Page 70 of The Highlander's Illicit Bride
“Time fer what then?”
“Time tae get me wayward daughter back.”
Dougal scoffed and shook his head, then drained the last of his wine, got to his feet and planted his hands on Murdoch’s desk, leaning forward and staring deeply into his eyes. Murdoch could see the fire burning deep within the man.
“I’ll get Isolde back. And I’ll deliver her tae ye. Ye can wed her, bed her, dae with her as ye will,” he said.
“See that ye make it happen. Soon,” he growled. “If ye dinnae hold true tae yer word and deliver that girl tae me, just as ye promised, I’ll make ye a promise—there will be war. I will kill that good fer nothing lad I keep in me dungeon and hell will open with Finlay’s death. Mark me words, Murdoch, if ye dinnae retrieve and deliver me bride, war will be comin’.”
And with that, Dougal turned and stormed out of his study with the same fury he’d blow in with. Murdoch sat in his chair stewing on all the dark anger bubbling up within him. He clenched his jaw so tight, he could have chewed through stone. He drained his cup then hurled it across the room as Dougal had. It hit the stone wall with a hard thump, then clattered to the floor.
Before it had even stopped spinning, Murdoch leapt to his feet and stormed out of his chamber, nearly colliding with Rodrick, his closest advisor, just outside the door.
“Assemble the men,” Murdoch ordered. “All of them.”
“What is happenin’ me laird?” Rodrick asked.
“We’re marchin’ on Achnacarry.”
CHAPTER 30
“’Tis all right,” he said. “Nay need tae be nervous.”
“I’ve never been good about speakin’ in front of people.”
They stood in the corridor outside the Council chambers a few days after their shared intimacy, and that was all Struan could think about. He couldn’t wait to face to Council and marry her already. Isolde’s cheeks were flushed, and he could see her trembling. Offering her a soft smile, Struan took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. She turned to him, clutching his hand tightly, as if she felt lost at sea and he was the only thing keeping her afloat. Struan leaned forward and placed a soft kiss upon her lips.
“Ye’ll be fine. I promise ye,” he said. “The men inside that room are good and wise men. I’m sure they’ll see ye want tae dae right by everybody. That ye’ve risked yer own life tae help me. Tae help Finlay. And tae help our clan,” he replied, then drew in a deep breath. “And they’ll see that I love ye.”
Isolde looked him in the eye, her expression growing serious.
“I love ye too, Struan” she replied and laid a soft hand against his cheek.
As he set her back down, the doors to the chamber opened and he took her by the hand, leading her in. Isolde drew in a deep breath, as if preparing herself, and lifted her chin, putting on a face that was regal in bearing.
Struan’s Council sat around the table, watching them closely as they walked in. Her grip on his hand tightened, the only betrayal of her cool demeanor.
“Good mornin’, gentlemen,” Struan said, his voice echoing around the otherwise silent chamber. “This is Lady Isolde Mackintosh.”
As Struan led her to the head of the table next to him, the men seated around it all stood and gave her a polite bow then reclaimed their seats. She clasped her hands at her waist and gave the Council a courteous curtsy, taking a moment to meet every man’s eyes directly.
“Good mornin’,” she began. “As Laird Cameron said, I am Isolde Mackintosh, daughter of Laird Murdoch Mackintosh.”
She cleared her throat and took a moment to gather herself. Struan could only imagine the tempest of emotions churning wildly inside of her. But to her credit, she stood firm. Withher jaw clenched, she refused to give into them. Instead, she straightened her back, her hands still clasped at her waist and began to speak.
“I may nae ken the extent of what me faither’ cruelty has cost tae yer people. But, if there was somethin’ I could dae tae bring back all ye lost, I would. In a heartbeat. I’d give me own life tae take away even an ounce of the sufferin’ he’s caused ye all,” she said and Struan was sure she truly meant it.
“And while I cannae change the past, I wish tae share with ye the plans I’ve heard with me own ears. Finlay Cameron is bein’ held at Cluny House by Laird Dougal MacPherson,” she said. “I was there when both Finlay and Laird Cameron were brought tae me father’s keep. ‘Twas me faither who suggested they be separated and tae hide Finlay at Cluny House. Tae break any plan the braithers may have had tae escape together.”
Her words hung in the air over the table and Struan, who was also standing next to her, brought his hand to her waist for support.
Isolde spoke firmly and without hesitation. Without fear. He found himself not just impressed by her even more than he had expected, but incredibly proud of her as well.
“Me biggest regret is withholdin’ that information until I kent I was safe. Fer that, I apologize,” she went on. “But I was terrified. Me faither wishes tae wed me tae Dougal to marry and seal their alliance.”
“Their alliance would be disaster for us,” muttered one of the council members, earning nods and murmured agreement from the others.
“When me faither was busy makin’ the match with Dougal, I had the opportunity tae explore Cluny House. And what I can tell ye is that there is a secret entrance. I dinnae believe they ken I’ve seen it, but I have,” she said. “In the woods beyond the north wall, there is a secret hatch that leads tae a tunnel that runs under the curtain wall and intae the keep itself. Ye can move through there undetected tae rescue Finlay.”
