Page 44 of The Torment of a Scottish Warrior
Simone broke into a laugh. “Oh my, that would have been fun to watch.”
“Micheil said it was the best show he’d seen in a long time. He cursed at her, and she cursed back at him, swearing she’d have Micheil hold him down if she had to.”
Then Simone teared up. “Da would have a hard time accepting that a woman bested him, Connor. I’m sure his self-image is tainted, especially by Glenna. You know that to be true.”
“Aye, I agree.”
Broc didn’t say a word. Did they blame him for part of the travesty?
Simone said, “Sit down, all. You need to know that Artan knows Glenna verra well and could provide us some insight into her thinking.”
Connor looked at her in surprise. “He does? Glenna of Buchan?”
Artan nodded. “Glenna was married to my brother.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kelvan
Kelvan climbed out of the boat on the far coastline of Tiree, anxious to see his wee daughter. Shealee was a beautiful lass, and when he’d held her before, she’d always smiled at him, and he told Nara that she even tried to kiss him once. She’d been about three full moons by then.
Samuel strode next to him. “I’m sure she’ll be pleased to see you now, Chief. She was upset over the chaos of the kidnapping, of being moved to a new place. That’s all it was. She’ll be fine now.”
“I hope so. I plan to bring her back to Mingary so I can see her first thing every morn. She was brightest and sweetest after Nara fed her and changed her raggies. It was the best part of the day.”
Samuel smiled and trudged ahead, scanning the area as they moved closer to the cottage where the bairns were held. There were two older men watching over the five people, keeping the wee ones and the Grant woman locked inside and feeding them.
Kelvan nearly walked up to the door, but then Samuel held up his hand. “Our men should have just left. Allow me to enter first. One never knows who might be inside.”
“Of course. I admire your wisdom and your loyalty, Samuel, which is why I keep you around. The others are daft losers.” Kelvan was the most important of all. Why didn’t everyone understand that basic truth? He was the wisest by far. Everyone had to see that.
Samuel used the key hung on a nail and opened the door to the hut, then stepped inside and went down the passageway to the locked chamber, opening it finally before he called to Kelvan. He was not surprised to see the four bairns huddled around the one adult, Glenna’s arch nemesis, the woman named Kyla.
Kyla spoke quickly, “Let us go now.”
Kelvan chuckled. “You are not in a position to give orders. I am, and now you will keep your mouth closed.”
“I’ll speak if I like,” she said, setting the child who was on her lap behind her. She pushed herself to a standing position. “Leave the bairns alone. I’ll stay willingly if you set them free.”
He settled his hands on his hips to stare at her. Aye, she had that foolish look he’d seen in some females, but ones who didn’t live long. He did his best to intimidate her, stepping closer and narrowing his eyes, but she didn’t budge.
So he promptly slapped her.
Twice.
And the bitch stood and glared at him. “You’re an evil man who has a foolish belief that he has the right to take whatever he wants.”
“And I do,” he proudly announced.
“Not for long. The Grants know who you are, and once they find you, it won’t be pretty.”
He laughed, tipping his head back.
“And what happened to Glenna’s sire, Glenn?”
Kelvan slapped her again. “Close your mouth. You’re naught but a worthless female.”
Lucky for her that wee Shealee began to cry.
