Chapter 10
Killian was still fuming in his study when Niamh came to find him. She had stopped crying, and her cheeks were no longer red, but seeing her that close to tears made his heart ache.
“Niamh,” he called as he went to give her a hug. “I am sorry Lily tried to hurt ye. I shouldnae have left ye with her.”
“She said she wouldnae hurt me, and I trusted her, Killian. I wasnae scared of her but upset with the situation. I didnae think she would hurt me—”
“She would have,” Killian interrupted while shaking his head. “Ye dinnae ken the woman like I do. She is a warrior, and she has killed men—my men. I willnae let her hurt ye, though.”
Niamh’s forehead creased into a deep frown as Killian patted her shoulder and tried to console her. “Who is she, brother?” she enquired as her large green eyes locked on his. “I thought she was the lady ye intended to wed, but she doesnae like ye. What have ye done? Where did ye bring her from?”
Killian sighed as he took her hands and led her towards the settee in his study. When he had returned from his travels two years ago to find that his brother had been murdered by Laird McLennan, Niamh had been alone and still shattered with grief.
I should have been here for her when he died.
But he had spent two years enjoying his time in the Americas and then Asia while his family had grieved.
Killian had vowed then to avenge his brother’s death, even if it was the only thing he did as Laird MacColl. All of this was for Peter, and he had to explain that to Niamh because she was the only one unaware of what had really happened the night their brother had died.
“Killian—”
“There are things ye dinnae ken concernin’ our brother’s death, Niamh. Things that ye dinnae ken because I havenae told ye…”
Her eyes searched his as he thought of the best way to break the news to her.
Killian sucked in a deep breath to steady his insides, and when he finally found his voice, he sounded hoarse. “Our brother didnae die while ridin’ out alone in a storm. He was murdered by Laird McLennan. Fletcher confided this to me—he witnessed it.”
“What? How is this possible?”
Fresh tears filled Niamh’s eyes and slid down her cheeks, breaking Killian’s heart again. He hated to see her cry, or see her in pain, so he pulled her closer to him and hugged her tight.
“It is all right,” Killian cooed. “I shall avenge his death. I will make Laird McLennan pay for what he did.”
“How will ye do that? He is laird of a powerful clan, and ye will only start a war with him.”
“I dinnae care if I start a war. I shall make him pay. I traveled to McLennan Castle to take his sister and hit him where it hurts, but I captured that lady instead, by chance. She isnae his sister… She happens to be his wife’s lady’s maid.”
Niamh’s lower lip trembled as she absorbed his words and muffled another sob.
“What if he doesnae come for her?” she murmured after some time.
“If he killed Peter, who was harmless, kind, and gentle… then it means he is a vile, heartless man, and he mightnae come for her, so ye have to find another way.”
“I am hopin’ he will,” Killian said.
The truth was, his entire plan depended on that right now, so he had to hope.
“I am so sorry she tried to hurt ye. I should have warned ye about her… The lady is strong-willed, and she has put up a fight so far. I didnae expect her to be this—” He paused, briefly letting his mind take a trip down all that had happened during their journey to MacColl Keep. “Feisty.”
Surprisingly, Niamh smiled. “It sounds to me like ye dinnae hate her as much as ye say ye do.”
Killian’s response to her statement was a rough chuckle. “I dinnae hate her. I just… she confuses me.”
“She is strong. I like that she is. She acted like she’d hurt me, aye, but I wish I was as strong as her… That way, I could have defended myself when she came for me. Also, I can tell from the way ye speak about her that ye like her.”
They spoke for a long time about Lily, and then about their late brother. Killian’s only wish was that he had been there when it had happened. Then he would have ended Laird McLennan’s life and put this to rest.
“I miss him every day,” Niamh confided to Killian as they shared another warm hug.
“So do I,” he whispered to her.
It was the truth. His heart ached each time he thought of his brother. When their father had passed, Killian had refused the lairdship because he had always considered himself a free man. He had wanted to help the people by being closer to them and understanding their struggles.
Peter had understood that, and he had wanted Killian to be happy, so he had taken up the lairdship and all its many responsibilities while Killian moved from village to village, helping the people set up successful business ties with Englishmen and other outlanders.
Killian had lived as he pleased, so far, and his brother had loved him enough to let him. He liked to think he had lived a successful life so far, but he still had one regret.
I could have been more involved in my brother’s life. If I had helped him more, then perhaps he might still be alive.
Most times, Killian could not shake off the feeling of guilt that ate him.
