Highland Fortitude (The Band of Cousins Book 5)

by Keira Montclair

  “What the hell are you doing?” His beady eyes lit with a fury she’d not often seen. She took off at a dead run, but he followed her and threw himself at her, landing on top of her with a grunt.

  Constance panted, trying to catch her breath, as he forced his full weight on her. He rolled her onto her back and held her arms over her head, his face so close to hers she wished to vomit form the stench of his ale-soaked breath. “I should have kenned you’d try something. I’ll be tying you up from here on. And if you try to run away again, I’ll let my brother have you, but not until I taste you first. You try my patience, lassie.”

  He got up and yanked her to her feet, slapping her hard on her cheek. He woke his brother with a kick and made him hold on to her while he tied her hands. “We’re leaving now.”

  He was about to toss her up on the horse when he paused for a moment. “Mayhap you need a headache. That should keep you from trying to escape.”

  He punched her in the jaw, snapping her head off to the side.

  Constance fought tears, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. But he’d done as he’d promised.

  Now she had a searing headache. When would her nightmare end?

  ***

  Daniel and Connor slept in one chamber while Gavin and Gregor slept across the passageway from them. Terric slept in the common room, where the innkeeper kept multiple beds for a lower price.

  Daniel didn’t sleep well, mostly because he hurt in so many places, but he was sound asleep when the thunderstorm came upon them.

  A roar of thunder woke both of them, and Connor cursed loudly. “Hell, but I’ve seen enough thunderstorms for one year.” He rolled over in bed and covered his head with a fur.

  Daniel sat up on the edge of his bed, then moved over to the window, opening the shutters and staring out over the back of the inn. He was only there for a few moments when several brilliant flashes of lightning caused him to back away from the window. Thunder roared through their chamber and Connor finally sat up in bed. “I give up.”

  Daniel had turned to glance at his cousin when he heard a voice that sounded as if it were right outside the window.

  “You must help her.”

  He spun around and stared. An apparition floating in midair outside the window stared at him. The ghost, the woman, whatever she was, wore a white gown with bell sleeves and a blue band around her waist. Her full skirts billowed beneath her as if she were buffeted by the wind of the storm. She had red hair much like Constance, curly waves bouncing in the breeze.

  “You were right, Connor. I’ve taken too may blows to my head.” He leaned on the edge of the window, staring out over the stables behind the inn.

  “What are you looking at?” Connor asked as another bolt of lightning lit up the sky.

  “I’m not sure, but she looks a bit like Constance. Come look for yourself. You won’t believe me otherwise.” Transfixed by the floating specter in front of him, Daniel motioned to Connor without turning his head.

  Connor gasped as he approached him. “Nay, nay, nay. Not this again!”

  “What?” Daniel whispered. “You’ve seen her before?”

  Connor moved closer to the window, the two of them now standing shoulder to shoulder as the ghostly apparition floated in the air directly in front of them.

  “Aye,” was all Connor said. “Though something is different about her.” He stared at the vision, assessing her carefully.

  “You must save her,” the ghost said, “You are the only one who can help her.” Her finger came up to point at Daniel. “Three. There are three.” She then pointed to Connor, lifting her hand up to show him three fingers.

  “Where are her pearls? She had pearls around her neck before.”

  She started to dissipate, but Daniel leaned out the window. “Who? Who are we supposed to save?”

  Connor clasped Daniel’s shoulder and said, “Constance. Trust me. She protects the lasses of the abbeys.”

  The ghost smiled and pointed at Connor, nodding her head before she disappeared with one last comment, “She needs you, Daniel.” Then she held up a red gem shaped like a heart in her hand.

  Daniel closed the shutters and latched them, plopping down on the bed. “I’d think I’d lost my mind if you hadn’t seen her, too.”

  Connor sighed. “’Tis the second time I’ve seen her. She warned Roddy about Rose. Said almost the same exact thing. The only difference was she wore pearls around her neck last time. I told him never to mention it again, and I’m telling you the same thing. Do not tell Gavin or Gregor.”

