“We’ll get her back, Me Laird,” Aiden said quietly.
Fergus mounted his horse, looking down at his man-at-arms—his friend.
“Aye,” he said. “We will. And anyone who stands in our way will die.”
He kicked his horse forward, and his men followed, a wave of warriors riding out to rescue their lady.
Fergus’ heart pounded with every hoofbeat. Every moment that passed was another moment Jeane was in danger.
Hold on, Jeane. I’m comin’. I’m comin’ for ye.
The wagon took off as soon as the man threw Jeane inside, and she had to right herself while the wagon was jostling around.
When she did, she met the steel-blue eyes of her father, who was sitting in the back of the wagon.
“Good to finally see ye again, me Jeane,” he said cordially, and Jeane could have strangled him if she were not so terrified.
She recoiled as he tried to take her hand.
“Where are ye takin’ me?”
Her father smiled. “To the church of course. Ye’re finally goin’ to be married.”
Jeane stiffened, but she had expected he would say something like that. The only reason her father wanted her was to marry her off, to grow his own power and influence.
“I daenae want to be married.”
“I’m way past worryin’ about what yewant, Jeanie.”
“Daenae call me that.”
“And ye daenae think I have the right to give ye a nickname? After all the nights I sat up with ye while ye were unwell.”
Jeane scowled. “It wasnae ye that stayed up with me. It was the maids and the rest of the staff.”
“Mestaff. Without them, ye would have suffered, aye? I kept ye from that fate.”
Jeane stared at him. She could not believe he wanted some kind of credit for raising her, just as any other father should. Yes, he had kept her in fine clothing, taught all the social graces, but she had been neglected in nearly every other way. Abused, even, emotionally and verbally.
“I was never good enough for ye. Why now?” Jeane asked, hoping that keeping him talking would slow time. The wagon continued on, not at a breakneck speed but not slowly, either. All Jeane could think about was Fergus, how he must be frantic, looking for her.
And Lottie. They had been nearly a mile from the castle. It would have taken her at least an hour to get back into her state, maybe more. Despair settled over her like a shroud.
What if Fergus did not come looking for her? What if he had had enough? Lottie and Ian were both doing better. What need did he have of Jeane? What if he did not want to risk his men and the peace of his clan for her sake?
But he had said he wanted her. Wanted to marry her.
Could she trust that, though? Could she trusthim?
Just because she loved him did not mean he loved her back. He had not said it.
“Lord Fraser made me an offer I cannae refuse,” her father said, still giving her a vapid smile that made her shudder.
“Lord Fraser? Ye will marry me off to the most awful man in any clan?” she asked, even though she was not surprised at all.
“He has quite a castle. Our clans will unite, and we’ll have more power, ye see.”
“Is that all ye want out of life?” Jeane asked desperately. “Power?”
