Highland Vengeance
Page 15
Broderick growled. “Damn it!”
“Malcolm wanted me to trade my wife for the Sinclair clan and the new warriors,” the laird said with outrage.
“But doesn’t she know you would never do so m’laird?” Calum asked.
“She never gave me the chance, in fact, my wife said she wanted to stay there and then told me the Sinclairs would never accept me back as their laird.”
“Lady Sinclair lied to you then m’laird, she knew your clan has already accepted you and her as well,” Keith added.
“I knew Olivia was not telling the truth. My wife is up to something and whatever her plan is, I hope to hell it works because watching that filthy bastard touch her is almost too much to bare. Are the Sinclairs safe then?” Camden asked.
“Yes m’laird. Your holding is being restored to order.”
“How many men are here and prepared to fight?”
“All of the Kincaid men and most of the Sutherlands, Drummonds and Macleod men. Laird Sutherland stayed at your holding with some of his men to protect the Sinclair women,” answered Broderick.
“And your sister,” Liam added with a smile.
Camden thought the warrior must have been confused with his comment until Stephan explained further.
“Maggie is alive and recovering at the Sinclair holding. She did lose the babe but the midwife saved her and I brought her home.”
Laird Sinclair was too astonished to think clearly and he stared at his men in disbelief.
“I must say, your wife and sister are quite fond of each other, m’laird,” Liam smiled.
The warriors watched their laird process the information that he had just learned. Camden was immediately grateful to God for saving the life of his sister and he felt greedy but asked his Maker to save Olivia as well.
The Highland laird turned to Broderick and the men began to plan their attack on the MacKay holding. He knew they would outnumber the MacKay soldiers easily but the filthy men were prepared and waiting for the attack. Camden wished they had the element of surprise on their side but Malcolm would expect him to come back for retaliation and to save his wife.
Laird Sinclair followed his men to where the rest of the clansmen had remained hidden. Camden called the leaders together and gave them as much information about the MacKay holding as possible. He had been silently observing their fortress and all that went on there. The warrior drew a diagram in the dirty snow to show the others where the MacKay soldiers were posted keeping watch. Camden knew the battle would not be very difficult to win but he worried what Malcolm would do to Olivia when the castle came under attack. The laird prayed to God that his warrior wife could hold her own against the criminal that kept her hostage until he could reach her.
The lairds discussed their strategy and it was clear what the clans would do. Broderick, Laird Drummond and Laird Macleod would lead the men to fight the MacKay soldiers, leaving no man alive. Camden and his four remaining warriors were to find Olivia and keep her safe. Before they departed, Laird Drummond addressed Camden about their plans.
“Laird Sinclair, I want to make sure that you and your men are capable of saving your wife. I have come to admire the woman greatly and if you are too weak for battle I will go in your place.”
Camden was furious at first for having his strength questioned but then he realized that Olivia must have charmed the other Highland lairds as she had done him.
“I am more than capable of saving my wife, Laird Drummond but thank you for your concern.”
“Take care of that rare treasure Laird Sinclair. There are not many women like her around,” Laird Drummond smiled.
“I believe there is no other woman like her at all,” Camden replied with a grin.
The Highland lairds nodded to each other and Camden’s chest swelled with pride for his wife. Olivia was truly unique, with spirit and fire unlike any other and now Laird Sinclair desperately needed to be with her. The warriors parted ways and the commands were spread through the clansmen quickly as they prepared to take the MacKay holding under siege. Camden and his four guards left into the forested area to find a secret entrance into the castle through a system of caves. He had been brought through the tunnel after he had been taken captive and the laird had memorized his surroundings to find the cavern again. As they searched the hills for the hidden cave, Camden questioned his men about Laird Drummonds reasons for caring about Olivia.
“M’laird, I wish you could have seen her stand up to Laird Drummond. Your wife is a courageous lass, for certain,” Liam explained.
