Valan’s expression went slack and he glanced back at the man, confused. “I beg yer pardon?”
Laird MacDonnell sneered at him. “Nae man does anything in this world fer free, even when it’s disguised as kindness. So, what exactly are ye getting out of this exchange?”
“Nothing.”
“Really? Ye expect me tae believe ye just happened upon Bridget’s ship by accident? I think ye arranged this whole affair so ye could pretend tae be a hero. Tell me, how long did it take fer Bridget tae come into yer in bed—eager tae show her gratitude?”
Valan balked at the crass suggestion. “I’ve ne’er touched her.”
Laird MacDonnell scoffed. “Is that so?”
“It is,” the captain nearly growled at him.
“Ah, but how can I be sure? I saw the way ye look at her. She is fair, after all—with many fine attributes. The lady was in yer care fer weeks, and in that time any number of things could have transpired.”
“If ye’re suggesting that I laid with her, then ye’re mistaken.”
Rodrick leaned forward in his seat and said, “I dinnae believe ye. Nae band of pirates would ever come across a lass that fair and nae take her as a prize, it’s against their nature. Bridget’s mere association with yer pirate clan spoils her reputation. I cannae marry myself tae a lass whose been tainted. Ye understand, of course.”
Valan grit his teeth, saying, “Bridget is a remarkable woman. Ye should be lucky tae have her affection. She deserves better than a snake like ye. Who speaks about his betrothed this way? Ye should be ashamed of yerself fer slandering such a precious lady. Now, between the two of us, tell me which one is without honor.”
The hint of a smile curved up at the edge of Rodrick’s mouth. “Ye have a lot of nerve, Captain. Nae one dares speak tae me that way. Are ye in love with her? Interesting. I shall take that as a confirmation of yer carnal activities. As fer Bridget, I’ll see that our marriage contract is void seeing as she’s nae longer pure. I’ll have tae make other arrangements.”
Valan’s eyes widened in shock and was about to speak when two large men came up behind him and grabbed him roughly by the arms. “Ye coward! Having yer men dae all the dirty work fer ye? All because ye’re probably afraid tae fight me like a man.”
“Save yer breath, Captain, ye’re going tae need it. Tomorrow I’ll see every member of yer crew hanged in the gallows. I’ll make sure yer executions last, so ye can witness them.”
Valan blanched. “Hanged? On what charge?”
“Piracy and kidnapping tae start. My people will demand justice after what happened tae their future lady.”
“This is a mistake!”
Rodrick sneered. “Nae, coming here was a mistake. But, as I mentioned, that will be remedied shortly. In the meantime, please enjoy our hospitality in the dungeon. Think about what ye’d like tae be served as yer final meal.”
Valan fought against the guard and said, “What will happen tae her?”
“Bridget will be sent back tae her brother in disgrace. Nae lord will have her now that her reputation’s ruined.”
“I should kill ye bastard! We saved her from those men!”
The laird walked up to him and stared him in the face. “And who is going tae believe the word of a pirate over me?”
All at once the realization struck him. Rodrick set them up to take the blame for it—he had it all planned out. He’d been so focused on Bridget’s safety and pleasing her, that he hadn’t weighed the situation. Now Valan and his crew would die because of it.
“’Twas ye, wasn’t it? Ye’re the one who arranged fer those men tae kidnap her. Why?”
Rodrick stepped back and observed him in amusement. “Whatever I did is nae of yer concern. Ye’re practically a dead man anyways. Guards, take him away.”
“Nae!”
The guards gripped him by the arms and started dragging in from the room kicking and cursing. Without his weapon, Valan had no way to defend himself. He was outnumbered and unable to overpower them. Their fingers dug into his arms as he fought against them, and Valan’s mind raced. The crew depended on him to lead, to have their best interest at heart. They trusted him, and Valan led them straight into a trap.
Damn.
He shouted as loud as he could in hopes of warning the others—maybe there was still a chance they could escape. In a desperate attempt to break free, Valan braced his leg against the wall and used the force to push off to slam one of the guards into the wall behind him.
“Ahh!”
