"Very well. If you must know, I loved her. She's beautiful, spirited and intelligent." Remembering her didn't hurt nearly as much now as it had several months ago. "A few weeks before the wedding, her father informed me she wished to call it off. After much pressure from me, her father finally revealed that an earl had fallen in love with Emma, and she with him. He offered for her. Since the man outranks me, and is wealthier besides, her father went along with her change of heart. He paid me a small recompense, but it didn't take away the sting of her rejection. Especially when she'd already told me she loved me. She must have been lying."
"'Tis a hellish situation. I wish you'd told me sooner."
Colin shrugged. "I would prefer to forget it and put it behind me." He'd kept his distance from marriageable ladies since. A war waged inside him. Should he marry a lady he didn't love simply to bear an heir—someone who couldn't hurt him—or should he risk his heart again by waiting for a lady he could fall in love with? Someone he might find blissful happiness with… or another bout of soul-rending rejection?
He hated thinking about it. In fact, he'd rather go to battle than mull it over. He'd much rather focus on the impending attack.
"Enough about me. When do you think Blackburn MacCromar and his men will arrive and attempt a siege?"
Three days earlier, Neacal's other enemies, MacDonald of Sleat and Chief Titus MacRankin—the man who had tortured Neacal—had joined forces and made a failed attempt at taking Bearach. Thank the saints, Neacal's and Colin's clans had suffered no loss of life. Their enemies hadn't fared so well. The night before, Sleat and MacRankin had been in a nearby village, then they'd vanished.
"They could show up at any time," Neacal said. "He'll not give up on wanting Anna back."
"What if MacCromar, MacRankin and Sleat show up at the same time?"
Neacal looked agonized of a sudden. "I've already thought of it. We'll be outnumbered."
***
Kristina and the MacCromars had been traveling for five days in much the same way they had the first day, except sometimes they took ferries along the lochs, the latest of which was Loch Shiel. They had then ridden on horseback another couple of hours. She prayed they reached their destination soon, for she didn't know how much more she could take.
Although Holme made snide remarks, threats and promises at every opportunity, he had not touched her again. Ralston stayed close by her, and each day he seemed more like a brother to her. He made sure she had food and water, as well as privacy when she needed it.
"We'll be arriving at Bearach Castle soon," Blackburn announced. "And I want all of you to obey my orders. Come, we'll talk over here. Ralston, you and Kristina stay over there."
She heard the noise of many men dismounting and trampling the grass and other vegetation, rocks crunching and clacking beneath their boots, then the low murmur of voices.
"What are they saying?" Kristina whispered. "Can you hear them or read their lips?"
"Nay," Ralston said. "But I ken he's going to use you as leverage to draw your sister out."
Even though she'd known it, panic grasped hold of her chest yet again. "What can I do? I don't want Anna to be hurt."
"I have no inkling. Damnation, here they come," Ralston murmured.
"Help her dismount," Blackburn ordered.
Kristina had no idea which man he spoke to, but one of the guards lifted her down from the saddle. What were they going to do? Icy fear raced along her veins as she stood vulnerable before them. Still, she maintained her upright posture and proud bearing.
"Here. Tie her hands and feet with this rope," Blackburn said.
Kristina's whole body tensed, the prickles of fear intensifying. "Nay. Why is that necessary?"
"Because I said so."
"I cannot see. How could I run away?" Tears pricked her eyes but she forced them back.
"You have no say in the matter! Do you not remember what happened the last time you argued with me?"
Knave!
Two of the guards forced her hands together and bound them.
"Now, help her sit on the ground and tie her ankles," Blackburn said.
Damn him! Kristina didn't understand why he would need to do this… unless he was going to toss her in a loch.
"If you're going to drown me, at least be man enough to say so," she demanded, tears dripping from her eyes.
