Shocked, Sheena recalled for one insane moment her conversation with Dorothea. But where had Percy's good humor flown? Where was the easy smile that had captured her heart? Coming to life, Sheena leaped to her feet.
She would have run, but Percy grabbed her arm and whirled her about. When Sheena raised her hand to strike, he caught it in a brutal grip and forced her to the ground, then bound her wrists together and yanked her to her feet.
Sheena opened her mouth to scream, but Percy gagged her with the length of cloth. Venomous fury leaped at him from her dark eyes.
“I'm sorry for treatin’ ye this way,” Percy apologized, dragging her toward the horses, “but there's nae other way.” He lifted her onto his horse, then untied both horses and mounted behind her. Leading Sheena's horse, Percy rode west toward Dunridge Castle.
Two days later, they entered Argyllshire, the home of Campbells and MacArthurs. Percy saw a lone rider approaching in the distance. Argyllshire was not danger-free; should he stay on the road or take cover in the woods? By all that's holy! Percy decided. I will not hide on my own territory!
As the rider came closer, Percy's face split into a grin. Cousin Magnus!
Coming abreast of them, Magnus halted and looked from a red-faced Percy to a bedraggled Sheena, then back at his cousin. His mirth won out and Magnus shouted with laughter. “Greetin's, cuz,” he finally greeted them. “Mistress Menzies."
A muffled sound came from behind Sheena's gag.
“Good day to ye,” Percy said, thinking perhaps abduction had not been a wise idea. “Do ye ride from Dunridge?"
“Aye. And might I say, cuz, I believe ye possess the Sight."
“The Sight?"
“Iain bade me tell ye to swoop.” Magnus flicked an amused glance at Sheena. “But I can see ye've already swooped."
“I'm beginnin’ to wish I hadna'."
“Why is that?” Magnus grinned broadly, adding, “And why is Mistress Menzies bound and gagged?"
“Because she willna’ keep her mouth shut,” Percy snapped, then added in a long-suffering voice, “I can tell ye, takin’ a captive bride isna’ so easy as a mon's led to believe."
“Takin’ any bride,” Magnus returned drily, “isna’ so easy as a mon's led to believe. Lady Brigette recently sent Iain racin’ across the breadth of Scotland to Oban."
“Brie?"
“Menzies had her snatched and tried to kill her.” Acknowledging the muffled shrieks of protest, Magnus nodded at Sheena. “Nae offense, Mistress Menzies."
“Brie is unharmed?” Percy asked.
Magnus nodded. “She was lucky. Much as I'd love to see the endin’ of yer romantic adventure, I canna linger.” He reached out to shake Percy's hand, then smiled mockingly at Sheena. “Best wishes on yer forthcomin’ nuptials, Mistress Menzies. May yer hearth be blessed wi’ harmony and a dozen fine sons."
Outraged squawks issued from behind the gag. Laughing, Magnus rode away.
* * * *
It was suppertime at Dunridge, and the great hall was a beehive of activity. Brigette entered on the run and hurried to the high table.
“Yer late,” Iain observed.
“I was feeding Dubh,” Brigette replied, reaching for the bread. “I can't believe how well he drinks from the wineskin.” As an afterthought, she added, “I pray Dubh doesn't grow to be a drunkard."
“Drinkin’ goat's milk from a wineskin willna’ lead him into drunkenness."
“Are you certain?"
Iain rolled his eyes. “Ye dinna plan to pass the next eighteen years worryin’ aboot it, do ye?"
When Brigette did not answer, Iain glanced at her. Her face had drained of blood. “Hinny?” Whirling about, he looked in the direction she was staring.
Standing in the hall's entrance were Percy with Sheena Menzies, bound and gagged and filthy. The hall grew silent as warriors and retainers noticed the unlikely couple. Then Percy moved, dragging his captive across the watching chamber to the high table.
“Percy!” Brigette cried, horrified. “How could you do such a vile thing?"
“How did ye get my message so quickly?” Iain asked, baffled. “Magnus didna’ leave ‘til—"
“Where's Father Kaplan?” Percy interrupted.
“Release Sheena at once,” Brigette demanded.
Percy was about to refuse, but Iain caught his eye. “If I was ye, baby brother,” he advised, “I wouldna’ cross swords wi’ my wife. Brie's already dispatched one mon, and she's dangerous when provoked."
