Page 61 of Sutherland's Secret
He shook his head and looked at the ground. “Ye have no idea what they did to her,” he whispered before looking at the sky and blinking rapidly to clear his vision. “It’s a wonder she was alive when we found her.”
Lachlan shifted. “I had a suspicion. Cecilia told Hannah about the scars and cuts.”
“ ’Tis barbaric.” He slammed his fist into his palm. “If we encounter Blackwood, I will kill him, make no doubt about it, Lachlan. That is my vow.”
“Brice—”
“Ye will no’ talk me out of this. I will avenge her.”
“Think,caraid dhomh. I know ye’re angry now, but what ye’re saying—”
“I know well what I’m saying.” Brice glared at his longtime friend and the only man he’d have at his back.
“So ye’ll bring the wrath of the English down on yer head and jeopardize everyone’s life?”
Brice pressed his lips together and looked away. “The man needs to pay.”
“He will. But ye can’t go tearing off in a fury to kill him.”
“I didn’t say I would.”
Lachlan raised a brow in disbelief. “So ye have feelings for the lass?”
“Aye.” He had feelings. He loved her with all his heart, and it hurt so damn much to admit it, knowing they only had two weeks together.
Lachlan slapped him on his injured shoulder and smiled. “Felicitations, then.”
Brice grimaced. “She’s leaving.”
The smile slipped from Lachlan’s face and coldness entered his eyes. “Where to?”
“Not London, if that’s what ye’re thinking.” He paused. “Canada.”
Both of Lachlan’s brows rose. “Canada? What for?”
“Because that bastard Blackwood is searching for her, and he’s persistent. If I could kill him…” He waved away Lachlan’s protest. He knew he couldn’t outright kill the limey bastard. Too many lives were at stake. He just wished that for once things would go his way. But there was no way he could think of to keep Eleanor and continue with his clandestine activities. Not without risking one or the other.
“He must want her powerfully bad.”
“That’s what’s confusing,” Brice said thoughtfully. “Does a man really go to the lengths Blackwood has gone to in order to claim her?”
If Blackwood were to wed her, he would be well connected in London, and their marriage would probably open many doors for him, but Eleanor had to agree to wed him, and he certainly had not gone about that the right way. Imprisoning your intended would not endear her to you.
Brice could not help but think there was more to it. It had to do with Charles Hirst’s death, but for the life of him, he couldn’t put his finger on it.
—
Hannah sat Eleanor down in the great hall and ordered a servant to bring her something to eat. “Something warm and comforting,” Hannah instructed.
But Eleanor had no stomach for food. Telling Brice about Blackwood had made her sick with dread and loathing, and the thought of leaving him in two weeks made things even worse.
Hannah looked at Eleanor with a slight, knowing smile. “So ye and the Sutherland had to spend a long night together hiding out from the storm,” she said.
“Yes,” Eleanor said dully.
Hannah touched her hand, bringing Eleanor out of her thoughts. “I take it the night was not as ye expected?”
“Oh, no.” Eleanor flushed. Though she’d had plenty of acquaintances in London, she never would have been comfortable discussing such things with them. Even now she was uncomfortable with the twinkle in Hannah’s eyes. She looked around, but the hall was empty save for two of Brice’s men, clear on the other side and deep in conversation.
