Page 315 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Nay. She must come from an educated family to be able to comprehend the book. Most likely nobility.”

Iain reached for his ale. “Aye,” he agreed before finishing it off.

“I think I see now,” Thomas said in a thoughtful tone. “You saw her reading this and decided you must have the woman who possessed such a fine

mind. Hmm.”

“Would you quit saying that,” Iain rumbled.

“What?”

“Hmm. You sound like a damn physician about to advise I call a priest for the last rites.”

“Ah, forgive me, mon ami. It is the French in me.

You know we are very contemplative.”

“What you are is very annoying.”

“You must admit, it is rather remarkable,” Thomas said, openly ignoring his irritation. “I have never known you to be concerned with a woman's mind.” His head tilted in an exaggerated fashion. “Do you wish to study Hypatia’s commentaries? Is that why you took her?”

“Do not be ridiculous. I had no idea what she was reading. Although, I was curious what held her attention. She was oblivious to our presence.”

“Ahh,” Thomas said, as if all had become clear.

“I am going tomorrow to pay a visit to our new allies,” Iain said. “I have something for them.”

Thomas’s mood sobered. “Our friend out there.

What happened?”

“He kidnapped the lass.”

“Mother of God. Did he harm her?”

“They,” Iain corrected. “There were two of them, and I do not think so.”

“You are not certain?”

“Fairly certain,” Iain replied. “There was little time. Though it would not take much.” His jaw tightened, and he threw out a curt order for another ale. “They took…liberties.”

A picture of the lass held like a rag doll by her would-be rapist jumped forward from where it hovered like a parasite on the edge of his mind. Once again, Iain considered keeping the bastard and watching him die a death that spanned several days.

“Not a fine way to begin. She is well?” Thomas asked.

“They gave her a scare,” Iain replied. “Skittish,” he added.

“You killed the other?”

“Aye, he was the one who had his hands on her at the time.”

“How did you discover what was happening?”

“She managed a cry for help.”

Thomas leaned back in his chair and whistled through his teeth.

“They would have had her if not for that,” Iain said.