  “And you saw the gem she held in her hand?”

  “I did.” Connor ran his hand across his forehead and down his face. “It only means one thing, and I think you can guess what that is.”

  Daniel stared up at the ceiling. “Aye, Constance is in trouble.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Daniel and Connor bid farewell to Gavin and Gregor after they finished breaking their fast, and their cousins rode off to Ramsay land. Then Daniel sent Terric out with several coins, charging him with getting a similar tool made for his arm attachment. There were two blacksmiths in town, and Terric knew one, so he promised to do as instructed.

  When he and Connor were finally alone at the inn, he said, “I cannot take you with me, but I’d appreciate you following me.” He stared at the swirling beverage in his goblet.

  “I plan to. How will you approach Lamont and what exactly do you think he can do for you?”

  “I asked many questions of the man in charge before the fight last eve. He said they send a few men out to the channel once every moon to pick up a shipment in the north and then bring it to the east coast. The number varies. He’s been offered extra coin to find the red-haired lass. My guess is they plan to send her away too, although he didn’t say so.”

  “Why?” Connor stroked his chin as he stared at his goblet of mead. “This is a most strange situation.”

  “Aye. Who would knowingly risk selling a nobleman’s daughter to the channel? Even if her sire is angry with her, he’s bound to retaliate.”

  “We’re missing something.”

  “She’s a popular lass all of a sudden, for one who was living in an abbey,” Daniel declared, scratching his whiskers.

  “That gemstone must be valuable,” Connor said. “Even the ghost knew about it. Why did she keep saying three? What is the meaning of three? Three days? Three men have her?” He stared at Daniel. “Any ideas?”

  “My guess is that we have to find her within three days. That makes the most sense as Blair said he was sending me out in two days. I fight again tonight and on the morrow I leave.”

  “Nay, it could take you three days to find her. We’re nearly two days from the abbey.”

  Daniel pushed himself away from the table and stood, tossing a couple of coins on the table as payment for their food. “I’m going to meet with him right now and see what he offers me.”

  Connor said, “You surely grow a quick beard. Hell, but I think it’s doubled in length in a sennight.”

  Daniel grinned. “Aye. I think the unruliness adds to my image.”

  They started down the main path toward The Hound and the Stag. “And what exact image are you hoping for, Damien?” Connor intentionally drawled out his false name.

  “There he is! Damien with the Devil’s Hand.” A young lad off to the side stopped to point to him.

  “Devil’s Hand, are you fighting this eve? All my coin is on you,” the lad’s companion asked.

  Daniel tipped his head to the man and said, “Aye, I’ll be there this eve.”

  They continued on and listened to the talk in the courtyard as they passed in front of Edinburgh Castle.

  “He’s the toughest fighter they have. I heard he nearly killed a man last eve.”

  Another said, “We have to go this eve.”

  “He’s one of fiercest fighters I’ve ever seen.”

  Daniel said with a sly grin, “All that. ’Tis exactly the image I wan
t—tough, brutal, the best.”

  Connor muttered in a low voice, “Because you think ’tis what Constance wants?”

  They reached their destination, but Daniel pulled Connor back from the entrance. “You wait here. And aye, I think Constance would be proud of me.”

  Connor chuckled and crossed his arms. “You think any lass would approve of the way you look?”

  Daniel scowled. “I don’t look that bad.”

  Connor arched his brow at him. “And you think lasses want to be afraid of their husbands?”

  “Who said I wish to be her husband?”

  “I did. You may be young, but ’tis exactly what you need. You’re carrying on just like your sire did when he lost his heart to your mother. I’ve heard all the stories about Uncle Micheil. He followed her everywhere, trying to show her that other lads were poorly suited for her. He even jousted to gain her favor, show her how strong he was. Jousting, fighting. What’s the difference?”

  “I’m not at all like my sire. David is like my sire, not me.” He spun on his heel and headed toward the side entrance, waving his hand at Connor.

