Page 83 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

Ryland tensed, prepared to defend her. “That’s not possible.”

“She was seen, my lord. There is no mistaking that.” Brack’s voice held no malice, only a firm conviction. “You had the guards pulled away, and she was seen entering the prisoner’s hut alone right afterwards. What I’d like to know, and what others will soon demand to know, is why.”

Esme stepped forward before Ryland could stop her. “I went to speak with Gavin.”

Ryland swung a warning look at her, but she continued, calm but deliberate.

“I went for answers. For my husband. I believed Gavin might say something to help him understand what’s been happening. I meant no harm and certainly no betrayal.”

Brack shook his head. “That bruise on your face tells me you displeased your husband, and he gave you what you deserve. Anger may have caused your betrayal, though I don’t believe that you acted on your own accord. That you risk being seen, risk suspicion, just to help your husband? Forgive me, my lady, but that doesn’t sound like loyalty. It sounds like manipulation.”

Ryland’s eyes turned stormy, and Esme could see the change in him as he stepped between them, the air around him bristling. It was Torrance who demanded, “Do you manipulate, wife?”

“Nay, my lord,” Esme said, lowering her head. “I would not be so foolish, for you would see through it right away.”

She could be part of the plot,” Brack said. “She needs to answer for what she’s done. Because if you don’t hold her accountable, your warriors and they”—he motioned vaguely toward the village beyond— “will wonder why. Why she is spared when Torrance’s punishments are swift and brutal.”

Torrance’s jaw clenched. The truth lodged painfully in his throat. He couldn’t defend her without undoing everything. The fragile illusion. The plan. The name he’d taken to root out the treachery in Clan Glencairn.

Esme stepped forward again, her voice steady despite the tremble that ran through her. “Though I wanted only to help, I will take my punishment, so no one thinks less of my husband.”

The room fell deathly silent. Torrance felt, though he didn’t show it, like she had just torn something out of him.

“She tries to secure her place as your wife while she betrays you behind your back,” Brack said to Torrance, eyes remaining fixed on Esme.

“And if she meant to help me?” Torrance growled, trying to contain his anger while trying to find a way out of this for Esme without causing her to suffer. “Then what, Brack? I punish her for helping me.”

“And what will your warriors and others think if you don’t act,” Brack asked bewildered that Torrance should question the obvious. “Will word spread that Torrance has grown weak, for if that should happen you leave your clan vulnerable.”

“Never would I do that,” Torrance snapped with a furious snarl.

Brack took a step back, surprised yet pleased by Torrance’s response. “What do you intend then, my lord?”

Torrance didn’t answer right away.His gaze locked on Esme, heart pounding with dread and admiration. Then he turned back to Brack.

“She’ll be confined to the cottage until I say otherwise. No walks. No visits. No speaking to anyone unless I permit it. And she will be given only bread and water to eat.”

Esme remained still, showing no hint of protest. She knew Ryland would never let her starve. He would somehow get food to her. But why confine her?

Brack nodded, pleased with his decision. “It will be done.”

“We have more pressing matters to see to, Brack,” Torrance said, grabbing his cloak off the peg.

Brack’s brow narrowed.

“If my wife speaks the truth, then it was someone else who helped Gavin escape, and we need to find out who.”

Brack was quick to accuse strangers. “Someone in the village.”

“Some in the village would have a key to the chains… unless the chains escaped with him,” Torrance said, his blue eyes intent while waiting for an answer.

“The chains were found on the ground in the hut,” Brack said, shaking his head.

“So, one of our own, yet again?” Torrance asked, his sneer showing his disapproval. “Wait outside for me. I will speak to the men and discover who truly betrayed me.”

“Aye, my lord,” Brack said.

As the door closed behind him, Ryland pulled Esme into his arms, his voice a strained whisper at her ear. “You didn’t have to do that.”

---