Percy looked from Iain to Brigette. Reluctantly, he removed Sheena's gag and untied her hands.
“Are you well?” Brigette asked. Sheena nodded, bleakly.
“Get the priest now,” Percy ordered.
“Ye bastard!” Sheena shrieked, turning on him, astonishing everyone in the hall. “I wouldna’ wed wi’ ye even if ye were the last mon in Scotland!"
“Ye'll marry me,” Percy said grimly, “or I'll beat ye black and blue."
“I willna'!” Sheena stamped her foot for emphasis.
“Silence!” Brigette cried, leaping from her chair. “There will be no wedding until Lady Sheena has bathed and eaten."
Percy hesitated, then agreed sullenly, “Verra well."
Brigette walked around the table, took Sheena's hands in hers, and led her out of the hall, crooning, “You poor thing. Come with me."
Iain grinned at Percy, who'd sat down beside him. “I didna’ think ye had it in ye, baby brother.” Percy scowled, encouraging his brother's sarcasm. “The lass may wed ye,” Iain continued, “but I doubt she'll bed ye unless ye also bathe.” With an uncharacteristic growl, Percy stood and left the hall.
Brigette and Sheena sat together in one of the bedchambers upstairs. An untouched plate of food lay on Sheena's lap.
“I amna’ hungry,” she said coldly.
“Suit yourself,” Brigette replied, then asked, “Truly, you don't want to marry Percy?"
“I've said as much, haven't I?"
“I'm certain Iain won't force a marriage. You don't love Percy, then?"
Sheena was silent.
Merciful Christ, Brigette thought. She reminds me of myself. And I feel like my mother! “Sheena, do you love Percy or not?"
Dark eyes met green. “I love him,” Sheena admitted.
“Then what is the problem?” Brigette's irritated tone revealed her frustration.
“He's a beast,” Sheena cried. “I've never been so mistreated in my life."
“Cruelty is contrary to Percy's nature,” Brigette remarked. “He must love you greatly to behave in this barbaric manner."
“Do ye really think so?” Sheena asked uncertainly. She hadn't thought of it that way.
Brigette nodded. “The decision is yours, Sheena. Marry Percy tonight or live without him for all time.” Beneath the grime, Sheena paled, and Brigette gently pressed her advantage. “Which will it be?"
“I—I'll marry him."
Brigette sighed with relief. My mother must have felt like this, she thought, after I'd signed the marriage documents.
When the bath was ready and the last servant had gone, Sheena disrobed and climbed into the tub. She sighed, sinking into the steaming, scented water. “Is it true what Lord Campbell told us?” she asked Brigette. “Did Murdac have ye snatched?"
“Yes."
“I'm sorry. How can ye be so kind to me?"
“What a goose! You're not responsible for his actions.” Brigette handed Sheena a towel. “Wrap yourself in this. I'll return in a minute."
Sheena rose from the tub, then dried and wrapped herself in the towel. Brigette returned, carrying the most breathtaking gown she'd ever seen. It was an exquisite satin and lace creation, adorned with hundreds of seed pearls.
“Behold,” Brigette announced. “Your wedding gown."
“How beautiful! Was it yours?"
“It was supposed to be.” Brigette gazed wistfully at the gown. “I actually wore a black mourning gown."
“You what!"
/>
“I was insulted because Iain sent Percy to stand as his proxy. To demonstrate my displeasure, I wore one of my mother's mourning gowns.” Brigette grinned puckishly, adding, “A rather effective way of punishing my husband, wouldn't you say?"
Sheena burst out laughing and hugged Brigette. “I'm glad we'll be sisters."
Word spread quickly, and the great hall was filled to capacity. Those MacArthur retainers who'd been absent earlier were now in attendance.
Father Kaplan and the MacArthur brothers waited in front of the hearth for the bride to arrive. When Brigette and Sheena appeared in the entrance, the hall grew silent. Percy turned and saw his bride, and his mouth dropped at the vision she had become.
Smiling shyly, Sheena walked slowly toward him. When she finally stood before him and looked up, Percy lowered his lips to hers and kissed her passionately.
