Page 43 of Draped in Plaid
Clouds moved over the sun, covering it almost completely and casting the ruins into a dreary gray. I glanced around the great hall, wondering if there had ever been any happy memories here. I could still picture Joan lying in her bed, exhausted from childbirth and giving away the only two children she would ever have. What misery this castle must have seen between her heartbreak and the torment of those under the influence of the scientist.
I was ready to leave this castle behind. To never look back.
A roll of thunder sounded overhead, rumbling the ground beneath our feet. We were in for a storm. Unconsciously, we huddled closer, watching the men as they searched the great hall to be certain they’d gotten all the weapons they could find.
“What year do you think it is?” I asked the ladies. I’d not been to Castle Rising in the modern era so, I didn’t know if it was well kept or not.
Neither Shona nor Moira could hazard a guess. Satisfied they had the best weapons they could find, the men motioned us toward the large opening that had once been great doors. A front entryway.
Out of the darkened castle, though clouds covered the sun, the light was still blinding. We held our hands as best we could while still holding the plaid to shade our eyes. Traversing down a long set of broken stone stairs from the main entrance toward the bailey, we stopped short as our bare toes hit the grass, and a sight we’d not expected loomed into view.
“Welcome to 1544,” Steven bellowed.
This was the holder version. The one who’d tormented me. Hated me. The one who’d chased me through time in order to control me, break me down. He wanted a slave more than a wife, and I’d bowed to him thinking I owed him that.
Thank Fate for having taken me away from him and shown me what true love was. Given me Logan.
The men stood like a wall of brawny Highlanders in front of us, but between their shoulders, I could see who awaited us.
Steven was flanked by Mrs. MacDonald, Ranulf and—heaven help me—behind him was Saor quietly sleeping in the arms of his nursemaid.
My steps faltered and I fell against Logan’s back, whimpering with fear. “My baby!”
Beneath my fingers, Logan’s body trembled. Rage, I could feel it heat his skin and tighten his muscles.
“Let our child and his nurse go,” Logan demanded, his voice calm, cold. He hoisted the sharpened timber, ready to beat all of them if they did not comply.
Steven laughed. “You know, we just had a lovely visit with a man you might recall. Mr. Darrington.”
“Who is that?” Logan asked.
Aye, who was that?The name did not ring any bells for me.
“Oh, perhaps you were never formally introduced,” Steven continued, his tone full of cruelty. “It’s a little too late for that seeing as how I killed him by accident, but nevertheless, he told me all about the six of you.”
“The scientist,” I murmured.
“You keep on surprising me, Emma,” Steven said. “How very astute of you, and here I’d thought you were a complete and utter fuckwit.”
I grimaced, closing my eyes. I was strong. His words did not hold the power to destroy me. To harm me. I was not a fuckwit. I was not helpless.
“Insult my wife again,” Logan growled. “I dare ye.”
“Well, seeing as how you don’t have a wife, that’s impossible. We all know she still belongs to me. Your marriage is a sham. Though what more can we expect from a savage.”
“What do you want, Steven?” I called from behind Logan, strong, but still too afraid to come from beneath the plaid. I already felt emotionally stripped in front of this asshole; I didn’t need to be physically naked as well.
“Why are you hiding back there? Come out where I can see you.”
Logan widened his stance, blocking me completely from view. Protecting me. Guarding me. It warmed me completely inside. Made me feel safe. But I needed to do this on my own. I needed to get rid of Steven.
Logan let out a menacing growl. “Answer the question, ye bloody whoreson.”
Steven cocked his head. “Hmm. No. Send out Emma or I kill the nurse.”
I gasped, then shucked myself free of the plaid. Moira and Shona tried to hold me back, but I shook my head at them, my mouth set in a determined line.
I couldn’t let the nurse die. I couldn’t let Saor be put into more danger. If it was me he wanted, then I would gladly hand myself over. To save my son. To save his guardian. To end this bitter feud.
