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‘I was only in Ranulph’s company a short time but the way you speak so casually of violence and betrayal, you sound just like him.’
‘Did you answer truthfully when you said he did not do anything? I feel you might lie to me out of shame. You may tell me, for there is no dishonour in being forced. I will not think less of you because of it.’
Morna’s face reddened as she shook her head. ‘He said I disgusted him.’
‘Then he’s no judge of women. Does the fool not have eyes in his head?’
‘Don’t talk like that.’
‘Forgive me, I speak as I find. One thing I do know about this Gowan cur, he has underestimated your brother’s vengeance. If what I hear of your brother is true, Cormac will be like a mad dog, there will be no holding him.’
‘You don’t know my brother.’
‘His reputation goes before him. The fearsome Laird Buchanan will have the rage of the furies, and it will be all-out war with the Gowans. I am minded to know why that fool Ranulph would risk it.’
‘I don’t know, but I’ll not tell Cormac that it was Ranulph who took me and nor will you.’
How boldly she spoke to him. Did she think he was a tame dog to come to heel?
‘Why should I not, Morna? Don’t you want vengeance for what those men did to you?’
‘Aye, and I’ll have it, but I will bide my time. I intend to let that seed lie for a while and wait for fertile ground to sow it.’
Why was she loath to tell Cormac? Perhaps Clan Buchanan was weak. They had lost men at the siege of Berwick a year ago. Perhaps Ranulph Gowan was drawing Cormac out, using his sister’s kidnap to goad the Buchanans into fighting when they could ill afford to. Could Morna be clever enough to see that?
‘Perhaps if you knew what they had in store for you, then you would be more inclined to strike back, Morna,’ said Will.
‘Tell me,’ she demanded.
‘T’is the stuff of nightmares, so I hesitate to tell you. I do not wish to keep you from your sleep this night.’
‘Tell me, please.’
‘The clans hereabouts are like wolves of the seas. Here on the Western Isles, they prey on merchant ships, fishermen, warships even, anyone who is unlucky enough to cross their paths. They drive ships onto rocks, ram them and board them…’
‘As you did to the ship that I was on,’ she said.
Will ignored her accusation. ‘They go inland and steal cargo, livestock, gold, harvests and people.’
‘And what happens to the people?’
‘They mostly take women, sometimes as wives. Many an alliance has been forged on a forced marriage, the woman dishonoured by her suitor, and left with no choice but to wed. Or they set them to whoring on some island too far from the mainland for them ever to escape back to their families.’
‘Was that to be my fate, wife or whore?’
‘The latter. You were aboard a ship owned by Clan Cranstoun, bound for their stronghold on Lewis, to be given over to its Laird, Wymon Cranstoun. He would have used you ill and rid himself of you once he tired of you. It is his way. No doubt Gowan meant you to suffer, over and over again. He meant to bring about your degradation and then tell your brother what had become of you, or torment him with never knowing.’
‘How do you know all this?’
‘Hurt someone enough they will tell you anything.’
‘That man who stowed away on your ship?’ said Morna.
Will nodded.
‘What became of him?’
‘Don’t you worry your bonnie, little head about it, Morna. You’ll not see him again?’