Wild cheers and whistles erupted throughout the chamber. Father Kaplan cleared his throat, but was ignored. “Percy?” The old priest placed his hand on the younger man's shoulder, saying, “It's best to save that for after the vows, my son."
Breaking the kiss, Percy smiled sheepishly and apologized. “Sorry.” Sheena turned to face the priest.
“We are gathered here,” Father Kaplan began, “to join this mon and this woman in the holy state of matrimony..."
Iain sidled up to his wife. “Perhaps,” he whispered close to her ear, “Percy's nae blockhead after all."
Brigette glanced sidelong at him, and her words wiped the smile from his face. “He's a barbarian—like you."
* * * *
“Fetch it!” Glenda tossed a stick, and Sly hobbled after it as fast as his injury would allow. The morning was young, and the child and the fox were alone in the garden. Instead of returning the stick, Sly scurried past Glenda, who whirled around and saw Brigette.
“Good mornin',” Glenda called, rushing to Brigette's side. “Yer early today."
“I'm keeping out of Uncle Iain's path."
“Why?"
“Because I called him a barbarian,” Brigette answered without thinking.
“What's that?"
“Another word for a Highlander,” Brigette lied, then quickly changed the subject. “Sly is walking much better."
“Yes, but he limps"
Brigette made a show of scanning the garden. “I don't see Lady Autumn anywhere."
“She was verra tired this mornin',” Glenda whispered loudly out of the side of her mouth. “Lord Sly kept her awake all night."
Brigette looked at Glenda in surprise. The child could not be referring to that, could she? “Why did Sly keep Autumn awake through the night?"
“He was chewin’ on her hand."
“The rogue!” Brigette burst out laughing. “Did you know this is a special morning, Glenda?"
“Special?"
“You have a new aunt this morning."
“I do?” Glenda was impressed but puzzled. “Who?"
“Lady Sheena is your new aunt because she married Uncle Percy. Shall we breakfast?"
Hand in hand, they entered the great hall, already filled with men-at-arms and retainers breaking their fast. Iain and Antonia sat at the high table.
Brigette told Glenda to sit between Iain and her. Sly sat between their chairs; he knew anything the little girl dropped was his.
Feeling important to be sitting in the countess's seat, Glenda looked at Iain and gestured to the MacArthur warriors, saying, “Look, Uncle. The hall is filled wi’ barbarians."
Iain's spoon halted in midair. He looked at Brigette, who was biting her bottom lip to keep from laughing, then cast a quick glance at Antonia, whose hand had flown to her mouth to hold back the laughter bubbling up.
Iain grinned, and Brigette could no longer contain her laughter. Confused, Glenda looked from one to the other.
“And here's the littlest barbarian of all,” Brigette quipped, taking Dubh and his wineskin from Spring.
A rousing cheer went up when a grinning Percy and a blushing Sheena paused in the entrance to the great hall. The younger MacArthur led his bride to the high table and introduced her first to Antonia and then to Glenda.
“Yer my new aunt,” Glenda announced.
“Yes, I suppose I am."
As she sat down beside Brigette, Sheena felt happily overwhelmed. Marrying Percy had given Sheena something she'd yearned for all her life, a family. Until now, Murdac had been her only living relative, and he could hardly be called affectionate.
“This wee piglet is my son Dubh.” Brigette turned the baby around to face her.
Sheena held out a finger, but Dubh would have none of it. Screeching his displeasure, he received his heart's desire, the wineskin.
“He's a handsome lad,” Sheena complimented, making Iain a friend for life, “and I believe he resembles the earl."
“Especially when he opens his mouth,” Brigette added, casting her husband an I-got-you-last look.
Smiling, Moireach served the newlyweds their breakfast. “Here's yer ale, Percy,” she said, setting two mugs on the table. “And for ye, my lady, fresh milk."
“Milk?"
“Now that yer likely to get wi’ child, ye must drink a mug of milk each day."
Brigette laughed at Sheena's stricken expression and whispered, “She told me the same thing on my first morning at Dunridge."
It was then Sheena spied Sly, who, begging for food, had placed his paw on Glenda's arm. “What's that wild beastie doin’ here?"
“Sly isna’ a wild beastie,” Glenda cried indignantly.
“Sly is my pet,” Brigette explained. “I found him in the woods when he was just a baby and had somehow lost his mother."
