“Aye, he is Duncan’s former clansman.” She jabbed her elbow back, but he grabbed it and twisted, moving the dirk away from her neck.
Catherine sat bolt upright in bed. “This is the man that beat me in London. He made me lose my babe and made me fall over the hill!” She swung her legs over the side, trying to stand.
Erwin pushed her back down. “Stay there or I will gut your belly like I gut my fish.”
Catherine looked toward the wardrobe. “How did you get in here? How...?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I grew up in this castle. I know everything about it.”
Her eyes shifted to the wardrobe and back to Erwin. “Nay,” she cried when he pushed Tory down to her knees.
He grabbed ropes used to tie back panels on the four-poster and pulled Tory’s arms behind her back. He looped the rope around her wrists, fastened a cloth between her lips and tied it behind her head.
Kicking him with her foot, Catherine reached forward and twisted her fingers in his hair. She yanked—hard.
He flung his arm out and backhanded her across her face, the impact causing her to fall backward on the bed. He used the split second she was incapacitated to grab her arm and pull her toward him.
“Let me go,” Catherine yelled, growing angrier by the minute. “Why are you doing this? What do you want with me?”
“I dinnae want you,” Erwin growled. “I want your husband to suffer afore I kill him. You are bait—a means to an end.”
Catherine glared. “I lost my babe because I am the means to an end? I stayed in bed for almost a year because I am the means to an end?”
Erwin shrugged. “What happened to you matters naught to me.”
“What does matter?”
“Getting this castle, of course,” he informed her. “’Tis mine.”
“Castle Glenshee?”
“Of course. ‘Tis mine by rights.”
“You are daft,” Catherine shot at him.
“What you think doesnae matter.” He jerked her to her feet. “Now move, and remember, both of you, I shall have a knife to her fat belly the whole way. One slip and I will gut her.” He jerked them both toward the wardrobe.
“What are you doing?” Catherine screamed. She locked eyes with Tory. How could they escape this madman?
“What does it look like?”
“Like you plan to walk into the wall!” Catherine tugged against her bonds. “Where do you take us? Let me go. Let Tory go.”
“We use the escape passage, you stupid cow,” Erwin grumbled. “It shall take us all the way to the cave I hid in whilst keeping watch on you.”
“You spied on me?”
“Aye. I hoped you would come outside the gates without a guard, but Duncan always had someone with you.” He turned to glare at Tory. “Earlier you came out with Lady Drummond. I have a score to settle with her as well, so I thought about kidnapping you then, but you were too well guarded. ‘Twas then I realized I must make my move now.”
“Duncan will know I am missing. He will follow me.”
Erwin laughed. “Your husband dinnae grow up here. His father—my father—dinnae want him. He sent him away and never went to see him. Your Duncan knows naught of this passage.”
“What do you mean your father?”
“My mam was a servant here. The laird thought her good enough for sport, but not to marry.” He shoved Tory through the narrow entrance and pulled Catherine with him, the knife against her child. She tried to hold onto the wardrobe, but Erwin jerked her forward. Her under-tunic caught on a wooden peg and tore. She grabbed one last time for the doorframe, where the wardrobe opened into a tunnel, catching her hand on a jagged piece of stone and cutting her palm.
Erwin slid the secret door into place and pulled the two women behind him by yanking on the rope.
Catherine froze, the dark stone walls seeming to close in on her. “Nay! I cannot see, I cannot breathe.”
“You dinnae need to see. I know exactly where I go.”
“But ‘tis dark, ‘tis suffocating. Let us out of here.”
Erwin ignored her pleas, still moving forward.
As they moved away from the castle, Catherine felt a chill to the air and the stone beneath her feet vanished, replaced by something softer. Tears poured down her face as she fought her panic. If she could just see Tory, it would help. She tried to gain purchase on the ground. Erwin jerked her forward, causing her to fall. She cried out in pain.
Beside her, she heard a thump and Tory’s groan. Had Erwin kicked her or had she run into something? In the next instant her question was answered when she heard a slapping sound and Tory cried out.
