, dear wife?” Arran asked riding beside her.

Her back hurt, she was tired and concerned for her unborn child, but she had no intentions of telling him.

“None.”

He looked disappointed. “Good, then we will continue to ride.”

They would have continued to ride no matter her response, so she paid him no heed.

Silence had always been her ally when dealing with her husband, and she expected it to remain her ally.

Besides, her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Royce.

She knew he would search for her, and it was only a matter of time before he found her.

Until then she had to remain strong and courageous for herself and the babe.

“You were not a proper wife.”

She knew he intended to torment her, so she refrained from responding, though she had to bite her tongue. That gave her courage, for she had never before thought to disagree with him.

“Instead of mourning me, you found another man.”

Very much a man, she wished to say. Instead she shrugged. “He found me.”

“And you expect him to find you again?” He laughed. “I think the babe will arrive before he does.”

His remark startled and frightened her. What if Royce could not find her?

Soon after they left the keep, Arran’s band of men divided their intention to divert Royce away from Arran.

She did not think it would work; he was too much a seasoned warrior to be so easily misled.

And she would not allow herself to believe otherwise, which was what Arran intended.

Royce would come for her; she was certain. Until then she would be patient and keep herself safe.

‘Tell me of my funeral,” Arran asked. “Was it well attended?”

She stared at her husband for a moment, wondering what it was that she had found so attractive about him. He was selfish, arrogant, and cruel, and his features were far less appealing to her. She must have been blind when she thought herself in love with him. Now he was simply repulsive to her.

“I asked you a question,” he said, reaching out to grab her arm.

Her reaction was quick, and she moved out of his reach. “I did not attend your funeral.”

His face grew scarlet. “You dishonored my death?”

“You dishonor yourself.”

He attempted to ride closer to her, but he had forgotten what an excellent horsewoman she was, and she skillfully maneuvered her horse away from him with little difficulty.

“I am an honorable man and do what is necessary when others refuse to.”

“You are deceitful and selfish.”

“How dare you speak to me with such insolence,” Arran said his fury on the edge of erupting.

Brianna wisely bit back her response. She was all too familiar with the consequences.

“Why did you not attend my funeral?” he asked.

She did not answer fast enough for him.

“Answer me before I beat the answer out of you.”

Her hands began to tremble, for she recalled the brutal beatings and she feared for her unborn child’s life.

Then she recalled the conversation with Moira, reminding her that Arran preyed on the weak and defenseless.

It would do her no good to show him fear.

She had to remember she was in battle, and in battle a warrior did all he could to defend himself.

“I did not want to attend your funeral. I did not care that you died. I was grateful that you were dead.”

He stared at her utterly bewildered and then shook his head. “You have grown brave since our parting.”

“Nay, I have always been brave. I simply allowed you to rob me of my bravery.”

“If I did it once, dear wife, I can certainly do it again,” he said with a smile that had once charmed Brianna and now simply disgusted her.

“I am not a naive young girl anymore.”

He laughed. “I made certain of that.”

He certainly had and the thought turned her stomach.

“So tell me, did I teach you enough so that you pleased this barbaric warrior who you spread your legs for?”

“You think him barbaric? His deeds are so great that they have made him a legend.”

“He is a ruthless warrior who kills for fun and profit.”

She knew Royce too well to fall for Arran’s lies. “And you think you can get more coins from him for my return than you can from Ian?”

“You are quick witted. A quality I despise in a woman.” He grinned. “But Royce Campbell will pay a hefty price for your return that I am sure of. I saw the way he looked at you when I interrupted your wedding celebration. It is obvious that he loves you and he will do anything to get you back.”

She spoke with courage. “Royce taught me what true love really is, and I am grateful the good Lord sent him to me, for I love him with all my heart and soul.”

Arran sneered. “You were always a fool, and love is for fools. He uses you. He wishes an allegiance with the Cameron clan, and what better way than through marriage. He tolerates you in bed and probably seeks fulfillment with other more talented females.”

“As you did?”

He seemed pleased when he said, “You were an inadequate lover. You gave me no choice.”

Her temper took hold. “I was an innocent young girl. I knew nothing.”

“And you learned nothing.”

“You taught me nothing but pain and humiliation,” she said, her temper flaring.

“Royce taught me differently. He taught me about the beauty of love and the pleasures in sharing that love.” She bit her tongue, for she wished to scream out at him that Royce was truly a man and he just a shadow of one.

“Then if this man loves you so dearly, why was he not successful in keeping you safe from me? And where is he now? Why has he yet to rescue you?”

He meant to demean Royce in her eyes and fill her with fear, but his tactics were worthless. She was far too secure with Royce’s love, and her response proved it. “He is not far away. He waits for the right moment, and then you will taste his wrath.”

She was convincing enough that Arran cast a hasty glance around him.

“He will come for me,” she assured him. “He will definitely come for me.”

“He will come for you with a pocket of coins.”

“If he must he will, though love is priceless, Arran, and you never understood that.”

“Everything has a price, even love.”

“You are right,” she said with a nod. “Everything does have a price. You demanding a ransom from Royce will have a price. Are you willing to pay that price?”

“You talk nonsense.”

Her words had the effect she had hoped for: he squirmed in his saddle.

“I speak the truth. Do you think a man with Royce’s reputation will pay a ransom and seek no retribution?”

“Do you think me a fool? Do you think that I am not prepared for that?”

Her skin prickled.

“I see you are worried.” He grinned. “You know me well, and you know I will do what is necessary to survive.”

She knew she should not ask, but she needed to know. “What do you plan, Arran?”

“I plan on returning you when the ransom is paid.” His grin widened. “I see that surprises you. I had thought to kill you, but that serves me no purpose, and besides, I need to guarantee my escape before Royce can retaliate.”

Fear ran her skin to gooseflesh.

“Ask me, dear wife. Ask me what it is that I will do to prevent the great warrior from following me?”

She feared asking the question, for she thought she knew and that thought gave her a horrible fright.

“You cannot bring yourself to answer.” He grinned. “Or do you already know the answer.”

She did not want to play his game. He had always played frightening games with her, and she would no longer be a willing partner. “Speak your intentions and have done with it.”

He laughed, enjoying the control he had over her. “Perhaps I will make you wait.”

This time she laughed. “Nay, you wish to see my reaction when you inform me. You ache to see it. I would not be surprised if you were hard from the thought of it.”

His face exploded a bright red. “You will suffer for that and—” He intentionally paused, making her wait and wonder, letting the fear build inside of her and diffusing his own anger. Then calmly he said, “I will turn you over to Royce but keep your child.”