Free The Seduced by Donna Grant

it was the knowledge that someone had put him there that really caused anxiety. He had no recollection of anyone or anything that would explain that, and neither did he have time to think on it at the moment.
    “David,” Alistair said. “Thank you for meeting with us.”
    David bowed his head. “Attacking your clan didna seem right after so many have left.”
    “My brother will be punished,” Alistair promised.  
    David glanced at Innes. “Where is Donald?”
    Daman once again narrowed his gaze on the man next to David. It was obvious he was a warrior, a man trained with a sword. No wonder the Sinclair laird had brought him along.  
    If Daman were David, he would have brought more warriors. Daman had wanted Alistair to bring more men. The problem was, there weren’t enough left.
    “As of last night, he was in our dungeon.” Alistair sighed. “Unfortunately, someone released him.”
    “Does he know of this meeting?” the man next to David asked.
    David motioned to him. “Alistair, this is Ronan Galt, Lord of Ravensclyde. He is married to my cousin, Meg.”
    Alistair nodded to Ronan in greeting. “No doubt Donald knows of this meeting. It’s why I’ve brought Daman along as extra protection for my sister.”
    “Where did Daman come from?” Ronan asked.
    Daman tensed. Why would he ask such a question? Wouldn’t anyone assume Daman was part of the MacKay clan?
    “He has always been with our clan,” Innes stated in a clear voice.
    Her leg brushed Daman’s as her horse shifted, and it was all Daman could do not to reach over and take her hand, to pull her onto his horse and claim her lips.
    Ronan looked from Daman to Innes and back to Daman. There was something about the way Ronan stared that agitated Daman. If he could talk, he would demand that Ronan state whatever bothered him.
    “You look like a capable warrior, Daman,” David said.
    Daman glanced at the laird.
    “He is,” Alistair answered. “He’s already taken Donald down once.”
    “Why can he no’ tell us this himself?” Ronan asked.
    Innes pinned him with a scathing look. “If you must know, he can’t talk.”
    “He can no’ speak?” Ronan repeated with a deep frown furrowing his forehead.  
    “I didna think we were here to talk of Daman,” Alistair said. “I thought we met to talk of peace.”
    David nodded slowly. “That we did, Laird. Innes, did your brother tell you the terms?”
    “He did.”
    Her voice wobbled, causing anger to rise up within Daman. She shouldn’t have to make such a sacrifice because of Donald’s mistakes. Daman’s grip on his sword tightened.
    “Are you in agreement?” David asked her.
    Innes hesitated. Daman could feel her gaze land on him briefly. “I’ve always been willing to do what was needed for my people.”
    “But?” Ronan pressed.
    “She has nothing else to add,” Alistair stated with a meaningful glare directed at Innes.
    Tension filled the area as David and Alistair watched Innes while she looked at the ground. Daman and Ronan were once more locked in a stare.
    “Well now, is this no’ cozy,” Donald said as he walked out of the brush behind them, the blade of his sword resting against his shoulder.
    Daman whirled his mount around, unsheathing his sword. He was about to charge Donald when Alistair said his name. Daman looked at the laird, waiting.
    “What are you doing here?” Alistair demanded of his brother.
    Donald chuckled. “You know why I’m here.”
    “You can’t win against the Sinclairs,” Innes said. “Why would you want them as an enemy?”
    Donald merely smiled. “I never said I wanted them as an enemy. What I wanted was for our clan to see how weak Alistair is. I needed our people to see that I’m the only one who can protect them?”
    Daman lifted his lip in contempt. Protect . Donald didn’t know the meaning of the word.
    “That’s why you tried to kill Innes?” Alistair demanded, his voice lowering in his anger. “We had enough trouble with the