Page 40 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“It would be my duty to find you another wife if Lady Esme does not satisfy you, and I would want to begin the search sooner rather than later, if it should prove to be necessary.”

Torrance’s glare threatened. “You will conduct no such search, Brack.”

“As you say, my lord.” Brack said with a nod of his head. “Then it is something else that troubles you?”

Torrance turned his gaze ahead once more. “Esme told me of an old woman, long silver hair, draped in dark garments, who approached her and spoke of things no stranger should know.”

Brack stiffened beside him. “And you believe this old hag?”

“I believe there may be something worth discovering. The woman spoke of blood and vengeance buried in the past... and that I’d find no answers without Esme.”

Brack let out a heavy snort. “You see the trap then, my lord. You speak of blood and vengeance and think not that it could be your own?”

Torrance didn’t hide his annoyance. “It could be. But it could also prove beneficial. I will not know if I don’t go and see for myself.”

Brack wasted no time with hesitation. “And, of course, this old woman, you didn’t see, insisted you take Lady Esme with you. Is that so she can see her plan carried out… you dead.”

“That’s a bold accusation,” Torrance snapped sharply.

“Lady Esme is not happy here. She never has been,” Brack pressed. “She praises you out of duty but has no true words of kindness for you. She watches you like she waits for something to break. There is no warmth in her toward you, only cold civility.”

Torrance’s jaw tensed. “I am not interested in her trust, only her obedience.”

“And is she only interested in her freedom that a dead husband would bring her?”

“She knows better than to defy me, betray me,” Torrance admonished, or did she?

Brack scowled. “Or does she obey so she can dig and find your weakness and help your enemies.”

“She is far too fearful of me to do anything so foolish,” Torrance said, having seen such fear in her eyes. “I don’t believe she’s behind this. I’ve seen betrayal before, Brack. She doesn’t wear its face.”

Brack folded his arms across his chest. “So, you go chasing the whispers of an old woman who may not even exist and risk your life on the word of a wife who barely tolerates you?”

“I go,” Torrance said, “because something about this… reeks of truth. And I’ve experienced enough to know when a stench should not be ignored.”

Brack muttered under his breath, then looked him squarely in the eye. “Then I go with you.”

“Nay,” Torrance said. “You stay here and keep the clan safe. I will take Esme with me along with a contingent of men, since I am not foolish enough to travel without protection.”

“I am not comfortable with this,” Brack insisted.

“I must go. I need to know what this is before it grows teeth. I need to know what part Esme plays in it, if any.”

“And if it is a trap?”

“Then I will find out who it is that wants me dead.”

Brack held his gaze, reluctant but loyal to the last. “Then you will need men to travel ahead and to trail you to prevent any surprises.”

“No mercenaries. They can be bought too easily,” Torrance warned.

“Aye, my thinking as well. I will send trusted men along with you.”

“See it done,” Torrance commanded as he walked off.

Torrance sat backin the chair on the dais, his goblet barely touched, his gaze drifting toward Esme where she sat beside him, listening politely to the servant who asked if there was any more food or drink, she might want. His wife wore a pleasant smile throughout the exchange and all through breakfast. She had a pleasantness to her, a grace that could not be feigned.

Brack had warned him not to trust her. Had said she cared nothing for him, wanted only her freedom. But watching her now, her gentle nods, the way she set her tankard down so she could better listen to the servant made it difficult to believeBrack was right. Besides, the way she responded to his intimate touches told a completely different story.

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