Page 8 of Kilted Seduction
“Why? Dae yer comrades wish tae ransom me?” That was the most likely scenario, though, if that was the case, he might be in trouble. Clan Cameron could ill afford to pay any sort of ransom, much less the amount of gold most brigands would demand for the return of a laird.
“I dinnae have any companions, and I dinnae wish tae ransom ye.” She paused, head tipping to one side as she considered him with those deep blue eyes. “Nae that ye could pay it if I did have that sort o’ plan in mind.”
Aedan froze. “What dae ye mean by that?”
Thora stepped closer to him, her eyes holding his rather like he imagined a snake’s might try to mesmerize a mouse. “I mean yer clan doesnae have the gold tae even pay yer own troops, let alonepay a ransom fer ye. Ye’ve nay money, and ye’ll be lucky if ye can manage enough supplies tae last the remainder o’ the winter, let alone through the spring raids and whatever else may come.”
How does she ken all o’ that? Is there a spy in the castle? Or did she somehow overhear me talking tae Mac?
However Thora had gained her information, it was clear it would do no good for him to try and pretend she was wrong. “Say ye’re correct. What business is it o’ yers? And if ye didnae tak’ me fer a ransom, and ye dinnae have any compatriots lying in wait…” That was hard to believe, given the difference in their sizes. “...then why andhowdid ye kidnap me?”
“How is simple. I’m nae some weak highborn maid, and ye werenae putting up much o’ a fight after ye’d drunk a dose o’ valerian potion.”
Valerian. In the mead, so he wouldn’t taste it. He was more susceptible to it than most, but how had she known that? Or had she simply been lucky in her choice of potions?
Thora continued speaking. “As tae the why o’ it… because ye werenae listening tae me, and I couldnae think o’ any other way tae force ye tae hear me out.”
“Hear ye out?” Incredulous wrath filled him and temporarily banished the lingering ache in his head. “Ye did all this fer yer so-called visions?”
“Aye, fer me visions, which I ken are true, and for the clans which will fall if ye continue tae be stubborn.” She folded her arms and glared at him. “The future hinges on what ye dae, Laird Aedan Cameron, and I’ll nae see yer clan and others fall tae ruin because o’ yer pride.”
Aedan scowled at her. “Ye kidnapped a laird… dae ye ken what that means fer ye?”
“Aye. I ken what it might mean fer me, but I dinnae care. I told ye afore, ye must listen tae me. And if this is what it takes, then so be it.” She stared back at him, showing no trace of fear or regret. “And I’m prepared tae dae more if ye willnae heed me warnings.”
“What more?” He raised an eyebrow. “Ye think ye could dae worse than kidnapping a laird?”
“Aye. I think I could kill a laird, if it came tae it.” Thora’s jaw clenched. “And I will, if I cannae make ye listen.”
“Ye’re nae serious.” Aedan studied her face. She was pale, but her expression was resolute. For the first time, he felt a flicker of doubt. She was bold enough to intrude in his castle with her strange tales, then to falsely seduce and drug him. She might be bold enough, or mad enough, to take his life.
“Why would ye dae such a thing?”
“Tae avert the fate I saw in me dreams. If ye willnae tak’ me advice and dae as I told ye afore, then I must kill ye. ‘Tis the onlyother way tae avert the fate that lies ahead for the clans Lachlan Ross will oppress if I fail. And me family will die because of it, so believe me I’m crazy enough tae dae everything in me hands tae save them.”
Her voice was firm, full of conviction. Despite his skepticism, Aedan had to admit that, whether the visions were truth or delirium, Thora certainly believed in them. She also appeared ready and willing to do anything she had to in order to fulfill her beliefs.
“Ye’d kill me, is it?” Perhaps she was bluffing.
“Aye.” From the folds of her skirt - a borrowed skirt, he noted - Thora produced an unsheathed dirk, the edge glinting in the firelight. “Bound as ye are, ‘tis nay difficulty tae put a dagger in yer heart.” She stepped close to touch his chest with it, and he felt the cloth part under the blade edge. “Easier still tae cut yer throat.”
The blade drifted upward to set against his collar. It didn’t touch his skin, but he felt the cold steel of it nonetheless, and the threat it implied.
He might think she was crazy, but he couldn’t ignore her determination. “All right lass, if it means that much tae ye, then I’ll listen tae what ye have tae say.”
“And ye’ll attend the Yule celebration at the castle o’ Lachlan Ross?”
“If that’s what ye demand.”
“And ye’ll help me avert disaster fer the clans, nae matter what it is I ask o’ ye?”
“Tae a point. I’ll nae tak’ an innocent life, or act against another man or woman without proof o’ his or her ill intentions.” There were some points of honor Aedan wasn’t willing to compromise on, not even with a knife to his throat.
To his surprise, she looked rather indignant that he’d even think to suggest such a thing. “I’d nae ask ye tae dae either o’ those things.”
“And yet, ye wish me tae believe me neighborand allyis plotting against me, and invade his home, fer a mission which a lass I have just met cannae or willnae tell me more about.” He raised a challenging eyebrow. “What guarantee have I, that this isnae some foolish assassination plot, which ye wish me tae undertake, and then tak’ the blame fer?”
She started to speak, and Aedan interrupted her before she could say the words he expected she intended to offer. “Yer word doesnae mean much tae me, given the circumstances lass.”
