Page 81 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

Gavin studied her, his jaw tightening. “And you think I can help you?”

“Not you,” she said, the desperation in her voice raw and real. “The person who wants Torrance dead. I thought if I could get word to him and let him know I would help him in his quest to see my husband dead that I could have a chance to survive.”

Gavin remained silent, his gaze fixed on her, as though weighing her pain against his caution.

Then slowly, he said, “There’s been quiet talk since Torrance’s father’s death, spread between those with growing concern for Torrance’s cruelty and what it means for the future of the clan.” He hesitated for a moment. “Then the truth revealed itself.”

Her breath caught. “What truth?”

He leaned forward, the firelight sharpening the lines on his face. “That Torrance has no right to lead Clan Glencairn.”

She blinked, confusion spreading across her face. “What are you saying?”

He held her gaze. “Torrance isn’t the true heir to Clan Glencairn.”

The door creakedas Esme slipped out of the small dwelling, the cold wind biting at her cheeks. She pulled her cloak tighter around her, but it did little to stop the tremble running through her. Not from the cold… but from what she’d just heard.

She barely took two steps before a shadow detached itself from the nearby trees.

“Esme.”

Ryland’s voice was low, but sharp with concern.

She turned to him, startled, and he was at her side in an instant. His eyes searched her face, and his hand gripped her arm.

“What did he say to you?” he asked, his voice quiet but urgent. “You’re pale as death.”

“I… I will tell you at the cottage,” she whispered, glancing toward the village path. “Not here.”

He nodded and without another word guided her away, his hand steady at her back as they walked. Their boots barely left tacks in the little snow that had fallen, and neither spoke during the short trek, though Ryland glanced her way more than once, the tension in him winding tighter with every step.

When they reached the small cottage, he opened the door for her and followed her inside. The warmth was welcome, but it did nothing to ease the tightness in her chest.

She stood near the fire, her hands trembling slightly as she held them out to the heat to warm them.

He didn’t press her. He waited… impatiently… but he waited.

She finally turned to him, her voice hushed. “He said Torrance has no right to lead Clan Glencairn.”

Ryland didn’t move but his body turned rigid.

She stepped closer, searching his face. “He says Torrance isn’t the true heir.”

There was no shock in his eyes or expression, not even a touch of confusion, or humor at Gavin’s ridiculous statement.

“Did you know?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He still said nothing, but something in his expression changed, it warned he knew something.

“Is that what brought you here?” she asked. “Is that the secret you’ve been searching for all along?”

“If I tellyou what I know and the wrong people find out you know something, it could put you in extreme danger,” he said.

“I can’t help you if you keep me in the dark and I am already in danger just being Torrance’s wife,” she argued, still trying to comprehend what Gavin had told her and what Ryland might know. She urged softly. “Please, don’t let anything come between us.”

Ryland dropped down on the bench by the table, stretched his arm out, and snagged her around the waist to ease her down on his lap.

“Torrance’s father revealed stunning news to him on his deathbed. He then warned me not to trust anyone with the news, or the consequences could be dire, and I had to agree with him. His father had little breath left in him when he told Torrance that someone might challenge him as the rightful heir to ClanGlencairn, that he could be older than Torrance and he was to make sure he didn’t unseat Torrance.”

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