Chapter Seventeen
“The poor creature!”Miran couldna believe the condition of the woman Kai had just described. “They keep her in a state of undress to maintain control over her?”
“Aye.” He refilled her cup with wine. They were eating together in her tent, her maids just outside. “And if her mother doesn’t marry the man called Igor, I fear she will be raped and killed.”
The bite of bread she’d just swallowed stuck in her throat. It felt as if she’d swallowed a stone. How could anyone be so cruel? So coldhearted? “These men are soulless.”
“Tis why I offered her a place with us.”
“If ye hadn’t,” she said, “I would have insisted on it.”
“Another reason we belong together,” Kai said as his mouth narrowed with a grimace. “We often think alike.”
Perhaps, but he wouldna appreciate what she was about to say. “I would like to accompany Colin tonight.”
Kai shot up from his stool and started pacing. “Nay.”
“Can ye no’ make an exception this one time?”
His brows furrowed. “Tis not the time to challenge me, Miran.”
She sighed and set her trencher aside. “I am no’ helpless.”
His mirthless chuckle discomfited her. “I never believed you to be. But I am expected to keep you safe—even from yourself if necessary.”
She crossed her arms. “She will need comforting.”
“Aye. And when she’s safely in our custody, you are welcome to see to her needs.”
Why did he always underestimate her skills? Or think she dinna have the sense to take care of herself? She stared at him and frowned.
Kai ran a hand through his hair. “I value your opinion, Miran, and appreciate your need to help rescue her.”
“Ye do?”
“Aye.”
“Thank ye.” At least he understood her need to help. “When will Colin leave?”
“After everyone is asleep. He does not need to draw attention to himself, not in camp or in the village. It could take hours, for the girl did not tell us whether she could escape or not.”
Still, Miran wished to be there, to provide open arms and encouragement for the lass. Though she’d never been abused or denied the basic comforts in life, she’d experienced the bite of fear and loneliness. And leaving her mam… Miran would never do it. She’d suffer through anything to have her mother again. Maybe the lass wouldna show up as Kai seemed to think she would.
“Can ye rescue her mother?”
Kai raised his arms. “I do not know.”
He’d always had answers for her. The situation must be grimmer than he’d described. “Have ye told me everything?”
He shook his head. “I told you everything you need to know.”
She’d leave it at that, for she could see how deeply the conditions at the village affected him. The fact there weren’t enough warriors to overrun the village, kill the offenders, and set the women and children free, would no’ sit well with Kai. A man of decisive action, driven by bravery and honor, she knew he’d find a way to return with a full regiment in the near future. Jamie would probably join him. Pirates couldna be permitted to live freely in the Highlands.
“Let me get ye more fish or bread,” she offered, walking to his side. “Ye hardly touched yer food.”
“I am not hungry.”
“Ye must eat to keep yer strength up.”
