Page 38 of Taken By her Highland Enemy

Cutler felt frustrated. What was he to do? He felt a wave of fatigue rush over him. “You will give your life for your people, would you not?”

Sean nodded solemnly. “I would do anything tae protect those who are innocent. It is I ye want. Naeone else.”

He realized he had not the stomach for further questioning or torture tonight. He could set his guards to the task, but he wanted to sit alone and think of his plan. He did not want the bother of thinking of how his daughter had disappointed him more greatly than he’d ever expected. He had to focus on the task at hand. The King would want word of his success, and soon.

He waved his hand in the air in dismissal. “Get out, Highlander. I will deal with you later. I am too fatigued from attempting to burn your village this afternoon to deal with you now.”

A guard took a silent Sean by the arm and pulled him outside. Cutler sank into the chair his men had set up in his tent and bellowed to Martin to bring wine.

* * *

Isabelle let her mind slip into nothingness as she stared into the night sky, leaning back against the tent, waiting for something to happen. If it would all be over, then so be it, just as she had said. What was life worth any more if she had done nothing right? If her father did not regret her death, or if Eamon was lost to her forever? She felt useless and limp.

She was jarred a little by Sean’s departure from the tent. One guard held onto him tightly, and another picked her up as well, moving them towards the fire. They sat them down and tied them to a tall tree nearby. It was some kindness at least to be within the fire’s orbit, and Isabelle smiled at it. At least they hadn’t noticed their kindness. She was certain it was not intentional.

Once the guards had stalked away, Isabelle turned reluctantly to Sean. “How is your leg?”

Sean did not turn to her but kept his eyes forward. “‘Tis well, although I dinnae think it matters much anymore.”

Isabelle couldn’t bear to leave the words between them unspoken any longer. “I returned to my father, hoping it would stop him from decimating the MacManus village. I did not want to leave. I did not want you to give yourself up.”

“There was nae choice for me, lass. I had tae do so, for the sake of my family.”

Isabelle felt that these could be their last moments, and she would be spending them with Sean Wilson. She stared straight ahead at her father’s tent. “You must think it strange that a father captures his daughter and ties her to a tree like a criminal?”

Sean chuckled morbidly. “Aye, I did think that a bit odd. Why does he do so?”

“Because my father has no heart. He lost it years ago. He thinks only of revenge and bloodshed. It fuels his power. He has never cared for me the way a father ought to care.”

Sean was solemn. “I am sorry for that. I had a child once. I loved that boy with everything in my being. I do not understand a father who could not feel so.” His voice lowered to a mere whisper, “There is another child on the way as well.”

“I am happy for you, Sean. And thank you for your understanding and compassion.” There was a pause before Isabelle plunged into her speech. “It was me, you know. I was the spy. I was the one that shared everything with Eamon.”

Sean finally turned to her, incredulous. “Aye, I can see it now. I confess I hadnae thought of it until ye told me. Why in the world would ye do that, lass?”

Isabelle swallowed, afraid of her next words. But what did words matter now that her death was imminent? “At first, it was just to help protect those from the wrath of my father. Why should Scotland suffer at our hands? But then, it was more than that.” She swallowed, feeling a hard lump in her throat. “I love your brother, Sean. He is the one I want more than anything, and now I have disappointed him. He will not want me again, I know it. He knows now that I am the spy and have deceived him all this time. It was I who orchestrated the kidnapping.”

Sean laid back into the trunk of the tree, digesting her words. It seemed an eternity before he spoke. “I could see it. I could see it in both of ye. I didnae trust it, since ye were a kidnapped victim, but something was there.” He turned his head to her. “If we survive this, I know my brother will forgive ye. I have nae seen him for many years, but I remember his heart. Deep down, he wants tae be loved. He wants tae find someone who will love him in return.”

Isabelle began to cry, heavy tears falling down her face rapidly. “How wonderful if that were true. But I fear, Sean, that we will not survive this.”

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