Blackburn MacCromar knew of only one way to get his wife back—hold a knife to her sister's throat, while she watched. He had known for months exactly where his wife's sister, Kristina, was—hiding with her mother's family. He'd left her alone thus far. He hadn't been desperate enough to go carting a blind lass about the countryside.
But Anna—as she was calling herself now—had pushed him beyond the limits of his patience. Over a dozen of the men he'd sent to capture her were now dead. His war leader had told him in secret he'd only seen one man helping her—a MacDonald. Surely, 'twas a whole clan, experts at subterfuge, who had slain his men.
Standing in the bailey, he let his gaze scan over the castle he'd taken from his cousin, John. Oh, high and mighty John, who thought he was better than his lowly bastard cousin. "Not so high and mighty now, are you?" he said beneath his breath. Nay. And the most interesting possession he'd taken from his cousin was his wife, Susanna. Indeed he knew she'd shortened her name to Anna to try to hide from him, but he was no idiot. She might have eluded him all this time, but the missive he'd received over a week ago from a woman on the west coast had told him all he needed to know. The MacDonald chief thought to take his wife away from him. He would be damned if he would allow that to happen.
Since the MacDonalds had already killed several of his men, he was not going to underestimate them this time. He would take his whole garrison plus all the men loyal to him for miles around. This MacDonald chief didn't know what he was up against.
Blackburn's younger brother, Keith, and his war leader, Red Holme, approached.
"Mount up! We go to Stirling," Blackburn told them.
"Stirling?" Keith asked, his black hair blowing back in the stiff wind.
"Aye. We're going to take a hostage, then we'll travel to Moidart and Bearach Castle. Once my sweet wife sees my knife at her sister's throat again, she will do whatever I say."
Keith scowled. "But the lass is blind by your hand."
Blackburn sent his brother a withering glare when he truly wanted to backhand the whelp. If Keith was going to challenge him, 'haps it was time to turn him out and let him fend for himself.
"With all due respect," Keith added.
"Indeed?" Blackburn asked. "I doubt you respect me at all. And I didn't blind her," he growled. "She fell and hit her head. 'Twas not my fault. She shouldn't have fought."
"You cut her face. I fear you will kill her this time. Lady MacCromar, too."
"Why do you care? What is it to you?" he demanded.
"There will be a price on your head, brother. I want us to avoid that at all costs."
"That's not going to happen." Blackburn smiled smugly. He had paid the constable a sizable sum to make certain no charges were brought against him for John's death. And they had no proof, anyway. "I'm not going to kill either of the women. Once Susanna comes with me willingly, I'll bring both ladies home. As long as my wife stays in line, her sister will be safe."
Red Holme nodded silently, his bushy auburn brows lowered. He and Blackburn always saw eye to eye on everything. Blackburn liked how ruthless the man was.
"On second thought, Keith, you stay here and oversee things in my absence." Blackburn could easily see his brother causing trouble when they forcefully abducted Kristina.
"I'd rather not."
"Well, you're going to, like it or not." Blackburn hoisted himself into the saddle. "We'll return in a few days with the ladies."