Valan felt satisfaction when he heard them groan and tried to wrestle free. To his dismay, however, they were not easily shaken. After his failed attempt, the men tightened their grip on him and pulled him down the stairwell. Eventually, they made their way into the dungeons in depths of the castle. It was a dank chamber build into the side of the keep, fit with iron bars.
When they approached, Valan recognized his crew already within the cell. One of the guards opened the gate and Valan was thrown into the cell with them. He stumbled to keep from falling and the door fell shut with a clang.
He quickly scrambled to his feet and shouted after the guards, saying, “Ye cannae dae this!”
The man called Harold sneered. “Take a look at yer surroundings. We already have.”
His companion chuckled at Valan’s expense and locked the doors behind themselves before exiting the way they came. Valan’s heart sank as he watched them leave, and immediately continued to plan their escape. While he ran through different scenarios, trying to formulate a plan, Niall walked beside him and punched Valan squarely in the jaw. A jolt of pain rocked through him as he slammed against the bars. When his face collided with the metal, a second round of misery struck him. He groaned from the force of it and turned to Niall in surprise as he staggered to his feet.
“What was that fer?”
Kent and Geoffrey held Niall back from punching him again, but looked just as furious as their crewmate.
“Ye’re the one who put us here!” Geoffrey shouted. “This is all yer fault! Ye should have told us who she was. We could have had a plan.”
“It’s tae late fer that now!” Kent argued. “The important thing is figuring out how we’re going tae get out of this.”
Valan still reeled from the pain in his jaw and spat out a mouthful of blood onto the dirt floor. A thin beam of light came shining through the bars on the window overhead, and he looked up at it dismally. “I’m sorry,” he told them desperately. “I love her.”
Geoffrey rolled his eyes. “Lord in heaven. Ye’ve got tae be jesting.”
“Nae. Laird MacDonnell is a monster. There’s nae telling what he will dae tae her.”
“’Tis nae our problem,” Iain responded flatly. “She lied tae us.”
“Dinnae ye understand? Laird MacDonnell set us up! He planned this whole thing; first, Bridget being captured, and now blaming it on us. She’s in danger. We have tae save her.”
Kent crossed is arms in front of his chest. “Captain, ye took an oath—yer blood and duty tae the clan. We’re supposed tae be bound by salt and blood, isn’t that what it says? I’ve looked tae ye as a brother, but that requires trust. Ye cannae be keeping secrets like this from us.”
Valan nodded. “Ne’er again, I swear. But we have tae save her first.”
Kent glanced over to his brother Niall and nodded. “We will help ye, but dinnae think we will nae have words about this when we get back tae Castlebay.”
Valan nodded in understanding. He had to live if only to rescue her.
R odrick drummed his fingers against the table as he stared out the window deep in thought.
This Captain Valan and his crew would take the fall for him and no one would be the wiser. All he had to figure out next was what to do with Bridget.
Laird MacDonnell scowled, lighting the pipe in his hand to inhale a plume of smoke.
As he took another drag, there was a knock at the door. Without turning toward it, he called out, saying, �
�Enter.”
The wooden door creaked open and Harold stepped inside. The guard addressed him with a bow, and said, “My Laird. We’ve taken the captain and his men tae the dungeons as ye commanded. The gallows are prepped and ready.”
“Excellent. What about my betrothed?” he inquired brusquely.
Harold stuttered. “The last I heard she was being taken to private quarters.”
Laird MacDonnell nodded thoughtfully. “That will dae fer now. However, we must come up with a plan fer what comes after.”
The guard nodded slightly.
“She’ll have tae be dealt with sooner or later. I’ve already accepted another offer of marriage from the Maxwell’s—their dowry makes the Mackay’s look like a pittance. If they get word that Bridget is alive, they’ll know our marriage contract is still in effect. Laird Maxwell will likely be furious and try tae back out of our arrangement. I cannae let that happen—we need the gold.”
“Then what dae ye want tae dae?”
“I told the captain we’d be sending her back tae Castle Varrich, but the reality is nae that simple. Fionn would find some reason tae levy war against us if we did. We’ll have tae destroy her.”
“Sire…killing the warriors is one thing, but the lady is far more dangerous. Are ye sure ye want tae go through with this?”
