Highland Warrior (Campbell Trilogy #1)(97)

“You are surprised? Do you doubt your sister’s allure?”

Niall snorted. “Not at all, I’ve seen her charm even the most impenetrable heart. I just didn’t think you had one.”

Jamie’s mouth tugged. He studied the other man. “She told you the truth. I mean to do what I can to help you.”

“Why?”

“You need to ask?”

“But Auchinbreck is your brother.”

“Aye. If she’d confided in me earlier, I might have prevented this. I had no wish for your father to die. I can understand your anger, but my brother had cause to attack your castle.” At the look of outrage on Niall’s face, Jamie added, “I didn’t say I agreed with what happened, but it wasn’t wholly my brother’s fault. Had I been there, I might have been able to avoid a battle, but you know as well as I do that fighting is the way men settle disputes in the Highlands.”

“Aye,” Niall said reluctantly. “My father never backed down from a battle. But it wasn’t only my father’s and brother’s deaths that I was avenging.” Jamie watched as his face twisted with an emotion he could describe only as raw anguish. “He ordered the rape of an innocent woman.” Niall met his gaze, his eyes glowing with rage. “My woman.”

Jamie cursed. He didn’t want to think his brother capable of such a despicable act, but he did not doubt Niall’s word. “I’m sorry.”

The apology seemed to surprise the other man, and he nodded in acknowledgment. After a moment, he asked, “What do you intend to do with us?”

“What I can,” Jamie responded. “We’ll stay the night at Rothesay and then tomorrow depart for Dunoon.”

Niall’s jaw hardened. “It was as I thought, then. We won’t die by your hand, but by Argyll’s.”

“You won’t die by anyone’s hand. My cousin has promised to show you leniency.”

“I can imagine,” Niall said dryly. “Drawn, but not quartered?”

“I hope to have more influence than that,” Jamie said with a crooked smile. Just then, his men came out of the darkness carrying a makeshift pallet with an enormous dog tracking after it.

Niall’s demeanor changed in an instant. “Careful. He’s hurt.”

“Niall, what’s happening?” Brian asked, his voice weak and delirious.

“Shush,” Niall said. “We’re taking you to the castle.”

“But the Enforcer,” Brian protested. He tried to lift up his head, but Jamie knew he couldn’t see him.

He felt sick, hating the fear in the lad’s voice.

“Don’t worry, Brian. Caiti will keep you safe.” Niall met Jamie’s gaze as he spoke, and Jamie nodded.

At that, the boy seemed to relax and eased back down on the pallet as the men carried him out.

“I hope you won’t make me a liar,” Niall said.

“The lad will come to no harm. He was not involved in the attack on my brother, though when he is well enough to travel, he will have to account for the fighting with the MacGregors. I’ll pay whatever fines it takes to see him cleared.”

Niall nodded. With the cave cleared of Lamonts, Jamie led his prisoner out into the forest. Leaving them to his men, Jamie started toward the place where he’d left his horse.

“Campbell.”

Jamie looked back over his shoulder.

“I know I’ve no right to ask . . .”

Jamie moved his head, indicating for him to continue.

“If anything should happen to me, when he’s old enough you’ll see that Brian takes his place as chief?”

The odd request took Jamie aback. “ ’Tis the position that rightfully belongs to you. Would you not ask it for yourself?”

“You really think you can convince your cousin?”

“I do,” he said confidently.

Niall paused, considering. “Still, I’d have your promise if you’re willing to give it.”

Jamie bowed. “Then you have it.”

For the first time since Jamie had burst into the cave, maybe for the first time in months, hope flared in Niall Lamont’s gaze.

Caitrina suffered the frantic ministrations of her former nursemaid, all the while worrying about what was happening with her brothers. She’d heard the men ride through the castle gates not long after her, and from the numerous servants who rushed back and forth fulfilling Mor’s requests for herbs, salves, water, and clean linens, she’d learned that her brother and his men had been taken to the old, unused south tower. She admitted to a certain relief that Niall had been wrong and they’d not been imprisoned in the dungeon. She’d been right to trust Jamie.

Mor was about to send a girl on another errand—this time for more pillows—when Caitrina sat up, having suffered enough. “ ’Tis nothing more than a scratch, Mor. Truly, I’m fine.” The blade had sliced about a two-inch cut at the base of her jaw.

The old nursemaid put her hands on her hips and pursed her mouth disapprovingly. “ ’Tis deep enough to scar.”

“You’ve put your salve on it and bandaged it. Any scar that remains won’t be visible.”

“I’ll know it’s there,” Mor said stubbornly.

Aye, and so will I. A lasting memory of my betrayal of my clan. But she would wear the badge with honor if her brothers were spared.