Page 46 of The Cursed Highland Bride

“Ye are nae leaving them, my lady. Ye are giving them their best chance at survival.”

“As soon as Morgan knows that we are gone, he will suspect that I have told you all the truth. He will take action.”

“Then we must tell him a believable tale,” Ewan proposed. “One o’ us must return tae the Morgan stronghold and inform Laird Morgan o’ a reason why our laird needed tae return home.”

“My father always used to say that the best lies resemble the truth,” Katarina murmured, the thought of her father bringing a fresh wave of pain.

“Yer faither was a wise man,” Ewan acknowledged in respect. “We will tell them that we came tae the loch tae bathe, as his men will nae doubt have already told him that. We will tell him that we were attacked and that our laird was wounded.”

“And what will you say when he asks why our wounded laird was not brought to his castle for healing?”

Bran stepped forward. “We will say that we were cut off from the castle and forced tae flee north. I will tell him that I alone was able tae return tae inform him o’ the battle.”

“You will be placing your life at great risk,” Katarina reminded him. “Morgan may kill you.”

“He cannae kill me without risking his plan tae murder our laird being exposed. We will use his cunning against himself.”

“I will go with you,” Katarina stated, determination punctuating her every word.

“Ye cannae, my lady. The risk is too great.”

“Morgan is the only person who knows where my sisters are.”

“We will find them,” Ewan reassured her.

“I will find August’s spy within the castle. Perhaps he will ken where yer sisters are,” Bran offered. He met her eyes in a gesture of reassurance. “If I can ascertain where yer sisters have been hidden away, I will.” Turning to Ewan, the two warriors clasped hands to forearms. “Take her home tae our laird, even if ye must do so with her tied tae the back o’ yer horse.”

Ewan smiled at his friend. “God be with ye.”

“And ye.” Mounting his horse, Bran rode away toward the Morgan stronghold.

“I cannot leave,” Katarina whispered in despair.

“Ye must, my lady. It is the only way. I dinnae wish tae force ye tae go, but I will if I must.” There was true regret in Ewan’s eyes as he said the words.

“If my sisters die, then so shall I.”

“Then we must make certain that they dinnae.” And with those words hanging in the air between them, Ewan picked Katarina up by the waist and hefted her up onto his horse. Climbing up behind her, he urged the horse north to safety, to home, and to Dunn.

* * *

Dunn awoke in pain. He looked around to find himself in the comfort of his own bedchamber. “What happened? Where is Katarina?” he asked Tor, who was sitting by his bedside.

“Do ye remember the attack?”

“I do,” Dunn nodded.

“Ye were wounded and needed care. Ye nearly died on the journey home.”

“Where is Katarina?” Dunn repeated, his agitation coming through in his tone.

“She did nae return with us. She remained behind tae search for her sisters.”

“Ye left her behind!? Are ye mad, Tor?”

“I had nae choice, brother. Ye were dying, and she refused tae come with me. I did nae have the time to persuade her tae see reason when yer life was in grave danger o’ being lost.”

“Ye left her alone on Morgan lands!?”