Page 130 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"Now," Will said.

"But, 'tis midday," Cat said.

"We can reach Kincreag in six hours," he said, his tone stern.

"I'll get my things." Elsea headed toward the door and climbed the stairs.

Moments later, Cat showed up in the open doorway of her chamber. "Please, Elsea, I beg of you," she whispered. "Stay until Brodie returns."

Oh, how she wished she could. She craved seeing him. "He'll argue with Will, mayhap even challenge him."

"Exactly. He'll nay let you go," Cat said with a militant expression.

Elsea shook her head. "I refuse to wait here until Talnaroch attacks Farspag. 'Twould put all of you in danger. I'll go to Kincreag and deal with him. My brothers and clan will help me. 'Tis Will's responsibility since he signed the contract." She knew Will wouldn't help her, but maybe her other brothers would.

"Promise you won't marry that beast," Cat said, her irritation clear.

"Of course, I won't. But I may kill him."

"In truth?"

"In self-defense, of course. He does nay ken of my training."

"But he's an earl, a high-ranking official. 'Twould garner the attention of the king."

Elsea shrugged. "I'll figure that out later." She would not tell Cat her true intention for going home—to ride to Glenhaish and see if the selkie women were being held there. If they were, free them. Her brothers certainly wouldn't expect it. "I'm concerned that Brodie left early this morn, and we have nay inkling if he's alright or not."

"I'm certain Torr and Gavin will find him and help him if he needs it."

"Can you send me a missive tomorrow, letting me know if he's well?"

Cat nodded. "But he may follow you when he finds out you've gone."

An image of Brodie confronting her clan and the earl's huge garrison flashed in her mind. "Nay! Tell him not to come."

Cat blew out a breath. "Do you think he will listen to me?"

"Tell Torr to convince him not to follow until after I have broken the betrothal to the earl. 'Twill put him in extreme danger."

***

IN THE BAILEY, ELSEA glanced around as her clan was mounting.

"I'm glad you're alright, sister." His long, tawny-blond hair windblown, Kieran led a frosted roan gelding to her.

"Kieran." She hugged him. "Where's Freya?" she asked.

"At Kincreag."

"Is she well?"

"Aye. Talnaroch brought her home when he told us you had followed him and then disappeared."

"Well, I'm glad he took her home, at least, and that she's alright. I worried over her."

That was probably the only nice thing the earl had ever done for her.

"And we worried over you, searched night and day," Kieran said.