Page 52 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

She glanced at Brodie. Because of the dimness of the room, her eyes were a darker blue. Or was she sending him an interested look? Regardless, her expression brought the past back to life. If she truly didn't remember him, why was she looking at him as she used to? To her, was it like they were meeting for the first time... all over again?

Hellfire.

He turned away and stared out the window into the gloaming, trying to forget the past.

Focusing on the issue at hand, he grew curious about how the elixir would affect her. What if she remembered something in the middle of the night or had another nightmare in which Wilona visited or attacked her?

***

TALNAROCH AND HIS GARRISON rode through the open portcullis of Kincreag Castle that evening.

Chief William MacAuley waited in the bailey, his glare fierce. "Where's my sister?"

"You tell me!" Detesting the lowly chief's disrespectful tone, Talnaroch held his tongue, lest the chief rip up the betrothal contract.

Talnaroch dismounted, then motioned the guard who led Lady Elsea's mare forward. Having ridden all day and seen neither hide nor hair of the wayward wench, he suppressed the fury simmering in his blood.

"Where did you find her horse?" William demanded.

"The willful lady followed me north to one of my castles on the coast, a full day's ride from here. Can you not control your sister?"

William's face reddened, and his jaw clenched.

"I went there to buy horses," Talnaroch added, wanting no suspicions raised about the true purpose. "Lady Elsea said she came along to tell me she was ready to sign the betrothal contract. I was glad for that, at least. I allowed her to eat and rest in one of the bedchambers while I went to look at the horses. When I returned, she was nowhere to be found. Vanished, I tell you! None of my men saw her leave. We found her horse grazing on the moor."

His face blanching, William scowled. "Did someone abduct her?"

"My guards saw no one."

"Mayhap 'twas one of your own guards." William's irate gaze scanned Talnaroch's men.

"Nay, they're all accounted for," he snapped.

"We must find her!"

"Indeed, and I need your help with that. We're all spent from searching for her all night and all day. We're going to Glenhaish to rest."

William gave a sharp nod. "We'll start looking for her immediately."

"I appreciate it. I want my future wife back." Talnaroch mounted. "I'll come by again soon to see if you've found her. If I find her, I'll bring her here."

He and his men rode an hour farther east. Glenhaish Castle sat by a freshwater loch that connected to the ocean, a useful position.

Tired of riding all day, he was glad to dismount in the bailey of Glenhaish. 'Twas another castle in need of repair, but he would soon remedy that, once his fortunes improved. He strode outside the damaged curtain wall, pondering the cost of stonemasons. He ventured down to the dock to inspect the five new galleys he'd recently had built. Walking alongside one, he slid his fingertips over the sleek hull, admiring the craftsmanship. These would allow him to seize more plunder.

Ten selkie wenches were secured in the dungeon here. He would check on them and see if they were being fed and cared for. He must keep them in prime condition.

Chapter 10

Brodie slipped along the shadowy corridor near Elsea's room. As a selkie, he had acute vision in low light. No candlelight glowed beneath the door. She would not bar the door, surely, for the maids needed to come and go.

He paused to listen and leaned against the wall. A voice echoed up from the great hall, but silence reigned close by. All was quiet inside Elsea's chamber. She must be asleep. Maybe the elixir had helped. He could wait out here, but someone might happen by and wonder why he was lurking about.

He did not wish to scare the lass, but he did want to find answers and protect her from the cunning witch.

Thankful he'd had Drury make sure all the door hinges had been oiled, he silently pushed the door open and stepped inside. Wood smoke and lavender scented the air, and the flames in the hearth burned low. Elsea lay on her side in bed, her eyes closed. He listened to her even breathing, determining she was indeed asleep.

Her captivating beauty struck him anew, as it did every time he glimpsed her. Firelight reflected off her hair, the color of moonlight spread upon the pillow. Her long lashes rested above her wan cheeks, and her rosy lips were relaxed and parted in sleep. Why could he not despise the sight of her? Why could his soul not rip free of her?