“Laird, I am here to help ye kill the bastard MacKay,” Ian said with thick brogue.
Camden’s brother in-law looked weak and Olivia could tell that there was something wrong with the man. She was not sure why but the countess had an uneasy feeling about the riders that had just arrived. Olivia wondered if her husband sensed this strange behavior too, something was definitely not right.
“I will always welcome help to battle the MacKay clan but I would rather you be with my sister and protect her in case they send someone to harm her. Where is Maggie? Did she stay in the isles with your father?” Camden questioned.
“That is the reason I have come to ye Laird, she is dead,” Ian said flatly.
A deafening sound moved about the hills as Camden screamed in agony. Maggie was all he had left from his family and now she was gone too. He was furious for not having her brought to him immediately to protect her but now it was too late. Another death was on his shoulders.
Olivia put her hand in Camden’s hand and that small touch gave him the strength he needed to breathe in the cold air around him. The Highland laird was suddenly reminded that he had her. The warrior had Olivia and he would never let a single thing harm her, ever.
“What happened Ian and I swear to God that if you did not protect her with your life, then you will pay the price,” Camden threatened.
“There was nothing anyone could do Laird Sinclair. Maggie was a few months with child and when she learned of her father’s death, she became horribly ill. She started to lose the babe. The midwife said Maggie had lost too much blood and there was no way to be saving her,” Ian said with a shaky voice.
“Where was she buried Ian? I want her on the Sinclair land.”
“I don’t know, for I was so enraged when the midwife said she was losing Maggie that I raced to find ye and help take my wrath out on the damn MacKay clan for killing my wife. When are we going to battle Laird?” Ian asked impatiently.
“Soon Ian, we are preparing now and will leave within the week. I want to leave before the heavy winter comes and be back in the Sinclair holding before then. Have my sister’s body brought to the Sinclair land in one week’s time and I will bury her by my mother.”
“Yes, Laird I will send word right away,” Ian replied.
Chapter Seven
The evening began to grow colder and Laird Sinclair had invited Ian and his men to eat with him and his guard. Olivia sat to the right of her husband and Broderick flanked her left. She felt as if she were in a steep canyon with soaring cliffs when she sat between the two giants. Camden could feel all of Ian’s men, including Ian, looking at Olivia from head to toe and he wanted to tear their heads off.
Ian was the first to speak. “You must be the English bride I have been hearing about.”
“She is my wife, Lady Olivia Sinclair and she is also the Royal Countess of Lansington,” Camden said smoothly.
“Aye yes, I have heard of Lansington. It is said to be very beautiful and that is why ye must be the countess of that land,” Ian said with a wink.
Olivia was sickened at the man’s remarks and behavior. He was visibly shaken earlier when he recalled the passing of his wife and now the vile man was trying to flatter her with compliments. Olivia did not like him at all and from the low snarling sound that Camden was making, she could tell he did not like the man either.
“I would normally thank someone for their comments on my beauty but have you not even buried your dead wife? I hope you are careful with your words or else I am afraid you will burn in hell,” she said glaring at the rude man.
Ian was instantly angered at the woman and he gave her a fierce look to prove it. Who did she think she was to speak to him like that, he thought, and to embarrass him in front of all these men. She was just a woman and an English woman at that.
“Ian my wife is correct, if you do not show respect for my sister even in death, I shall bloody your entire body. And tell your men to stop looking at my wife or they will not live to see tomorrow,” Camden said harshly.
“Forgive me, my laird, that was inappropriate and it will not happen again,” Ian admitted.
“You’re damn right it won’t. I may bloody you myself if it does,” Olivia promised.
Ian and his men burst into laughter at the thought of the laird’s wife trying to harm Ian. All of Camden’s men joined in the laughter knowing that she could do much more than bloody the man. Olivia looked to her husband and saw the twinkle in his eyes when he smiled at her comment.
Broderick was the only man not laughing and he quieted the men to question them. He asked Ian and his men about what they knew in regards to the Sinclair land. They needed to find out as much information as possible about the MacKay clan before they headed to battle. Although Broderick had not seen Malcolm MacKay at the wedding that night, the warrior was sure that he was behind this entire evil plan.
“Ian, what do you hear in the Highlands about the MacKay clan and Sinclairs?” Broderick asked.
“Word has it that Lorna and her men did most of the killing the night of the wedding and they are keeping the rest of the Sinclairs in a sort of bondage to the MacKay power. I doubt Lorna did this on her own. I have a feeling in my gut it were Malcolm behind this trickery.”
“I assumed it was Malcolm too but there has to be a reason he stayed far from the massacre that night. Why did he send his sister to do his dirty work for him?” Broderick wondered.
“Laird, I think we should attack Malcolm first. He and his men will not be expecting it and we can catch them unaware. Then we can go to the Sinclair holding and take back yer land,” Ian volunteered.
“It is not a bad idea my laird, we could get the bastard Malcolm out of the way,” Broderick agreed.
“No. We will go to the Sinclair holding first and help my people that are suffering because of my mistake. We will let Malcolm come to us if he wants to battle,” Camden ordered.
