For hours he contemplated revenge, and soon the empty wine flask lay in his lap. But his anger kept him sober. He devised countless ways to make an unwanted wife suffer. And‑sweetest revenge‑he would not kill Dugald Fergusson, but take him prisoner and daily report to him the abuse of his daughter. Too bad it could not be the favorite daughter.
Jamie’s anger buzzed around him. He could not remember ever feeling so frustrated. Even when his first marriage was arranged for him, he had not really felt trapped. He had not wanted the Mackintosh girl. She had been a bonny lass, but a stranger. His father had wanted the match, and so it was done. He would not even have considered disobeying his father’s wish. Afterward, both father and son greatly regretted the marriage. Instead of an alliance, they made fresh enemies, for the Mackintosh laird blamed them for his daughter’s death.
The creaking of the trapdoor signaled that Jamie was to have more company. He was too incensed to speak to the laird again. “If that’s you, Fergusson, I’ll thank you to leave me be. I’m no’ finished yet devising all the ways I’ll be making your daughter suffer when she’s my wife.”
Jamie heard a gasp and leaned forward to try to see into the opening. “If that’s no’ you, old man, then who?”
“ “Tis me.”
“Who is me?” Jamie growled.
“Niall Fergusson.”
“Is it now?” Jamie sneered, leaning back against the hard wall. “The very lad who keeps his word for but a few hours? Come to gloat, have you, over your fooling The MacKinnion into believing there was honor in your oath?”
“I didna mean to betray you,” Niall said in a weak, frightened voice.
“Now you insult me with lies. There is no half measure in a betrayal.”
“But I told only my sister,” Niall protested. “She would have kept the secret.”
“Then the bitch‑“
“Dinna call her that!” Niall cut him off with such fury that he surprised both of them. After a moment, with more control, he said, “She told no one. ‘Twas another sister who overheard me in the telling and ran to my father. I couldna stop her. But I dinna disclaim the responsibility. The fault was mine. ‘Tis why I risked corning here again‑to tell you how sorry I am.”
“You canna be as sorry as I, lad,” Jamie said bitterly. “And I swear if I had my hands around your neck at this moment, you’d see how I repay those who betray me.”
Niall’s breath came with difficulty, as if those very hands were indeed about his neck. “What did my father say to make you so angry?”
“Dinna jabber now and pretend you’ve no idea!” Jamie hissed.
“But he didna tell me. He’s no’ happy that I kept your identity from him.”
“Then let me have the honor of telling you we’ll be brothers‑in‑law ‘afore long,” Jamie said with heavy sarcasm.
“I dinna believe you!” Niall replied raggedly. “He wouldna give her to you. She’s his favorite.”
Jamie’s brows narrowed thoughtfully. “You dinna like the idea of my marrying your sister?”
“Why should you?”
“Because your father willna let me out of this hole until I do.”
Niall sucked in his breath. “But your clan will come.”
“He intends to hold them off by threatening my life. He has it all planned. Your father has made certain I will marry your sister.”
“But she’d rather die than marry you,” Niall groaned.
Jamie laughed. It was obvious that the father’s favorite was also the son’s. Let him think his beloved sister was the one Jamie was to marry. He deserved to suffer, if only for a short while.
“She will indeed wish for death once she is mine . . . but I’ll make sure she lives,” Jamie said ominously.
“You wouldna really hurt her, would you?”
“Aye, I would. For ‘tis forced I am to marry her, and I dinna like being forced.”
“But ‘tis no’ her fault,” Niall insisted. “She has no say in this, either!”
“Your father is no’ considering that, so I willna, either,” Jamie said darkly.
Such vindictiveness was beyond Niall, and he was getting more and more frightened. “You have no’ seen my sister, MacKinnion. She is a rare beauty. Truly, you would be pleased to have her for your wife.”
“Lad, you dinna ken,” Jamie replied coldly. “It doesna matter if she is the most bonny lass in all of Scotland, she’s her father’s daughter, and I’ll make her suffer for being that. After I wed her and take her home with me, she’ll never leave my castle. She’ll be locked in a tower forever. I’ll visit her twice a day, once to beat her and once to rape her. That is the life she will live.”
