“Ye’ll do as yer told, or she’ll pay the price. I promise ye that.” Paddraig spat on the floor by Dougall’s feet.
The thoughts going through Dougall’s head were many, but he knew his father well enough to know that this wasn’t an idle threat. If he didn’t do as he had been ordered, Helene would be the one to suffer for it. “I’ll go, but know this. When I return, I’ll be taking Helene and leaving this place. I would advise ye nae to stand in me way.”
“Dinnae threaten me, Dougall. Yer the one who’ll lose.” Paddraig gulped down the rest of his ale once again. “Logan!”
“Aye, sir.” Logan, who’d been standing guard just outside the hall, entered.
“Get the men ready. Yer leaving on patrol. Ye’ll be the second in command and see to it that Dougall here gets to know his men.”
“Aye. sir.” Logan left the room. Dougall tried to catch his eye, but Logan averted his gaze. He had a lot he wished to say to his friend of his betrayal, but it would have to wait.
“Now, if ye give me anymore trouble, I’ll have me guards drag ye out and tie ye to yer horse. I dinnae believe ye want yer men to see ye in such a position.” To prove his point, he signaled to two men by the entrance who came to stand by Dougall’s side. “Ye can go of yer own accord, or these two will see to it that ye do.”
The men were large and menacing, smiling at Dougall’s predicament. He wanted more than anything to put his father and his two guards to the test, but the thought of Helene suffering more because of him was out of the question.
“I’ll go, but I must speak with Helene first.” Dougall turned to leave.
“Nae. Ye’ll nae speak to her now. Get yer horse and be ready when yer men have been gathered.” Paddraig wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “And Dougall, dinnae even think of going up those stairs to her. Do ye hear me?”
“Aye.” Dougall snarled through gritted teeth as he fisted his hands at his side and thought how pleasurable it would be to beat Paddraig MacRae to within an inch of his life.
“Good. ’Tis been a long time since ye’ve been home, but I dinnae believe ye’ve forgotten what happens when ye disobey me. I dinnae believe ye wish the lass to be the one who bears the brunt of yer disobedience.”
Dougall fought with every fiber of his being to control his temper as he turned and, escorted by Paddraig’s guards, strode from the room. He couldn’t get far enough away from this ogre who called himself Laird MacRae.
As he stormed through the doors and into the courtyard, Dougall’s gut told him to go to Helene. She’d be so frightened when he didn’t return. He hated himself at that moment. Hated that he was going to do as his father wished. He’d promised Helene he’d never allow any harm to come to her. If he went upstairs to see her, he had no doubt she’d pay the price. If he were any kind of man, he’d stand up to his father, march up those stairs to his room, get Helene and ride out of here now. He played it out in his head over and over and he always came out the loser in each scenario. He was alone. With no one to help him other than Logan, and there were no guarantees he’d be any help at all considering he’d already betrayed him. Chances of getting very far were slim. He didn’t stand a chance against his father’s army. If he battled with his father’s men and lost, he could end up injured or dead and Helene would be worse off than she was at this moment. At least she was safely ensconced in his chambers. She’d be safe there or so he hoped.
Anger fueled him as he headed towards the stables where the men awaited his arrival. His sister came running towards him.
“Dougall, wait!” she called.
He stopped and eyed Logan while he waited for Brenna to reach him. His guards waited by his side.
“Why are ye two standing there like idjit’s?” she asked, her irritation evident. “I need a word with me brother.” She pulled Dougall a few feet away. “Where are ye going?” she asked.
“Da is sending me off with the men. He willnae allow me to see Helene to tell her I’m going. I dinnae ken what game he plays, but until I can find a way out of this, I must do as he wishes. I fear he’ll harm Helene if I dinnae.” Dougall scrubbed his hands through his hair. “I need yer help, Brenna. Keep Helene away from Da and see to it that no one harms her. Can I trust ye to do that? Ye ken ye betrayed me and now ye owe me this one thing.” She had been a party to this whole thing, but he knew she loved him and that she had grown fond of Helene.
“I’m ever so sorry, Dougall, but ye see Logan and I had no other choice. Da threatened us with a month in the dungeon if we didnae do as he asked. I wouldnae wish to spend even one night there.” It was obvious to Dougall that she was being sincere. “Helene is a lovely lass. I’ll do me best to keep watch fer ye. I’ll help her in any way I can.”
“Thank ye, Brenna. I fear there is no way out of this mess.”
Brenna gave Dougall a quick hug. “Have faith, brother. There’s always a way.”
“Tell her I love her and I’m sorry.” He strode to his men hoping Helene could forgive him.
Chapter 7
Logan signaledto the men to follow him as he rode through the gates with Dougall at his side. His anger at Logan for his betrayal was still fresh and so he chose not to speak for fear he might make matters worse between them. Logan seemed to understand his need for silence. He rode abreast of Dougall, but spoke not a word, instead appearing for all the world to be searching the bushes and trees for any threat to their group.
They crossed the stream they followed, at a low point and then continued on across fields and rolling hills. Dougall thought back to his childhood and to the freedom he’d felt when racing with his brother through the trees, up and down these hills. Some of their best moments were to be found on horseback, riding through this very land. He and his brother Fingall could be found here as often as they could possibly get away. It was their safe place, far enough away from Paddraig MacRae to avoid the senseless beatings he bestowed upon them for even the slightest infraction. Dougall always took the brunt of it in an effort to spare his wee brother Fingall from their Da’s temper. His mother would intervene on his behalf and Paddraig, who loved her to distraction would always relent – until the next time and if his Ma wasn’t around, he was sure his beating would be swift and painful. His bruised and battered childhood had him fearing once again for Helene. What if his sister was unable to help her? What would happen if she wasn’t around and Helene found herself within arm’s reach of Paddraig? He stopped abruptly, causing his men to almost collide with one another.
Dougall cursed aloud at the thought of his father hurting Helene and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Logan glanced his way with worry in his eyes. “What’s wrong, Dougall?”
“As if ye dinnae ken,” Dougall spat. He did his best to control his violent urges. He was angry with Logan. He’d known all along what was to come and he’d said nothing. He was seething and his anger was obvious even to those who didn’t know him. Dougall turned his horse to face Logan. “Why, Logan?” Dougall directed his anger at his old friend. “Why did ye betray me?” He moved up next to Logan and reached over, fisting Logan’s tunic in his hand. “Answer me. Why did ye do it?”
“Ye wouldnae have returned with me. I had me orders and I couldnae disobey them.”
