Free Highland Captive by Hannah Howell Page A

it if he did.
She is to wed Rory Fergueson at summer’s end.”
    Lagan
whistled softly, aware of Parlan’s hatred for the man. “Pity. He will break the
spirit of the lass.”
    “That
bastard will break more than that. He will kill her in the end. I cannae let
that happen. Aye”—he held up a hand when Lagan began to speak—“I ken the
problems. Her brother and I chewed them over verra weel last night.”
    “I
would have thought all that lad would wish to say to ye is how and when he is
going to kill ye.”
    “Aye,
but he is a practical lad and nae hotheaded. He also cares for his sister and
doesnae want this marriage. For that goal, we have formed an alliance. I have
given much thought on how to make the ransoming take a long time. I shall ask
for coin, only coin and a lot of it.”
    “There
is a fair shortage of that. Aye, it could take a long time, a verra long time
for it to be gathered. During which time?”
    “I
cannae be sure. T’will give the lad time to speak with his father and Rory
Fergueson time to expose himself for the beast that he is.”
    “Depending
on how strongly he wants the girl or the marriage he could come after ye.”
    “God’s
teeth, I hope he does, but the man is a low coward. He scampers into a hole at
the first scent of danger. He kens that I willnae risk outlawry by killing him
without just cause.” He looked down at the sleeping Aimil. “I cannae knowingly
hand him a lass, not when I ken what he does to them.”
    “I
feel the same, Parlan, but ye arenae her laird and ye cannae hold her forever.
She is a Mengue.”
    “I
have no real quarrel with the Mengues. Weel, not until now.” He flashed a grin
at Lagan who laughed and shook his head. “I could mend that and keep her from
Rory Fergueson at the same time,” he continued slowly. “I could wed the lass.”
    “Dinnae
tell me ye love the lass?”
    “Nay,
but, at least thus far, I like her and there hasnae been a woman I could say
that about for more years than I care to ponder. She is of good family and nae
hard to look upon. She was a virgin. I will have Old Meg take note of it before
I decide to take that route. I will have none question it.”
    “It
seems a drastic step to take.”
    “I
must wed someday and I have met no other I even wanted to consider. I am eight
and twenty, and many another my age has been wed a few years with a family
started. In truth, the decision may already be made for I may have already
begun my family.”
    “Jesu,”
Lagan whispered, shocked, for Parlan had always been as careful as a man could
be in preventing such a thing. “I am not sure that was verra wise,” he ventured
after a moment.
    “I
wasnae concerned with wisdom. Nay, I didnae have a thought in my head save to
go the full length. ‘Tis another reason the idea of wedding her came into my
head. For months now I have found little pleasure with the ladies and wenches.”
    “But
ye found it here?”
    “Aye.
Tenfold. I will wait though to see if it wanes.”
    “It
could be that she was untouched. Being the first can make a man feel verra
possessive.”
    “I
ken that. ‘Tis another reason I will wait to see. I am not so old I must rush
to wed and I willnae tie myself to a lass who neither interests me nor
pleasures me. I will suffer no empty marriage. Have ye seen Artair?” he asked,
abruptly changing the subject.
    “Aye,
I saw his back as he rode out of the gates with three men for escort.”
    “Do
ye ken where he hies to?”
    “Aberdeen.
I think he means to hole up there until he feels your temper has cooled.”
    “‘Tis
best. Curse it, I have failed with that lad.”
    “Nay,
he has failed by his own doing. He is but twenty. He may yet get set upon a
straighter course. Many a youth has seemed lost only to turn to the better as
age sharpens their wits. The lady stirs.”
    Aimil’s
eyes opened suddenly giving both men a start. She was not awake yet, however.
The heaviness of her exhaustion still clouded her mind and