“Leave her alone,” she shouted. She received naught but a laugh in return.
Catherine kept losing her balance, feared harm would come to the babe.
Tory kicked Erwin and mumbled. Kicked him again until he jerked the cloth from her mouth. “Do that again and I gut your friend.”
Tory protested. “Untie my hands and I will help her walk. You can move faster that way.”
Catherine opened her mouth to ask why she would help this madman, but Tory pinched her. She felt movement and Tory’s hand was on her arm, urging her forward.
It seemed like the passage went on forever. Dear God, please get us out of here. I am frightened, Father, protect my child. If something happens to me, let Duncan know I loved him all along. Thank you, Heavenly Fa—
Pain lanced through her lower back again, bringing fresh tears, but she forced herself to keep moving. She shrieked when she crashed to her knees. An overwhelming pain hit her stomach. The baby!
“Please take us back. I am sure Duncan will give you whatever you want. He would...” She knew it was useless to plead, but couldn’t stop herself, her fear of losing another child so great.
“Your husband has taken everything that should be mine. Now I shall take it all back.”
Catherine couldn’t see him, though she wasn’t sure if it was a blessing or a torment. She too easily imagined his glowering face.
“The auld laird dinnae bother to claim me as his son. Why should he? Right after he married the worthless woman who took my mam’s place, she bred with child. Mam told me this castle and clan should be mine.” His voice rose in anger. “Why should Duncan be clan chief? He dinnae even grow up here.”
How long had they been gone? Would Duncan miss her yet? Had he even come inside from training in the lists? Catherine sent out a silent plea. Would he sense it? Could he know she needed him?
“When Laird MacThomaidh set me to travel with Duncan, my hopes soared. I thought mayhap he would finally acknowledge he was my da. But no, he just wanted a companion, a protector for his weakling son.” He jerked the rope so both women stumbled. “’Tis mine. Do you hear me? This castle is mine.”
Soon he stopped. Catherine heard a creaking noise, like a rusty door being opened. Had they reached the end of the tunnel? Suddenly Erwin jerked on the ropes again, yanking them behind him. Catherine heard a loud thump, then a click as the door’s lock obviously shifted into place.
Moving her body from side to side to test her surroundings, she still felt walls around her. They were inside another dark tunnel, could see nothing. Nay, she had to get out of here!
Did Duncan know of the tunnel’s existence? He’d not mentioned it. Terrified, she screamed. She felt the sharp edge of his dirk against her throat.
~ * ~
At Castle Glenshee, Duncan grew concerned when his wife didn’t come down before the evening meal. He sent a servant upstairs to see if she felt well. When the young woman returned and said, “No one is in your chamber, my lord,” Duncan charged upstairs to see for himself.
She wasn’t there.
Rushing through the castle, he found her nowhere. He returned to the Great Hall and issued orders for everyone to search for the women.
Duncan ran up the steps to the promenade above the castle. “Have you seen my lady wife?”
When the guard shook his head, panic formed a knot in
Duncan’s belly.
“By the saints!” He slapped his hand against the wall in frustration. “Get Grant. He must be told the women cannot be seen from here either.”
He ran down the steps to the courtyard and headed back into the keep and up to his chamber. He’d heard from several people that Catherine had trouble walking into the courtyard. Why hadn’t they sent for him then? Surely it meant the bairn would be born soon. If so, why wasn’t she abed?
Grant joined him, followed on his heels, back to search the bedchamber. “No sign of them?”
Duncan shook his head. “No, but she was here. The bedclothes are rumpled.”
“’Tis not like Tory to wander off,” Grant grumbled, worry apparent on his face.
Duncan walked to the bed. Suddenly he stopped, tilted his head as he stared at his bed. “The ropes.”
Grant raised a brow. “What?”
“Ropes that tie the bed drapes back during the day. Two are missing.” He pointed to drapes hanging down instead of being tied back.
Grant’s eyes narrowed. “Something smells foul about this. Tory would never leave on her own.” He walked around the chamber, eyes searching everywhere. Suddenly they widened.
