Callum tried not to pace as he waited, but he was impatient to move out. Tavish and Magnus gave him his space and instead checked their weapons. They sharpened their dirks and swords. All three of the Sinclair brothers wore dirks in each boot, strapped to each thigh and each wrist, and two at their waists and one in their sporran. It was not unusual for them to travel this heavily armed. However, it was not often that they were prepared to use every single one.
The MacLeods brought along five skilled archers who would keep their bows trained on the wall in case Magnus or Michail were spotted and the alarm was raised. These men checked their bow strings and fletches of arrows. They were prepared and were selected because their night vision was better than an owl’s.
When the sun set, and darkness began to kreep across the forest and keep, the Sinclairs and MacLeods set off. Callum, Tavish, Thormud, and a handful of the MacLeod warriors rode out into the open, but the others stayed to the shadows. Callum and the men along with him wanted to be noticed. They wanted to draw attention away from the others who snook to the back of the keep.
“Who goes there? Identify yerselves!” came from the top of the wallwalk.
“Sinclairs and MacLeods. We are in need of yer hospitality and a word with yer laird.” Callum replied invoking the unwritten law of Highland hospitality. No one would readily deny someone’s request for hospitality even though the weather was clear and warm meaning they were not in need of shelter.
“Wait there.”
Several minutes later the gate could be heard being unlocked and the porticullis was raised only high enough to allow the men to walk their horses inside.
“Suspicious bunch considering they have no one on their borders,” Tavish murmured.
“Aye,” Thormud breathed in reply.
A short and stocky man appeared on the steps to the keep. Callum knew instantly that this had to be Siùsan’s father. He had the swagger of a man who was used to getting what he wanted. He was also still in good shape and looked like he could be a potential challenge if it came to that. Callum sincerely hoped he would not need to draw his sword on anyone, least of all Laird Mackenzie. He was still Siùsan’s father after all. He did not want that death on his conscience.
“Which Sinclairs and which MacLeods? Why have ye come?” There was a sharp edge to Laird Mackenzie’s voice even though he tried to keep it light and jovial.
“Yer son by marriage, his brother, and his grandfather by marriage,” called out Callum. At the utterance of the last title, the Mackenzie took a stutter step before moving forward to greet his unexpected, and now most definitely unwanted, guests.
“So ye’re Callum. I hope married life is treating ye well though I canna imagine why ye would be here so soon after marrying. I dinna see the woman, so I ken ye arenae returning her already.” The Mackenzie no longer tried to hide the sneer from his voice when he spoke of Siùsan. “Thormud, what brings ye here with the Sinclairs?”
“The woman.” he practically growled. “If I hadnae already learned that ye’re a lying sack of shite, I would ken now. The better question is why have ye been keeping ma granddaughter from me for over a score?” The last words came out as a veritable roar. Callum looked over to see the MacLeod standing with his arms akimbo. Callum and Tavish were in their usual stance, feet hip width apart and arms crossed over their chests.
“So ye learned that the lass survived. She isnae ma concern anymore. She isnae a Mackenzie anymore. Since she’s a Sinclair now, I think ye should be at their keep getting acquainted.” With that Laird Mackenzie turned to walk away. Callum’s arm shot out and grasped his shoulder yanking him back around.
“Do ye ken where Robert Mackenzie is? Or yer brother by marriage, James, for that matter?”
“Nae. Why would I? I dinna concern maself with their comings and goings.”
“Robert is one of yer men. Ye dinna ken which of yer men are here and which arenae?” Tavish piped in with disgust.
“Yer man and yer brother by marriage have stolen ma wife. Ye may not care for her, but she is still yer daughter, mon. If she is here, ye can count on a war with not only the Sinclairs but the MacLeods, the MacKays, and dinna forget the Sutherlands since they were ma mother’s people.”
“I dinna ken what ye’re going on aboot. She isnae here. She isnae welcome and well she kens it. I was only too glad to be done with her. Now ye can leave as well. I dinna have to extend any hospitality to those who dinna need it. Get out.”
