Page 5 of A Bride for the Kilted Beast

“Ye dinnae havetae state the obvious either, Braither. Ye ken well we have nae proof Lennox was responsible, though the information we’ve gathered while searching fer our sister this last twelvemonth all points that way. That’s why we’re here today, tae try tae find out for sure that Maddison’s alive.

“She’s alive all right,” Ciarán said forcefully. “Is she nae me twin? I’d ken if anything bad had happened tae her.”

“Of course, she’s alive,” Diarmaid assured, convinced despite all he knew of the barbarous Lennoxes that Ciarán must be right. Twins had a special connection, did they nae? They felt each other’s pain. Maddison had to be alive.

“Right. So, what’s the plan when we come across Odhrán, then?” Ciarán asked.

“Draw him into an argument,” Diarmaid said simply. “Ye ken what a hot temper he has. ’T’will be easy tae provoke him, tae get him tae say something tae confirm Maddison’s being held at Castle Lennox. All we have tae dae is say the right things, taunt him into admitting she’s alive, and then get him tae give her back tae us.”

“Ye make it all sound so easy. Odhrán may be hot-tempered, but he’s nae stupid. And he’s in thrall tae that beast of a faither o’ his. He’s nae gonna just let it just slip out that they’re holding Maddison. He kens fine well that if he did, the auld man would have his guts fer garters,” Ciarán pointed out, sounding skeptical.

“Well, aye, that’s true enough, but have ye got a better idea? I cannae see any other way of going about it. And at least, if we succeed in goading him enough tae make something slip about Maddison, we’ll ken she’s alive. It may be enough to convince the other clans tae go up against Lennox and his army. That way, we’ll have a chance of getting her back in one piece,” Diarmaid insisted, though he wished he felt as confident as he made himself sound.

They halted, noticing the crowd of men surrounding them and gathering closer around the dais was thickening, and an air of expectant excitement had developed.

“Keep yer eyes open,” Diarmaid whispered to his braither, glancing around while at the same time trying not to draw attention to them.

“I am,” Ciarán told him, clearly trying to be as unobtrusive as his brother as his eyes also scanned the restless crowd. “There,” he suddenly hissed, gesturing with his eyes to the left of the dais. “’Tis him.”

Diarmaid glanced over in the direction his bother indicated. And standing there, large as life, was the man they sought, Odhrán Lennox.

It seemed like forever to Lillie before the horse finally stopped. Her bones ached, as did her throat from having the gag stuffed in her mouth, and she could see nothing because of the blindfold. Being pulled roughly from the saddle by her captor felt like relief in comparison.

Yet, it was short-lived, as the ropes had bitten cruelly into her wrists and ankles, and she stumbled as the man set her on her feet, unable to support herself. He cursed impatiently, resorting to bodily picking her up and carrying her under his arm.

After a short distance he stopped, and she felt him push at something, then heard a door creaking open. They were clearly entering a building of some sort. She shook with fear, and her heart pounded, as she imagined all the horrible things that could be about to happen to her.

His boots rang loudly on a wooden floor and another door opened. She was deposited on the floor none too gently, gasping in pain as her circulation was slowly being cut off by the ropes.

“There ye are,” he said. “Now, get on with it. There’s nae much time.” Confused, not knowing if he was addressing her, she wondered what was happening when she heard his bootsteps retreat and a nearby door slam.

Suddenly, the gag was gently pulled from her mouth, and she gasped for air as it came away. Then, soft hands fussed at her wrists, mercifully loosening the ropes. As the blood rushed painfully back into her hands, her heart leapt into her throat. Whoever was there, they were undoing her bonds!

Another set of hands began untying her ankles, and finally, she was able to shake the ropes free. Once her hands were released, she snatched away the blindfold and stared about her, blinking in the dim light. She sneezed because of the dust, her eyes adjusting quickly as she rubbed at them.

Two tired looking women in the garb of courtesans stood before her, gazing at her almost pityingly. She cast her eyes about her, seeing they were in a low-ceilinged room lit by lamps. A small fire flickered in the grate but added little warmth to the space. What she figured must be a window was covered with thick drapes, so no daylight entered.

The room was untidy, with a broken-backed bed scattered with clothing and left-over food. The few sticks of furniture as well as the rug on the rough wooden floor were dirty. The scents of sweat and musk assailed her nose.

Turning her eyes back to the women, she asked, “What is this place? Who are ye?”

One of them, a thin girl with dark ringlets and drawn features, gave her an anxious look and put a finger to her lips, pointing to the door. Lillie understood the silencing gesture at once; the men were out there, listening. She had to be quiet.

The two women helped her up, gently guiding her to the other side of the room, where she was mystified to see a bathtub, which appeared to be full of steaming water.

“Come, quickly, ye have tae bathe,” the other women whispered to her. She was shorter than the thin, dark-haired one, with a buxom figure that threatened to spill out of her dress, and untidy blonde hair.

“Why?” Lillie asked, also whispering, pulling away from them. But they held her firmly and undressed her, finally urging her into the water. Knowing the men were just outside made her obey, so she stepped in, wishing she could enjoy the caress of the hot bath. Under the circumstances, it was impossible, and she just sat mutely in the tub while the women washed her with scented oil.

“Please, tell me what is happening,” she pleaded quietly when they finally helped her out and wrapped her in a large cloth, drying her. “Who are these men and what do they want with me?”

“Dae ye really nae ken, lassie?” the blonde one asked.

“Nay. I was shopping at the market when one of them just grabbed me and kidnapped me,” she explained.

“Well, ye’re tae be sold at the auction. ’Tis a vile thing, tae be sure, and it’s happening here, this afternoon.”

“An auction? But isnae that fer⁠—”