Page 4 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

“Looked like ye two were havin’ a moment back there,” Liam said good-humoredly.

“Ye could say that,” Tadhg admitted, “I’ll tell ye about it later when we’re all together at dinner.”

Liam grinned. “I cannae wait tae hear what it is. But tell me, why this urgency tae speak tae the Laird? Rather ye than me, Braither. The man grows more unpredictable every day.”

“Aye, ’tis true he seems tae enjoy his reputation of bein’ a bastard,” Tadhg agreed grimly, deliberately avoiding answering the question.

“So, are ye gonnae tell me or what?” Liam persisted, clearly curious as they approached the doors of the castle keep.

Tadhg let out a sigh. “’Tis nae that I dinnae want tae tell ye, but trust me when I say I cannae right now, nae until I’ve talked tae the Laird.”

“Fair enough,” Liam told him, “but just remember, whatever it is, I’ve got yer back, all right?”

“Thanks, Braither, that’s good tae ken.”

They stopped by the keep doors. “Well, I have work tae dae, so I’ll leave ye here,” Liam told him. “Good luck with the bastard.”

“I might need it. I’ll see ye at dinner,” Tadhg replied, dreading the forthcoming interview. The brothers parted, Liam heading to his office in the gatehouse, while Tadhg went inside the keep and took the hallway leading to Laird Lennox’s study. He was not a man who was easily scared, but the Laird always made Tadhg feel uneasy. Arriving at the study door, he braced himself for the meeting before knocking.

Murphy Lennox was alone, seated behind his enormous desk, which was covered with parchments and books. He was writing something and looked up as Tadhg entered, fixing his scout with his cold, gray stare. He was a tall, burly man with the powerful physique of a hardened warrior. His dark hair was cut short and streaked with white, and his face and hands bore the traces of the many battles he had had fought.

He put down his quill ad leaned back in his seat, a carved, box-like structure

that was more like a throne than an ordinary chair. “Ah, ’tis ye. So, ye’ve returned from yer mission at last, I see,” he said gruffly in his usual cold manner. He did not invite Tadhg to sit but kept him standing, as if to impress upon him that he was facing his superior. “I trust ye’re bringing me the important information I asked fer from the MacIver lands, which’ll soon belong tae me,” he added with a triumphant smile devoid of warmth. “I need tae plan me attack on MacIver, so let’s hear it. What have ye found out?”

Tadhg’s wished he did not have to report back what he had found out because it affected the woman he loved and meant to marry. Besides that, he saw no reason to attack the MacIver clan, but Laird Lennox seemed to have an insatiable desire to expand his power. Now, he had set his sights on destroying Laird MacIver and his family and taking over the clan and all their considerable assets for himself.

“I found out that yer suspicions were correct,” Tadhg began. “I managed tae find proof that Ella was indeed Laird John MacIver’s mistress.”

The laird gave another grim smile. “I thought as much. So, how come she ended up here, askin’ me fer sanctuary all those years ago?” he asked curiously.

“It seems Laird MacIver’s wife, the Lady Skye, found out Ella was carryin’ his child. Unbeknownst tae him, she had Ella run off with threats tae have her and her bairn killed if she ever came back,” Tadhg explained, hating himself for telling the tyrant what he wanted to hear when he knew he should be telling Alana all this.

Instead, he had been forced to keep it from her, praying she would never find out about it or that he had known about since his return from the mission. If she did, he feared she would see it as a betrayal and want nothing more to do with him. It was yet another reason to hate Lennox.

The laird rubbed his hands together, looking pleased. “So, the lassie Ella spawned, even though she’s illegitimate, is none other than John MacIver’s only living heir, eh?”

“Aye,” Tadhg agreed reluctantly. “Alana is his heir. But how does that serve ye?”

The laird looked at him sharply, his smile vanishing. “That’s me business, man, nae yers. Let’s just say that when ye want somethin’ from somebody, it never hurts tae have a bit of leverage up yer sleeve.”

The man’s devious air chilled Tadhg to the bone. He feared that by placing this information about Alana’s origins in his hands, he might use it as a weapon that could put her in danger. He had no idea what the laird meant when he talked about ‘leverage,’ but whatever it was, he did not like it one bit. Lennox was certainly ruthless enough to use Alana as a pawn in his games of conquest.

“So, MacIver has nay idea he has a living daughter, his true heir by blood?”

“None, as far as I could tell.” Tadhg shook his head. “He’s declared his adopted son Blaine MacIver as his heir.”

“Good.” The laird scrutinized Tadhg’s face. “Have ye mentioned this tae anyone else?”

“Nae. I wanted tae be sure the information was correct before I reported back tae ye,” Tadhg replied.

“And now ye’re certain ’tis correct?”

“Aye, I’m certain.”

“Then I’ll make sure ye keep it that way. I dinnae want MacIver or this Blaine findin’ out about Alana’s existence. As it stands, only ye and me ken that the lassie, whether born out of wedlock or nae, is the true heir, which means she could legally lay claim tae the clan. Especially if Blaine is out of the picture.”

“But why—” Tadhg began, growing more fearful by the moment about what this could mean for Alana.

But the Laird held up a horny hand to stop him and fixed him with a menacing look. “I cannae risk me plans getting ruined, man. I want ye tae get yer stuff and clear out of here before nightfall. And dinnae come back.”

Tadhg was confused. “What? Ye’re sayin’ I have tae leave the castle?”

“Are ye deaf? Did I nae just tell ye I want ye gone by nightfall?” Lennox asked coldly, glaring back at him. “I dinnae need ye tae go blabbin’ tae yer lover or her maither, or anyone else fer that matter.”

“But—” Tadhg began, unable to believe what was happening. But again, he was cut off.

“And if ye dinnae dae as I say and leave here for good, then I’ll have the lassie hanged. A dead heir will suit me well enough too, so dinnae question me. Now, get out.”