Highland Scoundrel (Campbell Trilogy #3)(113)

Duncan fought to stay calm. A score of soldiers wouldn't stop him if he wanted to escape. “They have done nothing wrong. You've no cause to take them.”

“Harboring an outlaw is crime enough,” Colin said. He stared at the dirk Duncan had in his hand. “Drop your weapons and I can promise that no one will get hurt.”

Duncan didn't hesitate. He dropped his dirk, removed his pistol and tossed it down as well, then unbuckled his sword and handed it over to his brother.

Colin took one look at it and his face nearly exploded with rage. “Father's sword! You stole it after he fell. You've had it this whole time.”

Duncan didn't defend himself. The sword had never rightfully belonged to him. But he'd wanted it. Taking it had been a spurious decision in the shock of his father falling in battle.

He allowed himself to be bound, flexing his wrists to ensure a little slack in the rope.

“Make sure it's tight,” Colin said, guessing his intentions. “And check him for hidden weapons.” When they were done retrieving the two other knives, including his sgain dubh, Colin shouted to his men inside, “Bring them out.”

Duncan waited anxiously, needing to see that she was all right, but he was to be disappointed. He saw Conall, beaten badly but alive, and three of the Gordon guardsmen who'd accompanied them—he knew it didn't bode well for the fourth. Leif, he hoped, was safely away.

He kept his face impassive, hiding the cold fear cutting through him. Jeannie wasn't there.

If Leif hadn't been holding her, Jeannie would have rushed forward. Duncan thought she was inside with Colin's soldiers and that's why he was giving himself up. She had to stop him. At best he would be imprisoned in some ghastly pit prison, and at worst …

She couldn't think about at worst.

“His brother?” Leif whispered in her ear.

She nodded, and he relaxed his hand around her mouth.

“You can't help him. Not now,” he said.

As much as she didn't want to hear it, Leif was right. She was more certain than ever that is was Colin who was responsible for what had happened to Duncan. Her proof would hold no weight with him; if anything it would give him even more reason to kill Duncan on the spot. She wondered why he hadn't already done so.

“Where is she?” she heard Duncan say. For a man tied up, his voice held the unmistakable promise of danger.

“Not here,” Colin answered. “Don't tell me she ran out on you again?” To one of his men he said, “Bring out the girl.”

Jeannie saw the poor maidservant dragged out and she had to fight the urge not to rush out and do something to help her.

“Wait,” Leif whispered. “We don't want to interfere unless we need to.”

She relaxed just a little. Duncan trusted this man, she would have to as well.

“Where did the lady go?” She heard Colin ask.

The girl could barely speak she was so scared. “T-to the castle. She d-didn't want him,” she gestured to Duncan, “to know.”

“Why would she do that?” Colin asked. Jeannie heard the suspicion in his voice.

The maid shook her head. “I don't k-know,” the girl stuttered. “She was upset, she looked like she'd been crying all night. I heard them arguing.”

Jeannie's cheeks heated. The walls at the inn were thinner than she'd realized.

“She betrayed me,” Duncan said flatly. “I wouldn't be surprised if she went to alert the MacDonald to my presence on the island. Leave her to them.”

Jeannie gasped. How could he think that?

“He doesn't mean it, lass,” Leif whispered, but he didn't sound quite as confident as he had before. He'd seen Duncan last night—no doubt he'd also seen how furious he was.

“Yet you were willing to surrender your life for hers,” Colin pointed out shrewdly.

Duncan nodded. “‘Twas my fault she was here. ‘Tis no more than I would have done for any woman in my care.” Even one who did not deserve it. Jeannie filled in the words he'd left unsaid.

Colin recognized the truth in that, as did Jeannie. Duncan was unfailingly chivalrous.

Colin gave him a hard look. “Why were you here?”

“I hoped to find my mother.”

“And were you successful?” Colin asked nonchalantly, though Jeannie knew he was anything but.

“Nay,” Duncan said. “She died ten years ago.”

Colin nodded, satisfied. “After what Jean Grant did to you last time, I'm surprised that you sought her out at all.”

“I hoped she might have come to regret what she'd done, but I was wrong. She's as false of heart as she is fair of face.”

Colin studied his face, not sure whether to believe him. “I'm interested in hearing what Lady Gordon has to say all the same. I'll send some of my men to the castle to see if we can't retrieve her.” Colin's smile sent a chill down her spine. “Our cousin has ordered me to bring you both to Inveraray. He wishes to see you before you face the charges against you.”

Jeannie breathed a bit easier. She had her explanation for why Colin had not executed him on the spot. She felt the inconceivable urge to thank the Earl of Argyll.

Duncan shrugged. “Do what you wish. She can swim home for all I care.”