  “I’ll return shortly.” He opened the door, ready to show his special stone to Scarface. He wouldn’t think about what Connor had said because it for certes held no truth.

  Or did it?

  It always surprised him when someone compared him to his sire. Surely his brother, who was whole and strong and steadfast, was more like Micheil Ramsay. And yet, their mother had oft told him that he reminded her of his sire as a young man, of the young warrior who’d had the strength to take down the best of the English knights in a jousting competition in Edinburgh. He’d heard Uncle Logan and Aunt Gwyneth talk about him many times.

  They also talked about how Micheil had done it all to earn the respect and catch the eye of Diana Drummond.

  Was Connor right? Was he doing this to impress Constance?

  He couldn’t think about that now. He had to focus.

  He expected the doorman to just wave him inside, but the big brute surprised him. “Enter, Damien. Nice fight last night. We’ve already heard we’ll have to turn many away tonight. The man in charge of wagers is taking payments to reserve seats just to watch you and your Devil’s Hand.”

  “My thanks. Where is he?”

  “Head on down to the back chamber to see the owners.”

  He took the steps two at a time, ducking at the bottom because the door was so short. He nodded a greeting to those he saw along the way to the back chamber. To his surprise, they all treated him as if he belonged. He knocked on the door and entered when he heard Lamont’s voice call out to him.

  “Greetings,” he said, watching the two men carefully. “Am I still on the schedule for this eve?”

  Blair turned around with a grin. “Aye, you’ll be last to fight. The public is going daft over you. We have wagers flying in at all of our locations.”

  “Did I have another payout from last eve? He said you’d have more for me.” He motioned toward the other man.

  Blair tossed him a small bag of coin. “Do the same tonight and I’ll give you three times that.”

  “I want the big money after this eve. You told me you’d send me if I won two fights.”

  Blair guffawed. “True, but I did not expect you to win. I thought you’d get your arse kicked. But you have no fear, do you? I like the look you’ve taken on—all dressed in black, unshaven, hair a mess. It serves your image well.”

  Daniel crossed his arms and stood in front of him. If the bastard even dared to change their terms, he’d have him by the throat in a second, but he knew he had to stay calm. He had to learn about the channel and about Constance. “Where are you sending me on the morrow?”

  “I had thought to make you stay for two more fights, but we can wait a sennight for the rest. I have a problem and I need it taken care of. I think you’re the man to handle it.”

  “What is it?”

  Lamont leaned against the table where all the coin was being sorted. “There’s a wee problem with my…cargo. I don’t want this lass brought into town, but my two worst men are handling her. I want her brought to me, so I’m sending you after her just before dawn. ’Tis the red-haired lass.”

  “Where?”

  “I’ll give you instructions later. She’s of noble blood, so you’re not to touch her. ’Tis verra important that she comes to me unharmed.”

  “Who is she?” Daniel knew he was pushing for too much information, but he just couldn’t stop himself.

  “Her name does not matter. She’ll get me a much bigger payout than usual, and I don’t trust her with the two men who have her in hiding. I want her brought here quickly.”

  Fortunately, his companion asked the next question. “Why is this lass so important?”

  Lamont shrugged his shoulders and turned his attention back to his coin. “I don’t know, but there are multiple groups looking for her, and I want to be the one who finds her.”

  “Why so many?” the judge pressed.

  Lamont glared at him. “I. Don’t. Know. Leave it be. I’ll handle it. All Damien needs to do is go where I tell him and bring her to me as quickly as possible. There are others searching for her, too. The faster we get her in our custody, the better ’twill be for us.”

  Daniel took his coin and left, catching up with Connor not far from the inn. “I leave early on the morrow. You need to follow me.” He told him where they would meet. “I hope Gavin and Gregor move their arses and get us help.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I found out what the three means…”

  “What?” Connor stopped to face Daniel.

