Page 57 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

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The parson would arrive within half an hour. The house smelled of bread, pies, cakes, ham and more. So much comfort and warmth. Yet Cameron paced the library. When a knock sounded on his door and Seton informed him that Will Johnson was there to see him, Cameron was glad for the distraction and relieved Will had returned to Inverness so quickly. At least, he hoped his quick return was a good sign.

Minutes later, Cameron reached the parlor where Seton had left Will. Will turned from staring at the hearth fire.

Cameron crossed the room and extended his hand. “I am relieved to see you, Will.”

Will clasped his hand. “I came as quickly as I could, sir.”

Cameron nodded to one of the chairs before the fireplace. Will sat and Cameron took the chair on the other side of the small table that separated the chairs.

“What happened?” Cameron asked.

“We followed the carriage to an estate outside of Kildary. Belongs to Viscount Andross.”

“I know him,” Cameron said.

“A nasty bastard, if you ask me. He and his companions intended to rape the women over the course of their two-week party. Seems their biggest complaint was that the women were too old.”

Anger tightened Cameron’s insides. “They all look to be fifteen and sixteen.”

Will nodded, face grim. “Sallie said they declared that they would order girls of twelve and thirteen next time.”

“Next time,” Cameron murmured.

“We entered the mansion undetected immediately after the women were taken in. No easy feat, that. The house is a bloody fortress.”

Cameron grunted. “They have much to hide.”

Will’s mouth twisted into a grimace. “One of the rooms they use for their parties is nothing short of a torture chamber. Shackles, wall manacles, a table with—” He broke off, his face green.

“I get the idea,” Cameron said.

“We didnae have long to wait. Andross and his comrades were nigh uncontrollable. They put the women in chambers where they were to change into shifts and lacy lingerie. We wanted to take the women out then, but the lasses insisted the men had to expose themselves beyond question. They are a courageous lot.”

His mouth thinned. “We didn’t have long to wait. The women were delivered into the torture room where the naked men were waiting. Sallie had instructed us not to burst in until she screamed. I was sure we would get caught, but Andross has few servants: a butler who is more like a henchman, and one woman to deal with the women. No doubt, the viscount understands that not many would keep silent about his orgies. We incapacitated the butler and locked the woman in one of the wardrobes. She was a wee thing herself, but lethal. No better than the men.”

Anger flashed in the big man’s eyes. “There were eight men to the four women. Damn bastards. I wager they would have killed one of them by night’s end, and all of them within the fortnight. We locked ‘em up on their own torture machines.”

Cameron smiled. “A fitting use for the contraptions.”

“Felt good to strike a bit of fear into them. They feared we planned to kill them. I can tell you, I willnae shed a tear to see them hang. I stayed while Miles went for the constable.”

“What had he to say?” Cameron demanded.

“Miles had a devil of a time getting the man to agree to come to Andross’s estate. But when he mentioned you and, er, well, your father, he agreed.”

Cameron nodded. “My father will understand.”

“When they arrived, the constable was as shocked as we had been. He said he would hold the men for two days, but we then had to bring charges against them, and if we didn’t, he couldnae guarantee Andross wouldn’t come after us.”

“I will speak to Lucas Drummond. I know him well. He will go to Kildary and speak with the magistrate. As a magistrate here in Inverness, Lucas carries a great deal of weight. I will—”

A knock on the door interrupted him. Cameron shifted as the door opened and Seton entered.

“Forgive the intrusion, sir, but the parson has arrived.”

Cameron nodded. “Thank you, Seton. Please show him to the Gold parlor. I will inform Alison and we shall be there directly. Also, have any of the guests arrived?”