Page 6 of The Highlander's Pirate Bride

With a swift move she brought up her hand clutching the heavy rod and slammed it onto the man’s head. There was a faint crunching sound as the ebony hit home, his head flew back and he uttered a harsh cry. His hands fell away from her and he crumpled to the floor at her feet.

In a flash she was kneeling beside him feeling for his pulse, his heartbeat. His heart was reacting to the blow, its rhythm a trifle unsteady. But its beat was strong and she had no doubt he would suffer little more than a ferocious ache when he regained his senses. A trickle of blood issued from the back of his head where she’d struck him and, for half a jolt of time, she felt what might have been a pang of remorse. But this was quickly displaced by the satisfaction of having accomplished what she’d set out to do.

Her mission to capture Everard MacNeil had gone even more smoothly than she could have hoped. Except for her loss of composure at the inn and her reckless challenge to the impertinent sod, her plan had worked seamlessly.

She was getting to her feet when two others, a lass and a sturdy lad, slipped into the cabin. Smiling broadly the lass hastened to her side. “Ye’ve done it. Now we have our prisoner. Well done, Captain. Everard MacNeil is an important chief and ye’re nae the only one who would make a prisoner of such a man.” Her voice softened. “Yer faither would be proud of ye.”

Aileen brushed her skirt down, still somewhat dazed by the speed and ease of her victory.

“I appreciate yer words, me dear Finn, and I thank ye fer being by me side as ye have been since me braither’s murder. I could ask fer nay more trustworthy a pair than ye and yon Séamus.”

Finn turned to Séamus and gave him a wink. “Even if dear Sea is an Irishman.”

This brought an amused grunt from Séamus, who was already on the floor beside Everard, shackling his ankles and arms with stout chains.

“He might try. But he’ll have the devil’s job escaping these chains.” He unlaced Everard’s cloak and handed it to Finn. “Here, this is a fine piece of wool plaid tae keep ye warm through this icy winter.”

He unfastened the pouch Everard wore at his waist and placed it in Finn’s waiting hand. Then he pulled Everard’s sword from its scabbard and took the dirk from his belt. “He’ll have nay need of his weapons.”

While Everard slumbered, his three captors seated themselves at the table.

Séamus took out a flagon from the locker, poured three pots of whisky and passed them around.

“Slàinte Mhath.” He raised his tankard. “Here’s to our continued good health.”

Finn glanced uneasily at their prisoner. He lay prone, his arms and ankles held fast. She gave a slight shiver. “I’m nae so certain about this one. He looks a lot like trouble to me.”

Séamus shook his head. “Dinna fash lassie. He’s nae match fer us.” He dismissed the possibility without a second thought and turned his glance up to Aileen.

“What now, Captain? Dae we forge ahead to Castle Dunrobin tae deliver the prisoner to Sutherland? Or dae we deal with those slave traders we hold below, bound and tied beside the sleeping oarsmen? Should we rid ourselves of the scum before we continue in the morning?

Aileen sipped the whisky as she pondered Séamus’s question. They’d captured the three men when they’d overtaken a larger cog carrying furs and grain from the east.

The ship was also carrying slaves. Fair-skinned women from beyond the Caucus Mountains, bound for the Ottoman harems in the city of Edirne. They had freed the slaves, who had been grateful for their sudden unexpected luck, but now Aileen had to decide the fate of their loathsome slave traders.

She considered this. They’d taken the traders’ cog and all its bounty and her men had sailed it back to Dunrobin. Now the fate of the three captives rested with her. She felt nothing for them. As far as she was concerned the slavers were beneath contempt,their cruel trade condemning innocents to a life of unspeakable hardship.

“I ken ye hate the way these men sully the innocent, nae caring a fig for the pain and suffering they cause, all in the name of money and greed.”

Aileen snapped her fingers. Finn was right. These men had no right to live. If they were released, they would find their way back and resume their evil trade. Although there were many to step into their shoes, she had the chance to rid the world of a tiny part of its wickedness.

She shook her head, an icy calm descending over her.

“Once we’re at sea, we’ll toss them over the side.” In the chill waters of the North Sea there was little chance of survival beyond a few minutes. “Theirs would be my fate should our situations be reversed. I’m under nay illusion.”

Séamus cast a sideways glance at Finn who was regarding Aileen with a concerned frown.

“’Tis nay true, Aileen. Ye’ve a heart as big as...” He spread his arms to indicate distance.

Aileen grunted. “But nae big enough to spare the cruel and the wicked.”

“Aye. As ye say. It shall be done.”

There was nothing further to be said and Finn exhaled. The moment was over. “And then?”

Aileen gestured at their captive’s slumped form. “Then we deliver our prize to Sutherland. I daresay he’ll have a smidgen of gratitude for a job well done.”

Picking up Everard’s pouch from the table, Séamus loosened the tie. A small number of coins dropped out and he scooped them up. Then he extracted a folded piece of parchment.

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