“We dinnae have a choice!” he snapped. “We have tae clean up the loose ends. If Bridget lives it will ruin everything.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Castle Strome, Coast of Loch Carron
B ridget glanced back over her shoulder as maids whisked her away into the living quarters. She saw Valan speaking with Rodrick in the courtyard and thought back to their kiss—the heat of his skin against hers. Her stomach fluttered and she quickly turned away to ease herself up the stairwell.
Be bold, she reminded herself. That was the advice he’d given her, and Bridget planned on following it. Even thought it was the hardest thing she’d ever done. Leaving Valan behind was like denying herself the sun.
Bridget went with the maids willingly and picked up her skirts as they led her down the corridor. She admired the new surroundings and glanced around, trying to find some semblance of beauty in the cold stone. It was nothing like the salty air and rough and tumble village of Castlebay, or her home in Castle Varrich—it was new, foreign, and completely devoid of comfort.
Her footsteps echoed down the stairwell as they ascended to her rooms.
“Lady, it’s most fortunate ye’ve arrived,” the maid told her excitedly. “We thought ye were lost at sea. After the word came of yer attack, we dinnae ken what tae think.”
Bridget exhaled nervously and said, “Aye. It’s been a difficult journey. Thankfully, Captain Valan and his crew found me when they did. They rescued me from that band of pirates.”
The maid pursed her lips in disapproval as they brought her to the bedchambers. “Ye should nae be trusting pirates, Ma’am. Everyone kens that Clan MacNeil is made up of pirates themselves. ’Tis likely they had a hand in yer abduction in the first place.”
She frowned. “Are ye suggesting that I’m nae aware of what happened? That I’m somehow confused about my treatment?”
The maid blushed and swiftly hung her head in apology. “Forgive me, lady. I dinnae mean tae insult ye. It’s just that something feels amiss. There may be more at play than Captain Valan told ye.”
“Nae. Captain MacNeil is a good man. He’s been exceedingly kind tae me and I owe him a great deal.”
While they talked, Bridget heard commotion in the courtyard. There were people arguing and it sounded like a fight. On impulse, Bridget turned to the sound and went to see what was happening.
“Lady! Ye must stay here. The lord insisted,” the maid called after her.
Bridget ignored the woman’s pleas, and as she emerged on the castle parapet she looked down into the courtyard to see Valan’s crew being apprehended.
“What’s going on?” she demanded.
A guard emerged from around the corner and stepped in front of Bridget to keep her from interfering. “My apologies, Lady Bridget. We’re under strict orders.”
“Tae dae what?”
He stood his ground, telling her, “These men are being arrested fer the crime of piracy and are scheduled tae be hanged.”
Bridget’s eyes grew wide and she gasped. “What? Nae, there must be some mistake.”
“I’m afraid nae, yer ladyship. Laird MacDonnell was very clear.”
Bridget’s world began to spin, and her chest tightened. “I need tae speak with Laird MacDonnell immediately. I’ll explain tae him what happened, and that ye’ve got the wrong men.”
“Sorry, Lady Bridget. Laird MacDonnell insisted that ye’re nae tae leave yer quarters without permission. I doubt ye’ll ever see the young captain again.”
“I’m under house arrest?”
“Afraid so, ma’am.”
Suddenly, her breathing labored and she her limbs grew heavy. “Nae…nae… Rodrick would nae do this. Captain Valan is the one who rescued me!”
The guard opened his mouth to speak and Bridget saw an opportunity. When he lowered his weapon, she bolted past him and ran down the hall toward the solar. By the time he realized what was happening, she was halfway down the hall. With the other guards preoccupied with arresting the MacNeil’s, there was no one else to stop her except the one who’d been outside her chamber. Bridget heard them screaming after her, but she didn’t stop, She ran all the way across the parapet to the castle solar, where she was sure Rodrick would be.
When she threw open the door, Laird MacDonnell and Harold spoke privately and they both looked up at her in surprise.
“Rodrick! There’s been some terrible mistake. I understand ye’ve given the order fer Captain Valan tae be executed?”