There was only silence, and after a while Jamie said, “You’ve naught to say, Niall Fergusson?”
“If I thought you’d really treat my sister so, I’d have to kill you.”
Jamie laughed. “You’re welcome to try, if you like. But you ken you’ll be cutting your own throat and your sister’s and even your whole family’s. You won’t kill The MacKinnion and live long enough to tell about it.”
The trapdoor slammed shut. Jamie’s mouth tightened in a snarl. Taunting the boy had not relieved his smoldering rage.
Before an hour had passed, the trapdoor opened again, and Niall poked his head over the opening. Jamie shrugged. He had known the boy wouldn’t keep the story to himself. He was too frightened.
“So you’ve confronted your father, have you?”
“Nay. ‘Twill do no good to try to change his mind. And I told you, he’s no’ happy with me right now. He’d no’ listen to me one way or the other.”
Jamie relaxed. The boy had not come back to call him a liar. He still didn’t know the sister he feared for was safe from Jamie.
“So what has brought you here again, lad?” he asked.
“I canna face my sister tomorrow, knowing what I know,” Niall said miserably. “I canna bear it that she’ll be suffering. You’ve confirmed what she already believed about you. ‘Tis why she’d rather die than go to you.”
“You think I’ll let another wife of mine kill herself?” Jamie snapped. “She’ll no’ die. I’ll see to that!”
“I wonder which is better,” Niall responded brokenly.
“You’ve a lot to learn, lad,” Jamie sneered. “Where there’s life, there’s hope.”
“You dinna give me much hope,” Niall said, but plunged ahead anyway. “I’ve come to plead with you no’ to hurt my sister for what was none of her doing. Please.”
Jamie was touched. The boy had courage. And he loved his sister.
“You listen to me, lad, and listen well. I’ve no sympathy for this sister of yours. ‘Tis your father you’ll have to plead with. I’ve no choice in this matter, not really.”
“You’re wrong. You could treat her fairly if you wanted to.”
“But I don’t want to. Why should I? I’m naught but a savage, remember?”
“Then I canna let you wed her.”
“If you’ve a way to stop it, lad, you have my gratitude.” Jamie gave the promise lightly, for he was past hope, and he couldn’t take the boy very seriously.
“I’ll let you go,” Niall stated after a pause.
“What’s that?”
“I’ll let you go,” Niall said firmly. “ ‘Tis the only way. You’ll be gone, and she’ll be safe from you.”
Jamie jumped up. He could hardly contain his sudden excitement. “Are you serious, lad?”
“Did I no’ say it?”
“When?”
“Now, while the tower sleeps.”
Without further ado, the ladder came sliding through the opening. But it stopped just short of Jamie’s outstretched hand, then snapped back several feet.
Jamie was beside himself with disappointment. “ ‘Tis a cruel game you’re playing, lad?”
“Nay,” Niall assured him. “But I’m remembering what you said about getting your hands around my neck. You’ll no’ kill me
when you’re free, will you?”
Jamie laughed. “You’re no’ to fear, lad. If you get me out of this tower, you’ll have my friendship for life.”
The ladder slid all the way down, and Jamie climbed it quickly, stiff though he was. The boy was gullible to believe him, yet Jamie had meant what he said. If he could safely escape Tower Esk, he’d owe the lad, and he wouldn’t forget that.
“Och, but you’re bigger than you seemed,” Niall said, awed, when The MacKinnion was standing next to him.
“And you’re as wee as I supposed,” Jamie grunted. Now that he was out of the dungeon, he wanted to get away. “If you’ll just show me where the stable is‑“
“Nay, you canna go there!” Niall gasped, already regretting his decision. “Men sleep in there. You’ll be discovered, and I will have risked all for naught.”
“I’ll no’ be leaving without my horse, lad. But dinna fear. I’ll kill no one unless I have to. I’m out of that hole, and I’ll no’ be put back in it.”
“But the alarm will be given.”
