Page 9 of A Sinful Night with a Scot
“I’ll never be yers,” she spat.
But he only smirked down at her. “Aye, so ye keep saying.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Idespise ye. I have never despised anything or anyone in me life as much as I despise ye in this moment.
Her thoughts had been loud and clear, but Keane was not overly fazed by them. Besides, what did he expect? He had stolen her from her betrothed and was now forcing her to marry him. Though, he had to admit, she was far feistier than he had imagined she was going to be. He was surprised she hadn’t tried to escape yet.
His earlier words could not have been truer, however, for he could not care less about how she felt. That being said, he had not meant to tug on the rope so hard she would fall. That had been an oversight on his part, for at times, he did not know his own strength. Her humiliation in front of his men had only meant to have been a little fun, but seeing the tears in her eyes when he had helped her up had made him feel a little guilty.
Once she was dressed again, he tied her to a tree. There was still work to be done, and knowing she was secure, he headed tocheck on the horses. While the men readied themselves to leave, Alisdair approached from behind.
“Ye ken,” his companion said, “ye’re playing a dangerous game.”
Keane turned and frowned at him, not understanding his meaning.
Alisdair jerked his head across the camp in the general direction of Elspeth. “Making yer future wife hate ye isnae exactly a smart move.”
Keane shrugged, and, looking as indifferent as he felt, shook his head. “I dinnae care. Anyway, it’s fer the best.”
“Aye, ye say that now,” Alisdair smirked, “but ye’ll care a lot more when she tries tae kill ye in yer sleep.”
Keane grinned then. “Now, that’s a form o’ foreplay I’ve yet tae experience.”
Alisdair laughed, while at the same time, shaking his head. “Ye’re nae wise, me friend.”
A more somber feeling came over Keane at that point, a flicker of the pain and anger that ate at him daily. The pain he would continue to suffer until he had made Laird Gunn pay for snuffing out his father’s life.
“Aye, well. Who can we blame fer that?” he growled.
Alisdair sighed heavily. “I ken ye’re hurting, Keane, but I still dinnae think this is the best way tae go about enacting yer revenge.”
“Ye would have preferred I kill her?” Keane scowled, knowing full well that was not what Alisdair meant.
“I would prefer she wasnae involved at all,” Alisdair came back, his frustration evident. “What ye’re daeing is madness. Ye must ken that?”
“I’m doing what needs tae be done. Ye and nay other can convince me otherwise.”
There was one other who might be able to convince him, but he had purposefully avoided having any contact with her for that very reason. Iseabail, his younger sister, had now, on several occasions, invited him to visit her and Owen, her husband.
Newly married before their father had been murdered, she had settled into her new life with joy in her heart. At hearing about Hamilton’s murder, however, she had been devastated, but at least she had Owen to support her.
The last time they had seen each other had been at the funeral. Even through her own grief, she had tried to offer Keane comfort, especially after learning of the circumstances in whichtheir father had died. Keane had been right there and had witnessed it.
Since then, the darkness had consumed him daily, the blood running through his veins, black as night, pumping from a heart of stone that continued to beat, if only for him to complete what he had vowed to do.
Thus, Iseabail had reached out, sending invitations that Keane ignored by throwing them into the fire. She had no idea what he had become, and he had no intention of telling her, or letting her see. There was only one thing driving him now. The death of Laird Gunn.
Keane glared at Alisdair. “Now, tell me the reports.”
Alisdair looked as though he might argue, but then stopped himself, blowing out a measured breath.
“The men have searched around the camp and there are no signs that anyone has been about. If Gunn’s men did come looking fer us, they didnae come in this direction. We seem tae be safe, fer now.”
“Aye, for now,” Keane agreed. “But Gunn willnae give up without a fight. We need tae remain alert and keep our wits about us at all times.”
“The men ken that, Keane.” Alisdair paused for a second before continuing. “Are ye still certain ye want tae go ahead with this?There’s still time fer us tae change course. We can leave the lass somewhere she’ll be found and be on our way.”
