Page 60 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

“He looked as though he was about tae burst a blood vessel.”

“Aye, he was furious. That told me that he arranged the whole thing, but his hired lackey overreached himself with ye bein’ there, thinkin’ ye were naethin’ but some wee whore I’d bought and paid fer that he could use,” he explained.

“So, ye’re sayin’ Blaine paid that man tae kidnap us and keep us locked up at that horrible inn?”

“Aye. How else would he have kent where tae find us, or even that we were in trouble? ’Tis obvious, and the way he reacted just confirms it.”

“All right. That makes sense. What was the second reason?” Alana asked, reeling a little from Tadhg’s assertion.

“Eh?”

“Ye said there were two reasons why ye told Blaine about the man goin’ tae attack me.”

“Oh, aye, so I did.” He halted them outside the door to their chamber, put his hands lightly on her shoulders, and looked into her eyes, planting a small kiss on her forehead. “The second reason was that if I cannae kill that filthy scum who was about tae attack ye mesel’, the next best thing is tae let Blaine dae it.”

“I’m confused. Did Blaine nae say he killed that man? Lawrence something, he said his name was, a brigand chief,” she replied, frowning.

Tadhg gave a small, mirthless laugh. “That was just a nursery tale, Alana, a sop thrown tae satisfy me pride and put us off the scent. There was nae brigand chief. That man was Blaine’s lackey, and ye can bet he’s goin’ about his business, waitin’ fer his employer tae give him his next job. But now I’ve told Blaine the man was about tae rape ye, ye can be sure the scum willnae live much longer.”

Alana was amazed at his reasoning. “So, ye told him… so he would kill that man… and that would be me revenge?”

“Aye. Revenge fer the insult he did ye. I couldnae allow that tae go unpunished. And also, fer the beatin’ he gave me, of course. But mainly fer ye.”

“Tadhg! How yer mind works sometimes is a mystery tae me,” she exclaimed. “’Tis like a labyrinth. I hardly ken what tae think. I should nae be glad someone is gonnae be killed because of me, but…”

“Exactly. Look at it like this, Alana. ’Tis nae just about revenge. Imagine if it hadnae been ye locked up in that cellar, helpless, tied tae a chair with nae way of escape. What if it hadnae been Lady Alana MacIver? What if it was an ordinary lassie from the village? Or even a lassie forced tae sell her body. It daesnae matter which.” He paused as they mounted the staircase, heading to their chamber, and resumed when they reached their landing.

“The point is, they’d have had nae one tae protect them from that filthy cur, nae hero tae rescue them. Likely, he’d have abused them fer a while as he fancied and then either sold them on or killed them. So, ye see, when Blaine kills him, he willnae ken it, but he’ll be revengin’ ye and every other lassie who has or might have the misfortune tae fall intae that monster’s hands. Because men like that, Alana, they never change. They’re the sum of the earth. By gettin’ rid of him, we’re doin’ the world a favor.”

“Tadhg!” She opened the door to their room.

“Ach, what is it now? I suppose ye’re gonnae tell me off fer wishin’ that bastard dead, are ye?”

She grabbed his arm and pulled him over the threshold. “Nay, I’m gonnae tell ye that I think ye’re wonderful. Now, come in here and let me show ye how much!”