Page 48 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“I am,” Esme said, falling into step beside her as she continued walking.

“Does this have anything to do with that brute of a warrior called Hakon?” Una asked and chuckled, seeing the surprised look on Esme’s face. “Tongues have been going strong since he made his presence known and many assume it might be a barter Lord Torrance would consider.”

“Torrance did speak with Hakon about you,” Esme confirmed.

“I imagined as much,” Una muttered. She slowed her steps, then stopped entirely. Una turned to face her, her eyes angry. “He offered me to Hakon like I was—what? A prize for good behavior? Payment for a debt?”

“Nay. He said he’d think on it. That’s all.”

Una scoffed. “He has no intentions of thinking on it. His mind is made up. I hold no value to Lord Torrance but if I can benefit him in some way, he will not think twice on it.” She blew out a breath that misted in the air. “I am nothing more than chattel to be bartered between men who think battle-forged bruises and a blade make their word law.” She nodded at Esme. “You’re no different, bartered in marriage to benefit your clan. We’re condemned at birth being born a woman, but I for one will not hold my tongue. I will speak my piece.”

“As you should,” Esme encouraged. “It is not fair.”

Una scoffed again. “Life is not fair, never has been. But I will no longer yield or submit obediently.”

Esme smiled. “I don’t believe you have ever yielded, Una.”

“I made sure I didn’t,” Una said, keeping her anger from flaring any further. “Because if I did yield, I would lose what little of myself I have left.”

“You have no chains to hold you. You walk freely about. Why not simply walk away from here and never return?”

She paused, glanced up at the gray sky, and shrugged. “Where would I go? I have no coins. No clan. No name worth remembering. There is no place for a woman like me beyond this keep. You may not see the chains, but they are there. I feel them every day. Some days more than others.” Sorrow filled her eyes. “Have your chains not grown heavier by the day, Lady Esme?”

Una continuedto the kitchen while Esme remained where she was, lost in thought long after Una entered the kitchen. Una was right. The chains could be felt, not seen, and they were heavier some days more than others. And like Una, she had no place to go. The marriage had committed her to Torrance until death. She would never be free.

Why at that moment it should upset her, leaving her feeling hopeless, she didn’t know. She silently chastised herself for dwelling on it and forced the upsetting thought from her mind as she hurried and turned intending to take a brisk walk through the village to clear her head and heart.

She would have collided with her husband if Torrance hadn’t grabbed her by the arms and prevented their collision.

“What’s wrong?” he demanded, seeing the upset in her eyes.

Caught off guard, she reverted to instinct. “Forgive me, my lord. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“That doesn’t answer my question, wife. You are upset.” His eyes settled firmly on hers. “Why?”

Again, he caught her off guard. Why would it matter to him? He never cared how she felt about anything. Why now? The fierce look in his eyes warned he would have an answer.

“Need I remind you that I am not a patient man?” he snapped.

She went with the safest response, casting a quick glance at the gray sky. “I worry how the weather will treat us on our journey.”

His eyes narrowed. “Do you take me for a fool, wife?”

“Never, my lord,” she said, realizing she had made a mistake and worried over the consequences.

Torrance lowered his face close to hers. “Then I will give you one more chance to tell me the truth.”

“Chains!” Una shouted. “I asked her if her chains, like mine, grow heavier by the day.”

“And what was her reply?” Torrance demanded.

“I didn’t wait for one,” Una scoffed. “I already knew the answer. You are lucky that Lady Esme has the strength and courage to bear the unimaginable weight of your shackles.”

Gasps were heard from the people who had gathered upon hearing the heated exchange.

Esme froze, knowing Torrance would not let her remark go unpunished.

“It’s the stocks until morning for you,” Torrance ordered with such coldness that it shivered Esme.

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