“It is true, and we were proud to have her lead us into battle,” Calum pointed out.
“Lady Sinclair was amazing in combat, m’laird. She killed Lorna with your blade,” Keith praised.
“I must admit that I underestimated my wife and her skills again,” Camden admitted.
“We all did,” Stephan agreed.
“Liam, how did my wife’s face become bruised?”
“It was Ian m’laird. The bastard attacked her after you were taken captive but Broderick saved Lady Sinclair and she put an arrow through Ian’s head.”
Camden pictured his beautiful wife in the hands of Ian and the laird was instantly jealous that it was Olivia’s arrow and not his arrow that pierced the filthy man. Laird Sinclair was angry with himself for foolishly trusting Ian, he should have known better. He silently prayed again that Olivia would be safe until he reached her.
“I am grateful the dirty traitor is dead, for he can no longer harm your sister either m’laird,” Stephan added.
“My sister,” Camden smiled, “it is still hard to believe she is alive.”
Stephan continued to think of Maggie and how sickly the woman looked when he went to the isles to recover her body. Camden’s sister was on the verge of death but the warrior gently cradled the woman in his arms while he rode back to the Sinclair holding. Stephan had feelings for the gentle woman and he vowed to never let another man harm her again.
While the men entered the secret cavern in the woods, hundreds of men in all different colored plaids descended on the deteriorating castle. A rain of arrows began falling from the MacKay soldiers as they watched the walls their fortress being attacked. The men quickly realized the rumors were true as they saw several clans fighting together, united as one, to battle against them. The MacKay men posted outside the walls of the holding were slain first and their fellow soldiers retreated to the castle knowing they were severely outnumbered.
The four united clans made their way into the holding anyway they could. Some were scaling the walls with ropes and others had brought down the weakened drawbridge to make their entrance. Inside the inner courtyard, each man fought hard with one another and it seemed as though the some of the clansmen gained strength from another source other than themselves. Broderick noticed that Laird Macleod had been stuck through with an arrow and the younger warrior ran to his aide.
“Leave me ya fool, lead your men and kill the bastard MacKay,” Laird Macleod yelled.
Broderick did as the older laird instructed and used his blade to fight soldier after soldier that attacked him. Every corner of the holding had men fighting one another and the MacKay men were quickly losing. Even the traps that Malcolm’s men had set were failing as the brave warriors battled on. Broderick was proud to watch the Kincaid men that Camden had trained, fight with strength and valor. He had seen these unruly men transformed from weak individuals to a united group of brothers that wore his family’s plaid.
Malcolm fled to his chamber after hearing the attack on his holding and the wicked man knew his worst nightmare was coming true. The other clans had joined Laird Sinclair in the battle. Malcolm knew the MacKay soldiers would be equal in fighting the newly trained men that Camden brought but with other clans there, his men would be greatly outnumbered. No matter how many traps were set or soldiers he had, Malcolm knew there was no way to win this battle.
The sinister MacKay Laird only thought of the English beauty that
waited in his chamber. He feared she would be angered at Malcolm’s loss of power and he hoped the feisty woman still wanted him. He entered his chamber to find Olivia watching out a window that was covered with an animal hide. Malcolm thought the woman looked weaker and much gentler than she had before. He wondered what she was thinking and if he had time to bed the beauty before he escaped the castle.
Olivia felt Malcolm’s presence and she knew the man was staring at her from behind. The countess loathed this man and all he had done to harm Camden. She had been watching the men battle from the small window and her body became excited, as the MacKay men were easily defeated. Olivia knew that the last chore to be taken care of was Malcolm. She was prepared to let the man get close to her knowing she would have to endure his vile breath. The warrior woman just needed him distracted for a moment while she retrieved the small dirk from her knee-high boot.
