Page 46 of Never Kiss a Highlander

Archie and Gilbert, the Clan Chief, stood in the bailey as Finn and his group arrived.

“I would have yer weapons,” The Sinclair said.

“And I would have my wife,” Finn responded.

“Yer wife is safe. She is being treated well. But The Mackay and I need to talk and negotiate now.”

Finn walked forward and drew his sword. “I will see my wife now.”

All the warriors in the keep, both Sinclairs and Mackays, drew their swords.

The Sinclair held up his hand. “There will be no fighting. The Mackay and I need to talk. I suggest ye settle yerselves at the table in our keep, and our maids will bring ye food and drink. Yer guards can stay here in the bailey.”

Finn shook his head. “There will be no talks until my wife is brought down here.”

Archie and one of his brothers looked at each other in a way that had Finn’s muscles cramping. “I doona care how many guards ye have, if she is no’ presented forthwith, I will remove one of yer heads before ye take another breath.”

Archie stepped up and Finn pulled his sword out again. “Yer wife was healthy when we brought her here, but it appears she has taken ill.”

Finn roared and jumped on Archie, taking him to the ground. James and Albert pulled him off and The Sinclair shouted, “Our healer says she is suffering from an ague.”

“Take me to her,” Finn growled.

The Sinclair nodded at another son.

“Follow me, Mackay,” he said. The man turned and walked toward the staircase. Finn followed. Then, allowing for the fact that this could be a setup, he turned back to where The Mackay, James and Albert stood. “James, come with us.”

The man joined them and the three climbed the stairs. They strode down the corridor and stopped in front of a bedchamber door. “She is in there.”

Finn nodded, unlocked the door, and stepped into the room. Alison was lying in a bed and appeared to be sleeping. There was a young maid with her.

She looked peaceful and didn’t appear to have any injuries. He walked to the bed and sat on the mattress, dipping it so she rolled toward him.

She slowly opened her eyes. “Finn,” she sighed, reaching out for him. “I kenned ye would come for me.”

Chapter Twenty

Alison had just been dreaming about the man sitting on her bed. She felt so sick and hadn’t been out of bed since they’d arrived. The little bit of food she’d eaten had come right back up when she retired to the room.

“How long have I been here?” she asked.

“About two days. We received a message from Laird Sinclair only hours after ye were discovered missing.”

She folded her hands under her head. “I’m sorry I went for my ride by myself when ye told me no’ to.”

“About that. I am disappointed that ye put yerself in danger, but it seems it was all planned.”

Alison frowned. “What do ye mean?”

“There was a small fire started in one of our outlying villages. We had no idea how bad it was until we got there. ‘Twas verra small, no stealing, no killing, no injuries. As happy as I was no’ to see suffering, it seemed odd to me.”

“A way to make me go by myself,” she said. “Apparently there are those who kenned that I doona do as ye ask.”

He nodded. “Aye, I am afraid so.”

A small tear drifted down her face. “I won’t ever do that again. I ken ye have my safety in mind, and no’ just controlling me.”

She’d had time to think while lying in bed feeling sick. For a while she’d had a fever, but presently she felt cooler.