The Mackenzie turned and strode up into the keep. Callum, Tavish, and Thormud exchanged looks and then looked over their shoulders at their men. They charged up the steps as a large wave crashing onto the keep. They stormed into the Great Hall.
“Men, block the entrances to the Great Hall. Tavish with me. We search above stairs. MacLeod deal with the Mackenzie.” With that Callum raced up the stairs to the second floor. In the distance, Callum heard swords being drawn. He had already pulled his from his sheath before making his way up the stairs.
Callum and Tavish swept through each chamber upending chairs, pulling bedding off, pushing beds aside, and yanking clothes from armoires. There was one room left at the end of the hall. Callum crashed through the door and quickly realized from the screams that he and Tavish had arrived at the women’s solar and seated directly in front of him was none other than Lady Elizabeth Mackenzie, Siùsan’s stepmother.
Lady Elizabeth barely looked up from her embroidery. She continued stitching as though two massive warriors had not just broken down the door to her private sitting room.
“I could hear ye searching for the chit, but she isnae here. She wouldnae dare come here.” Callum saw the Cheshire cat grin that passed across her mouth so quickly that he barely caught it. He knew Elizabeth knew more than she let on.
“Ye ken where yer brother is. Speak, woman. I willna spare ye if ye’re awkward.”
“I dinna ken where ma brother is. I assume he is overseeing clan business back at his keep. Ye ken being laird is vera busy.”
“Dinna act daft. Ye ken I mean James. I have already seen Tomas.” At that, Elizabeth paused before making the next stitch. Callum could tell she had not anticipated that. Perhaps she did not know all the details of her brother’s plan, but she clearly knew something had happened to Siùsan and James was a part of it.
“Ye have already ransacked ma home looking for her and turned up with nothing. James may have the chit, or he may not. I dinna ken and dinna care. She has been a thorn in ma side since before she was born. As long as I dinna have to see her again, I couldnae care less who has her.”
Callum turned to Tavish. It was clear they were not going to get anything more out of Elizabeth without holding a dirk to her throat. He was not prepared to go quite that far yet. He suspected she would gladly go to the grave without sharing what she knew if it meant that Siùsan suffered. He simply could not understand how anyone, let alone her father and stepmother, could hate her so much. She was everything good in the world, yet she was loathed simply because her mother had died and because Ulrich Mackenzie had chosen a MacLeod instead of a Gunn. If anything, the Mackenzie should loathe the Gunns even though he married one. He should be willing to do anything to aide in their downfall if for no other reason than retribution for their role in his late wife’s death.
Callum and Tavish retreated out of the room. They moved into the shadows near the stairs. Tavish shrugged and looked back over his shoulder.
“Did ye get the distinct impression that she kens far more than she says?” Tavish whispered.
“Absolutely. She seems happy that we canna find Siùsan. She’s glad that Siùsan is in danger.”
“I dinna understand this clan one bit. Let’s see if the MacLeod has made any progress.”
The men moved out of the shadows and were nearly to the stairs when they both noticed a motion from their left. Swords drawn they turned as one.
Chapter Thirty
Siùsan was exhausted, hungry, and filthy. She looked around the to
wer room that was on the opposite side of the keep from her old tower room. This one was not much more than a storage room. There were pieces of old furniture and tapestries strewn around the room. There was a cot that was barely long enough or wide enough for her to lie on her side at night. She had been given little more than two bannocks a day and a pitcher of water. The chamber stunk as no one had emptied the chamber pot since she arrived.
Robert had untied her wrists when she was tossed into the room upon their arrival three days earlier. She had barely seen or heard anyone except for Elizabeth, Callum’s former lover, who was a shock for Siùsan to see. Elizabeth taunted Siùsan at every turn. She threw the bannocks to her when she brought them. She kicked the chamber pot so that it nearly tipped over. She held the water pitcher just out of Siùsan’s reach, and she reminded Siùsan of all the times that Callum had bedded her.
