Page 42 of The Cursed Highland Bride

When they arrived at the gates, Morgan soldiers stood at the ready, and it was unclear by their expressions whether they were there to welcome them or kill them. Seeing the Morgan blue of the soldiers’ trews brought the image of what had happened to her parents and grandparents roaring back in vivid clarity. She stiffened against his chest, and he tightened his hold around her. “I will protect ye,” he reassured her.

Katarina wished that she could believe him, but she knew that once he discovered the truth about her, he would not be so protective. “There are some things that even ye cannae protect me from.”

She could feel his confusion in the way that he cocked his head to the side in an attempt to see her face. She did not oblige him. She could not look at him, or he would see everything that she was feeling. When the gates opened, Dunn led his men inside to where Alistair Morgan stood awaiting them at the foot of the stairs. “Daughter,” Alistair greeted Katarina as Dunn lifted her down from the back of his horse.

“Morgan,” Dunn answered before she could. His tone held a warning.

“Dunn,” Morgan practically sneered. He turned to lead them into the great hall. Tables had been set in preparation of their arrival. The smell of food wafted from the kitchens.

Katarina looked all around for any sign of her sisters but found none. She looked into the face of the man that she hated more than any other, looking for answers, but he said nothing as he led them to the raised dais at the other end of the hall. “Sit. Eat. We will talk after ye have rested,” Alistair instructed, motioning for the maids to bring forth the platters of food.

Dunn pulled a chair out for Katarina, then sat down beside her. Tor sat to eat with their men at a lower table but kept a watchful eye on everything that was going on. It was more than clear that none of them would rest easy until they were back home again in Orkney. Alistair sat down in the seat beside Katarina. “Ye have done well,” he murmured for only her ears. “Yer husband is quite taken with ye. His eyes follow ye wherever ye go.”

Katarina frowned, fighting the urge to punch him in the face. “Where are my sisters?” she spoke just as softly for his ears alone.

“They are nearby. Ye may see them in due time.” He must have sensed her rage, for he eased back slightly. “They are safe as long as ye continue tae do as ye are told.”

“And yer true daughter?” She scanned the crowd for a lass that looked similar to herself but found none.

“Hidden.”

Katarina picked at her food, unable to think about anything else but her sisters’ welfare. Her stomach felt unsettled, more so with every passing moment that she sat in Alistair Morgan’s presence. Unable to bear his gaze and breath upon her person, she excused herself with the insinuation that she needed to relieve herself, then left the hall. Descending the stairs, she made her way down to the cells below. As she feared, they were not there. Turning back, she passed the master of arms’ rooms. The door was cracked, and she could hear voices from within. Moving closer, she hoped to hear news of her sisters.

“We will attack once they have retired for the night. Their laird will be separated from his men, as he will be sleeping in one o’ the family bedchambers with the Romani lass passing as the Lady Katherine,” a deep voice was saying.

Katarina’s eyes opened wide in fear. They were talking about Dunn.

“Are we tae capture or kill?” another voice asked. Katarina recognized this voice as Hamish from her time within the cells.

“Kill,” the first voice instructed. “Nae a man or woman is tae be left alive.”

“And what o’ the king and his regent?” Hamish asked.

“We have the crown’s approval. The crown wants Dunn Leòideach and his clan wiped from the face o’ the earth. They are too powerful tae be left breathing.”

Backing away from the door, Katarina raced up the stairs, heart pounding. What am I going to do!? If I tell Dunn and he kills Morgan before I find my sisters, I may never know where they are! If I do not tell Dunn, then he and his men will perish. I cannot allow that! But my sisters… Katarina’s heart felt as if it were being ripped out of her chest. Leonor and Idalia forgive me, but I cannot allow these good people to be slaughtered in their sleep. I will find a way to save you both no matter what happens. I swear it!

Cresting the top of the stairs, she scanned the hall for Dunn and found him standing next to his brother. Walking as calmly as she could, she weaved her way through the assembled crowd to his side. As she walked, she searched for Alistair Morgan to make certain that he would not hear what she was about to say, and she was relieved to see that he was still in his seat upon the dais. Reaching Dunn, she slipped her hand in his to get his attention and leaned up on her toes as if she were going to kiss him on the cheek. To anyone watching, they would appear to be a happily married couple showing one another affection.

Her lips brushed his ear as he leaned down to receive her kiss. “Dinnae change expressions. Make everyone believe that we are holding one another.” He gave her hand a squeeze to let her know that he heard her and would do as instructed. “Ye are nae safe here. The Morgan soldiers are planning an attack once ye and yer men retire for the night. They plan tae kill us all in our beds. They have the approval o’ the crown.”

Dunn gave her hand another squeeze to confirm that he understood. He encircled her waist and drew her closer to him. He looked down into her eyes and lowered his lips to hers. “How do ye ken this, wife?”

“I heard the master o’ arms telling a soldier named Hamish about it.”

Nuzzling his nose against her cheek, he kissed her ear. “Ye risk much in telling me this.”

“I risk everything,” she whispered back, her heart in anguish over what her decision to warn him meant for her sisters. The only way that she was going to be able to save them now was to tell Dunn everything and pray that he would find a way to help her. “We must go.”

“I will think o’ an excuse tae leave the castle. Ye go and embrace my brother in sisterly love. Tell him what ye have told me.”

Katarina obeyed as she turned from Dunn to embrace Tor. “Brother o’ mine,” she greeted with a smile. Tor’s eyes showed confusion, but he allowed her the embrace. She stepped on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek and very quickly told him what she had told Dunn. Katarina felt Tor’s body stiffen in alarm and gave him a quick squeeze in reassurance, then she released him, stepping back into Dunn’s embrace. The brothers exchanged a look of understanding.

“I do believe that ye and the men need a bath, brother,” Dunn spoke for those around them to hear. “Ye have left yer stench upon my wife’s hair.”

Katarina would have laughed had the moment not been a matter of life or death. “There is a loch nae far from here that would serve the purpose well,” she informed them, playing along. “I will show ye where it is.”

“We would be most grateful, my lady,” Tor accepted her offer with grace.