Page 69 of The Highlander's Illicit Bride
“Ye told me I’d have Isolde’s hand.”
“Aye. I did. And ye shall have it,” he replied. “Once we find here, we?—”
“I’ve already found her.”
Murdoch sat up, his eyes narrowing and a knot forming in his stomach. “Where? Where did ye find me daughter?”
“She’s with Struan bleedin’ Cameron.”
“Impossible—”
“And yet, ‘tis true,” Dougal grumbled. “I found a pair of me men dead and I dare say yer delicate daughter is nae responsible fer that.”
Murdoch sat back, his mind spinning. Now he thought he understood why Struan had ignored his message to parlay and discuss a swap of land for Finlay. If Isolde was with him, he would obviously know that his brother was being kept at Cluny House. Which also meant he was likely planning to rescue him. That meant trouble. As much as he loathed the man, even Murdoch had to admit he was cunning and a formidable warrior.
“Are ye sure of this?” Murdoch asked. “Yer men may have been killed by brigands?—”
“Once they were found dead, I started makin’ inquiries. I’ve been told they passed through me lands posin’ as husband and wife,” he said darkly.
“Passed throughyerlands?”
“’Tis what I said.”
“That means they were on their way tae Achnacarry.”
“Aye. I figured that out fer meself,” he said hotly.
Murdoch took another drink of his wine. He still didn’t understand why Dougal was so upset about this. It was good news. They knew where both Struan and Isolde were. And the fact that they were in the same place made things easier for them. They didn’t have to search the world over. They were in Achnacarry. But the fact that Dougal was so incensed about it made no sense. That told Murdoch there must be more to the story. He studied the man for a moment.
“What are ye nae tellin’ me?” he asked. “What’s got ye so angry?”
“I’ve got some people in Cameron’s lands,” he said. “And they are tellin’ me he intends tae take her fer his wife.”
Murdoch sat back, surprised. He knew Struan was bold. Clever. But he never expected the man to be as bold or clever as to take his daughter for his bride without his blessing. Marrying her behind is back was shrewd. He obviously thought it would keep Murdoch from attacking Achnacarry for fear of hurting his daughter. It just went to show how little Struan knew of him.
“Ye told me Isolde was tae be mine. She was tae wed me tae solidify our alliance,” Dougal said. “And yet, I’m hearin’ rumblin’s that she’s tae marry Cameron. Are ye makin’ an alliance with him behind me back? Is that what’s goin’ on here, Murdoch?”
“Have ye lost yer mind?”
“I’m startin’ tae wonder,” he snapped.
Murdoch huffed. “If ye think I’d make an ally out of that man, ye’re either mad or stupid. And I dinnae think ye’re stupid, Dougal.”
The man seemed somewhat mollified, though the hard edge remained around his eyes. He glared at Murdoch over the rim of his cup as he drank. He could see the man needed more convincing.
“Ye ken, better than anybody, how much I hate that family. How much I hate Struan Cameron,” he said. “I’d never give him permission tae marry me daughter. Nae in this life or any other. I’d sooner boil meself in oil.”
They sat in silence for a long moment, studying each other. Murdoch knew the man was searching his face, searching for the barest hint of deception. Dougal had always been hot-tempered. He was rash and impulsive. He wasn’t the ideal ally, but the man was ferocious with a blade in his hand, wealthy, and had many men at his command.
“How reliable are yer sources?” Murdoch asked.
“Very.”
“And when is this weddin’ supposed tae take place?”
“So far as I ken, it has nae been set yet,” he replied. “Me sources are whisperin’ that Cameron’s Council has yet tae agree tae that arrangement.”
“So, we’ve got time.”
