Captured Hearts and Stolen Kisses

by Ceci Giltenan et al.

  “Damn, I was afraid of this.” Logan slammed his balled fist against the bedpost. He should never have left Ann alone, and now she was missing. But something his sister said gave him a clue as to where Brodie might have taken her. While his cousin thought that where and when he and Jenna met in secret was known only to them, he wasn’t aware that half the keep knew of their clandestine encounters. While he couldn’t be certain it was where his cousin had gone, it was a place to start.

  “Was I wrong to tell Brodie about mother?” Catherine glanced up at Logan, her bottom lip quivering. “I’m sorry if I said something I wasna supposed to say, but was worried about mam and thought he should know his aunt was sick.”

  Logan squatted beside Catherine and hugged her. “You did naught to apologize for. Stay here with mam and Moira. And see that mother rests and drinks the tea Ann brewed for her.” He rose and hurried to the door of the chamber.

  “Where are you going?” Moira asked. “If Brodie comes to see mother do you want me to tell him you are looking for him?”

  “There will be no need. I will tell him myself.” With that he rushed out the door and down the hallway to the stairs leading to the parapets, praying he wasn’t too late.

  Chapter 12

  Out of breath from running down the corridor, then climbing the stairs two at a time, Logan paused, but only long enough to catch a breath. Time was of the essence if he wanted to stop his cousin from taking matters into his own hands and to save Ann. He chastised himself for leaving her alone, knowing how distraught and driven Brodie was for revenge. He hoped his cousin would not go through with his threats, but he couldn’t take that chance, again.

  Not only had Logan fallen for Ann and would be devastated if anything were to happen to her, he knew that once Brodie regained his senses and his grief eased, he would despise himself for killing her. Even though his cousin was a seasoned warrior, and Logan would want no other man at his side in battle, Brodie was not a brutal, heartless killer. Were he make good with his threat, he would forever be haunted by Ann’s death, the same way he was Jenna’s.

  Praying he was not too late to intervene, Logan raced along the rampart wall, being careful not to slip on the wet stones. He knew where Brodie and Jenna used to meet and as he neared the spot, he stopped and glanced around the corner of the keep.

  Ann stood near an opening in the wall—a place from which archers could fire or dump boiling tar on an invading army. Brodie stood a few feet in front of her, partially blocking his view, but he could hear their conversation. Logan debated about announcing his presence and darting in, but when he caught a glimpse of the dagger in his cousin’s hand, he decided to wait and think before making his move. While he might be able to stop Brodie from killing her, Ann was standing so close to the opening in the wall, he feared she might slip on the wet stones in the commotion and fall to her death.

  “You dinna have to do this, Lord Brodie.” Ann’s teeth chattered as she spoke. “Killing me willna change the past.”

  Logan fought the urge to run to her and take her in his arms. Instead he stood his ground and waited to see what his cousin intended to do next.

  “That is where you are wrong, m’lady,” Brodie hissed. “Your death may na bring Jenna back, but it will punish your father for the atrocity he committed.”

  “What happened to your clan was a tragedy and shouldna go unpunished, but how can you and Logan be so sure it was my father who ordered the attack? He is a good man and would never condone the murder of women and babes. I would stake my life on it.”

  “He made that wager for you,” Brodie said. He reached out and snatched the emerald pendant from around her neck, breaking the gold chain. “This is my proof. If your father dinna order the attack, how did you get this?”

  Ann’s eyes widened, and she brought a hand to her throat where the pendant once laid. “That belonged to my mother, and father thought I might like to have it.”

  “This belonged to Jenna,” he spat. “I gave it to her before Logan and I left the castle a fortnight ago, and I saw her for the last time.” He fisted the gem in his hand.

  “Why did you wait until now to say anything about the pendant?” she asked.

  “I never noticed it afore now. You wore it tucked beneath the bodice of your gown, but when you were leaning over to poison my aunt, I saw it hanging around your neck.”

