Page 49 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

“Please, my lord,” Esme pleaded, aware that Una had spoken up out of concern for her. “The nights have been bitter. No one can survive such cold.”

“She should have thought of that before opening her mouth,” Torrance said and signaled one of his warriors with a snap of his hand. “Put her in the stocks and she’s not to be released until I say so.”

“Aye, my lord,” the young warrior said and went to Una, grabbing her by the arm to take her to the stocks.

“You save me, my lord,” Una called out with a laugh. “Freezing to death is a far better fate than becoming Hakon’s wife.”

Esme was the only one who could hear the firm yet quiet oaths that fell from her husband’s lips. Esme wanted to smile with admiration for Una. She had set Torrance up perfectly for that, unless he had no intention of giving Una to Hakon.

“Since you find that fate more distasteful, Una. I will gladly give one devil to another. You shall be given to Hakon on his return.”

Una laughed. “It takes a devil to know one, Lord Torrance.”

Gasps rang out once again.

“Two nights in the dungeon with no food may have you thinking differently. She can wait for Hakon there,” Torranceordered and cast a wicked scowl on those gathered around them. “Get back to your chores. NOW!”

Esme was relieved. Those in the kitchen would not let Una go without food. They would sneak some to her. She watched everyone disperse and as soon as she was alone with her husband, she wasn’t surprised at what he asked.

“So, what would your response have been to Una, about chains?”

Esme was prepared. “I entered this marriage freely. I wear no chains.”

Torrance leaned his head down, pressing his cheek against hers as he whispered. “Ah, but you do, wife. You are chained to me forever.”

“My lord!” Brack called out.

Torrance stepped abruptly away from her. “Go into the keep and stay there.”

Esme turned and hurried toward the keep, casting a quick glance back to see him speaking with Brack, though turning as if he knew she looked his way, and he pointed to the keep as if reminding her to do as she was told.

His whispered words still rang in her ear.

You are chained to me forever.

He sounded so much like Torrance. Had he returned to her? She couldn’t help but pray that it was an act, though for what purpose she didn’t know. She only knew it was her only hope of being free.

Esme headed to the keep but his powerful, commanding words halted her.

“BRING HIM TO ME!”

Someone had been caught at something. Could it be the one who poisoned her? She turned and seeing her husband’s back to her, she hurried forward to hide on the side of a dwelling where she could watch without being seen… she hoped.

Her eyes rounded when she caught sight of a warrior, wearing the Clan MacLeish plaid being shoved toward Torrance. His bottom lip was split and bleeding, one eye swollen purple, and he cradled one arm in the other.

Brack kicked him in the back of his legs, sending him to the ground when he almost reached Torrance.

“On your knees in front of Lord Torrance,” Brack ordered, and the warrior struggled to get to his knees. “He spies on Clan Glencairn.”

Esme watched the way the warrior kept his eyes on Torrance and though he looked worried, she didn’t see the fear in him that everyone had when Torrance was about to determine one’s fate.

“I am not spying, my lord. I was just gathering the courage to present myself to you and beg for mercy for Chieftain Ryland. He is a respected leader, a good man, and beloved by his clan. He would do anything to keep his clan safe.”

“Will he die for it?” Torrance asked with such coldness that it shivered Esme.

“He still may, my lord, but if he survives, I beg of you, please allow him to lead us.”

People had gathered around, whispering and waiting to see the warrior’s fate.

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