Page 73 of Claimed by a Highlander
“The tone of his missive was courteous,” Alex said, raising his hands in a gesture of caution. “He assures us that Catriona is safe and well in his care.”
“If the Munros have laid a hand on her, I will murder every last one of them,” Rory said. “There will not be one left to mourn their dead.”
Rory got to his feet and started toward the door. Sybil and Alex exchanged a look and jumped to their feet as well.
“What do ye intend to do?” Sybil asked, and clasped his arm.
“I’m going to gather the men and collect my sister.”
“This may not be what ye fear it is,” Alex said. “The Munro chief neither asked for a ransom nor made a threat.”
“He wants something,” Rory said. “Why else would he take her?”
“We should wait and find out what it is before starting a bloody war we can ill afford,” Malcolm said. “The Munros have a legitimate complaint against us. I suspect their chief merely wants assurance that the raids under Hector’s direction will halt.”
“No matter how just his complaints may be,” Rory said, “he made a grave mistake taking Catriona to get what he wants.”
Alex shot Sybil another look asking for help.
“From what Alex said, this Munro chief took pains to assure your family that your sister is safe,” Sybil said. “Have ye considered that launching an attack could put her in danger?”
“Damn it to hell,” Rory said under his breath, and clenched his jaw.
“Sybil is right. ’Tis safer for Catriona to wait for the Munro’s next move,” Alex said. “Besides that, the hall is filled with people expecting your wedding on the morrow.”
The wedding.Dear Lord, she had almost forgotten.
***
“They’re celebrating over at Castle Leod,” Big Duncan reported.
Hector poured more whisky and imagined the clamor filling the hall as Rory stood on the dais beneath the great stag head as the warriors took turns kneeling before him to take their oath. That should have been him.
Thatwouldbe him one day soon.
The plan had been for Buchanan to deliver Brian to the crown for imprisonment, leaving Hector to continue ruling in his nephew’s name without the impediment of his nephew’s annoying presence. When Hector learned of Brian’s death, he realized he had been thinking too small. He was meant for a greater fate.
Wielding power through another had run its course. It was his time now. Time not just to rule with the authority of the MacKenzie, but tobethe MacKenzie.
And Rory had snatched it right out of his hands.
If he’d known Buchanan was going to kill Brian, he would have been at Castle Leod and declared himself the new chieftain before most of the clan even knew Rory had returned from wherever he’d gone.
Somehow Rory had learned of Brian’s death first and outmaneuvered him. It would not happen again.
He rubbed the talisman around his neck and imagined adding Rory’s ear to it. His plans for his nephew’s downfall were already in motion.
“At least ye don’t have to worry about Rory’s sister telling tales.” Duncan leaned back and picked his teeth with the point of his dirk. “Whatever Brian brought her is burned.”
“Ye went too far,” Hector said. “That lass was valuable to me.”
Duncan was a useful weapon, but he could be hard to control. Sending him on an errand like that was like unleashing a dog that has developed a taste for killing sheep and expecting the lambs to be safe. When Catriona disappeared, Duncan did not just burn Killin to the ground. He returned every night until he saw candlelight in the upstairs window, and then he burned it.
“Any other news from Castle Leod?” Hector asked.
“Your nephew has got himself a bride,” Duncan said. “Getting married tomorrow.”
“Curse him!” What a clever move to gain another ally quickly. “What clan is she?”