  “I told you, I was trying to help your aunt,” Ann said. “Mayhap the pendant just looks like the one you gave Jenna. There could be many like it, and certainly doesna prove my father was responsible for the attack.”

  “Stop trying to defend the blackguard. There are no others like this one.” Brodie opened his hand and stared at the pendant. “It belonged to my mother and her mother before that. It was crafted nearly one hundred years ago, and passed down to the wife of the oldest son when she was with child for the first time.” He lowered his head and whispered a prayer.

  “Jenna was breeding?”

  “Aye. She told me she was going to have my babe afore I left, and we planned to marry upon my return. We decided na to say anything to anyone until we could announce our joyous news together. Not even Logan knew.” He raised the dagger and took a menacing step forward. “So, your father not only ordered the death of my beloved Jenna, but killed my babe as well.”

  Logan recognized the pendant, and like Brodie had not noticed it until now. While it proved her father was responsible for the raid, it did not change the fact that Ann was not the one who ordered the attack. The news that Jenna was expecting a babe did not surprise him. He knew that Brodie and Jenna had been intimate for some time and it broke his heart to learn that not only did his cousin lose the love of his life, but his first bairn too.

  “No wonder he is so obsessed with seeking retribution,” Logan muttered under his breath and inched forward. He needed to make his move at the right moment, or he risked losing Ann. But when Brodie raised the dirk above his head and prepared to strike, he’d run out of time.

  “I dinna know Jenna, but from what you told me, this is na what she would want,” Ann stammered. “What of Logan? Will he understand when he finds out you defied his orders and killed me after being told not to?”

  “I warned you na to speak Jenna’s name. You know naught about her and are na worthy,” Brodie growled. “Logan may be angry at first, but once he realizes I did the right thing, he will thank me for doing what he couldna bring himself to do.” Brodie fisted the dagger in preparation to deliver a fatal blow, but hesitated and glanced skyward. “Lord forgive me, but I do this for you, Jenna.”

  Ann closed her eyes, but she didn’t cower or beg for mercy, which in Logan’s opinion was a testament to her courage. Taking advantage of Brodie’s pause, Logan bolted forward. “The Almighty willna forgive you, nor will I. But worse than that, you willna forgive yourself if you kill Ann. This is na what Jenna would want, and you know it.” Logan stared at his cousin in earnest. “Jenna was a wonderful woman and she was also forgiving. She wouldna want you to kill an innocent woman in her name. Nor would she want you to live with the guilt afterward.”

  “Who says I planned to live with it,” Brodie growled. “My life ended that night and I have no reason to merely exist. Once I have avenged Jenna’s death, I will join her.” He lifted the dagger again and glowered at Ann. “You took pity on this witch and trusted her with your mother. Good thing I arrived in time to stop her from poisoning your mam. She deserves to die.”

  Logan knew it was Brodie’s grief speaking, but he was in a far darker place than he realized, yet he had to admit if in his cousin’s boots, he might feel the same way. Brodie was wrong when he accused Ann of trying to kill his mother, and he would not stand by and allow her to die. “My mother is much better. The elixir Ann gave her helped. Her fever has broken, and she was awake and eating broth when I left her room.”

  “It matters na. Her father killed Jenna and my babe, and she must pay for his crimes.

  “Na if I can help it.” Loga
n launched forward, tackling Brodie around the waist, and knocking him off balance. But as he feared, Ann also lost her footing in the scuffle and stumbled backward toward the opening in the wall. Unable to reach her in time to prevent her from falling, he knew exactly how Brodie felt when he lost Jenna.

  “I have you.” Brodie said as he grasped Ann’s wrist and hauled her away from the wall.

  Stunned by his cousin’s action, Logan quickly grasped Ann’s other hand and pulled her toward him. Once he had her tucked safely in his arms, he looked at Brodie. “Thank you.”

  Brodie didn’t answer. Instead he sank to his knees, sobbing.

  Logan had never seen his cousin cry, not even when his parents died, leaving him torn between holding the woman he loved in his arms and going to his cousin’s side.