“Yes my laird. We will have the men prepared by the end of the week,” Liam replied.
“I will send word to my family so they can prepare to go with us,” Travis added.
The Sutherlands had already agreed to fight with the Sinclairs and Camden would send word to the two other clans that planned to battle with them also.
“The Sutherlands would to go with you to battle Laird?” Ian said with shock.
“Of course they would. My family is honorable,” Travis blurted out.
“Yes Ian, the Sutherlands will fight with us. Is this problem?” Camden asked.
“No my laird. It is always better to have more men, of course. I wasn’t meaning no insult,” Ian replied.
Camden could see that Olivia was looking weary and he wanted her to rest. He also wanted her out of the sight of these men who could not seem to help but indulge themselves at his wife expense. The laird stood, taking her by the hand and led Olivia off to their cottage. It did not take the wedded couple long to undress one another and become tangled in the blankets together. Neither could fall asleep now without having the heated desire between them quenched.
Olivia fell asleep in the powerful arms of her gentle lover. Not far away in the dark frigid air, the devious traitor stared into the blackness of the night. He had watched the beautiful woman all evening and the need and desire to have her, had grown even more. When the betrayer watched Camden take her away it almost killed him, for he wished it had been him. It also made the evil man sick knowing that Olivia was loving Camden with her perfect body.
It would not be long though until Camden would be gone and then the devious conspirator would be able to seduce the English beauty into his arms. Olivia was so much of a distraction that this traitorous emissary was having a difficult time making his plans happen. He was supposed to make Camden take the bait and attack Malcolm first. Of course, Malcolm would be ready and waiting for Laird Sinclair and then he would be trapped and easily defeated.
The betrayer had thought of another plan tonight while he sat and ate with Laird Sinclair.
If the stubborn Camden would not go willingly to Malcolm, then he would have to bring him there. As more ideas raced through his sinister mind, the traitor envisioned holding the beautiful countess in his arms and was almost giddy with anticipation. It would not be much longer, he told himself. He must remain calm and continue his facade in order for all of this to happen. Patience, he thought, patience.
Broderick moved about the forest watching Olivia’s every move and she was beginning to get irritated with the man. The countess thought she had proved long ago that she needed help from no one and for the past two days, the giant man had become her shadow again.
The female warrior had taken her bow and arrows to do some hunting not far from the camp. Olivia sensed Broderick following her so she decided not to leave the poor man too far behind. She thought to herself how humorous it was that Broderick assumed he was being quiet, when in truth the brute sounded like a bull behind her.
“Broderick, if you have to follow me, will you please be silent. You are scaring away every damn animal before I can get an arrow off,” she teased.
He moved closer to her and Broderick became a bit furious for the accusation of being noisy.
“M’lady I am an excellent hunter and I assure you, I am being quiet,” he argued.
Olivia laughed out loud. “Broderick, you may believe you are a silent hunter but you certainly are a horrible sneak. If you are trying to stay hidden from someone, you should not answer their questions. It gives you away instantly.”
She turned towards the large dark warrior and the disappointed look on his face made her laugh even harder.
“May I ask why you are suddenly following my every move again?”
“M’lady, Laird Sinclair felt in necessary because of Ian and his men being here. Camden has been uncomfortable since their arrival. Now that his men have left to bring Maggie’s body back to the Sinclair holding, I think my laird will be more at ease.”
Olivia was grateful that the Ian’s men had left. They had continued to stare at her every moment they got the chance. It had been two days since Ian had arrived and tomorrow Camden would take his newly trained army to join the Sutherlands and then head for the Sinclair land. Olivia was nervous about the battle and she was confused as to why. The laird’s new wife loved the power and rush that came with fighting but now she wondered if her feelings for Camden were interfering with her head.
The night before, Olivia and Camden had their first heated debate and it ended with both of them thinking they had won the conflict. Camden mentioned that Travis would be taking her to stay in Edinburgh, at the king’s castle until the battle was over and then he would come get her. Olivia told her husband that he could go sit in the king’s castle while she did the fighting.
The two went back and forth with their reasons as to why Olivia should or should not go into battle. Camden finally decided to let her stay there and guard those who could not go to war. The Highland laird felt satisfied that he had won his argument when she backed out of going with him. Olivia was more than satisfied with the agreement because it was during this fight she realized that her husband truly cared for her. Therefore, in truth, they had both been the victor.
Broderick joined Olivia as they hunted fresh game for the men to eat before leaving tomorrow. Everyone had grown in strength and in size with the extra food and training. As the warrior and the laird’s wife returned to the village, Olivia could immediately sense that something was not right. The usual movement of people was absent and Olivia could not see her husband anywhere.
“Over here,” Broderick yelled to Olivia when he saw the crowd of people.
The countess ran to see what all the commotion was about and when she saw Travis’s bloody body in front of her, Olivia naturally filled with rage.
“What the hell happened here?” She yelled kneeling to the young man’s body.
“We don’t know m’lady. He staggered in here like this and then fell to the ground,” Liam said with his voice weary.