When she had been taken captive, the men foolishly did not check her further for weapons and the dagger was safely hidden from view. Olivia turned to face Malcolm and she was instantly dizzy when the room starting spinning around her. The brave woman tried hard to fight the cloudy blackness that began closing in around her and she stumbled for something to hold on too. Olivia heard whispering in her ear and then she relaxed into his arms knowing Camden was there to save her.
Malcolm held the beauty that had fainted in his arms and he wondered what was wrong with the enchanting woman. Laird MacKay heard the soldiers fighting closer to his chamber and the sinister man knew there was not much time before they would find him. Malcolm threw Olivia over his shoulder and bolted quickly from the room. He made his way to the chapel inside the holding and then used a series of secret passages in the walls to make his escape.
The man was fast on his feet and Malcolm only came across two soldiers that looked as if they wore the Sutherland plaid. The MacKay laird knocked one man out cold and ran his sword through the belly of the other. Malcolm carried the very treasure he desired with him and the villain would not let anyone stop him from having her. When Malcolm made his escape from the tunnel, it was already becoming dark as the night crept closer. He was far into the wooded forest and the winter air was getting colder. Malcolm moved quickly to separate himself further from the holding knowing that none of his men would survive the brutal assault on his home. The wicked laird did not care much about them, for they were a lost cause and he only cared about the woman on his shoulder.
Olivia started to moan as the burning fire in her side throbbed with pain. She assumed she passed out because the last thing she remembered was falling into Camden’s arms. Her body trembled and her head spun but Olivia tried to gather her strength to stop Camden from walking. With each step he took, the countess felt as though her side was tearing apart. She soon felt herself being laid on the ground and Olivia grasped to keep Camden’s heat close to her.
“Ah my little temptress, you are starting to wake,” Malcolm whispered close to her ear.
Her eyes flew open and the reality of what was truly happening rocked Olivia to her core. It was Malcolm she clung to and not Camden. It was the devious bastard that murdered the Sinclairs and tried to take all which Camden had, who had carried her away. A million thoughts ran through her mind and Olivia tried hard to remember what happened before she had passed out. The ache in her side was a painful distraction and she knew the wound had to be the cause of the fever that was now raging through her body.
Malcolm pulled back from the beautiful woman and he could see her eyes glazed over and the sweat forming around her hair. He felt her face and Malcolm knew she was burning with fever which explained why she blacked out. He soon noticed the side of her gown that was soaked with blood and he was furious that the woman was wounded. Malcolm tore away at her dress and found the source of her illness. The evil man realized it was an old gash and it was sorely infected.
“Damn it,” he swore.
“My laird, why are you angry?” Olivia asked the man who had stolen her into the night.
The man was selfish and his reasons for being upset at her injury were purely for wicked. Malcolm wanted the feisty English woman that made his erection hard and ready. She would be no challenge if the wench lay dying from a bloody wound. The MacKay laird’s temper flared as he realized he had given up everything to have this woman and Malcolm no longer desired her as he had before. He would still bed her of course, but it would not be as he once pictured.
Olivia was fading in and out of consciousness and she had a difficult time deciding what was really happening and what she was dreaming. The countess saw her brother Garrison, the Duke of Lansington and his wife Ella as they prepared for their new baby. In the next moment, she came too, smelling the foul odor from Malcolm’s breath close to her face. Olivia found it was much more pleasant when her eyes were shut, so the countess kept them closed and dreamed of Camden with his body close to hers.
Malcolm felt he was far enough away from his former holding to rest for the night. The MacKay laird knew Camden would continue searching for his wife and by tomorrow, Malcolm figured the woman would be dead from the fever. It would make his escape much easier though without the burden of carrying the English woman with him. For now, Malcolm stared at the fevered woman and tried to picture her as she was earlier, sassy, vibrant and spirited. He started to feel his erection rise for the woman named Olivia, that had come from England and the vile man decided to take his time enjoying every inch of the woman.
