Page 35 of The Torment of a Scottish Warrior
“Ships?” Derric asked.
“Aye. Three of them.”
Dyna said, “And they must have been lying in wait. As soon as the guards arrived with the horses who were unsettled from the ship, plus Micheil and Aunt Brenna, everyone was distracted from all the new arrivals. Many came outside with the bairns. We made it perfect for them. We weren’t thinking.”
“But he said a sennight. It’s only been two days.” Broc shook his head. “Never believe anything he says.”
Finlay clasped his son’s shoulder and said, “Let’s go into the hall. Plan our next steps.”
Merryn looked up at Broc. How she prayed he wouldn’t consider going after them. But if she were to guess, he was already plotting. “Broc, it was Kelvan. I saw him with Shealee. He’s the one who stole her in front of me.”
Dyna, Derric, and Finlay all stared at them. Derric mumbled, “Damn. Diamond, we have to stop them. He won’t quit.”
Then Merryn made a quick decision.
When Broc left, she was going with him.
Fire raged through her at all the travesties one man had committed. He’d killed her sister, his own wife, the mother of his wee bairn.
Then he’d killed both her parents and all their neighbors.
His new wife had attempted to kill Logan.
And now they’d kidnapped four bairns and Kyla Grant.
“I’m going with you when you go after them, Broc. I don’t care who goes.”
Broc said, “I’m not sure if you are ready yet, Merryn.”
Dyna said, “She’s ready. She had the sense to grab my two bairns and kick one attacker in the bollocks, did she not? She saved Sandor and Sylvi.”
Broc tipped his head and said, “So true. I’ll take you along if the others agree.”
“Good. Because I’m going to kill that bastard. I’ve seen enough of his sick, twisted deeds. If I have to put a dagger in his eye, I’ll do it.”
He had Shealee, and she’d vowed to protect the wee lass.
She owed it to her sister.
Chapter Nineteen
Brenna
Brenna turned in time to see her nephew coming toward her. Connor was the one who reminded her of her dearest brother Alex more than any other. Alasdair was growing more and more like him, but ConnorwasAlex on some days.
“Connor, what has happened? I was afraid to go back outside from the sounds of the clashing swords.”
“Another kidnapping, Aunt Brenna. Fear not, we’ll handle it. We need your help with Logan. I’m sure you’ve heard. How may I be of use to you?”
“Micheil is already in with him, but I need my bag of poultices. I had the best of the bunch in one of the crates, with my name written clearly on the top. If you could find it, open it, and bring the sack on the top to me, I would appreciate it. It’s wrapped in a Grant plaid.”
“I’ll take care of it. Go help him. He has the fever so badly that he doesn’t even awaken. Gwyneth is losing her will.”
“I will do what I can, Connor. I see you have much more important things to focus on right now. Bairns come first.” She patted his shoulder as he turned to leave.
Connor retrieved her sack while Brenna took in all the tears and sobbing within the hall, something she should concern herself with, but she couldn’t. She was here for Logan, so in to Logan she would go.
She pivoted, holding in her groan from being on horseback for so long, something she wasn’t used to anymore, and her sore bottom reminded her. She opened the door to the healing chamber, pleased to see that Eli kept it clean, well lit, and well stocked, just as she’d taught her.