“When I was a little girl,” Sheena said, “I wished for a kitten."
“And did yer wish come true, hinny?” Percy asked.
Sheena shook her head. “Of course, there were many mousers runnin’ aboot Weem, but I yearned for my own special pet to keep me company at night.” She held out her hand, and Sly circled around Brigette's chair to sniff and then lick it.
“Sly likes ye,” Glenda said.
“But why didna’ ye get a kitten?” Percy asked.
“Murdac wouldna’ allow it. He'd purchased imported carpets for my chamber and believed the kitten would ruin them."
“What a nasty mon,” Glenda declared.
“That isna’ a nice thin’ to say about Lady Sheena's brother,” Iain reprimanded the little girl. Even if it is true, he thought to himself.
Blushing, Glenda looked down the table. “I'm verra sorry, Lady Sheena."
Percy excused himself from the table just as a courier entered the hall and strode toward the high table. The man wore the Devereux livery.
“Someone is dead,” Brigette whispered, paling.
Halting in front of Iain, the courier bowed, saying, “Greetings from the Earl and Dowager Countess of Basildon. I carry a letter for the Countess of Dunridge.” At Iain's nod, the man handed it to her. Brigette tore it open and quickly scanned the contents, then laughed. “Bucko and Marianne are the proud parents of a daughter, Theresa. And Lil married Fat Bertie!"
Chuckling, Iain turned to the courier. “Find yerself a perch and eat. The countess will want to send a message back wi’ ye."
Percy returned, carrying a squirming ball of fluffy white fur. “Yer wish is my command, madame,” he said, placing a kitten on his wife's lap.
“Oh!” Happy tears welled up in Sheena's eyes. “Where did ye get it?"
Percy shrugged. “There's always a litter of somethin’ bein’ born around here."
“She's precious. Or is it a he?"
“I amna’ certain,” Percy said, grinning, “but it looks like a she."
“I'll call her ‘Bana,'” Sheena announced, cuddling the kitten.
“Bana?” Brigette asked.
“It's the Gaelic for ‘fair.’”
Resting his head on Sheena's lap, Sly sniffed at the frightened, mewling ball of fur. Slurp! The fox's ton
gue slipped out and licked the kitten.
Brigette glanced sidelong at her niece, saying, “It appears Lord Sly fancies Lady Bana."
“Good,” Glenda replied. “Perhaps now Lady Autumn will be granted some peace."
* * * *
Duncan the crofter felt the first stirrings of fear when he entered the foyer. Never had he been inside the walls of Weem Castle, though many times as a boy he'd wished he could see it. Now Duncan was sorry that he'd gotten what he'd wished for, but there was no escape.
Murdac Menzies, the Earl of Meinnich, was a hard man, and the message Duncan carried was not good news. Would the earl vent his anger on the bearer of bad tidings? the crofter worried. Was the gold piece the stranger gave him worth more than his own life?
Flanked by two of the earl's warriors, Duncan entered the great hall and shivered involuntarily. He gazed the length of the enormous chamber to the high table where the earl sat.
Powerfully built, Murdac Menzies was as cruel as he appeared. What could have been a passably handsome face was marred by an angular scar running down the length of one cheek, but what truly frightened people were the earl's eyes. His were the cold, black eyes of a serpent, betraying his lack of compassion.
How will my wife and children survive without me? Duncan worried as the warriors ushered him across the hall. He was not a cowardly man, but his legs trembled as he walked toward the high table.
“My lord.” One of the warriors spoke as the crofter bowed to the earl. “This mon insists he has a message for ye."
Menzies looked at Duncan, who, he noted with satisfaction, shifted nervously beneath his scrutiny. “What have ye to say?"
“M-me n-name is D-Duncan, laird,” he stammered, fumbling in his pocket for the gold coin. “A stranger give me this and a message for ye.” Duncan paused; his mouth had gone dry, the words unable to come.
“Spill it,” Menzies snapped, scowling.
“MacArthur snatched Lady Sheena,” the crofter blurted out. “She's bein’ held at Dunridge Castle."
“Ye lie!” Menzies leaped up, his face mottling with rage. Frightened, Duncan stepped back. Not immune to the danger, the Menzies warriors also stepped back.
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