Page 74 of The Cursed Highland Bride

Dunn snorted. “Sorrow my eye.”

The tone of the letter then changed from friendly commiseration to a royal command. Dunn was to deliver the Laird Alistair Morgan to the king with all haste. Furthermore, he and Tor were to report to the king, as an appropriate match had been made for his brother.

Dunn shook his head. “Tor will nae be pleased.”

Leaving the battlements, he made his way back down the stairs and out of the gates where Tor was training to regain the strength in his dislocated arm. “Brother,” Tor greeted, tossing Dunn a wooden sword.

Dunn caught it midair and took up a fighting stance across from his brother. “I received a letter from the king’s regent today on behalf of the king.”

“Oh?” Tor questioned, his brow raised in concern. “Are we tae be having the king take everything we have left? Or is it our lives that he wants?”

“I dinnae ken for certain, but it would appear nae.” Dunn paused to consider his next words carefully. “I am tae deliver Alistair Morgan tae the king in Edinburgh with all haste.”

“Och, aye? Do ye plan tae adhere tae this command?”

“For the sake o’ our people, I do.” Dunn nodded.

“Then I will be by yer side,” Tor promised.

“I am glad tae hear that, as the king has commanded that ye join me.”

Tor lowered his sword and frowned. “Why would he do such a thing? Is it for my part in the battle tae take Morgan from his stronghold?”

Dunn cleared his throat and lowered his own sword. “How are ye feeling about marriage these days?”

Tor’s brows shot up in surprise. “Away with ye! He would nae!”

“He would,” Dunn nodded in confirmation. “He claims tae have found the perfect bride for ye.”

“Who?”

“I dinnae ken, but from the tone o’ his letter, it did nae sound like a request.”

“This is revenge for yer marrying Katarina.” Tor scowled in frustration at the interference in his life.

“I can only assume that it is. He did nae get me tae wed whom he wished, so he will wed ye tae some lass whose faither can keep control o’ ye, and through ye keep control o’ me.”

Tor snorted. “He does nae ken ye at all.”

Dunn shook his head. “He kens that we would do anything for one another. That is enough.”

Tor shook his head in frustration. “The king’s regent should nae be making these choices for us. We should be making the choices that best benefit our people.”

“I agree, but that is nae the reality o’ our situation. As ye well ken, we are held responsible for the actions o’ others whether in our family or nae.” The thought of all that Alistair Morgan had done to them hung in the silence between them. “Fair or nae, it is our lot tae bear.”

Tor closed his eyes and sighed. “When do we leave?”

Dunn’s heart went out to him. Not everyone was as fortunate as Dunn had been in acquiring a bride. He laid a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “As soon as possible.”

“Who do ye wish tae take with us?”

“The king has asked tae meet my new bride, as he wishes tae hear her testimony. Anyone who bore witness tae Alistair Morgan’s crimes must also bear witness.”

Tor nodded. “I will speak with Ewan. He will ken who tae gather for the journey.”

“When ye do, tell him that Andrew lives and is being held tae ensure that we obey the king’s summons. Once we have turned over Morgan tae the crown, Andrew will be returned tae us.”

Tor nodded, relief spreading across his face. “Morgan has much tae answer for.”