Page 113 of A Touch So Wicked

“What happened, Maggie?”

“The Gordons, that’s what,” Maggie hissed. “There were too many of them. Lord Damian’s men were no match for the sheer numbers that scaled the walls and overran the keep. It happened shortly after Lord Damian left for London. What happened to ye? Where is Lord Damian?”

“Enough!” Tavis shouted. “Bring Elissa food and drink.” Grasping Elissa’s arm, he seated her at a table close to the hearth. “Sit down and warm yourself.”

“What have you done with Damian’s men?” Elissa demanded. “If you’ve harmed Mama or Lora, I’ll never forgive you.”

“Your family is fine,” Tavis allowed. “I havena hurt them. As for the Demon Knight’s men, they’ve been locked in the storeroom off the armory for the time being. ’Tis but the beginning, Elissa. I’ve rallied enough men to strike at the English garrison at Inverness. More displaced Highlanders will join us once they become aware of what I’ve accomplished. We will unite to bring the rightful ruler back from France and free Scotland from English oppression.”

“Instigating another rebellion is sheer madness,” Elissa warned. “Scotland is soaked with the blood of our clansmen; donna add to it.”

“The time is ripe,” Tavis raged. “Welshmen are occupying the English army along the border, and France is threatening war again. We’ll succeed this time.”

“Listen to me, Tavis. You’ll lead your men to certain death.”

Tavis glared at her. “What has happened to you, Elissa? Before the Demon Knight arrived, you lusted for English blood. What has he done to you?”

“I still donna like Englishmen, but I never lusted for blood. I lost too many loved ones to wish for another bloodbath. ’Tis over, Tavis. Leave Misterly before Damian learns what happened here. You know he’ll return to reclaim what is his. You canna win. You’re an outlaw with a price on your head.”

“I know what I’m doing, lass. Tell me what happened to you after the soldiers took you to London.”

“How did you know about that?”

“I had spies watching the fortress. Did you think I wouldna know what was happening here? Misterly should have been mine by right of marriage, and I’m not going to give it up.”

“So you took advantage of Damian’s absence and attacked.”

“That I did,” he boasted, “but you’re evading the subject. How did you persuade the Hanover to let you return to Misterly?”

“I dinna,” Elissa whispered, recalling with dread those horrible days in the Tower. “The king sent me to the Tower. I would have died there had Damian not pleaded for my life. He convinced the king to send me to the convent. I remained there but a fortnight before the opportunity to leave arose.”

“Why did you come here? Not that I’m complaining,” Tavis added. “You’ve always been mine, lass.”

“I’m still Damian’s wife. Where else would I go?” Telling Tavis that her marriage had been declared illegal served no purpose, Elissa decided.

“You’re mine,” Tavis snarled.

Maggie appeared with a plate of food, and Elissa began to eat while Tavis paced back and forth before the hearth. When she’d eaten her fill, she pushed away from the table. “Please excuse me, I’m exhausted.”

Tavis gave her a leering smile that froze the blood in her veins. “Go find your bed, lass. I’ll be up to join you later.”

“You’ll find my door locked,” Elissa said with cool disdain. “Attempt to touch me and you’ll lose whatever small control you have over my kinsmen. Burning their village was an act of cowardice and they donna trust you. The Frasers are not powerless. We have allies. You’ll likely find yourself in the middle of a clan war if you violate me.”

Elissa could see rage building inside Tavis and decided a hasty exit was wise. She saw Maggie hovering nearby and held out her hand. “Come, Maggie. Help ready me for bed.”

Hand in hand they ascended the narrow staircase to the solar. “Have you seen Sir Richard?” Elissa whispered.

“Nay. I’ve been forbidden to visit the prisoners.”

“Are they being given food and water?”

“Aye, just barely enough to keep them alive. What are we to do, Elissa?” Maggie asked worriedly.

“Donna fear, I have a plan. But I’ll need the help of everyone loyal to me. Where is Nan?”

“She spoke out against Tavis and he banished her from the keep. He was afraid she’d put a spell on him. I heard she is living in that old hut in the forest.”

Elissa knew exactly where to find the hut. It had been built above the exit to the secret tunnel. “Thank God she’s safe,” Elissa said. “How are Mama and Lora?”