Page 10 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

CHAPTER THREE

“The bastard,” Odhrán hissed. “’Tis another reason nae tae feel guilty about killin’ the monster.”

“I’m sorry, Braither,” Liam said, getting up and embracing Tadhg. “I understand how hard all this must have been fer ye now. Ye had nae choice but tae go.”

Tadhg hugged him back, relieved to get the truth out after so many years of carrying it around like a dead weight.

“But hold on,” Odhrán put in. “When Alana came before the delegation earlier today, she obviously had nae clue of her connection tae John MacIver. But ye’ve been back for six months already. How come ye havenae told her in all that time?” he asked.

Tadhg shrugged helplessly. “I’ve tried many times, but she’s stubborn and willnae give me the chance tae explain. She holds a grudge for me runnin’ out on her. She says I broke her heart, and she’s never gonnae let me close enough tae dae it again. She refuses tae listen tae me. She hardly even talks tae me and says I have naethin’ tae say that she wants tae hear.”

“Then why, fer the Wee Man’s sake, did ye agree tae accompany her on this journey tae the MacIver lands when it means ye’ll be goin’ right back intae the heart of the problem?” Liam asked, clearly concerned for him.

“I ken it, but what else can I dae? Neither of ye can go, and ye’re the only people I trust tae keep her safe other than me.”

“Ah, I see now why ye told the delegation ye’re her husband,” Odhrán put in. “This alliance Thurston mentioned, tae dae with John MacIver’s abduction, ye suspect that means they likely want tae use her in some strategic marriage, presumably tae win John MacIver’s freedom. By pretendin’ tae be wed, ye were protectin’ her from that possibility.”

“Aye,” Tadhg admitted. “I had a hard time convincing her of that but I think she understands now. We’re leavin’ in the morning.”

“Well, I wish ye good luck, me friend,” Odhrán said, getting up and pouring them all another dram. “I think ye’re gonnae need it. I am sorry fer the part me faither played in all this, although nothin’ surprises me anymore. I wish I had kenned afore but ye can count on me fer any help I can give. I will dae me best tae make me faither’s wrongs right, me friend.”

Early the next morning, when Alana got to the stables, Tadhg was already there waiting for her. His own stallion and a sturdy mare called Iona had been saddled, and she found him standing and holding the horses’ reins in the courtyard.

Greeting her without warmth, he took the bag she had brought along containing her clean linen and a few carefully chosen gowns and secured it to the horse. She had packed as little as possible, not expecting to be gone more than a few days. She mounted her mare and waited for Tadhg while he made last minute checks.

“Right, let’s go,” he said finally, swinging himself into his saddle. She followed him out of the castle gates and onto the road heading south, toward MacIver lands, a good day’s ride away if the weather stayed fine.

They rode in silence at first. Alana was very confused about the situation, and she didn’t feel like talking to anyone, least of all Tadhg. In fact, she resented the fact she was stuck with him, even though she trusted him to protect her. Worse than that, they were supposed to be man and wife!

Mercifully, he didn’t seem to feel like talking either. That left her to her own thoughts, which soon returned to the subject of her possible connection to Laird John MacIver. She wondered why her father had never tried to find her before if he knew she existed. It could only have been because he had no interest in her, she decided. But now, it seemed that his life could depend upon her.

But why should I help him when he abandoned me and Maither? The thought nagged at her, until she could not help but speak to Tadhg.

“D’ye really think the MacIvers will want me tae marry someone tae get the laird back?” she asked, glancing at him.

He nodded, his face serious. “Aye, I’m certain. ’Tis the only reason they would have gone tae so much trouble tae find ye. Ask yersel’, what else are laird’s daughters good fer but makin’ strategic alliances through marriage?”

“But ’tis madness! I’ve never even met John MacIver. He’s naethin’ tae me, and I’m naethin’ tae him, fer he obviously didnae care about me until he thought I could be of use tae him,” she said, letting her resentment show.

“I wouldnae worry about it too much,” Tadhg told her. “They’ll nae get far with that plan anyway since they think we’re married. They likely hoped ye’d still be a maid, pure and chaste. That’s why they wanted to use ye tae make this supposed alliance and free the Laird.

Alana scoffed. “Well, they must be disappointed. Too bad fer them I have already been wedded once, so I’m nae pure anyway.”

Tadhg scowled at her. “Did ye have tae mention that?” he asked irritably. “Are ye tryin’ tae make me feel bad?”

“Why should I nae mention him? Sloan was me husband. He loved me, and he was there fer me when ye were nae tae be found anywhere,” she reminded him sharply.

“I still dinnae want tae hear about it.”

“Ach, ye’re nae jealous, are ye?” she asked, her temper rising. What a nerve he has!

“I’m nae jealous. I just have nae wish tae hear how wonderful this Sloan was compared tae me.”

“Well, he would never have proposed tae me and then deserted me the way ye did.”

“Ach, and ye loved him dearly, I suppose, did ye?”

Alana fell silent for a moment at that. Then, feeling rather wistful, she said, “He deserved me love, fer sure, but I was too broken hearted over ye tae love him, more’s the pity. He was a good, steady man, and he looked after me well.”