Page 40 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“They owe her for something that happened a long, long time ago.”
“A battle?”
“Nay, they killed her grandsire. Specifically, Alex Grant killed her grandfather, and she wants revenge.”
His second said, “Going against the Grants is not going to be easy. Why the Ramsays if Alex Grant was the guilty party?”
“She said Logan Ramsay was there too. She wants him dead.”
“I know someone who gets close enough to do it.”
Kelvan nearly gasped. “Don’t be a fool. He has to die in the only way possible.”
The man tipped his head at him. “How?”
“At her hand. She has to kill Logan Ramsay herself.”
“A woman killing the man who was a spy?”
Kelvan smiled. “You can count on it.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Eva
Eva sat in the tub, leaning back so she could soak and think. This was her fourth bath since she’d been attacked the day before. Staring at her pruned fingertips, she’d probably cooked herself long enough.
She couldn’t explain to her mother why she needed the third or the fourth bath, she just needed to be rid of the smelly bastard who’d dared to touch her. Opening her mouth, she tested her jaw to see if the pain had eased yet from the punch and the slap the fool had given her, but it seemed worse. The cut on her lip had finally begun to scab over, so that didn’t hurt as much.
Eva had gone from having nothing to do to having so many things to do that she couldn’t decide which she wished to do first.
Her first two choices dominated her mind. Should she kill the bastard who’d hurt her or kill the bastard who’d hurt her? Unfortunately, she had no idea who or where he was. She could search the isle for him, but her headaches were so bad from being tossed against the wall that she wasn’t ready to go yet.
If she just knew the answer to the question everyone asked her, she might rest easier. Had he raped her? Did he complete the act? That whole concept confused her, which is why it was difficult for her to know the answer. She’d found no one willing to explain the intricacies of the act.
As far as she was concerned, he had raped her. What difference did it make if he was able to complete it or not? But her mother had quickly explained, “It makes a difference because he may have gotten you with child.”
Her quick remark had been, “Well, you wanted grandbairns, did you not?”
If not for her attack, her mother probably would have slapped her for being so crude, but she couldn’t help it. Everyone needed to stop. Asking. Her. Questions.
Because she didn’t know exactly what had happened.
“I’m sorry, Mama.” Rut had done something entirely out of character. She’d patted Eva’s shoulder and said nothing. “Mama, I wish I could answer your question, but I can’t. I passed out and don’t recall anything until Sloan rescued me.”
“Doiron could look.”
“I don’t want Doiron to look.” That had ended the conversation that day, but it came up again.
A knock sounded on the door. “Who is it?”
“It’s Mama. Are you even there or did you disappear?”
“I’m about ready to get out, Mama. No reason to come in.” She didn’t care to listen to her mother’s questions and concerns again.
“Fine. I’ll see you below stairs after you finish your bath.”
“I might stay up here and read the book I brought back with me. Meg found them in the great hall and brought them up.”
