Page 59 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

When they arrived at the council chamber, everyone else was already there, including Blaine.

“How are ye both? What a terrible ordeal fer ye tae have tae go through,” he greeted them as soon as they entered the council chamber. “I’m very sorry it happened on me watch.” He looked at Tadhg’s battered face with what looked like sympathy. But Alana did not believe it for a minute.

“I’m just about recovered,” she replied, “thanks tae yer heroic rescue, Blaine. But poor Tadhg here,” she placed her hand on her husband’s arm and looked up at him solicitously, “he was brutalized by some uncouth monster who found it amusin’ tae cause pain.”

“Aye, I ken. The man’s name was Andrew Lawrence apparently. A very bad man, the chief of a band of vicious brigands who prey on travelers around those parts. I killed him mesel’ as we were tryin’ tae get tae ye, and several of his men were killed too.”

“Well, I’m amazed that ye managed it with only two men with ye,” Tadhg put in, earning a sharp glance from Alana. “Ye and yer men are tae be congratulated fer putting up such a courageous fight and winnin’ against the odds.”

“I couldnae let anythin’ happen tae ye while ye’re me guests,” Blaine replied. “What kind of a host would I be then? But I’m truly sorry ye got such a bad a beatin’, Tadhg. Lawrence certainly made a mess of yer face. Me and the council hope yer injuries are nae too bad and will heal soon.”

“Thank ye, Blaine, I appreciate yer concern. And I’m pleased tae hear the villain who inflicted them on me has met justice, though I would have liked tae take me revenge on him mesel’ fer the insult tae me and me dear wife. But I’m grateful fer ye gettin’ us out of there when ye did. Ye came just in time, did he nae, Alana, me love?”

Alana did not have to try to pretend to be upset about Lawrence, if that was his name, threatening to assault her in the worst possible way. The fear came back to her, and tears pressed at the back of her eyes. She got out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.

Blaine’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. “What is it, Alana? What happened?” he asked with what could only be genuine anxiety.

“Ach, she daesnae like tae remember it,” Tadhg told him quietly, enfolding Alana in his arms and stroking her hair tenderly. “There, there, me poor darlin’. ’Tis all over now. Blaine killed the scoundrel, so he can never hurt ye again.”

Behind her hanky, Alana could see Blaine was getting riled up. And when Tadhg leaned over and whispered in his ear, his face went scarlet, and his mouth turned to a snarl.

He turned to her. “Alana, I had nae idea what ye suffered. The bastard! I’ll kill– I’m glad I killed him!” he exclaimed; his fists clenched at his sides.

“Och, ye’re so courageous, Blaine,” she simpered, “and we’re both so grateful, are we nae, Tadhg?”

“We surely are, me lassie. Now, come and sit yersel’ down, eh?”

“Of course, I apologize fer forgettin’ me manners,” Blaine told her, appearing to collect himself. He gestured at the empty seats to his left. “Come and sit down, the both of ye, and we can start the meetin’.”

They took their seats. After Blaine officially opened the meeting, Roger Huston addressed Alana and Tadhg. “The whole council wishes me tae tell ye both how sorry we are fer what ye went through at the hands of those brigands. We’re all very glad tae see ye back safe here today.”

“I thank ye and all the council members fer their good wishes,” Alana told the old advisor gracefully.

“We’d like ye both tae stay here with us until ye decide what ye want tae dae, Lady Alana, and the council can come tae a decision about what action tae take about getting Laird John back safely,” Roger further explained.

“Is there any news about me faither? He’s been gone over a week. Surely, ye ken who has him by now,” Alana said, her concern real, even though she still harbored resentment towards him.

“We’ve heard naethin’,” Blaine cut in. “’Tis very concernin’. I expected tae get a ransom demand by now. Me men are still searchin’ fer him. I’m doin’ all I can.” He looked at Tadhg and added, “I’m very disappointed that Tadgh’s scoutin’ mission ended in failure. I hoped, with his skills, he would have tracked me faither down, but alas, it was nae tae be.” His expression as he finished his speech was one of heartfelt woe.

“Aye, it daesnae look good fer the laird. If whoever took him daesnae want a

ransom then ’tis hard nae tae conclude they had some sort of score tae settle with him. I’m sorry tae say this, Lady Alana, but we fear he may already be dead.”

“Aye, I realize that, but it’s only been a little over a week. There’s still reason tae hope,” Alana replied, feeling a peculiar stab of dread at the idea the laird might have been killed, however she felt about him.

“Thank ye, Alana, that’s what I keep sayin’, but as ye can tell, me advisors are nae so optimistic,” Blaine chimed in vehemently, acting as if his advisors were culpable for the abduction. “But I’m nae prepared tae write me faither off just yet,” he added fiercely.

There were mild protests from some of the councilmen then. After they died down, Roger said, “On behalf of the entire council, Blaine, I can assure ye there’s nae question of givin’ up. In the absence of any news or information, we remain optimistic, but at the same time, we’re just tryin’ tae prepare fer the worst. As things are, however, there appears tae be naethin’ more tae dae than step up the search. We must get more men out there, lookin’ fer the laird.”

“I’m already on that,” Blaine insisted tetchily. “And if ye dinnae mind, I’d like tae get back tae tryin’ tae find me faither. I call an endin’ tae this meetin’. We’ll reconvene tomorrow at the same time if naethin’ happens before then,” he declared.

“What did ye say tae him when ye whispered in his ear?” Alana asked Tadhg after they left the meeting and were out of anyone’s earshot.

“That the man who beat me was about tae rape ye before ye told him who ye are,” he replied.

“Why did ye dae that?” she asked, mildly offended. It was not an experience she wanted others to know about.

“Two reasons. First, I just wanted tae see how he reacted. I wasnae disappointed.”