Page 71 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“I will have my answers one way or another, but my wife will not go meet the Old Woman alone.” Torrance turned a scowl on Esme. “Do I make myself clear, wife?”

“Aye, my lord,” she said softly. “I will abide by your decision.”

He gave her a slight nod, but she could still see the storm brewing in his eyes.

The hall doors burst open.

A lad stumbled inside, panting, his face pale. “My lord! Warriors! They approach the village fast, two dozen from what I could see and armed for battle.”

“Do they wear my colors?” Torrance asked, not moving from where he sat.

The lad thought a moment, then nodded. “Aye, they do wear the colors of your plaid.’

Torrance looked at Patrick. “My men. See them greeted and brought here to me.”

Patrick nodded, stood, and left with the lad.

Breann turned to go.

“Did I give you permission to leave?” Torrance asked with a harshness that turned Breann pale.

Fear froze Breann, but she managed to say, “Nay, my lord.”

“How do I get a message to the Old Woman?” he asked.

“She will get one to you,” Breann said and shivered, fearful that her answer would disappoint him.

“We will talk again. You are dismissed,” he said with a careless wave of his hand and when the door shut behind her, he turned to Esme. “We only have a moment before Brack, and my warriors arrive. We will discuss this matter when it is safe to do so. But know I meant what I said. You will not go meet the Old Woman alone.

“What if it is the only way?” she whispered.

“There is always another way.”

“Nay, not always. Sometimes you have no choice but to make do if you want to survive.”

“This is not one of those times,” he argued. “I will not chance losing you.”

His words were genuine as was the concern in his eyes. He truly didn’t want to lose her. Her heart and stomach fluttered. Never had her father nor Torrance expressed such true concernfor her and though Ryland’s arms were not around her, his words hugged her tightly.

Brack rushed into the hall, sword drawn, and his glance racing around the room.

“We are safe here,” Torrance called out.

“This is Purdom land, no one is safe here,” Brack challenged.

“Do I appear injured to you, Brack, and what took you so long to reach me?” Torrance demanded.

Satisfied no danger existed, Brack came to a stop in front of the table where Torrance sat. “I expected to find you at Clan Stott where you were to stay while in this area. I feared you were taken captive or worse dead since the tracker found so many different tracks. Until he finally found the ones familiar to your stallion.”

Torrance scowled. “Then the tracker needs to improve his skills.”

Brack sheathed his sword with a sharp motion. “Aye, I told him the same. This is no place for you to be, my lord.”

“And my warriors should not have betrayed me,” Torrance said, his scowl deepening.

Brack’s jaw tensed. “And they will suffer greatly for it when caught and warning has gone out to anyone who may be harboring them or any Glencairn warrior who may be thinking to do the same. Betray Lord Torrance and your suffering will be never-ending.”

“Have any been caught?” Torrance demanded.

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