Chapter 12
Leaving her memories far behind, Elsea uncovered her head in the bedchamber at Farspag Tower. Dawn light glowed through the window. She had to face Brodie again, after remembering everything. How could she without breaking down?
"Oh, saints, Brodie," she whispered to the silence. "I'm so sorry. I pray you will forgive me someday." But she knew he never would. Why should he? She had betrayed him in the worst possible way.
Wilona MacRae had been in the cave on the island! Would she follow through with her promises to murder Brodie if Elsea enlightened him? She had no inkling, but she refused to keep him in the dark as he had her.
Elsea threw back the covers and sprang out of bed into the chilly air. She grabbed the borrowed arisaid the maid had brought and belted it around her waist, then haphazardly pinned the upper part in front. She pulled on her boots, now dry, thankfully.
She opened the door and stepped into the dim corridor.
Another memory crashed into her mind—Talnaroch had told her that her brother had signed the betrothal agreement behind her back.
Blast them both! She refused to do her brother's bidding.
Anyway, she hoped Brodie didn't find out, but if he did, so be it.
She had to tell him the earl was abducting the selkies.
She checked the solar first, but Brodie was not there. The closed door next to it sprang open, startling her. She jumped.
"I heard footsteps," Brodie said, glaring at her.
Saints, but he was so stunning she found it hard to draw air into her lungs. To see him now, so close, remembering how she had cherished him, 'twas like being struck down.
The kiss sprang to mind. Was that why he was vexed? Or that, plus everything from the past?
"I..." Her mouth suddenly went dry. What should she say first?
"You what?" He scrutinized her.
Should she apologize before his rage erupted again? She wanted him to know how much she regretted what she'd done, but now was not the right time.
"I remember... everything."
His brows shot up for a moment, then he blinked and narrowed his eyes. "Everything?" he said, his voice rough.
"Aye." Her throat tightened. "Before you say anything, I must tell you the woman in the cave on the island was Wilona MacRae."
Brodie's scowl grew fiercer. "What makes you think that?"
"I saw her real face while you were outside, talking to your clansmen. But she changed her appearance, like some sort of glamour, when you walked in. She was angry with me for being there. She... oh, saints!" Elsea remembered the witch's strange rhyming phrases.
"Tell me." His gaze pinned her.
"She was murmuring sinister words I couldn't understand. She must have placed a spell on me. 'Tis why I lost my voice and my memory. Thankfully, 'tis broken now."
"Why so quickly?"
"I have nay inkling." Was it because he'd kissed her? If so, she wasn't bringing that up now.
"I refuse to accept that Margaret is Wilona. She cannot be," he said through clenched teeth. "You forget that I believe not a word you say, nor do I trust you."
His words were like a strike to the face, especially after that heated kiss earlier. And after he'd been so kind to her while her memory was gone. "Believe what you wish. I was only trying to help you." Determined to escape him and his bitterness, she turned and strode back toward her chamber.
"Elsea," he hissed, following. "I'm nay done questioning you."
She quickened her pace and entered her chamber. He pushed in behind her and closed the door.
"Leave me be if you're nay going to believe a bloody word I say," she snapped.
"What proof do you have that Margaret is Wilona?"
"None. If you could have one of your guards escort me to Kincreag, I would appreciate it. I cannot wait to leave this godforsaken place."
"Nay."
She gave him her most severe glare. "What do you mean nay? Are you holding me hostage?"
He snorted. "Cease your silliness. Do you remember why you were out on the galley?"
"Aye. That's what I was going to tell you when you rudely informed me you would not believe a word I say. So, why should I tell you anything?"
"Elsea," he said in a warning tone.
"Are you saying you'll believe me?"
"Mayhap."
Keeping her lips sealed, she placed her hands upon her hips.
"I will try." His dark, tormented eyes tugged at her heart.
She had to admit she had hurt him far worse in the past than he had ever hurt her. In fact, he had never harmed her. And she had loved him so much she would've given up her life to save his. Her eyes stinging, she turned away.
She owed him so much... everything, and she must keep her emotions in check.
Getting herself under control, she faced him. "I was on the galley because I was trying to help the female selkies."
He frowned and drew back as if 'twas the last thing he expected to hear. "What do you mean? How did you ken they were being abducted?"
"Talnaroch is doing it."
"Talnaroch!" Brodie roared loud enough to rattle the windows.
