Page 16 of Seduction in a Kilt

CHAPTER SIX

“Ye can sit down,” Knox began, gesturing at an armchair near the hearth. Ivy slowly approached it and sat on the edge of the seat, watching them both closely with her dark, red-rimmed eyes. “Ye’ll be pleased tae learn that we now ken ye’re nae a spy fer Carson MacAlister,” Knox went on.

“Well, I told ye that all along,” she said, warming her hands at the fire.

“Aye, ye did, but now we have proof of it.”

That got her attention. “What proof?” she asked, her eyes flying to Knox’s face.

“A wee bird flew in here and told us that ye’re nae MacAlister’s spy. Ye’re his sister.”

She gasped in obvious shock, her eyes wide, her hand flying to her lips.

“Aye, yer braither and the man ye left at the altar want ye back it seems.”

“They’ve been here lookin’ fer me?” she asked, her face even paler than before. She looked almost green, as though she might be sick.

“They sent a man tae ask if we’d seen ye. I dinnae think they’re very happy with ye runnin’ out on them like that, on the day of yer weddin’ and all.”

She sat upright. “And did ye tell them I was here?” she asked trying desperately to hide her emotions, but Liam could see her anxiety peeking.

“Nay. Nay profit in that fer me and me clan.”

She sagged with what appeared to be relief. “So, now ye ken I’m nae a spy fer me braither, will ye let me go?” She gave Liam a pleading look that made his heart ache for her.

“I’m thinkin’ about it,” Knox told her, “but we’d like tae hear yer side of the story first.” He sat down in a chair opposite her, his elbows on his knees as he leaned towards her. Liam remained standing, leaning on the mantel nearby.

“What de ye wantae ken?” she asked.

“Everythin’,” Knox replied.

“Very well. Me name is Ivy MacAlister. Amy was me maid back at me braither’s castle. I took her name tae hide me true identity from ye. Me braither arranged a marriage fer me tae his best friend, Laird Gael Hamilton. I refused tae wed the vile man, he’s a cruel brute. But Carson just laughed and told me it didnae matter what I wanted, I was nae more than a gaming piece tae him. The only value I had fer him as his sister was tae make me part of a treaty he was makin’ with Gael that would bring him more power. That’s all he cares about.

“So, I had nay choice about what was gonnae happen tae me, but I kent that bein’ married tae Gael would be a fate worse than death. The weddin’ was fixed fer yesterday mornin’. Me and me maid Amy planned a desperate escape.”

She described the plan in detail up to when they had caught her trying to steal Liam’s horse. “Ye ken the rest,” she finished, subsiding into the chair, looking defeated.

“Well, I’m very sorry tae tell ye, Ivy, that yer escape bid has failed,” Knox said.

“What d’ye mean? I thought ye’d let me go now ye ken I’m nay spy,” she cried, her smooth, white brow creased with anxiety.

“Unfortunately, yer braither was right when he told ye that ye have value as a gamin’ piece. I wouldnae have put it so bluntly mesel’, but ’tis true, nonetheless. Ye see, yer braither and his pal Hamilton have been threatenin’ tae attack me clan, kill me, and take over. Me friend Liam is here is a skilled war captain. He’s here tae train up me army tae defend against yer clan,” Knox explained not unkindly.

Liam felt terrible. He could see Ivy was starting to shake, and he figured she likely guessed where the conversation was going.

“Now ye ken I’m his sister, ye intend tae use me as a bargainin’ chip, I suppose,” she said in a wavering voice. “Ye’re gonnae negotiate fer peace with Carson and use me return tae him and Gael tae seal the arrangement.” It was not a question but a statement.

“Sad as I feel sayin’ it, that’s it exactly,” Knox confirmed.

Liam’s heart clenched painfully once more at the look of naked terror on her beautiful features, admiring the way she somehow kept her composure as she spoke.

“Ye dinnae understand the situation. That’ll nae work. Ye see, Carson is me braither, aye, but he despises me. He always has. He disnae care a whit whether I’m dead or alive. The only reason he’s lookin’ tae get me back is because me weddin’ tae Gael is politically important tae him.”

“I dinnae blame ye fer tryin’ tae make us believe he daesnae care about ye. In yer position, I’d dae the same. But I dinnae believe it. D’ye believe it, Liam?”

Liam had to shake his head. “Nay.” The look she shot him was a like a dagger in his chest.

“So, the plan is tae write tae yer braither and make arrangements fer an exchange, yer return fer me peace.”