Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)(24)

With Bowen and Taliesan both at her side, the coming days might not be so difficult after all.

Chapter 12

Bowen answered the knock at his chamber door and admitted his brother, closing the door behind them.

“You’re settling in well,” Teague observed.

Bowen surveyed the sparsely furnished chamber and shrugged. He’d refused to take over the chamber of either Patrick or Ian, instead relegating those chambers to his brother, Brodie, and Aiden.

“You have need to speak with me?” Bowen asked, pushing matters to the point.

Teague nodded grimly before settling into one of the chairs by the open window. “ ’Tis not an easy matter I bring before you. It could be nothing, but I would be remiss if I didn’t bring it to your attention.”

Bowen frowned and took a seat across from his brother. “Say what is on your mind.”

Teague took in a deep breath. “The story, as I’ve heard it, is that Genevieve convinced Ian to abduct Eveline.”

Bowen’s brows drew together and he reared his head back in surprise. “That doesn’t even make sense. What on earth would she have to gain, and, furthermore, Ian doesn’t strike me as the kind to take direction from a woman.”

Teague held up his hand. “There’s more. Let me explain all I’ve heard.”

Bowen’s lips curled in distaste. “Gossip. ’Tis obvious none here have any love for Genevieve. They’re hardly objective when it comes to the lass.”

“That may well be the case,” Teague said calmly. “But ’tis a story I’ve heard from numerous sources, and the facts don’t change in the telling.”

Bowen’s mouth drew into a fine line, but he nodded for his brother to continue.

“ ’Tis said that when Ian received knowledge of Eveline’s marriage to Graeme, and that when he heard the lass had perpetuated a grand deception to prevent her marriage to Ian, his ire was raised and Genevieve prodded him, stoking the flames of his anger and telling him that he should not allow a mere lass to make such a fool of a man like him. ’Twas also said that she was the mastermind behind his plan to find those among our clan who would ally themselves with Ian and play the spy, and that it was her idea for Eveline to be abducted and brought back as prisoner.”

“How certain are you of this information?” Bowen asked.

“I’m not saying I’m certain or not certain,” Teague admitted. “I’ve not made any judgment. I’m only relating all I’ve heard.”

“But you think there is credibility to this story,” Bowen pressed.

Teague hesitated a moment and then finally nodded. “Aye, the telling of it has been convincing. ’Tis not from people who are overtly hostile toward Genevieve. They do not trust her, and while no one denies that Ian abducted Genevieve and imprisoned her here, ’tis widely thought that she wielded much influence over him and that she used that influence for her own gain.”

Bowen shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense. What gain was there for her in Eveline being abducted? Spite? Resentment? It does not add up.”

“Perhaps she is a consummate actress,” Teague said in a grim voice. “She plays the role of the victim easily. Who, indeed, would assign any blame to a woman who has supposedly endured so much?”

Bowen’s mouth opened wordlessly. “Think you it is all a ruse? That she’s manipulating us?”

Teague shrugged. “ ’Tis not my place to say. But I would not leave this place without giving you the information I discovered. ’Tis your choice to do with it as you wish, but I’d not have you unaware of what is being said or of the possibility that she is deceiving you—and others.”

Bowen sat back, anger and disgust knotting his chest. He didn’t like to think that the lass could be so calculating. But he couldn’t discount the possibility. It would make him ineffective as a leader of this clan.

Now he wondered what the truth was. There was no question that the lass had been abducted and sorely abused. At least, in the beginning. But the question was whether the captor had turned captive and whether she’d been able to wield influence with Ian as time passed.

And could he blame her if she had managed to claim the upper hand with a man such as Ian? Had she merely done what was necessary to survive? Others would condemn a lass for using whatever means necessary to survive, but Bowen could admire such strength. Except that she had placed his sister by marriage in terrible danger.

Why would she plant such an idea in Ian’s head? What purpose could it possibly serve for Eveline to be threatened in such a manner?

“Just have a care, Bowen,” Teague said in a low voice. “There are vipers everywhere. You know not where Patrick is or what threat he may pose. Keep your eyes open and don’t trust anyone. I’ll return with supplies as soon as I’ve apprised Graeme of the situation. Perhaps the best thing is to take care of the McHughs’ needs as quickly as possible and address the leadership of their clan so that we may wash our hands of the entire bloody mess.”

Only, Bowen had promised Genevieve protection. He’d offered her sanctuary. Jesu, he’d even offered her a place in the Montgomery clan.

How could he possibly go to his brother with the woman responsible for endangering his wife?

“I’ll see to the matter,” Bowen said brusquely. “I’ll not form my opinion until I’ve heard all there is on the subject.”