Page 34 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

“What do ye want?” she hissed. “Who are ye?”

“They’ll catch ye,” Liam said; instead of answering her questions. “It’s nae verra clever of ye to try and leave like this.”

In the darkness, he could hardly see the woman’s hooded face but he could feel her gaze regardless. “I dinnae have a choice. I must leave right noo.”

“Why?” Liam asked. “What’s the rush?”

The woman didn’t respond. She tried to step aside and walk by him but Liam was quick to stop her.

“I dinnae mean ye any harm, truly,” he said. “I dinnae even ken ye. I just ken that they will catch ye and if ye’re a servant, as I think ye are, they will punish ye.”

The woman hesitated but after a moment, she pulled down her hood, revealing her face. Even in the half-light of the moon, Liam could see the bruise on the side of her face.

“I’m bein’ punished anyway,” she said. “I doubt that anythin’ those men will do to me will be worse than what the laird does. To me. To all of us. I’d rather take me chances.”

Liam had suspected Laird Macleod before even setting foot in Lewis, but having it all confirmed was a shock. His mouth dropped open as he examined the bruise, his chest tightening in sympathy for the woman. It was one of the few times in his life when he wished he had been wrong.

“The laird did this?” he asked. The woman nodded slowly. “He hurts ye often?”

“He hurts all of us often,” she scoffed. “The lasses, especially. Some are hit, others are whipped. Those he takes to his bed have it the worst and there’s many of them.”

Liam gritted his teeth with such force that it pained him. His head swam with the revelation and his hands began to tremble. Macleod was a monster. How could he let Muriel marry him and live in complete misery by his side?

“Will ye let me go?” the woman asked; her tone pleading. “I’m beggin’ ye. I cannae stay here another moment.”

“It’s nae safe for ye to go noo,” Liam said. “Do ye trust me?”

“Nae. Should I?” she asked. “I dinnae even ken who ye are.”

“Ah… Liam Russell McAlpine,” he said. “I am one of the men who brought Miss McNeil here.”

“Oh, I see. Poor lass. I doubt that her fate will be any different to ours. If anythin’, it’ll be worse for her. We can take turns servin’ him, but she… she willnae have a moment of peace.”

Liam wouldn’t let that happen to Muriel. One way or another, he would help her. He would do whatever it took. But first, he had to help this girl.

“I’ll help ye escape,” he promised her. “The morrow. If ye wait until then, I can help ye.”

She seemed to consider her options for a moment, glancing between Liam and the guards. Finally, she nodded. “I’ll wait for ye by the kitchens. If ye dinnae help me, I’ll leave anyway but I’ll wait and see if yer as good as yer word.”

She was gone, slipping back into the darkness, leaving Liam to panic over his predicament. He had repeatedly refused to assist Muriel, knowing what it would mean for him and his clan. If he took her away, he would endanger everyone. It would potentially spark a war between the clans.

But it didn’t matter. He had made up his mind already. He couldn’t stand to think that Muriel would suffer at the hand of Macleod.

I’ll take her away with me. I’ll keep her safe.

But first, he had to track down Lucas and inform him of everything he had just discovered. Liam returned to the keep, where he found Lucas and the rest of them exactly where he had left them. He forced another forced smile at Laird Macleod before placing a hand on Lucas' shoulder and leaning in close to whisper in his ear.

“We must speak,” he said. “Follow me outside.”

“I’ve had it with ye all!” Lucas said suddenly; slamming his hands on the table. His ruddy face still smiling even as he yelled. “I’m goin’ to relieve meself and when I’m back, ye better be talkin’ about somethin’ a wee bit more entertainin’.”

Despite the fact that Liam knew Lucas wasn't drunk, the man stumbled to the door. "I should keep an eye on him," he told the group, who shooed him away in understanding, and rushed after Lucas, only to find him perfectly sober right outside.

He puts on quite a performance.

“What is it, lad?” Lucas asked, concerned.

“Muriel’s in danger,” Liam said. “I met… I met this servant lass; she was tryin’ to escape because of how Macleod treats her. Ye should have seen her, Lucas; she had a bruise on her cheek. I havenae seen warriors with such bruises.”