When Laird Sinclair and his guards found the tunnel entrance to the holding, the men easily slaughtered the posted soldiers. The MacKay men never expected anyone to find the cavern and they certainly were not prepared for the giant brutes that came towards them. Camden found his way into the holding moments before Broderick and the other clans began attacking the castle. The laird and his warriors outsized the MacKay men and they found it almost effortless to slay the men that cowered to them.
As they made their way up the deteriorating stone steps, Camden was unsure of which way the chamber was where Olivia was being held. He sent Liam and Keith to his right and took Stephan and Calum with him to the left. The men battled soldiers at every corner and the noise of the blades hitting one another was almost deafening. Camden searched each room they came to and each time the door opened, the laird became frustrated when Olivia was not there.
Liam and Keith made their way through the turret and out to the wall walks. The warriors dodged arrows and blades as they killed then men running towards them. Soon they could see Broderick’s men coming over the castle walls and they knew the cavalry had arrived. The two warriors watched as a few MacKay men ducked into what looked to be a secret passage in the wall. Liam and Keith followed several Sutherland soldiers deep into the tunnels and began searching for Lady Sinclair.
Camden finally reached the room where he knew his wife had been held captive. The Highland laird could feel her presence and her scent lingered in the room. He roared in anger at the thought of Malcolm escaping with Olivia and Camden only blamed himself for the failure. Graphic images flew through Laird Sinclair’s mind of the horrific things he wanted to do to Malcolm MacKay. Camden prayed that he would be the one to find the bastard and finish him off.
Stephan and Calum continued to clash blades with the MacKay soldiers as Camden came charging down the hall. They heard their laird yelling and the two men quickly followed. The men entered the courtyard of the holding and Camden was humbled by the amount of warrior battling in his and Olivia’s behalf. These men had courage and honor for sure and Camden knew these clans would be bonded for years to come.
Broderick called to Laird Sinclair and the two men converged to update one another on the ongoing fight between good and evil.
“Have you found her yet?” Broderick asked frantically.
“She is gone, Malcolm has taken her somewhere. I am taking my men back out through the tunnels to search for her. Once you are done here, have your men scatter out in the hills. They could not have gotten too
far,” Camden insisted.
“Of course,” Broderick replied.
It was not long before Camden, Stephan and Calum had made their way through the tunnels before they found Liam and Keith. The two warriors were helping a Sutherland boy that was regaining consciousness after a blow to the head.
“He says he saw Lady Sinclair,” Liam blurted out to his laird.
“Where is she damn it? Where is my wife?” Camden panicked.
The Sutherland soldier tried to focus as his head pounded in pain. “Laird MacKay had her.”
“Where did they go boy?”
“He was carrying her over his shoulder and I saw her just before I was hit. She was white m’laird, she was out cold,” the young warrior replied.
“Did you see which way they went?” Liam asked.
“Nay m’laird, I am afraid I do not know.”
Camden’s anger raged through his body and the laird became crazed at the thought of Olivia being hurt. The only bit of solace he had through out this search was the fact that she could fend for herself. Camden knew of her strength and determination and he was sure that Olivia would fight to protect herself from harm. He had seen his wife battle before and the laird knew how quickly she could maneuver, so he wondered how the hell she had gotten knocked out.
He yelled to his men to retrieve their stallions, for they could track Malcolm much faster on horse than on foot. Camden and his four guards searched in the dark for any sign of Malcolm’s tracks. Fresh snow was beginning to fall around the Sinclair soldiers and the laird knew he needed to find Malcolm fast before his footpath was covered. Laird Sinclair could hear the horses coming behind him and he knew Broderick was bringing an army of men to help search for his wife.
“Here m’laird, there are tracks here,” Liam called out.
Camden guided his horse first to follow the footprints in the dirty snow before him. Several of Broderick’s men had shown up and brought lit torches for Camden and his men. The wind began to blow and then Camden watched as the tracks started to fade. He was desperate to find her and the laird let his heart listen for hers, hoping she was close by.