“Aye. He, and the rest of his crew, must pay fer their crimes.”
“What crimes?” Bridget argued. “They’ve been nothing but kind tae me. Valan and his crew rescued me from those men, and then travelled all the way tae Strome tae deliver me here. We should be thanking them, nae treating them as criminals.”
“I ken this is difficult fer a lass tae understand, but men like Captain Valan are nae worth saving. They’re pirates, lady. And a pirate will ne’er change.”
“This is ridiculous! Ye have nae proof. What are they being charged with?”
“Kidnapping my bride tae be among other things. Piracy, treachery, as well as cruel, lascivious behavior, the list goes on and on.”
“Captain Valan dinnae kidnap me!” Bridget shouted. “How many times dae I need tae tell ye?”
Rodrick shook his head. “Dearie, ye’re confused. It’s understandable after the ordeal they put ye through, but all will make sense in the end.”
Bridget scowled at him. “I am nae confused. Ye’ve got the wrong men. If there is any love in yer heart fer me, show them mercy—as a wedding present. Let them go, so they can return tae the Barra and be with their families.”
“Pirates dinnae have families,” he responded. “Suggesting otherwise proves how very little ye understand. As fer our marriage, I’m afraid the contract is void. Ye’ll be returning tae Castle Varrich with a letter of explanation that my bride has come here spoiled.”
“Void? On what grounds?”
“On the grounds ye are nae a virgin. After the time ye spent on the captain’s ship, there’s little doubt he had his way with ye. I cannae bind myself in the eyes of God tae a lass who is less than pure.”
Bridget gasped, her face blazing hot. “How dare ye! I-I have nae given myself tae anyone.”
“A likely story. Are ye in love with him, is that it? Nae wonder ye came here begging fer his life.”
“I have been faithful,” she insisted firmly.
Rodrick grit his teeth. “So ye’d consent tae an examination then? We could have a healer look at ye and confirm that ye’re a maid. However, if it turns out that ye’re nae, things could get ugly.”
She swallowed t
he lump rising in her throat, remembering the first days in Castlebay. “Ye cannae dae this!”
“Of course I can,” Roderick told her. “My word is law. I cannae have a wife whose reputation is sullied by cavorting with pirates—it would bring shame upon the entire clan.”
“Rodrick, please. These are good men—they saved my life.”
His eyes narrowed, and the corner of his mouth twisted down into a scowl. The transformations took place over a manner of seconds, and a darkness she’d never seen before overshadowed Rodrick’s features. “That was their first mistake,” he told her. “Ye should have died on that vessel and ne’er come here.”
Bridget gasped, stumbling back at the cruelty of his words. “How can ye say such a thing? What did I ever dae tae deserve this?”
The laird glanced over her shoulder to the guard and said, “Take Lady Bridget back tae her rooms. She’s obviously tired and nae thinking clearly. I’ll arrange fer her transport tae Castle Varrich after the captain and his men are hung.”
“Nae! Dinnae touch me! VALAN!”
Bridget’s eyes widened in horror as a giant hand clapped down on top of her shoulder. She turned in surprise and looked up at the guard as he dug in his fingers to grip her by the arm. When he dragged her from the room, she cried, “Ye’ll ne’er get away with this!”
This time she was no match for him. Her previous escape only worked by the element of surprise, and now he was expecting it. The man dragged Bridget down the hall and back toward her quarters. As they rounded the corner, Bridget’s mind raced through different outcomes. Valan was in trouble. His crew was in trouble. He and his men were going to die if she couldn’t figure out a way to save them. She imagined them sitting in the dungeons and it broke her heart. It was all her fault. She was the one who insisted on coming back to Strome. All because she thought it was the noble path—but Bridget realized she was wrong. She felt foolish for ever wanting it in the first place.
Innocent men shouldnae have tae die because of me…
She did not even consider her own fate, or what would happen to her afterwards. All she cared about was rescuing the MacNeil’s the same way they did her. In that moment, everything inside her opened up and she decided to fight. There had to be some other tools at her disposal, something that could tip the scale in their favor.
Rescued by Valan (The Pirates of Barra: Highland Raiders) Page 15