“I shall leave ye to work,” Niamh said to him after staying in his study for some time. “Shall I see ye at supper?”
“Nay… I have a lot of work to catch up on because of me absence, but I shall eat here in me study. Ye dinnae need to worry about me starvin’.”
They exchanged smiles before Niamh left his study. Killian spent the rest of his day looking at his tax reports, and by the evening of the next day, he was still lost in his work when a soft knock interrupted him.
His man-at-arms, Fletcher, came in this time, his strides long, a gloomy look on his face. Killian had always appreciated the man’s good nature and advice since he assumed his lairdship. He was a good man.
And wise too.
Killian was thankful someone like Fletcher was on his side.
“A message has arrived from McLennan Castle, m’laird,” Fletcher announced, bowing his head before he handed over the sealed letter to him. “It bears their seal. I believe it is from Laird McLennan.”
“He has sent word quickly. It means he is ready to end this too,” Killian commented as he tore it open. He was ready to fight Laird McLennan, no matter what it took.
His journey back to MacColl Keep had taken longer than it should have because he had taken a different route so he could not be followed. Yet, Laird McLennan’s men had still caught on.
He is dangerous. And he wants me dead.
Killian read Laird McLennan’s words quickly, then crumpled the letter in his right hand and tossed it aside. “Laird McLennan wants the lady back. He has asked us to meet at the valley between our clan and Dune in four days.”
“What will ye do, m’laird? Will ye go out to meet him?”
“There is only one thin’ left to do. We shall ride out to meet with him. I will inform the lady of this plan. Soon, we’ll end this.”
Fletcher bowed one more time before he left Killian with his thoughts.
The rest of the night, Killian plotted and schemed. He would return Lily once he heard Laird McLennan admit what he had done.
By the morning Killian was to meet with Laird McLennan, all of his nerves were twisted up into tight knots that would not relax. Lily was in her bedchamber, sitting still on her bed, when he opened the door and walked in.
She had an entire meal set out in front of her, untouched, and her eyes remained intent on his even as he closed the door and walked towards her bed.
“Ye didnae eat yer breakfast,” Killian remarked. “Are ye nae hungry?”
“I would rather starve,” Lily tossed at him, eyeing him till he felt the burn of her gaze.
“Dinnae be stubborn, lass.”
“Why not? You are going to kill me, anyway, so why feed me first? If I am going to die by your hands, then let me die now.”
Sighing, he strode over to her, took her arm, and lifted her off the bed. “Ye seem to have a death wish. But I have nay intentions of killin’ ye. If ye willnae eat, then ye shall journey hungry. I dinnae care either way.”
He began pulling her towards the door, but she struggled against him, not willing to go without a fight. “Where are you taking me? What will you do with me? Laird McLennan will not let you live if you hurt me.”
Killian ignored her protests. He threw her over his shoulder and carried her out of the keep. After tying her to his saddle sometime later, he set out with Fletcher and many other guards because he knew Laird McLennan would not ride alone for this exchange.
It can also be an ambush. Why would he come for a mere servant?
It was a long ride to Dune, and by the time they arrived, the valley was empty. The pitiless afternoon sun was scorching, and Killian could not see a single soul in the distance.
Lily was still tied to his saddle. He dismounted, walked around to untie her, and then steadied her on her feet.
“Why are we here? What are you going to do to me?” Her eyes were wild with worry, her cheeks and face paler than usual.
Killian wondered if she was truly scared or if this was another one of her plots to get him to pity her.
“I am going to exchange ye for yer laird,” he told her with a wry smile. “He sent word to me last night. It turns out he isnae as callous as I thought, and he does care about ye.”
Killian eyed her briefly as he said the words, then his eyes settled on hers again as she asked in a chilly tone, “Are you going to kill him?”
“That depends,” Killian answered as he heard the first neigh of horses approaching in the distance. His right hand instinctively moved to his sword, and he drew it out. “That depends on what happens when he arrives.”
“I will not let you. Laird McLennan is a good man, and whatever reason that you are doing this, you need to stop.”
The sound of gallops drew closer, and Killian was about to speak when he heard the first war cry. An arrow flew out of nowhere in their direction. It was aimed at him, and Fletcher threw his body in the way to protect him.
Lily screamed, and Killian dropped to his knees to check on Fletcher. “Are ye all right?” he asked in a shaky voice.
“It is an ambush,” Fletcher managed before he coughed up blood. “Go… Fight.”
There was no time to argue with him. Killian threw himself into battle with the rest of his men to fight off the soldiers Laird McLennan sent to kill him.