Page 67 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

Brodie's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"

"After I heard the men talking about the selkie abductions, I pretended to consider the betrothal to gain his trust."

"Go on."

"I told him I wanted a month to think about it. He said he would give me a fortnight. After I followed him and arrived at his castle, a guard caught me and ordered me to go inside to him."

"Did he abuse you?" Brodie asked in a deadly tone.

"Nay, I pretended I had come to accept his proposal. That's when he informed me Will had gone behind my back and signed the contract."

"So, you're betrothed to him now? Right now, at this moment?" Brodie demanded.

"Aye, but I'm nay marrying the knave."

"How do you plan to get out of it?"

"'Tis against the law for Will to force me to marry him."

"Aye, but corrupt nobs get away with it all the time. Have you nay heard of bribery and intimidation?"

She shrugged. "Mayhap he will be killed in battle by the selkies."

Brodie looked heavenward. "So, you have no actual plan. And you did all this to help the selkies you'd never met?"

She wanted to hit him. "Aye. Why is that so hard to believe?"

"Why do you care?"

"They're women. It pained me to think of the rape and abuse they must be suffering. I figured you had to be the chief who was helping them, and I wanted to help, too."

He shook his head. "I have nay notion what to believe anymore," he muttered. "You could be Talnaroch's spy for all I know. Mayhap he sent you to waylay me so he can capture all the females."

Her eyes burned. "How can you say such a thing? Do you think me a villain and murderer?"

"Mayhap. You had nay qualms about betraying me."

"To save your life!"

He snorted. "Oh, aye. I'm certain. You're thick as thieves with that Talnaroch bastard."

She ground her teeth. "I've told you what I needed to! If you will allow me to borrow a horse, I'll leave now. Alone!"

"You're wanting to run back to Talnaroch, aye?" Brodie said. "Go tell him what you've learned about me."

"To kill him in his sleep," she hissed.

"Ha. Indeed? He is an earl after all. He will buy you many silk gowns from France every year and go further into debt."

"He wants to marry me for my dowry. I would be financing his gambling and expensive horses."

Brodie shook his head. "You'd best stay in this chamber. If Talnaroch finds you, he'll likely strangle you, especially if he finds out you are the one who released the females on the galley. And Wilona MacRae has threatened to kill you. I would say your life is in danger, lassie."

She placed her hands upon her hips. "And so is yours, sirrah, from the same people."

He scoffed. "Do you imagine I fear either of them?"

She held his glare for a long moment, refusing to back down. "Are we going to cooperate or argue?" she asked.