“Stephen find Laird Sinclair now. Keith, fetch the brown satchel inside my cottage by the hearth. Broderick, help Calum and me move him inside and Agnes start heating some water quickly,” Olivia ordered.
Everyone did as they were instructed to do. Olivia prayed to God that she would be able to help the young man and she also prayed that Camden would get there quickly. As soon as she began to clean the blood from Travis, Olivia could see that most of the injuries were small stab wounds. He had also taken a severe blow to the head from the size of the welt and the fact that he was still out cold. After Olivia began cleaning the large gash on his head, Travis started to shout out for Camden.
“Laird you have to help him,” Travis yelled.
“Help who?” Olivia asked frantically.
“Our laird! I saw them…they took him. Their faces were covered but I saw them take him,” Travis said trembling.
Olivia looked up at Broderick and fear swept through her body as she thought of Camden in danger.
“Have everyone search for him now!” She shouted.
Olivia continued to bandage Travis’s wounds and he soon became more alert. The young warrior explained to Olivia that eight men with black cloths over their faces attacked him and Camden in the woods.
“They all came at him at once and I fought hard to help him but I must have been knocked out. When I opened my eyes, I saw them throw the laird’s body tied up, over a horse and leave,” he whispered.
“Why? Why would they take him? It doesn’t make any sense to take him unless someone else wanted to be the one that killed him,” Olivia rambled on.
“It is my fault m’lady. I am supposed to protect my laird at all times and I failed,” Liam said.
“No, it is my fault. I was the one with him,” Travis argued.
“Do not fight amongst yourselves, it wasn’t your fault. It was bastard that planned this attack and I will see to it that whoever he is, rots in hell. We need to find out where they were taking him. Broderick, come with me. We need to question everyone about what they may have seen,” Olivia said taking the control of the situation.
Olivia rushed outside to see if anyone else had been a witness to what happened. There had to be a clue to Camden’s disappearance and she needed to find it. After speaking with many of the clam members, Olivia noticed Ian leaving into the dense forest that surrounded the village. She quickly followed the man to ask him of his whereabouts when Camden was taken. Olivia could not imagine that he would harm his own brother in-law but she would question him anyway.
Ian knew the beauty was following him and he could not have asked for any greater reward than the one he was about to receive. After being Malcolm’s spy for the past several months, Ian felt he deserved to take the stunning countess and ravage her body. All their original plans kept changing and Ian had been furious when Maggie insisted on going to the isles with him to visit his father. His wife was supposed to be at the Sinclair holding on the night of the marriage so she could have been murdered with her father and brother.
Before he left Maggie, Ian was going to make sure Camden’s sister had a horrible riding accident but now that she had died with the loss of the child, no one would suspect foul play. Ian wanted to help rule the Sinclair clan from the time he married Maggie and that was something Camden’s father, Donal would not let him do. Malcolm recruited Ian months ago and promised the traitor power in exchange for the downfall of the Sinclairs. Now he felt glorious as he thought of ruling with the stunning English beauty at his side.
Ian only wished Camden could see him now for he held the power in this game of control. The traitorous villain moved further into the wooded area while his thoughts raced about this plan working so smoothly. What a fool Camden had been to trust Ian all this time. The deceiver was grateful that his whining wife Maggie had never told her brother that he had to use his fists to make her obey. Ian showed her that a woman should obey her husband and if not, she would pay the price. Now that his men had taken Camden
to Malcolm, Ian had the freedom to seduce the emerald-eyed woman. The sinister man would let Malcolm deal with Laird Sinclair while he dealt with Lady Sinclair.
“Ian, I would like to speak with you,” Olivia shouted to him.
He stopped near the stream and waited for his reward to come to him. Ian’s body tingled with anticipation as she moved with such grace and elegance, that it was difficult for him to maintain control. Ian’s mind was reeling with thoughts for the woman and his erection proved how Olivia affected him. He wanted her mouth and Ian knew exactly what he would make her do with it.
When Olivia reached Ian by the stream, her natural instincts had set off a warning. There was something about the man that made her uneasy and right now it was the way Ian was staring at her.
“When was the last time you saw Laird Sinclair?” She questioned.
“I haven’t seen him all morning. Why do ye ask m’lady?”
“You haven’t noticed anything unusual or any strangers in the area?”
“I have not. Is there something a miss?” Ian said as he slowly moved his eyes up and down her body imagining it with no clothes.
The countess felt his filthy stare upon her and it made her nauseous. Olivia immediately was furious at herself for following Ian unarmed. The skilled woman knew better than to make such a foolish mistake. Olivia decided it was better to leave than continue this conversation with Ian. As she turned to leave, Olivia became still as she felt the sharp cold blade against the skin of her neck.
“What do you want Ian?” She whispered.
“You,” he said in a bone chilling tone.
He stood behind her and with his free hand, Ian cupped her breast and moaned into her ear. Olivia started to struggle to get free and Ian pressed the dagger deeper against her skin. When a small amount of blood began to trickle down Olivia’s neck, Ian leaned in and used his tongue to wipe it away.
Highland Vengeance Page 10