“It doesna matter, lad. Once on my horse, they’ll never catch me. Ah, lad, you worry over minor things,” Jamie said as he started moving through the storage area toward the stable. “I’ve told you I’ll no’ be caught.”
Niall was right behind him. “ ‘Tis myself I fear for, MacKinnion,” he admitted reluctantly. “You’ll be gone‑but I’ll be left here to take the blame.”
Jamie turned around sharply, and Niall nearly ran into him. “You’re welcome to come with me, lad.”
“I’m no’ a traitor!” Niall said, aghast. “What I did I did for my sister’s safety. Otherwise, I’d no’ have let you go.”
“I know that,” Jamie said softly. “And, in fairness, there’s something I must tell you. Your oldest sister, she wasna‑“
Jamie didn’t have a chance to finish his confession because light appeared on the stairs nearby, and Niall pulled him back between two large casks of meal.
“Niall,” a girl’s voice called out. “Niall, if you’re down there, answer me. Niall!”
“Who is it?” Jamie whispered.
“My sister. She probably went to my room and found me gone, so she’s looking for me.”
Jamie straightened from his crouched position. “I think I’d like to see the lass who warrants such devotion.”
“Nay!” Niall panicked and held on to Jamie’s arm for dear life. “She’ll scream if she sees you. She’ll give you away ‘afore you even reach the courtyard. You’ll be trapped down here, and without a weapon.”
“I suppose,” Jamie relented. “And now that you mention a weapon, I’ll be needing one.”
“I’ll no’ help you there, MacKinnion. ‘Twould be helping you kill my kin. That I canna do.”
“Aye, you’ve done enough. I’ll make do.” Jamie had seen a board he could make use of once the way was clear to mount the stairs.
But the light on the stairs was still there. The girl didn’t call again, however, and after several moments, the light dimmed, but only a little. Then there was another voice at the top of the stairs, and Jamie steeled himself.
“What do you here at this hour?”
Jamie heard Niall groan.
“And who is that?”
“My cousin William.”
“Will he come down here?”
“I dinna know. Shh!”
“Well, cousin?” The man spoke again.
“I was. . . ‘tis none of your affair, Willie!” the girl snapped.
“Gone down for a peek at your future husband, eh?” William chuckled.
“I’d no’ go near him, and you know it well.”
“No,” William conceded, but added spitefully, “you’ll be seeing him soon enough‑when you wed him.”
“You’re a bastard, and no mistake, William MacAfee!” the girl hissed. “Let me pass.”
“You still didna answer. What were you doing out here?” William’s tone was sharp.
“I couldna sleep. I went for a walk.”
“Sure you werena trysting with MacDonough ‘afore the betrothal’s broken?”
“If I was, that is none of your affair! Many things are none of your affair!”
The light moved away, but it was several minutes before the man’s footsteps moved away, as well. “Your sister doesna like her cousin, eh?”
“Nor do I,” Niall replied bitterly. “ ‘Twas his idea she be given to you, and for spite. He wanted her for himself, you see, but she wouldna have him. The arrangement with you was only for spite.”
“And The MacDonough’s here? Your cousin said she might be trysting with him. Would she?”
“She wouldna do that!” Niall replied indignantly. “She doesna even know her betrothed. But aye, he’s here. He came this evening.”
“You know I have a treaty with Sir Alasdair,”
Jamie chuckled. “If he’s here, he’ll no doubt be blamed for setting me free.”
“You think so?” Niall asked, hopeful for the first time.
“Aye. Your father would naturally suspect a MacDonough ‘afore a Fergusson.”
“But The MacDonough doesna know you’re here.”
“He could have overheard talk. Cheer up, lad. And dinna take the blame unless you have to.”
Jamie picked up the board, and Niall led the way to the courtyard and pointed out the stable and gatehouse. “They should all be asleep,” Niall whispered.
“You’d best be off to bed yourself, lad. If the alarm is given, you dinna want to be found outside your own room. I just hope they won’t know I’m missing till morning.”
“I’ll no’ see you again then, will I?” Niall said regretfully.
