Page 104 of Claimed Highland Brides

“Delwyn, I am not so naïve that I do not know that I was courting scandal when I left with Neacel. He promised to marry me and I was in love. I believed him and after I left I had no choice. He says it’s easier in Scotland. We can be handfast without any need for parental permission or any of those things. He wants to do it because he loves me.”

“He doesn’t love you, Maegan,” Delwyn snapped irritably. “He sold you for ransom.”

Maegan shook her head vigorously, hair flying from side to side. “No! He didn’t.”

“Yes, he did, Sister. Why do you think I am here?”

She pursed her lips and swallowed. “I do not know... Why are you here?”

“I told you, I came to pay your ransom and now he’s holding me for ransom!”

She scoffed. “That doesn’t make sense. Who would pay for you?”

Delwyn shut his eyes, leaning back against the bed as the pain in his heart, that he’d been trying to hold at bay, assailed him in full force. “My wife’s family. At least, the kidnappers think they will.”

“Stop calling him that!”

“That is what HE IS!” Delwyn almost lost control. Something that did not fit his character.

“You do not know him like I do. He is a decent man who loves me!” she did not believe her own words. Her bottom lip started shaking.

Delwyn took a deep breath. “Listen to me now. Whatever the case, we have to escape from here before they return.”

Maegan pouted, crossing her arms. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”