Elizabeth was loose lipped and reveled in Siùsan’s captivity. Consequently, she had much to say. Siùsan gritted her teeth and played along once she realized that Elizabeth gave away important information when she was bragging. Siùsan came to learn that it was Elizabeth who had released Sir James from the dungeon by once again seducing a guardsman who fell asleep after their romp. She slipped in through the postern gate up against which she had trysted with the man. She had also covered the onions and turnips in a sleeping draught when Elspeth set the bag aside for Siùsan. Last but not least, Siùsan learned that Elizabeth was related distantly to Robert through his mother. Robert had been sent to court earlier that year on business for Siùsan’s father. He was there to seek approval for Siùsan to marry Callum. While there, he met Elizabeth and an affair. It was during a late night pillow talk that Robert shared that he was ever so close to gaining the Mackenzie lands and lairdship. He had sensed a kindred spirit in Elizabeth and shared his frustrations when he learned all those months ago that the Mackenzie was interested in betrothing his unwanted daughter to Callum, who in turn had yet to be informed of the marriage negotions that were proceding. Coincidentally, Callum was at court at the same time. Elizabeth and Robert initiated a nefarious plan that involved Elizabeth seducing Callum and ingratiating herself into his good graces enough to garner an invitation back to the Sinclair castle. She was positively gleeful when she recounted how she had fooled all of the Sinclairs and most importantly Callum. The only part where she became bitter was that Callum had not continued their affair after Siùsan’s arrival. Elizabeth had planned to replace Siùsan as Lady Sinclair once Siùsan was stolen away.
Her pride will goeth before a fall. And I will be the one to trip the bitch. I canna believe that she and Robert hatched this entire plan that has been in the works for so long. Doesnae she realize that for Robert to get ma father’s lands, several people must die first and that includes Callulm. If Callum is alive, then neither Robert nor James can wed me and she canna have Callum. If I amnae alive, which is the only way she could get to Callum, then neither Robert nor James will help her because they willna have the land or title either. The good fortune they had in James agreeing to assist for a cut of the gains is unbelievable. I dinna think that James is playing them fair, but who am I to set anyone straight. Nae. Let me see if I can breed discontent and distrust among them.
And so began Siùsan’s slow plan to work against her captors. She did not know, nor did she really care at this point, if her father or Lady Elizabeth knew that she was being confined to the tiny chamber. She was more concerned with finding a way out than worrying about all the people who might have contributed to her confinement.
Blessedly, both Robert and James had separately told her that they had no intention of bedding her until they knew whether she carried the next Sinclair heir. Neither wanted to be cuckholded into claiming another man’s child. They warned that they would rid her of any child either before or after it was born. As she thought about this now, she wrapped her arms around her middle. She was not certain if she might be carrying but even the possibility made her overly protective. She was lost in thought about Callum when she heard the key in the lock. Callum was never far from her mind. She missed him intensely and longed for him to come to her rescue. She was confident that he would eventually find her, she just prayed it was before Robert or James assaulted her.
When the door opened, both Robert and Elizabeth stepped into the room. Siùsan was surprised to see them together. Robert had only been to see her once since they arrived. That was only to threaten her with a beating if she caused any problems. To prove his seriousness and his desire to rid her quickly of any possible child, he had slapped her across both cheeks and when she fell, he squarely planted his boot into her gut. Siùsan was wary of him now. She did not recognize this Robert. He was nothing like the boy she had considered a brother for so many years and then her best and only friend afterwards. She understood now that while he might have seen her as a sister when they were very young, his intentions had shifted significantly as they aged.
“How is our fine captive today,” Robert sneered. “Are ye getting enough to eat? Sleep well last night?” He walked up to Siùsan and pinched her chin between his thumb and fingers. He turned her head side to side and examined the bruises that he had left days earlier. They matched well with the bruises that she had all over her front from being tossed over the saddle for a full day and from his kicks.
“Yer chivalrous knight has already come and gone. A few questions and he gave up. He didna search vera long or vera hard for ye. Aye. That’s the right of it. He was here. In the bailey. In the keep. But now he has gone, and ye must stay.” Robert watched to see if she gave any reaction. Siùsan wanted to flinch away from him but knew that was exactly what he wanted. Her expression remained blank. Receiving no reaction, he moved over to Elizabeth.