“Nay, lad, ‘tis doubtful we’ll meet again. You’re a brave one, Niall Fergusson, and no mistake. I won’t forget you.”
“And you’re a mean one, James MacKinnion,” Niall returned with a grin. “I won’t forget you, either. You wouldna have made me a good brother‑in‑law, but you’re a fine enemy.”
“Or perhaps a friend,” Jamie said, and tousled the boy’s dark red hair. “I meant what I said about that. But I’m off now. Truly, I hope you dinna suffer for my freedom.”
“Maybe I willna have to. As you said, The MacDonough is here and will be suspected. My sister doesna want to marry him anyway, so I’ll no’ mind if he takes the blame.”
Jamie laughed. “Always you have your sister in your thoughts. And I never even learned her name.”
“If my father didna tell you, I’ll no’ do so. Good‑bye to you, and Godspeed, MacKinnion.”
Chapter 8
SHEENA woke later than usual, for which she blamed her midnight search for her brother. The sun was already peeking through her tiny window as she dressed and hurried to Niall’s room. He was still abed.
It took several hard shakes to stir him, and even then he groaned but wouldn’t open his eyes. Sheena was not daunted.
“Come on now, little brother.” She shook him again.
“Och, Sheena, leave me be,” he grumbled. “I didna get much sleep.”
“I want to know why,” she said sharply, remembering her fear when she couldn’t find him in the middle of the night. “I came here last night to talk to „ you, but you were gone. Where were you, Niall?”
He didn’t answer. He had fallen back to sleep. Impatient, she slapped his backside, none too gently.
“Where were you, Niall?”
“I canna tell you, Sheena,” he mumbled. “Truly, you dinna want to know.”
She frowned. And then a chill raced through her. Where else would he have been that she wouldn’t want to know about but with The MacKinnion?
“Och, Niall, I pray you’re no’ found out,” she whispered, but he wasn’t listening.
She left him to his sleep. The hall was nearly empty. Only one servant was there, looking at the half‑eaten breakfasts scattered over the tables. Sheena viewed the cold bannocks and barely touched bowls of porridge and cream, and her
uneasy feeling deepened.
“What is going on, Alice?” she asked the servant. “Where are my father and his men?”
“ ‘Tis what I’d like to be knowing, lass,” Alice replied testily. “There was a to‑do in the courtyard, and the bailie came running in to see your father. Then everyone ran out of here.”
Sheena headed for the small courtyard, but before she reached the doors, Margaret and Elspeth stepped through them, blocking her way.
“So there you are.” Margaret took her usual disagreeable tone. “Where were you during all the fuss?”
“I only just came down,” said Sheena. “What has happened?”
“You havena heard?” Elspeth gasped. “The MacKinnion escaped. Father’s no’ said so yet, but of course The MacDonough helped him. Who else?”
“This better no’ break your betrothal, Sheena,” Margaret added coldly. “I’ll no’ stand to have my wedding delayed any longer. Nor will Gilbert.”
They left Sheena without noticing her reaction. She was standing stock‑still, and her whole body tingled from a rushing of blood, as if it were flowing right out of her. Alasdair hadn’t known The MacKinnion was there, so Alasdair couldn’t have released him. Oh, Niall, Niall, what have you done? Sheena cried silently.
She didn’t have to ask him. Somehow, she knew her brother had let The MacKinnion go. But why? She took a deep breath, steadying herself against the doorway. She knew the answer. It was William’s threat and her father’s decision. Rather than let her wed the cruel enemy, Niall had released him.
Astonishment and fear turned to relief, and Sheena wanted to rush upstairs and shower her brother with grateful kisses. She need no longer fear the savage Highlander! Just possibly, The MacDonough would be blamed, and she wouldn’t have to wed him, either.
She was smiling happily when the hall began to crowd and she met her father’s frowning countenance.
“Why are you so happy? There’s naught to be cheerful about,” Dugald said coldly.
“I’m glad he’s gone.” Sheena wasn’t afraid to admit that much. “You would have wed me to him, and I’d never have forgiven you for it.”