Page 18 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

As she hurried off, she heard him shout, “Ale and food in my solar, NOW!”

Torrance pacedin front of the table in his solar, the servants winding their way around him to set food and a jug of ale on thetable. He stopped pacing as soon as the door closed behind him and filled his tankard with ale and took a generous swallow.

He slammed the tankard on the table and grumbled when he spotted the scratches on his knuckles from punching the tree in the woods. He shook his head and went to the hearth to stand in front of it and let the heat wash over him.

He had called himself a fool too late. He should have done so before he kissed her, but he couldn’t resist her lips, berry red from the cold. They raised an ache in him that he couldn’t ignore.

It was too soon. The time not right and it might never be. He had to stick to the plan, find out who betrayed him before he could trust anyone before it was too late. It was the only way.

He buried his annoyance in the remainder of the ale, then filled his tankard again. He was glad for the interruption when a rap sounded at the door.

Brack entered.

“Let it happen again, and you will feel my wrath,” Torrance yelled after the door closed. “And I assume you are wise enough to know of what I speak.”

“Forgive me, my lord,” Brack said with a bob of his head. “I will see that my lady doesn’t go into the woods unattended again.” To avoid more admonishment, he asked, “Did your meeting go well?”

“Aye, since the defeat of Clan MacLeish other clans seek to gain my favor, fearing they will be attacked next. And with rumors spreading about what fate awaits Chieftain Ryland… none wish to take the chance of possibly being drawn and quartered.”

“Is that what his fate will be… drawn and quartered?”

Torrance shook his head. “I have yet to decide his fate.” He let the issue end there for now. “A message arrived while I was at Clan MacLodder, securing its allegiance to me, an invitationfrom Chieftain Stuart of Clan Rennoch to attend the celebration of his son, Roland’s betrothal.”

“He is not one to be trusted,” Brack said. “He has thoughts of gaining power of his own.”

“I am aware, but it would be good to avoid another battle if possible.”

“The men are ready to fight and mercenaries standby eager to fight for you again.”

“Because I pay them well,” Torrance scoffed.

It is a sizeable army nonetheless,” Brack reminded. “And you would be wise to take more than a small group of your warriors with you when you go to Clan Rennoch.”

“I thought the same myself,” Torrance agreed.

“I should go with you.”

Torrance shook his head. “Nay. I need you here. It could be a ploy to attack Clan Glencairn.”

Brack’s annoyance had him speaking bluntly. “Stuart believes he can defeat Clan Glencairn.”

“Him and how many others believe such foolishness?” Torrance snapped. “Have you ever known me to be a fool?”

Brack hesitated for a moment too long.

“Speak your piece,” Torrance ordered, sharply.

“When a person is close to death, as your father was, they can make foolish demands. His mind was not right near the end. I never expected you to honor his foolish demand about your half-sister Autumn—Dru as she now calls herself. I believed you would keep your word and see her in a marriage that would benefit the clan, not wed to some mercenary.”

“Whether my father meant it or not, he asked for my word, and I gave it. Dru will remain wed to Knox.” He waved Brack away. “Leave me. I have much to think about.”

“Think on a wife for Hakon,” Brack advised. “He is not a man you want to keep waiting.”

“Then bring me some possibilities besides, Una. Evil women who would suit Hakon.”

“All women are evil,” Brack said as he headed to the door, “but I will do my best to find the evilest among them.”

Torrance remained focused on the closed door. It was important he remained focused, clear-headed with all the issues he faced. He couldn’t allow himself to be distracted and have the smallest detail slip past him.

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