  Ann lifted her head from Logan’s chest and glanced over her shoulder at Brodie. “You should go to him,” she whispered.

  “What about you?” He hugged her tighter.

  “I am fine, thanks to Brodie. He needs you more than I right now.” She smiled up at him with tear-filled eyes. “I will be here once you have seen to him.”

  Her selflessness, even after Brodie tried to kill her made Logan love and admire Ann more than he did already. But she was right. Brodie needed him, and he had saved her life instead of taking it. He kissed Ann, then released his hold and moved in his cousin’s direction.

  Logan squatted beside Brodie and rested his hand on his back. “I know how much you miss Jenna and I am so sorry about the loss of your babe. How you felt and what you did because of it is understandable. But in the end, you did the right thing and saved Ann when you could have let her fall. For that I am grateful and know Jenna would be pleased.”

  “Then tell me why I feel like I let her down? Again.” Brodie scrubbed his fist across his cheeks and squared his shoulders. “I canna help wondering what would have happened if after she told me she was breeding, I had stayed here and married her, rather than going with you. They might still be alive.”

  “We canna change the past or predict the future. You had no way of knowing she would die, any more than I knew what would befall my father and the rest of our clan.” Logan hauled his cousin into a tight embrace. “Some things we are na meant to know. All we can do is live our lives to the fullest and be the best men we can be. You let that good man shine through when you saved Ann, and Jenna will be proud of you,” he said, then released his hold.

  Brodie rose to a wobbly stance and glanced at Ann. “I hope you will forgive me. I was na myself these last few days.”

  Ann stepped forward and touched Brodies forearm. “I forgive you and pray you will find peace, and when the time is right love and happiness.”

  “Logan come quickly!” Moira shouted.

  “What is it? Has mother taken a bad turn?” Logan’s heart raced as he waited for his sister to answer.

  “Nay. James sent me to fetch you. There is an army of men approaching from the south. He thinks it might be the MacRyans.”

  Chapter 13

  “Take Lady Ann and wait with mother and Catherine in her chamber,” Logan said to Moira. “I will have men guard the door, but if things appear to be getting out of hand and you believe you are in danger, wait in Father’s secret passageway.” He kissed Ann on the cheek and ushered her toward his sister. “Go with Moira, now.”

  Ann dug in her heels and peered up at Logan. “Please, let me accompany you. Mayhap my father will listen to me and return home with no further bloodshed. Enough people have died.”

  Despite her plea, Logan refused to let Ann sway his decision. He was determined to confront the MacRyan and at the same time see that the women in his life were safe. “Go with my sister to my parent’s chamber and wait there until I return.” Logan turned to Brodie. “Rally the men and see they are prepared for the arrival of Laird MacRyan in accordance with our plan.”

  Brodie raced off, passing James at the top of the stairs.

  Logan took Anne’s hands between his own and brought them to his lips, kissing her fingertips. “Your father is a ruthless man and willna listen to a plea for mercy or restraint. I fear he will ignore your words and may do you harm if he thinks you have betrayed him. I promised my father, the MacRyan would pay for his treachery and intend to see he does.”

  James stepped onto the parapets. “I see Moira found you and informed you of the MacRyan’s arrival?”

  “She did,” Logan said. “Please take my sister and Lady Ann to my mother’s chamber, then stand guard on the door. Once they are inside, no one is to leave until I give the order it is safe to do so. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Aye.” James steered the ladies toward the stairs. “Come along, there is na time to dally.”

  At first Logan thought Ann would refuse to go with James and might try to argue further, but he was relieved when she went with him. Once the ladies were out of sight, he went to the castle wall, catching a glimpse of the approaching army. If all went according to his plan, the MacRyan would soon be his prisoner, forced to atone for his father death. He thought about how her father’s death might affect Ann, but he could not let his feelings for her cloud his judgement, or prevent him from honoring a pledge he made to his own father on his deathbed.

