“More than anything, I was merely browsing,” she informed him, “for in truth, I have never before seen a library like this one. My father’s is sorely lacking by comparison.”
“That does nae surprise me in the slightest,” he said dryly. “It has always been Laird Alex’s belief, as was his father’s, and mineas well, that books are windows tae the world that lies beyond our own narrow experiences. They lend wisdom and perspective. Qualities which, I am sorry tae say, yer father is sorely lacking.”
This offhand insult to Laird Angus was meant as a subtle test, so Bryan could see whether she reflexively came to her father’s defense when he was insulted. When they were on the road together, she had insisted that she was not aligned with his mad schemes and violent intentions. Now that they had arrived, and her defenses might have lowered a bit, it seemed a good time to more fully determine what side she might be on.
But she simply shrugged. “ye may well have a point. He is a man of limited vision, tae be sure. Perhaps if he were able to read the wondrous volumes collected here, he might not find it quite so necessary tae wage war against ye, or the other clans.”
“Does he scheme against other clans as well?” Again, Bryan did his best to appear nonchalant, as though he was making idle conversation with her.
Katherine shook her head. “He used tae, but now he focuses almost entirely on the undoing of the Oliphants. Romilly’s capture might have had something tae do with that.”
“Would ye say he is more invested in seeing her safely returned, or in avenging himself upon us for capturing her in the first place?”
She gave him a faint half-smile. “Do ye mean tae ask whether his desire tae see the fall of the Oliphant Clan is greater than his concern for his own children’s safety? Is that it?”
Bryan felt as though he had overstepped, and was embarrassed. He cast his eyes downward, grinning awkwardly. “I suppose I meant something like that, aye.”
“From the way ye speak and think of us, one would almost believe we McGregors were naught but a pack of bloodthirsty ogres squatting in caves.”
She giggled, and the sound tickled Bryan’s ears like the delicate tinkling of wind chimes. It was a sound he found that he adored, and felt he might enjoy getting used to if afforded the opportunity.
“Not at all,” he harrumphed uncomfortably. “But ye are clearly a formidable lot, and not tae be underestimated or trifled with.”
“Which is why ye have resorted tae such a desperate measure, is that it?” she challenged. “Kidnapping Laird Angus’s other daughter? Sends a powerful message, does it not? ‘Submit, or we shall end yer bloodline for good and all?’”
“This implies that we would kill ye in cold blood. As I have said, that is not in our nature.”
“Nay, ye would merely hold us both indefinitely,” she retorted.
She was toying with him, that much was obvious. However, he knew there was more to it than that as well; she was probing him, trying to determine the most likely outcome for herself and her sister.
He supposed he could hardly blame her for that. If he had been captured by an enemy, he would naturally be doing all he could to learn about their intentions and capabilities as well, so that he might gain the upper hand.
Was that her intention here? Did she intend to game him?
Well, he supposed determining that was part of his duty as he understood it. Again, though, he was troubled by the fact that he wanted so badly to believe she was innocuous; that her comments were without guile or strategy.
“I am certain it will nae come tae that,” he said in his most reassuring voice. “Laird Angus may not be known for being even-tempered or reasonable, but even he will nae abandon both of his children when they need him tae come tae his senses.”
“Will he not?” she teased. “It sounds as though ye are more familiar with his temperament than I am.”
“Doyebelieve he will remain obstinate in this circumstance?” Bryan prodded. “And if so, is that not all the more reason for ye tae come tae our side and assist us in ending this peacefully, no matter what it may take?”
“Ye make a good point,” she conceded. “Then again, I only just arrived here less than an hour ago. Perhaps a better tactic might be tae wait for the gravity of my current situation tae set in more fully, before plying me in such an obvious fashion?”
Bryan’s embarrassment grew deeper. “Forgive me, my lady. I am nae a spy, a jailer, nor an interrogator by nature, and as such, the subtleties of these occupations escape me. As the captain of the guard, my duties are generally far more straightforward.”
“Make sure none passes through the gates who would do harm tae the Oliphants, and bravely lead yer soldiers into battle?” Clearly, she was having fun with him.
He found he didn’t mind too much. Her amusement was delightful to him, even if it was at his expense.
“Aye, that’s the long and the short of it,” he admitted.
“Then one might observe that snatching a young lady off the road and transporting her back tae the castle would generally likewise fall outside yer purview.”
“Ye are correct once again. I was assigned the task because Laird Alex felt my penchant for stealth, and my willingness tae do whatever it takes tae complete the tasks assigned tae me, made me more than suitable for that particular errand.”
“It seems he was correct, at that,” she observed. “Now ye have been sent tae watch over me? Tae make sure I behave myself? Perhaps even tae observe me closely enough tae learn where my true loyalties lie?”