“Duncan. Here.”
Duncan hurried to the wardrobe.
Grant pointed. “Look.”
All color drained from Duncan’s face—specks of blood dotted the floor.
He moved closer, picked a piece of cloth off the wardrobe. His eyes narrowed. “’Tis from the undertunic Siobhán selected for Catherine this morn.”
Chapter thirty-three
“Finally I get you where I want you.” Erwin pushed the women into a large opening.
A cave! The tunnel led into a cave. Rays of light seeped through branches covering the entrance. Catherine edged away while his attention was focused on Tory. She turned to run, trying to get to Duncan, but the man quickly caught her, slapping her face. “Do not try escaping again, Lady MacThomas. If you do, I shall stick my dirk in your friend’s heart.”
Catherine eyed Tory and knew she couldn’t leave her friend. He dragged Catherine to a fallen log and fastened her to a tether. He ran his finger lightly up and down her jawline. She jerked away, his attention sending shivers up her spine. He pressed a dirk to her throat, toyed with it as if he meant to slice her jugular.
“Leave her be,” Tory shouted at him, disgust clear in her tone. “You are crazed. Let us go, Erwin. You know Duncan and Grant shall find you—they shall kill you.”
Erwin waved dismissively. “They willnae find us. At least not until ‘tis too late for the pair of you. And you, Mistress High and Mighty”—hard, steely eyes glared at Tory—“willnae escape me this time. I waited a long time for you. My waiting has come to an end. When I am finished, your beloved husband shall have naught to do with you.”
“Grant would never—” Tory protested before he cut her off.
“Dinnae fancy he cares that much about you. The Drummond is too proud to take back tarnished goods.” The evil in his voice chilled Catherine’s blood as he taunted Tory. “And by the time I finish, you shall have my bairn in your belly.”
He laughed, the most terrifying sound Catherine ever heard. This man truly was demented. How could they possibly escape?
“You vile, evil man!” Tory lunged at Erwin only to have him grab her and twist her arm behind her back.
Tory swung her free arm, trying to hit him, but he twisted her other arm again, threatening to break her bones.
He glared at the woman he’d once desired. “I know you well enough, Lady Drummond. Your honor is without question. ‘Tis why I dinnae tie you up. You shall not abandon Lady MacThomas.”
“You know naught you worthless excuse for a man.” Tory narrowed her eyes and glowered.
“Should you try to escape, Lady MacThomas will be dead afore you reach the cave’s entrance, but first I shall slice that bairn from her belly.”
As if the matter was settled, he set about to make a fire, humming happily to himself.
Catherine stifled a moan and sat with a thud.
Tory lowered herself to the log beside Catherine. “What is wrong? Have your pains increased?”
Catherine’s eyes met Tory’s. She shook her head, trying to deny anything was wrong.
Tory smiled at Catherine. “Your husband is right, Cat MacThomas. You are a horrid liar. Duncan once told me you did not lie well. He said he could always tell when something bothered you, because your face showed every emotion. He said ‘twas one of the things he so loved about you.”
“He does not love me,” Catherine protested.
“Cat,” Tory said in exasperation, “will you stop being so thick headed? Your husband adores you.”
“He—”
“Has done everything possible to convince you of his feelings,” Tory challenged, “but you refuse to believe anything he says. He made a wrong move early in your marriage, but he has tried to make up for it ever since. For once in your life, quit arguing. This is not the time or place to talk about it, but think about it. If you refuse to believe what he tells you now, why cling to fool words the man said when first you met?”
Catherine seemed about to answer when she doubled over in pain.
Tory’s eyes widened. “You are having the babe? Now?”
When the pain ebbed and she was able to sit upright again, Catherine met her eyes and nodded.
“When did your pains start in earnest?”
“When I fell in that horrid tunnel. Before that man cut your bonds and you were able to help me. Oh, Tory, I hate small places. I know not how I survived the walk through that dark place.”
“After all the time we have waited, you choose now to have Duncan’s babe? Friend, you astound me.”
