Page 65 of Married to her Kilted Enemy

But they did not, and she soon realized they were exiting the castle through a hidden gate. Minutes later, she was thrown to the ground, and her hands and feet were roughly tied with rope. The breath was knocked from her lungs as she was slung over the back of a horse. Her captor mounted next to her, and Maddison gasped for breath, painfully jolted with every stride the animal took as the men galloped away, in what direction, she could not tell. She realized with horror that only once person could be behind the kidnap, Rollo.

Inwardly, she cursed her stupidity in falling for the ruse. But Rollo had been clever in telling her to bring the guards. He had given her, and Tadgh too, a false sense of security.

Facing an uncertain future, she could only fervently pray that Odhrán would do as he had promised and come and save her from what she feared could be a fate worse than death.

CHAPTER THIRTY

When Tadgh knocked and walked in, Odhrán looked up from the map spread out on the desk that he and Liam were examining. When their eyes met, the smile on the big warrior’s face changed immediately to a look of puzzlement.

“What are ye doin’ here, Odhrán? Are ye nae supposed tae be meetin’ Maddison in the gardens?” Tadgh asked.

Odhrán frowned. “What? What are ye talkin’ about, man?”

“Ye sent a message tae tell her tae meet ye at the end of the gardens, that ye hada surprise planned for her. I’ve just sent two guards tae escort her there nae but ten minutes ago.”

Icy fear gripped Odhrán as he realized what must have happened. Without hesitation or stopping to explain, he shouted, “Come on!” He grabbed his sword belt and was buckling it on when he ran from the room, quickly followed by Liam and Tadgh.

“What have I done Braither?” Tadgh asked as they raced down the hallway after Odhrán.

“There was nae message, nae meetin’. ’Tis a trap,” Liam told him.

“Ye mean…?”

“Aye, ’tis Rollo’s doin’.”

“Jesus!” Tadgh exclaimed, clearly horrified at being duped and putting Maddison in danger.

“Come on, hurry, we might just get there in time tae save her,” his brother urged him, speeding up. The brothers sprinted after Odhrán, who was already through the keep doors and flying across the courtyard towards the gardens. He headed for the far end, where he and Maddison had burned the book just a few nights ago, knowing it was the perfect place for an ambush.

His belly was churning with fear as he ran into the arbor, quickly joined by the brothers.

“Search the place,” he yelled urgently, scanning all around, hunting between the bushes, desperately hoping she was still there, that he was in time. But all that was there were the two slain bodies of the guards.

He ran over to them and immediately saw that a note was pinned to one of the dead man’s chests by a dagger. He ripped the note off and quickly read it, his hands shaking.

“Rollo has her,” he spat, feeling as if he was about to throw up. “He wants the lairdship in exchange fer Maddison’s life. He says that if I ever want tae see her alive again, then I’m tae meet him in three days’ time, at the burned oak, by an abandoned cottage near his castle,” he told the brothers. “He wants me tae sign over the lairdship tae him.”

“The bastard! But ye cannae dae that, Odhrán! ’Tis yer legacy,” Liam protested, clearly aghast.

“D’ye think I care about that when Maddison’s in danger? I care more fer her than I dae the lairdship. He can have it!” Odhrán shouted.

“That’s madness, ye’re surely just nae gonnae give it tae him on a plate?” Tadgh argued.

“That’s exactly what I’m gonnae dae,” Odhrán said bitterly, murderously furious with his cousin’s success in fooling him yet again.

“He’s a devious swine, makin’ sure tae tell her tae take guards with her,” Liam put in angrily.

“I’m so sorry, Odhrán,” Tadgh said. “I feel responsible fer bein’ duped like that. I never suspected a thing!

“’Tis nae yer fault, man. If nae fer ye, I would nae have kent fer hours that she’d been taken,” Odhrán told him. “Rollo’s tae blame fer this, nae anyone else, the filthy dog!” His mind in turmoil, he tried to think what to do next.

“What are we gonnae dae?” Tadgh asked.

“We have tae get back tae the castle and alert the council at once. They’ll nae agree tae givin’ in tae Rollo’s blackmail,” Liam said.

Odhrán looked at him in disbelief. “Are ye mad, man? They’ll never agree tae me meetin’ with Rollo tae get her back,” he shouted. “I’m nae tellin’ them a thing, and neither are ye two.” He panted with a mixture of panic and fury.

“I’m still the laird here, and I’ll tell ye what’s gonnae happen. Ye’re tae handpick a few men, men who ken how tae keep their mouths shut. We’ll be leavin’ at dawn in three days’ time. Ye’re all gonnae come with me tae this cottage, and anyone who breathes a word of this tae the council will have tae answer tae me. I intend tae give Rollo what he wants and bring Maddison home safe.”