Cyrus scowled. "You don't even know the whoreson. Have you ever met him?"
"Nay," she admitted. "But we both knew his father."
"That makes no difference."
Another loud crash sounded and then swords clanged.
He glanced aside at his guard. "Sean, make certain she remains inside."
"Aye, Chief."
Cyrus drew his sword and turned to join the fighting in the courtyard. An archer appeared on the steps, taking aim. His instincts seizing control, Cyrus grabbed Elspeth, pulling her out of his line of sight. The arrow lodged in an overhead beam.
"I'm tired of waiting, MacKenzie!" Dalacroy was close outside the entry door, though they couldn't see him.
"Keep your men back, Henry, and I will come out!" Elspeth yelled.
"That's Laird Dalacroy to you, whore!"
Elspeth wanted to call the knave every foul name she could think of, but she restrained her tongue. "I will exchange myself for Fraser MacKenzie."
"'Tis the first sensible thing I've heard all day. I have sent for my best solicitor. Bring the deeds out here. We'll make all of the sales official."
"Sales my arse," Cyrus growled low, then yelled out the door, "You are taking the lady nowhere! She will sign the deeds over here, give them to you and you will return Fraser to us."
Henry chuckled darkly. "Nay, indeed. I'll hand Fraser over to you only after I have the deeds and Lady Grey firmly in my possession. I'll be taking both back to Wingate Castle. Get one thing through your thick head, daft Highlander—you are not in charge here. I am. "
Cyrus clenched his jaw. "The whelp thinks me daft," he muttered, obviously forcing himself to maintain his control. "He's going to suffer, I vow."
"He's an imbecile," she whispered, attempting to keep Cyrus calm so he wouldn't act impulsively. "And he's only trying to rile you. Your life is far more endangered than mine is right now."
"What will you do with the lady once she signs the deeds?" Cyrus called out to him.
"I will release her so she may live on the muddy streets of Aberdeen where she belongs. I'm not a murderer."
When she imagined such a fate for herself, Elspeth's stomach ached.
"I'm going to squash him like the wee bug he is." To Henry, he said, "That remains to be seen. Where are Lady Grey's guards, the ones who vanished from here several days ago?"
Henry laughed. "They were unhappy with their pay here, as well as the meager food and lodgings. They pleaded for employment on my estate, and I was glad to double their wages."
Anger boiled within Elspeth. She made sure all of her staff had food as good as her own, and comfortable, warm places to sleep.
"We ken what you did," Cyrus assured him. "Paying them to leave so the lady would be unprotected."
"'Nonsense. 'Tis not my fault the fallen woman is unable to pay her guards and staff. I'll give her ten quid so she can buy some bread for the remainder of her maids and steward."
Furious, Elspeth gritted her teeth. "If you don't kill him, I will."
Cyrus snorted. "I admire your fortitude."
She did see admiration in his eyes, along with extreme concern. How was it possible she felt closer to Cyrus than any man she'd ever met? She'd only known him a short time, and yet he fretted over her far more than anyone she knew.
"Go in and drag her out!" Henry commanded.
Dozens of running feet pounded over the cobblestones and up the steps, sending chills of dread over her body.
"Go!" His dark eyes intense, Cyrus pointed toward the cellar doorway.
