Page 102 of Claimed Highland Brides

“I can’t do that! It’s not part of my dowry.”

Angus got to his feet. “Well then, we’ll just have tae kill young Lady Maegan.”

Delwyn reached out and grabbed his shirt. “Wait!”

Angus smiled, sitting back down. “Aye?”

“Please, take the gold. I can get you more.”

Angus shook his head regretfully. “We dinnae want more. We want it all.”

Delwyn put his hands in his hair, almost pulling it out by the roots. “And how do you expect me to get that?”

“’Tis no my problem.”

“Can we come to some compromise? Surely there must be something you want that I can give you.”

Angus leaned back on the bench and looked at him. “We want the mine.”

Delwyn shook his head. “I can’t give you that.”

“That is truly unfortunate.” Delwyn heard the voice from behind him but before he could turn, something hit the back of his head and he tipped over, his head banging on the table before his body slipped to the ground. Angus watched him fall and then looked up at Neacel.

“Now wha’?”

“Now…we send another ransom note. This one, tae the man’s bride.”

Angus laughed. “Oh, ye are a diabolical one are ye no?”

Neacel gave him a cold smile. “I do what I have tae, tae get wha’ I want.”

“And the lassie? What do we do wi’ her?”

“Put her brother in wi’ her. They can keep each other company before they die.”

Angus nodded before turning towards the publican. “Package here to be kept upstairs,” he called. Within minutes, two men appeared to drag Delwyn up to the attic, where his sister was still sulking.

* * *

Jamesina woke up with the all-pervading urge to cast up her accounts. She rushed to her chamber pot just in time to upend the little bit of food she’d managed to keep down. It had been a week since Delwyn left and she had barely managed to eat a full meal. She truly could not afford to lose any of it. Last night, Daividh had come back from his hunting expedition. She supposed that Fiona had told him of Delwyn’s abscondment because he’d been glaring all through dinner and acting particularly gentle towards her.

She was ashamed to find that deep inside, she was jealous of Fiona. She had a husband who wanted her for herself and not her dowry. A husband who cared not only for her, but her entire family.

Why couldn’t I find that too? What is wrong with me?

She suppressed a sob, having vowed that she would not cry over the Sassenach. Her stomach heaved again and she spat miserably into her chamber pot before waiting to see if anything else would come up. Thankfully, the feeling of nausea had died down and she was able to straighten up, cross to the basin, and pour herself some water.

Now that she had cast up her accounts, she felt quite hungry.

Perhaps I can eat after all.

* * *

Delwyn’s eyes opened slowly, to a dim and blurry world, and he blinked a few times, attempting to bring it into focus. A face entered his vision and he squinted, trying to see who it was.

“Delwyn? Are you awake now?”

He jerked in surprise, recognizing Maegan’s voice. “Ma’g’n,” he murmured with difficulty.