Page 9 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

Her suggestion sounded promising, but the consequence of her husband discovering her betrayal was enough to hold her tongue.

“That is kind of you, but truly, it is nothing,” she lied.

“As you say, my lady,” Brenna said, sympathy deepening the lines around her eyes. She did not press further, only finished bandaging Esme’s hand with deft, gentle movements.

Esme wished she had someone to confide in. Someone she could trust. Someone who could help with her problem.

“There,” Brenna said, tying the bandage off neatly. “You’ll need to keep it clean and dry. I’ll leave a small crock of honey you can use to reapply when necessary.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it,” Esme said, and remained seated after the healer left.

The room felt larger in Torrance’s absence, and much warmer too. His demanding presence overpowered, and his cruel nature was cold and calculating.

She flexed her fingers carefully, feeling the throb deep in her palm. A small wound, compared to others she carried… invisible wounds.

She turned around on the bench and stretched her legs out toward the hearth and let herself, for the first time since Torrance’s return, simply sit still and breathe.

For a moment, she allowed herself to remember a time when she had dreamed of something different. A time when she hadbelieved she could be happy here. Unfortunately, dreams often did not prove true.

“There is talk,”Brack said once they stepped outside the keep. “Your contact with the northern clans worries those who have pledged their allegiance to you. They believe you intend to conquer them, not befriend them. They are concerned over your intentions.”

“They worry I will be more generous to the Northern clans than to them. Greed is their major concern,” Torrance said with disgust. “With Callan’s death, his tribe is rudderless. There is no one to steer them, leaving them vulnerable, ripe for attack.”

Brack smiled. “Hakon. You left him unharmed for just such a purpose and offered to get him a wife so he would side with you.”

“Hakon is the type of man who sides with no one but if I can make him beholden to me then I can control him.”

“You think a wife is sufficient to do that?”

Torrance shook his head. “It’s a start. A trade deal will follow and the wealth he earns from that will settle it. In the meantime, I will make sure other clans pledge their allegiance to me and grow in strength so we can protect ourselves from the north, should Hakon gets any foolish ideas, and grow in influence and power.”

“Then you better not delay any further in planting your seed in your wife and have her deliver you heir after heir, sons and daughters. Sons to keep the clan strong and daughters to wed to those who will benefit the clan,” Brack advised.

Torrance scowled. “I do not need you to remind me.”

“Obviously you do when your warriors whisper about their leader who fails to bed his wife on the night of his return.”

“Who dares to?—”

Brack didn’t let him finish. “Men who have no doubts as to the strength and courage of their leader.”

“Speak to me no more about it,” Torrance said, his face twisting in an angry sneer.

“Aye, my lord,” Brack said, wisely saying no more.

“Tell me there are many grievances for me to hear tomorrow.”

“Aye. I have made it known that you expect a large turnout.”

“Spread the word that there will be ale and food for those who speak,” Torrance said.

Brack scrunched his brow. “You reward them for doing their duty?”

Torrance half-turned. “I look for lies and truths. Now go and do as I say.”

“Aye, my lord,” Brack said and hurried off.

Torrance remained where he was, on the top step of the keep, looking out over the village below. It was peaceful. A dog barked playfully with a laughing bairn. A mother’s voice called out with great care for her daughter. Life resumed its rhythm around him, as if nothing had changed upon his return.

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