Page 101 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“Two,” Esme corrected. “Dru is your half-sister as well.”

He shook his head and smiled. “Dru can be a handful, but I always wanted siblings.”

“You know where one is. You just have to find the other, not an easy task, I fear. She could have been taken anywhere.”

“Did Ida tell you the name of the man my mum loved?” he asked, slipping his hand around hers as they walked away from the cottage.

“She didn’t know. Your mum kept it a secret fearful he would suffer for loving her.”

“My lord,” Brack called out, rushing toward him.

Ryland stopped. “What is it?”

“We found tracks. A sole rider met with maybe three or four others. I believe Patrick betrayed you. He sent the mercenaries after you and fearing he would be caught, he fled, joining them. Purdom was always a thorn in Clan Glencairn’s side. It is time to remove it for good.”

CHAPTER 28

“He’s angry with you,” Esme whispered, glancing at Brack, a sneer on his face as he cautiously surveyed the woods around them.

“His suspicion grows with every decision I make that is contrary to what Torrance would have done,” Ryland said, too busy scanning the area to waste a glance on Brack.

Esme tightened her hold around his waist. She could feel the tension in him, the way his body had been taut with unease since dawn. They had left the village just after daybreak, not a bit of sun greeting the morn. Nothing but bleak gray clouds had followed the road they traveled along through the dense woods.

Brack had been furious when Ryland had refused to punish the villagers for Patrick’s folly. Ryland had gone further and ordered a hunt to fill their larders. That alone had Brack ready to voice his disapproval, but he held his tongue when Torrance threatened him.

“Object to another decision of mine and I will cut your tongue out of your mouth.”

That had settled that matter, hence the sneer but not another word was heard from Brack.

The trees thickened ahead, the path narrowing and the heavily snow-covered ground making travel difficult.

“Maybe we should have waited, at least until the snow melted some more,” Esme said, eyeing the large snowdrift they had to make their way around.

“Nay. That bit of sun and warmth yesterday lolled us into believing we need not worry about more snow. The air turned bitter today telling us otherwise. We are too vulnerable at Purdom Village. We need to reach home where I can make sure you are safe. Besides, I am eager to speak with the woman Ida told you about, Verna. I don’t recall Torrance ever mentioning her.”

“Why would he?” Esme asked. “She was nothing but a mere servant to him and his mum’s servant at that. He probably didn’t even know her name.”

“Quiet,” Ryland urged with a hush.

How his body tensed more than it already had puzzled Esme and frightened her. Something was wrong and she watched as he tilted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes, as if he was straining to hear something.

Ryland slowed the horse, his voice a quiet warning. “We dismount. Now.”

Fear rippled through Esme as he called out to Brack while he drew his stallion to a stop and nodded at him.

Brack acknowledged his nod with his own and silently alerted the men.

She tensed, her stomach tightening, and dread filling her. Ryland swung down off the horse first, then reached up for her, settling her quickly to the ground behind him. He moved her toward a pine tree.

“Stay here,” he ordered. “Keep the tree to your back, and if things turn badly... run.”

She went to argue, not willing to leave him, but thought better of it and nodded, worry flaring in her eyes.

Brack hurried toward them. “What is it?”

“We’re not alone,” Ryland answered, drawing his sword.

An arrow struck the tree beside them.

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