Page 43 of Scot of Seduction

“Nay, we have nae choice.” Tad stood, looking down upon the elderly man that had spoken. “We will go, and we will bring her back again.”

“Ye have nay heir!” the elderly man suddenly cried, his voice quivering. He stood from his seat, leaning heavily upon a walking stick. “If ye die, what becomes of this clan then? Hmm? Yer first loyalty is tae the people of this clan.”

“The people of this clan dinnae expect me to hide behind a woman tae save me own skin,” Tad said with disgust. “As fer me heir, that is Ilyssa, me sister. The line continues with her. Meeting adjourned.” With these final words, Tad swept away from the table.

He burst from the room, so much anger in his stride that he ate up the distance between him and the study fast. His footsteps were so loud too, he hadn’t even noticed that Bran had followed him, not until they were in his study together.

“Curious,” Bran murmured as he leaned upon the door, looking quite exhausted as his eyes slid shut. “Ye would die fer her, eh?”

“Ye ken I would.”

“I didnae ken that. I dae now.” Bran opened his eyes again, sighing as he stepped off the door. He rubbed the bruises on his face and moved toward Tad. “I cannae believe I am about tae say this, but…” His eyes met Tad’s. “If we all live through this, ye have me blessing, Tad.”

It was so sudden, such a shock that Tad dropped down into the seat beside his desk, the wind taken out of him.

“I dae?”

“Aye, ye dae.” Bran smiled sadly. “Any man willing tae die fer her is worthy of her. Well, that’s what I think at least. Whether the rest of me braithers give ye their blessing, is another matter.”

“Thanks,” Tad said drily, though it was not something that mattered now. All he could think of was how the hell he was going to get Catreena back.

Catreena’s eyelids felt heavy. It was a hard thing to open her eyes at all, though when she eventually managed it, she scrambled to sit up. She could feel something trickling down the back of her head. It was warm, most likely her own blood. She also felt a little hazy, not completely able to focus on what was around her.

Focus, Catreena. Where are ye?

She blinked, remembering the strike to her head when they had been attacked on the road. After, there had been nothing.

Turning her head back and forth, she soon saw why it was so difficult to move anywhere. She was tied up in what appeared to be a hunting croft. The stone walls were damp with moss and mold at this time of year, the window practically frosted on the inside. Sat on the cold hard floor, her hands had been bound with rope to an iron loop fastened to a hearth where a fire poker usually stood. There was no fire today.

“Ye are awake at last.”

The sharp voice made her flick her head around again. She moved so sharply that the wound at the back of her head ached. She stiffened, her gaze focusing enough to see that at the far end of the room, Cillian Grant sat on a stool.

He stared at her, his eyes unblinking, with a dirk balanced precariously in the palm of his hand.

“Why am I here?” she managed to utter, her mouth dry, for she had not drank anything in hours.

Slowly, he stood and moved toward her. He crouched down and she backed up as far as she could, pressing herself into the cold stone hearth.

“Ilyssa wouldnae marry me. I need a bride… an heir.” His eyes traveled down her. “Who better than the woman who spoiled me plans last time? Who saw what she wasnae supposed tae see?” He lowered his head an inch toward her.

Disgusted, Catreena spat at him. It was surprisingly violent, and he flinched back. His hand raised swiftly and slapped her across the cheek, but she did not give him the satisfaction of yelping in pain. She turned her head swiftly upward again, meeting his gaze.

“Me Laird?” a voice called from the door.

Catreena stiffened. It seemed that Cillian still had men who were loyal to him, those happy to think of him as a laird.

“They’re here, the braither and the dear family friend.”

Cillian’s eyes darkened at his soldier’s news.

Catreena tried to pull at the ropes around her wrists, begging silently for freedom, but it was no use. The ropes were fixed fast.

She swallowed around a sudden lump in her throat.

“Show them in,” Cillian said and took a step away. The soldier exited through the door.

Catreena didn’t give up pulling at the ropes, even with Cillian watching her attempt to do so. She didn’t even care if he thought her pathetic, all she wanted was to keep fighting.