Page 33 of Married for a Highland Debt
There was something in his tone that made Bettina uneasy. “Yes, I am, and he is with me,” she replied. “I am going back to him later, Da. We have made peace, and I am going back to truly be his wife.”
“If you are living with him, will he grant his father-in-law one last favor?” William begged. “Will he pay this last debt?”
Bettina leaped to her feet as a shaft of pure rage pierced her. “No, he will not!” she yelled. “I will not ask him. If you want that favor, you may ask him yourself, but I will despise you if you do. You are only working now because you have no money to gamble with, and if you found two farthings lying on the floor, you would place a bet even now!”
She stood glaring at him for a long time, then sighed. “I will ask him, and he will agree, no doubt. But this is the last time, Da!”
He nodded. “Thank you,” he murmured.
Bettina found herself unable to sleep that night. The thought of being back in Ninian’s arms had filled her with so much pleasure and anticipation that it was almost too much to bear, and she tossed and turned for most of the night until it was almost dawn. Then she sighed and gave up the fight, wishing she could ride properly so that she could jump on a horse and gallop over to throw herself into Ninian’s arms. He would be sending a carriage at noon, but she did not know how she would be able to wait so long.
She went outside to bathe herself in the light of the half moon that was shining in the star-studded sky, smiling to herself.
Bettina’s thought was abruptly cut off by the pressure of a hard hand that had snaked around her neck and was mercilessly crushing her throat. She began to choke, but she lost the ability to do even that a moment later as the hand pulled her against a hard body. After that, it slid further back until her neck was mercilessly crushed by a muscular forearm.
Unable to breathe, she clutched in panic at the arm, but it was too strong. A myriad of stars began to swim in front of her eyes, and she was tempted to give up the fight and let herself slide into oblivion. In a fraction of a second, but very slowly, she saw all the events in her life that she was going to miss.
There was Kairstine’s wedding, her children, perhaps her father’s remarriage, but most of all, the children she would never have with Ninian, a whole tribe of little rowdy boys and girls. Bettina closed her eyes, and her body began to slump against the person holding her.
Abruptly, the pressure on her neck disappeared, and she took in a great lungful of air before beginning to cough painfully. The hand clamped over her mouth, but at least she could breathe.
“Not another sound,” said a voice in her ear. It was male and sounded vaguely familiar, but the instruction had been delivered in a hoarse whisper so that it was impossible for Bettina to make it out properly.
“Do you understand?” the voice asked. Bettina nodded frantically. Even if she had been able to scream, she was too terrified, so she allowed her hands to be tied behind her back and submitted to being blindfolded.
“Drink this,” said the voice, and Bettina felt something cold and smooth against her lips, then a cold bitter liquid was tipped into her mouth. She gagged but drank it since she had no choice.
Seconds later, she felt her knees wobble, and the world in front of her eyes tilted and shifted. Her eyelids were heavy, and she was unable to keep them open, but just before she fell, she was caught and lifted up, and after that, she remembered no more.
17
“Ninian! Thank God!” Kairstine cried as she rushed out to meet him. She looked terrified, and he slid off his mount as fast as he could, then went to her and pulled her into his arms. She had begun to sob, and he stood quietly until she had calmed down, then looked down into her face. He had a terrible premonition of doom.
“It’s Bettie—she has disappeared!” she sobbed. “We woke up this morning, and she had gone. She has always been a light sleeper, but she was very restless last night and got up to go outside. I know because she woke me up, but I went back to sleep. When I rose, I searched for her everywhere, but she was gone. There must be twenty or so people looking for her, but we cannot find her anywhere. Ninian, I am so frightened!”
Ninian stood, frozen and numb, for a moment. Bettina was the love of his life; she was his reason for living, and he could not do without her. However, at moments like this, anger always came to his rescue, as it did now. It motivated him and urged him on, giving speed and energy to his purpose.
“I will find her,” he said grimly. He called one of his guards. “Fraser! Go and fetch a dozen horsemen from the castle and bring them back here!”
“Aye, M’Laird.” The man departed in a thunder of hooves. When the laird spoke like that, no one waited to be told twice.
“Where is your father?” Ninian demanded.
“I am here,” William announced as he walked up behind Ninian. “I have been searching and searching, but there is no sign of her. It is as if she has been spirited away.” There were tears running down his cheeks now, and he shook his head sorrowfully. “This is all my fault.”
Ninian was so furious that he had to stop himself from punching William Hamilton in his stomach, so he restrained himself from stepping up close to him and glaring down at him.
“This is not about you,” he growled. “I know it is your fault because I am not stupid, and you have told me a thousand times! Now stop wasting your energy on self-pity and try to think of something that will help us all to find Bettie!”
“You are right.” William nodded, then, as if a light had come on, his face cleared. “The debt collector! Could he have kidnapped Bettie for ransom?”
“That may be the first sensible thing you have said so far,” Ninian remarked, shooting William a black look, then he became brisk. “Kairstine, keep everyone searching. My men will be back in a short while, but they are experienced and will organize themselves. I am going to find Fergus McDade and make him wish that he had never been born!”
Ninian was not shown politely into Fergus McDade’s house. He walked up to the door, seized the heavy brass door knocker, and thumped it as hard as he could a dozen times in quick succession. It echoed thunderously through the house, giving him a feeling of grim satisfaction. If there was anyone in the house, they could never pretend not to have heard it!
He waited for what seemed like a month before trying again. Then, when there was no answer, he bunched his hands into fists and banged on the polished wood of the door. “McDade! Let me in!” he roared. “I only want to talk! Let me in, or I will break your door down!”
He listened again with mounting anger building up in his chest.
