“What? Are you mad?” Murray’s sword was worth a small fortune and no one used it but him.
“When you recover my sword from whichever of your men stole it, you will get yours back. In the meantime, I require a weapon.” Rebbie held out his hand.
“What are you going to do with it?”
The earl sent him a sinister grin. “I’m not going to kill you with it, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
Damn! What could Murray do but give it to him? The man outranked him, and his father was a powerful man.
Reluctantly, Murray drew his sword from the scabbard and gave it to the earl.
“Your dirk, too.” Rebbie motioned with his other hand.
“You’re disarming me?” Murray grumbled.
“Not intentionally. But I suspect the place is crawling with backstabbers, and I must help my friends.”
Glaring, Murray handed the foot-long Highland dirk over and Rebbie slid the two blades into his own scabbards.
“Laird Rebbinglen!” the shout sounded from downstairs.
Who the devil was that? Murray moved toward the door andopened it. “I’ve found him up here,” he called.
Rebbie’s manservant, George, rushed into the room. “Are you injured, m’laird?”
“Not overmuch. Someone tried to bash in my skull, but I’ll live, as you can see. Help me find my shirt and doublet. And my weapons. The whoreson who knocked me on the head likely has them.” Rebbie headed toward the door, waving off George’s offer to assist him down the stairs.
Murray followed them out.
One hand on the rail and one on his head, Rebbie staggered down the steps, George on his heels.
“Are those your clothes, m’laird?”
“Where?”
George ran past him toward one of the tavern tables. “Aye, I believe these are yours.”
After Rebbie dressed, they exited the tavern. Outside, mayhem reigned. Several of the Murrays and MacKays were engaged in sword fights. But his daughter was nowhere in sight. Aye, Murray would beat Seona when he found her.
∞∞∞
I’m already married!Seona almost yelled the words at Haldane, but then realized if she revealed this information, Talia would be in grave danger. The gold band Keegan had placed on her finger was still there, but none of the outlaws had seen it yet. The long sleeves of the black cloak she wore hid her hands.
She had dropped Keegan’s belongings at the spot where McMurdo had grabbed her. If she’d known this would happen, she would’ve strapped the dirk to her side beneath the cloak. Hopefully, if Keegan or any of his men found his things, they’d know she’d been captured.
“Very well.” Seona stood and faced Haldane. She’d agree to marry him, or anything, if they’d release Talia.
He raised auburn brows, giving her a skeptical look. “How do I ken you’re telling the truth?”
She wanted to box his ears, then kick him in the groin. “Release my sister and allow me to see that she is safe, and I will go with you.”
“Nay, Seona,” Talia said. “They are madmen!”
“Put a gag in her mouth,” Haldane ordered.
“She will be quiet.” Seona sent her sister a meaningful look. “Shh.” She then turned to Haldane. “Will you allow me to talk to my sister in private for a minute?” she asked as sweetly as she could, although she wanted to take hersgian dubhto him.
“Aye. But I’m keeping an eye on you. Fan out,” he told his men as he backed away.
