“I ken this is a matter of honor and peace, and we will do what we can to repair what is broken,” Laird MacCallum continued. Laura strained her neck, hoping to earn his gaze again, yet he kept his focus on Lord Moore. “But at least this is now over. Ye can take yer betrothed and return home.”
“No!” Laura cried, trying to fight against the men holding her arms, but they dug their fingers in, creating more bruises. She planted her feet on the floor and tried to escape them, but she could not fight off two men.
“You will hold your tongue,” Lord Moore turned back to her and said with such venom that she could feel his spittle on her face. When he lifted his hand again as though he would strike her, the Laird’s voice came strongly.
“Lord Moore!” he bellowed, bringing that hand to a sharp stop. “I have made this matter plain. Ye will nae strike a woman in this castle.”
The Earl held her gaze, showing in his expression a silent promise to exact what he deemed a just punishment when they were alone together. Laura shivered in fear at that look.
“I am just glad your son came to his senses,” the Earl looked back to the Laird. “At least he had the good reason to report to me where she was before relations between England and Scotland grew worse.”
What? No! It cannot be. Did Erskine tell him where I was?
“Aye,” Laird MacCallum nodded.
“The matter of the reward,” Lord Moore nodded at the side of the room where a third man in his employment laid down a sack. As it hit the floor, it chinked, showing there were many coins inside. “It is all there, from Sir Hamilton.”
“I daenae wish for the money,” Laird MacCallum folded his arms.
“Then you best give it to Erskine as he reported her whereabouts. I expect it was the reason he changed his mind,” Lord Moore said firmly.
Laura was reeling, unable to stand straight anymore.
“You’re lying,” she said suddenly, earning more surprised looks.
“I told you to hold your tongue,” Lord Moore returned.
“And you are no more the master of me than any other man I have ever met,” she said these words and tussled against the guards’ hold, but still they didn’t relent, practically defying her words.
“Oh really?” The Earl’s dark eyebrows raised in mock shock. “Well, believe me, Laura. I’ll make sure you know just who your master is later.”
Laura felt sick at the words and flicked her head away from him.
“You’re lying about Erskine,” she said, staring at the floor, desperate to believe it.
“It seems my betrothed has an attachment to her abductor,” Lord Moore laughed as he looked back to the Laird. “I would dearly like to thank the man in person for turning her back over to me. Where is he?”
“I daenae ken,” Laird MacCallum shook his head.
“He wouldn’t do this….” Laura said to no one in particular. She was arguing with herself.
“Oh dear, it seems I must set some things straight,” he turned back to her and grabbed her chin again, forcing it so high this time that her neck cricked. “Your abductor sent me a letter telling me of your whereabouts, all to collect the reward.”
“Erskine?”
“Yes,” he said, then released her, making the pain ricochet down her neck and spine.
He betrayed me… I don’t understand.
She slumped in the guards’ hold, no longer having the will to fight them. Everything she had dreamed of over the last few weeks had all been a lie. It seemed when she had thought Erskine was just giving them time to oust the brigands. He was actually giving Lord Moore time to arrive.
“Ye have yer betrothed back,” Laird MacCallum stepped toward Lord Moore, his voice dark. “We will do what we can to repair this, but the greatest injury is now fixed. Ye may take yer betrothed and leave me castle.”
“Gladly,” Lord Moore shot a dark look at the Laird. “Thank you for your hospitality, my Laird,” he said with scorn. “It’s rather cold living in a castle, isn’t it?”
“We Highlanders daenae feel the cold as easily as ye English,” the Laird’s words reminded Laura so much of Erskine that she looked to him.
He was staring back at her, the familiar features that also belonged to Erskine in his face. She couldn’t read his expression, but she knew there were many feelings there. What was clear was his want to be rid of the two of them.