  “There are three groups chasing Constance.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The two men made their way down through the cellars. They moved all the way to the end and stopped outside the chamber that wasn’t locked but left open. “We searched everywhere, even inside Sona Abbey and the Abbey of Angels. No sign of her anywhere, though I’ve heard her sire has men looking for her.”

  The person inside said, “Are you sure you searched the abbey thoroughly? Did you make them talk?”

  The man who stood behind the first one began to chuckle. “He slapped the abbess. I’ve never seen anyone hit a woman of the cloth.”

  “And?”

  The first man said, “And naught. It earned me naught. We searched the cellars, the stables, the chapel, even in between the long row of benches in the chapel. There was no sign of any red-haired lass. Every abbey, every kirk, everywhere.”

  “Lying bastards. I know she’s there. And I want her on that next boat. I’m paying you a bulk of coin for this task, if you’ll recall. Go back up north again. If her sire’s men find her, then kidnap her from them. I want that girl to suffer. I want her out of Scotland forever. Hire as many men as you need. I’ll double your pay. Now go.”

  The two men traipsed back toward the stairway.

  But the last words echoed down the passageway. “And don’t come back without her!”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Daniel sat in his corner of the ring beside Terric, wishing this fight were over so he could go after Constance. The crowd who’d come to the back chamber to watch the Devil’s Hand fight tonight was massive, larger than he ever would have guessed. To his surprise, the crowd began to chant, “Devil, Devil, Devil…”

  He was growing in popularity. If not for Constance, he could envision himself staying here for a time. He’d already made more coin that he’d ever earned before. Not that he needed it. His parents gave him whatever he needed, but he hadn’t been home in a while because of the Band of Cousins. Part of him liked being able to provide for himself. It made him feel independent.

  What was he going to do once he found Constance? No doubt Lamont would send more guards with him. Constance would surely react to seeing him, but he’d have to find a way to put her off. He couldn’t let any of Lamont’s men know they were close.

  It would probably kill him, but he
’d have to be mean and nasty to convince her that he wasn’t the man she’d thought him to be. He was glad he’d grown out his beard, and the bigger mess he could make of his hair, the better off he’d be. His clothes hadn’t been washed in a while either.

  Constance would not like that.

  Then, somehow, he’d find a way to escape with her. First, he needed to use Lamont to find her.

  He sat on the stool, his leg vibrating with tension. He had no idea who he would be fighting this eve. Nor did it matter. He needed to win. Closing his eyes, he found himself thinking of the giggle of a beautiful lass with red hair and green eyes, her nose wiggling as she laughed. The giggle first, then the wiggle. He nearly smiled at the silly thought, but he squelched it because it wouldn’t do for his image. He needed to appear ruthless, and ruthless men did not smile. They certainly did not laugh.

  Terric clasped his shoulder. “My lord, ’tis only Ivan you’ll be fighting.”

  Given the way the judge and Lamont had spoken about this fight, Daniel had expected a harder challenge. He’d easily beat Ivan before. A few moments later, he understood. Out came another fighter who sat on a stool not far from Ivan. Deathstalker would also be his opponent, apparently.

  Terric gulped. “You’re to fight two of them at once?” The fear in the lad’s face humbled Daniel. Somehow it made his own fear more bearable.

  He reached over and patted the lad’s shoulder. “Have more faith in me.”

  “But ’tis one against two,” he whispered, two fingers held up as evidence while he stared at Daniel’s fearsome competition.

  “Mayhap ’twill be only one at a time.”

  “Och, I do hope so.”

  The judge stood and nodded to Daniel, then Ivan, and they walked over to stand on either side of him as was the custom. A few moments later, after stirring the crowd up for the fight, he swung his hand over his head and the battle commenced.

  Daniel didn’t have to fight too hard. He could have leveled Ivan with two moves, but he knew the judge would prefer it if the fight continued until after the middle betting time. To his surprise, the judge stood up and waved his arm, and Ivan stepped back, allowing Deathstalker into the fight.