Page 65 of Bound By Deception

Torran shook his head, and Cailean dragged a hand down his face as the heat in his stomach started to pulse.

“She did tell me something worrying though,” Torran admitted then. The groove between his eyebrows deepened into a scowl. “Your bride’s escort never returned to Baldeen.”

Cailean stilled, the fire in his belly dousing. “What?”

“Four men were hired to ensure she reached Duncrag safely … but they’ve gone missing.” Torran’s gaze glinted. “And a search has yielded nothing … not even bodies.”

Silence followed these words, while a chill crawled down Cailean’s spine.

“I fear your wife is keeping secrets, Cailean,” Torran said quietly, holding his eye.

“She is.” Cailean turned on his heel and stalked toward the landing, Skaal shadowing him. “And it’s time I got some answers.”

“Don’t hesitate. I could have crushed your windpipe by now.”

“But I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t.” Bree released her grip on the handmaid’s arms and stepped back.

Mirren glanced over her shoulder, her brow furrowing. “Very well,” she muttered. “Shall we go again?”

Bree nodded. “Ready?”

Mirren faced forward once more. “Aye.”

The two women stood in the middle of the chief-enforcer’s alcove. It was risky teaching Mirren when her husband was in residence. However, mac Brochan was caught up in meetings this afternoon, and training her handmaid was a welcome distraction.

Bree had been on edge all day, waiting for the chief-enforcer to talk to his second-in-command, to learn that Torran hadbrought back a letter from the House of Maids, and that it had gone missing.

In the meantime, it pleased her to be able to teach Mirren some new skills. Her handmaid had proved to be an eager student, although the lass hadn’t been herself since the attack. She rarely smiled these days, and there was a cynical edge to her now. She’d also taken to carrying a boning knife tucked into her belt, just in case another brute inside the broch cornered her.

Mirren’s transformation had saddened Bree a little before she reminded herself that it was a harsh world, and only the tough survived.

Stepping into her, she threw her arms around Mirren’s chest.

The lass jolted in her grip, and arched back, the back of her head smacking Bree’s nose. Cursing, Bree let go of her and staggered away. Her hand lifted to her nose and came away bloodied.

“The Mother forgive me!” Mirren whipped around, her expression horrified. “What have I done?”

Eyes smarting, Bree wiped away the blood and grinned. “Nice move!”

“But Ihurtyou!”

Bree snorted and walked to the washbasin, picking up a damp cloth and cleaning her nose. It hurt, although luckily, Mirren hadn’t broken it. “Serves me right for underestimating you.” It was true—she’d expected her maid to jab at her ribs with her elbow. Instead, she’d headbutted her.

She cast her handmaid a sidelong look, to see a slight smile tugging at her mouth. “You did?”

“Aye … you’re fast.”

At that moment, the chief-enforcer stormed into the alcove.

Bree put down the washcloth and turned to face him. But one look at his thunderous face told her that the game was up.

After all the waiting, it was almost a relief.

“Leave us.” Mac Brochan’s voice cracked across the chamber like a whip.

Mirren’s gaze flicked between husband and wife, her blue eyes shadowing. Then, she ducked her head and scurried from their quarters, the heavy hanging swishing shut behind her.

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