“I do not believe I particularly have any say in this,” Catherine said through gritted teeth. Her eyes swung to Erwin who was busy building a fire. “How do we keep him from knowing?”
Tory admitted. “Soon ‘twill be too obvious. The man is evil, not stupid.” She reached out and held Catherine’s hand. “I do not wish to frighten you, but your pains shall get worse before the babe arrives.”
Catherine gulped and nodded. “How do you know him?”
“He is a former member of Clan MacThomas, once one of Duncan’s most trusted companions. One night he snapped. Afterwards he blamed me. Something ridiculous about wanting me and Duncan let Grant steal me away.”
Erwin walked over to where they huddled together. Towering above them, his eyes glinting with malice, he informed them, “It amuses me to take something away from your husbands. I have waited a long time for this day.”
“You think they will not find us?” Catherine taunted. “They are excellent trackers and will have men from the keep with them. Just because you do not possess such skills, does not mean they are failures like you.”
Erwin backhanded her, the stinging force causing her to fall off the log.
Tory helped her up, trying to cover Catherine’s grimace. She engaged Erwin in conversation, clearly trying to keep him from noticing Catherine was in labor. “Why did you come back to Scotland, Erwin? You had to know Grant and Duncan would come after you after what you and Grant’s brother did to me. As I recall, you tied me up then, too. Is that the only way you can get a woman? What a pathetic excuse for a man.”
Another sharp pain engulfing her, Catherine drew in a sharp intake of breath.
“Pathetic? I dinnae think so, lady,” came Erwin’s harsh words. “I have exactly what I want now.” He gave her a crooked, gap-toothed smile. “If you do as bidden, you willnae die. One of you I mean to have, the other I shall kill her child—just as I did in London.” His cold eyes regarded Catherine.
Hers widened at his brutal words. She shuddered and stifled a cry.
Tory gasped at the sickness in his admission. “You really beat an innocent woman apurpose? Made her lose her child?”
“I intend to rid her of this one, too,” he boasted. “The world needs n
ot another MacThomas from Duncan’s line. The foul spawn would likely be sickly like his weak sire.”
“You traveled with Duncan. What turned you against him? He did naught to you,” Tory pointed out.
“Faugh,” Erwin snarled. “He gave you to that no good husband of yours. Had he fought for you that night instead of handing you over with no argument when he was drunk, I would have made you mine as soon as he passed out.” He cursed. “But no, he handed you over with nary a word. I vowed that night I would avenge myself.”
Catherine couldn’t stop the shivers that shook her body. Some was fear, but the cold was seeping bone deep. There was no way to stay warm in the chemise. Erwin squatted and added more twigs to the fire, but the pale light neither gave off heat nor dispelled the inky darkness of this crypt-like cave.
Another shudder racked her body. This one from dread. Her dream... Catherine bit her lip to hold back her scream. This was her dream. She looked at Erwin, knowing soon Duncan and he would be locked in a deadly duel to the death.
He turned his head back to Tory. “No one will find this cave. I watched the castle with this as my base. I used the tunnels to get into the kitchen at night to fetch food. I could live here forever without someone finding me.”
“Do not use me as an excuse,” Tory shouted. “There is more to your hatred than me.”
“It matters not.” His mouth twisted in a sneer.
Turning his head, he narrowed his eyes at Catherine, lewdly appraising her body in the thin chemise. “Once I root out the bairn she carries, I may have her as well.”
“Root out?” Catherine screamed in alarm. “Nay, you cannot hurt this babe. I shall not let you.” She tried to stand up, but her bonds jerked her backward. No longer focusing on concealing her pains, she cried out as the next one engulfed her.
Erwin narrowed his eyes and stared. When she clutched her belly, he laughed, “Looks like I shall be spared the trouble of finding a stick to root it out. Let nature take its course, then I shall kill it. Mayhap throw it in the nearest loch to drown—or let it lie outside for hungry animals.”
“You are despicable.” Catherine’s hands clenched in fists. “I vow on my life, you will not harm my babe. I will kill you first.”
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