She backed away from his burning glare. Would he strangle her as he'd threatened? She had never feared him, but who knew what sort of battle rage might seize him?
"Tell me everything!" he ordered. "Now!"
"Everyone will hear you," she said in a low tone.
"Do you think I care?"
Obviously not. She couldn't tell him about the betrothal contract with the despicable man, could she? He might kill her in truth, then.
Brodie sucked in a deep breath as if he might be attempting to calm himself, and let it out slowly. "Elsea, tell me everything you know about that bastard and the selkies. Their lives are in danger," he gritted out.
"I know. The earl came to visit Will. In the stables, I listened to one of his men telling Will's guard about abducting selkies. He also mentioned a clan chief training them, who was also one of them. I figured 'twas you."
"I am training them."
"When he and his garrison left, I followed at a distance all day to a derelict castle on the coast. I slipped on board one of their galleys and hid beneath the sail."
"Are you mad, in truth?" Brodie growled.
"I wanted to help the poor females who are probably being horribly abused."
"Go on."
"They rowed out to an island. I stayed on the boat, listening and watching. Sounds of battle echoed in the distance. Within a short time, they carried bound female selkies on board and... piled them in beside me. The poor women were crying and wailing." Elsea blinked back stinging tears.
Brodie's jaw clenched, a muscle twitching, his eyes fierce.
"When we were out on the sea again, they raised the sail and the powerful wind blew us back toward the mainland.
The men were busy drinking and celebrating in the front of the galley.
I used my sgian dubh to cut the bindings on some of the women, as many as possible.
One of the men caught me releasing them and kicked me down.
My head hit a wooden thwart. I blacked out, then I woke up in the cave with you. "
Shaking his head, Brodie scowled. "Why the hell would you take such an enormous risk? The knaves could've easily killed you."
Could he be at once concerned for her safety and enraged enough to throttle her at the same time?
"To help, as I said." She didn't want him to know about her private need to make amends.
"Even though 'twas madness, I thank you for freeing the females," he said in a calmer tone. "Where is the bastard taking them? Did he say?"
"Nay."
Brodie paced. "Is the derelict castle you mentioned north of here?"
"Probably. From home, I rode northwest a great distance."
"Could you recognize the castle from a galley offshore?" Brodie's gaze remained harsh and unyielding.
"I'm nay certain. 'Twas dark when I slipped down the cliff and boarded. I'll try if 'twill help with finding the selkies."
He nodded.
Regardless of how much fury and hatred he directed at her, she wanted to help rescue the captives and prevent further kidnappings.
Brodie paced to the window and back. "Why was Talnaroch visiting your brother?"
She dropped her gaze. Should she lie or tell him the truth? Either way, he would continue to hate her. Still, her mind scrambled for a neutral response. "You will have to ask Will."
Brodie exhaled an annoyed breath. "Why is the whoreson abducting selkies?"
"His guard implied that he is selling them."
"'Tis what I feared most." Through clenched teeth, Brodie called the earl a string of foul, insulting names. "Why? He's already as wealthy as Midas."
She shook her head. "His guard mentioned debt. Besides, his favorite pastimes are gambling and buying fine horses." Remembering Freya, she gasped. "My horse! I left her out on the moor near the castle. I must go find her."
"She'll return to Kincreag. Horses have a strong homing instinct... unless someone steals her."
Her mare was a beloved pet. She had never meant to abandon her, but she'd had no choice if she wished to board the galley.
Brodie watched her for a long moment, then muttered, "You should never have followed the knave."
She nodded, still torn about her difficult decision but also annoyed at him. "I should nay wish to help others," she said, her voice bitter. "I should stay safely and selfishly at home."
"When you choose to put yourself at risk to help others, there are sacrifices to be made," he said.
"True. And I'm willing to make them." She clenched her teeth.
"The horse will probably be fine. We'll find her after this is over. No one will intentionally kill her because horses are valuable. Cease your fashing."
"Can you have your men go to Kincreag and see if she returned home?"
"Nay, because then your brothers will come for you. You must stay here until we sort out everything."
"If Freya shows up there without me, my brothers will think I'm dead."
"Aye, well, you could've died if I hadn't fished you out of the sea. 'Twas your decision to be reckless and leave Kincreag alone."
"If I had stayed home, the selkies I freed would still be in the earl's clutches!"
"True, but you could've traveled with a guard or one of your brothers."