  Logan raced down the stairs with his father’s claymore in hand. When he reached the main floor of the castle and saw that his men positioned as he instructed, he joined Brodie to wait for the MacRyan’s arrival. They lost a large part of their army during the surprise attack, so they did not have as many warriors left as their opponents, but with careful strategy and the aid of some neighboring clans, he believed they had come up with a foolproof trap.

  “Have all the women and children been taken to a safe place?” Logan asked his cousin.

  “Aye.” Brodie offered a curt nod, but his eyes remained focused on the main entrance to the keep. “The buggers willna fine a one of them, and they will remain hidden until we have the MacRyan in our grasp. Thomas and several of our finest men have instructions that if things do not go as we hope, he is to take them to Dunning Castle. The laird will grant them sanctuary”

  “I wish I could have sent my mother and sisters to join them. But mam is too weak to travel, and my sisters refused to leave her behind.” Logan blew out a heavy sigh. James would see them sequestered in his father’s secret passageway if necessary, but he was confident that wouldn’t be necessary if all followed his instructions.

  “And the MacRyan lass?” Brodie asked.

  “Ann is with mother and my sisters. She will remain there until this is all over,” Logan replied.

  “After that?”

  “I guess it will be up to Ann and the Almighty.” Logan brought a finger to his lips, intent on silencing his cousin. He heard voices on the steps of the castle.

  “You could hear a pin drop this room is so quiet. How did you get the men to stay silent?” Logan whispered.

  “I told them if anyone uttered so much as a sound, their tongue would be cut out and they would be turned over to the MacRyans,” Brodie answered, grinning. “Must I do the same to you, cousin?”

  Logan bit down on his lower lip to keep from saying any more and focused on the door to the keep.

  “It appears they have abandoned their stronghold, turned tail, and ran off.” A MacRyan warrior said as he shoved open the door and entered the castle. “The parapets and curtain wall were unmanned, the portcullis wide open, there was nary a person in the bailey. They are gone, and I am guessing they took your daughter with them. If she is still alive.”

  “I dinna trust them. Keep your head on a swivel,” Laird MacRyan said as he entered with a dozen warriors surrounding him, their swords drawn. “Search the castle and bring me any MacAllen who is still here. Dinna leave a stone unturned.”

  “We did wipe out a good many of their warriors, along with their women and bairns when we raided,” Another of the warriors said. “They may na have had enough left to defend the keep.”

  Lo
gan recognized the man speaking to Laird MacRyan. Amos MacRae was the captain of the MacRyan guard. He’d come up against the ruthless blackguard in battle before, and according to rumors, he was the man who raped and killed Jenna. It was obvious Brodie recognized him as well and believed the same tales. His cousin’s body went rigid the moment the man entered the keep, and if hate and rage were tangible things, he was sure he would be able to cut what was emanating from Brodie with a dagger. He hoped his cousin could keep his emotions contained long enough for their plan to come to fruition. He rested his hand on Brodie’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

  Amos stroked his bearded chin as his eyes searched the empty entranceway to the castle, then whipped around to face his laird. “I dinna like this, m’lord. It isna like the MacAllens to just desert their keep. They had enough men to ambush your daughter’s caravan and to destroy the one you sent out prior to hers. According to your daughter’s maid, they had many warriors, including some from other clans.”

  “My daughter is missing and until I find her, we will continue to search the castle,” the laird growled. “I shouldna have taken your advice and sent her to her grandparents in the first place. I should have kept her at my side, where I could protect her. Had you instructed your men to use a little less brutality and to show mercy to women and bairns when you attacked the MacAllen stronghold the other night, I might na be searching for Ann now.”

  “You told us to attack and show no quarter,” Amos said. “You dinna tell me how you wanted it done, just that you wanted the MacAllens destroyed. I canna think of a better way than to eliminate their women and bairns.”

  Logan had all the proof he needed that the MacRyans were responsible for the attack on his keep. First there was the pendant Ann wore, the one that had originally belonged to Jenna. Then there were the open confessions by both the MacRyan and his men regarding that night. While he showed concern for his daughter and chastised Amos for not showing more restraint, it did little to squelch the anger or need to seek revenge churning in his gut.