He stroked her cheek and glided his hand down her neck until his hand cupped her breast. His other hand began to inch up her skirts. All the while, Robert watched Siùsan. He pulled Elizabeth’s kirtle down to reveal her breasts. He fondled them as his other hand found what he searched for. Elizabeth threw her head back and moaned. Robert turned slightly so he could take one of Elizabeth’s nipples into his mouth while still watching Siùsan.
“Do ye see what ye will have. I can please a woman. I will make yer body sing with pleasure.” He licked Elizabeth’s other breast as he tweaked her nipple. Elizabeth moaned again.
Siùsan knew that he was trying to arouse her. Nothing about this scene was appealing. What did appeal to Siùsan was sewing the seeds of discord.
“Elizabeth seems to be enjoying yer ministrations, but ye keep looking at me. Are ye thinking about me, wishing it were me? I’m the one ye’ve always wanted even if it’s just for ma land. Ye willna be keeping Elizabeth once ye have me, will ye?”
Elizabeth’s head snapped forward to glare at Siùsan. Robert simply chuckled. He pulled Elizabeth’s head towards him and kissed her passionately.
“Aye. Elizabeth may get to the men who want me first but they all seem to choose me over her in the end.” Siùsan tapped a finger against her lips. “Robert, ye wanted me for ma lands but couldnae get me so ye took up with Elizabeth. Elizabeth, ye wanted Callum for yerself, but he cast ye off once I arrived. Here Robert is using ye to try to arouse me. Ye seem to come in second even when ye finish first.” Siùsan was aware of the inuendo that her last comment held. She grinned as Elizabeth glowered at her, but she was not quite through yet.
“Elizabeth, how does it feel to ken that every man we both ken will toss yer skirts until ye grow tiresome then they cast ye off for me? It seems like none of them are tired of me. James, Robert, and certainly Callum all want me for keeps. That must be very frustrating to ken ye’ll never be quite enough for anyone.”
Elizabeth shoved away from Robert. She glared back and forth between Siùsan and Robert before turning on her heel and marching out of the chamber.
“Ye think ye are so smart. Ye think that ye can get between Elizabeth and me to cause trouble. Ye didna count on the fact that I couldnae give two
shites from Sunday about whether that whore wants me or nae. She isnae the only woman willing to spread her legs for me. In fact, ye are here now, and I’m hard as a plank. Ye will do very nicely.”
Siùsan backed up against the wall trying to put as much distance between the two of them as she could. She has seriously miscalculated her game.
“Ye said ye wouldnae touch me until ye kenned whether I carried Callum’s child. If ye defile me now and I do end up with child, ye’ll never ken whether the bairn is yers.”
“Come now. I have heard about how Callum tups ye morn, noon, and night. I ken ye ken there is more than one way to fuck.” Robert darted forward and grabbed Siùsan’s hair. With a handful of it, he yanked her neck back until it felt like it would snap. He licked her neck and squeezed her breast viciously hard until she could not help but yelp. “Perhaps I should have ye suck ma cock first. I can watch yer pretty, little mouth kept busy and quiet. Or mayhap I will do ye in the arse. There’s nothing quite like a tight arsehole to make me come hard and fast.”
Siùsan was shaking at this point. She may have succeeded in getting Elizabeth angry enough to leave, but she had only antagonized Robert enough for him to rape her. Robert turned her and pushed her onto the bed. She reached out both arms to brace herself. Before she could try to move, she felt her skirts being pulled up and tossed onto her back. Suddenly there was something warm, short, and hard rubbing against the inside of her thigh. She screamed as loudly as she could. Robert yanked on her hair, but she continued to scream as loudly as she could hopin it would rouse the dead or at least draw someone’s attention. Robert spanked her hard across her buttocks three times.
“Shut yer gob, or it will be ma cock that shuts it for ye.” She sensed more than felt Robert grasping his cock and then she felt the tip nudge against her most sacred spot. She clenched her bottom as hard as she could. Robert only laughed in response as he continued to try to shove his way into her. She swung her elbows and kicked out her feet trying to gain an inch of freedom.
His Bonnie Highland Temptation (The Clan Sinclair Book 2) Page 23