Oh goodness, that was Dani, awakened from her nap.
"Who are you?" MacPeter demanded.
"I'm Lady MacTavish. Chief Gavin MacTavish is my husband."
Fearing Dani would be in danger, Cat yanked open the door. "Chief MacPeter," she said, hoping to draw his attention away from her friend.
He switched his glare to her.
"Lady MacTavish is not feeling well. Let's allow her to rest and recover."
When MacPeter glanced at Dani again, Cat motioned her back toward her own chamber. She did not need to get involved in this conflict and possibly get hurt.
Two of MacPeter's henchmen also lurked in the corridor.
Dani strode by MacPeter and joined Cat in the chamber. "I'm here to help you," she whispered, glaring at the beast.
Cat had to admit Dani was small but mighty. Did she ken how to wield a weapon?
"I'll be fine," Cat said, then raised her voice. "Brodie will be here soon, along with Chief MacTavish and all his warriors." She wanted to avoid mentioning Torr by name.
MacPeter's glare intensified in the dimness of the corridor as lightning flashed outside. "If they want a fight, I'll give them one. And if you do nay come to the great hall now, you'll regret it."
"Threatening me will not make me love you," Cat said.
MacPeter laughed, sounding like a donkey braying. "I do nay want you to love me. I want you under me in bed and my bairn in your belly."
Cat cringed with loathing and disgust.I shall kill you, bastard.She remembered one of Brodie's daggers still in her arisaid pouch. Dare she use it?
"Bring Lady MacCain downstairs, but make Lady MacTavish stay in the chamber," MacPeter ordered his henchmen, then grabbed Cat's arm and dragged her into the corridor.
"Let her go! You can't force her to marry you, bastard!" Dani screamed and struggled with the warrior charged with restraining her.
"Do not harm her! Chief MacTavish will hunt you down." Cat could do naught more to help Dani, for MacPeter's hand crushed her arm like a vice. She prayed Dani would not be injured.
"I'll walk on my own," Ma said as another guard pulled her along behind.
MacPeter urged Cat down the stairs to the great hall. Stumbling, she barely stayed on her feet. Pain shot through her shoulder from his manhandling.
The sounds of the howling wind, pounding rain, and rumbling thunder outside dominated the great hall as her clan stood in silence, even the emaciated, wide-eyed local priest, Father Helms. MacPeter must have brought him along.
Why didn't one of her clansmen come to her aid? Defend her? Most of the men in the hall were MacPeters. A few of Brodie's extra guards stood along the walls, frowning but unmoving, then she noticed their swords and dirks were gone. They had been disarmed in their own castle?Saints preserve me.
"Begin!" MacPeter commanded.
With a dry, shaking voice, the slight priest began the ceremony.
Might she use the dagger? Even should she deliver a killing blow to MacPeter, his men would likely slay her and her whole clan in retaliation, for the MacCains were outnumbered and disarmed.
She would have no bloodshed.
God help me, she prayed in a mantra, her eyes closed.I am sorry for my sins, but I love Torr. I love him beyond all reason. Thank you for blessing me with Torr. He is the husband of my heart.Though silent, she prayed harder than she had in her entire life. Tears dripped from her chin.
Torr is the husband of my heart.The words echoed through her mind over and over.
"M'lady!" MacPeter elbowed her hard in the arm.
"Ouch! That hurt."
