Highland Hellion (Highland Weddings #3)(62)
“What makes ye think Morton will let Rolfe go, even if I tie ye up in a bow and deliver ye like a trained dog?”
She sighed. “I don’t know for certain.”
Adwin made a grunting sound.
“However,” she continued, “I know Morton likes to have his way. So if his desire is to trade for me, we should convince him that Rolfe was simply testing his nerve.”
“Needling him?”
She nodded. “He might see the humor in it. Convince him a Highlander like Rolfe means such as a compliment. After all, there would be no point in trying the nerve of, say…an Englishman.”
Adwin snorted and reached for his mug. “That might well get me thrown in chains alongside Rolfe.”
Katherine smiled at him. “Find me a dress, and the earl will think me as helpless as I was when he knew me before. As such, I doubt he will place me in chains. Such circumstances will be far easier to escape than the ones Rolfe finds himself in now.”
Adwin went still. She watched him contemplate her with a critical eye. It was a compliment to be looked at in that manner, because he was seeing beyond her gender now and weighing it against what he knew she’d done.
“I did nae think of it that way.” He slowly started to chuckle, a sound that was very menacing.
“Nor did I.” Diocail emerged from the shadows. “But she snuck down here to tempt ye with it when she hoped ye were alone. That tells me she thinks there will be those among us who do nae agree with her. She’s playing on yer soft feelings for the lad.”
“Why do you always emerge from the shadows?”
Diocail sent her an arrogant smirk. “Because it’s harder for people to kill me when I see them first.”
A tiny tingle went down her spine in response. There was more than just arrogance in his tone; there was hard, firsthand knowledge that was sobering.
Adwin set the mug down with a firm sound, recalling them to the conversation she’d begun. “The idea has merit.”
“She is a woman.”
“Aye,” Adwin answered. “And yet, no’ so very like others. Marcus trained her.”
“He did,” Diocail replied. “Better remember that fact, because if ye return to the Highlands without her, Marcus will have yer balls.”
“Marcus taught me how to smash a man’s balls.” She leaned forward and sent Diocail a hard look. “I assure you, I was a very accomplished student who will not be content to sit abovestairs while you attempt to rescue my husband.”
Diocail was hard to read. His expression remained tight for long moments while she refused to bend. A corner of his lips twitched at last.
“In that case, we’ll get ye a dress.”
Seven
“The earl will hear no pleas for mercy.”
Adwin tightened his hold on his belt and resisted the urge to curse the herald. “I’m no’ looking to go in there and babble like some English ambassador.”
The herald’s eyes flickered with amusement, even though his expression remained smooth.
Adwin leaned closer. “Tell the man I have what he wants.”
The herald locked gazes with him. Adwin stared him straight in the eye.
“Go on, man,” Adwin urged him.
The herald gave a reluctant nod before he disappeared. Adwin rocked back on his heels as he waited, being careful not to look where Katherine was. There was a tap on the floor when the herald returned.
“The Earl of Morton will see you.”
Adwin tugged on the corner of his bonnet when he entered the room. “As far as courtly manners, that’s about as much as I know.”
Morton was angry, but Adwin caught a flicker of amusement in his eyes in response. “Truth be told, I have little patience for French fashion—and even less for the games the McTavishes seem intent on playing.”
Adwin faced off with the man, gripping his belt and tightening his resolve. Telling tales by the hearthside was one thing; this was another. Today, whether his audience was convinced would have serious consequences.
“The lad is young,” Adwin began. “Sense… Well, that takes a wee bit more time to grow.”
“Rolfe McTavish lacks it, sure enough.”
“That’s why the laird has me watching out for the lad.”
Morton leaned back in his chair and made a motion with his hand. “Get on with it. I am a busy man.”
“I have the girl,” Adwin said.
Morton sat up again. “Here?”
Adwin nodded. “Of course. Rolfe was just attempting to swipe the cheese out from under yer nose.”
Morton bared his teeth.
“Lads do such things,” Adwin was quick to add. “I pulled a few stunts of that nature in me own day that are still bringing me grief. And there are a few stories about ye making the rounds in the Highlands.”
Morton grunted but relaxed. “Why did ye nae bring her in yesterday?”
“Had to fetch her up from where Rolfe left her in the country,” Adwin answered. “And I do nae mind saying plainly that it likely did the lad a bit of good to spend the night in chains. Maybe it will teach him some sense.”
“Bring her in.”
Morton snapped his fingers, and his men opened the doors. Adwin watched the man’s eyes narrow when he saw Diocail Gordon bringing Katherine forward. He had a disgusted look on his face as he half tossed her toward Morton.