Page 73 of Forbidden Kilted Highlander

“What did he say?” Tav asked, voice low.

Caithness nodded once at the prisoner. “Tell him.”

The man’s voice was hoarse, like he hadn’t used it in days. “It was never about the girl,” he rasped.

Tav stiffened. “What?”

“She was just a way in. A lure. We were after ye. That was the job.”

Tav’s pulse spiked. “That cannae be⁠—”

“We had orders,” the man went on, his eye flicking toward Caithness for a moment before returning to Tav. “Armstrong said tae intercept the Kerr girl’s party. Kill the escort. Kill the soldier.”

Tav took another step forward. “Why?”

“Didnae say.” The man’s head lolled slightly against the wall. “Didnae matter. All we kent was ‘Dinnae come back without the bastard dead’.”

The silence in the room cracked like glass.

Tav blinked. “What did ye call me?”

The man was silent.

“What did ye just say?” Tav asked again.

The prisoner’s expression didn’t change. “Just repeating orders.”

Tav stepped closer, the chains rattling as the man stiffened slightly.

“Bastard,” Tav repeated under his breath.

No answer. Tav turned toward Caithness, expecting clarity. But the laird’s face was hard to read. His eyes didn’t meet Tav’s right away.

“What is this?” Tav asked.

Caithness exhaled through his nose. “It’s what it sounds like. He wants tae murder ye. I Dianne want tae read too much intae the word choice just yet, but it is rather odd he would say bastard.”

Tav frowned. “What in the hells daes that mean?”

“I’ve written tae Laird Kerr,” Caithness said, changing tack. “Told him what we’ve uncovered. Asked fer guidance. Until he replies, I’m asking ye tae remain inside the castle.”

Tav blinked. “Ye think I’ll be attacked again?”

“Ye were nearly killed once already,” Caithness said, voice sharp. “I’m nae givin’ them another chance.”

“I can handle meself,” Tav replied, almost by instinct.

Caithness looked directly at him now, his eyes stern. “I ken. But that’s nae the point. We’ve nae got the full picture yet. Armstrong’s sendin’ men across the country tae see ye dead, and ye think I should let ye stroll out the gates with a sword and a bleeding wound?”

Tav opened his mouth, then closed it again.

The laird sighed and ran a hand down his jaw. “Ye’ve done more than anyone asked of ye, Graham. But this—this goes deeper than I like. And I’m nae puttin’ more men in the ground when I could keep ye breathing just by asking ye tae stay.”

Tav looked at the prisoner one last time. The man said nothing now. Didn’t even meet his eye.

He turned back to Caithness. His throat was dry. “I… thank ye. Truly.”

Caithness’s brow lifted, surprised.