“What are you going to do with it?”

The earl sent him a sinister grin. “I’m not going to kill you with it, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

Damn! What could Murray do but give it to him? The man outranked him, and his father was a powerful man.

Reluctantly, Murray drew his sword from the scabbard and gave it to the earl.

“Your dirk, too.” Rebbie motioned with his other hand.

“You’re disarming me?” Murray grumbled.

“Not intentionally. But I suspect the place is crawling with backstabbers, and I must help my friends.”

Glaring, Murray handed the foot-long Highland dirk over and Rebbie slid the two blades into his own scabbards.

“Laird Rebbinglen!” the shout sounded from downstairs.

Who the devil was that? Murray moved toward the door and opened it. “I’ve found him up here,” he called.

Rebbie’s manservant, George, rushed into the room. “Are you injured, m’laird?”

“Not overmuch. Someone tried to bash in my skull, but I’ll live, as you can see. Help me find my shirt and doublet. And my weapons. The whoreson who knocked me on the head likely has them.” Rebbie headed toward the door, waving off George’s offer to assist him down the stairs.

Murray followed them out.

One hand on the rail and one on his head, Rebbie staggered down the steps, George on his heels.

“Are those your clothes, m’laird?”

“Where?”

George ran past him toward one of the tavern tables. “Aye, I believe these are yours.”

After Rebbie dressed, they exited the tavern. Outside, mayhem reigned. Several of the Murrays and MacKays were engaged in sword fights. But his daughter was nowhere in sight. Aye, Murray would beat Seona when he found her.

***

I’m already married! Seona almost yelled the words at Haldane, but then realized if she revealed this information, Talia would be in grave danger. The gold band Keegan had placed on her finger was still there, but none of the outlaws had seen it yet. The long sleeves of the black cloak she wore hid her hands.

She had dropped Keegan’s belongings at the spot where McMurdo had grabbed her. If she’d known this would happen, she would’ve strapped the dirk to her side beneath the cloak. Hopefully, if Keegan or any of his men found his things, they’d know she’d been captured.

“Very well.” Seona stood and faced Haldane. She’d agree to marry him, or anything, if they’d release Talia.

He raised auburn brows, giving her a skeptical look. “How do I ken you’re telling the truth?”

She wanted to box his ears, then kick him in the groin. “Release my sister and allow me to see that she is safe, and I will go with you.”

“Nay, Seona,” Talia said. “They are madmen!”

“Put a gag in her mouth,” Haldane ordered.

“She will be quiet.” Seona sent her sister a meaningful look. “Shh.” She then turned to Haldane. “Will you allow me to talk to my sister in private for a minute?” she asked as sweetly as she could, although she wanted to take her sgian dubh to him.

“Aye. But I’m keeping an eye on you. Fan out,” he told his men as he backed away.

Seona helped her sister sit and lean back against the large stone. At least she was heavily clothed with what appeared to be three layers of wool arisaids.

“Have they hurt you?” Seona asked.

Talia shook her head. “Naught but a few bruises from when they tossed me over a saddle.”

“How on earth did they capture you?” Seona whispered.

“I ran away… or tried to, but they grabbed me just outside the gate.” Tears dripped from her sister’s eyes. “They thought I was you for a while, until that one looked at me closer.” She glanced at Haldane.

“I’m so sorry you were dragged into this because of me.” Seona dried her sister’s tears with her cloak sleeve. “Don’t cry. Once they untie you, go to the village and hide. When you find Keegan or one of his friends, tell them where I am.”

Her dark eyes grew fierce. “I’m not leaving you alone with these barbarians.”

It touched Seona’s heart that her sister wanted to protect her. She blinked back the burning moisture that threatened to flood her eyes. “Haldane will not hurt me. He thinks he’s in love with me.”

Talia glared over Seona’s shoulder. “Come closer,” she whispered.

Seona leaned forward.

“He will force you.”

An icy frisson passed through Seona. She knew that was a possibility, but she had to get Talia away from them. None of the brutes cared a thing about Talia. They might kill her if she became a burden or merely annoyed them.

“I believe I can talk him out of it,” Seona whispered, not wanting her sister to worry. “I think he wishes to make me happy.”

“I want to be released, but I refuse to go back to the castle,” Talia said. “Father is going to make me marry the Comyn next week. He’s worse than these outlaws.”

Seona nodded, knowing ’twas most likely true. “When you’re released, hide and slip to the back of the tavern.”

“Why?”

“Keegan, Laird Rebbinglen, and their friends should be nearby. But so is Father. You will have to hide from him and his men. Keegan will help you. If we could’ve found you last night, we would’ve run away, and already be far from here.”

Talia’s eyes widened. “In truth? Keegan is stealing you away?”

“Aye, and he agreed to take you, too. But we have to escape these outlaws and Father’s men.”

“I’ll do it. I’ll hide behind the tavern and wait for you. If I can find Keegan or his friends, I’ll tell them who has taken you.”

Seona had pointed out Keegan to Talia from her window when she was locked in, days ago. They had watched him, Fraser, and Rebbie crossing the barmkin. Seona had described a few of the other men to her and the clothing they wore.

“How will you escape these madmen?” Talia asked.

“I’ll figure out something.” Seona wished she could give Talia her knife, but closely as Haldane and the men were watching, they’d notice. Besides, she might need it to escape them. Hopefully, Talia would be safe if she hid behind the tavern. Even if her father’s men found her, they would not harm her. The only dangers to Talia at the moment were Haldane and his men.

Seona stood and turned to Haldane. He moved closer to her. “I’ll go with you if you’ll untie Talia and leave her here alone, so that she can return to the safety of the village.”

He grimaced and shook his head. “I cannot do that, Lady Seona.”

Fury tore through her, but she tried to hide it. “Why not?”

“She’ll tell your father’s men, Keegan’s men, and the whole lot of them will be after us.”

“Nay, she won’t. You will keep this a secret, will you not, Talia?”

“Aye. Of course.”

Haldane tilted his head, giving Seona an amused look. “Come now, m’lady. Do not take me for a fool. Here is what I’ll do—I’ll leave her right where she is, tied up. Eventually, someone will find her. But we’ll be long gone by then.”

“I thought you wanted me to go with you willingly,” Seona challenged.

“You will,” Haldane said calmly, but with more of his natural menace creeping out. “Or we can also take your sister with us and leave her deep in the wood.”

Nay! Nausea surged through Seona’s vitals. She shook her head. “I agree ’tis better to leave her here.”

“And you will willingly go with me and marry me, aye?”

She nodded, having no intention of doing anything he said.

“We’re heading out,” Haldane called to his men and motioned toward the forest.

Clasping her hands together before her, Seona slipped one hand into her smock sleeve and pulled the sgian dubh free of the sheath. When she lowered her arms, the long sleeves of the cloak covered her hands and the small knife. Moving her hands behind her back, she dropped the weapon close to Talia. Once they left, her sister would be able to cut herself loose, run to the village and report Seona’s abduction to Keegan or one of his friends.