Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)(38)

“You just looked as though you needed it,” Taliesan said kindly.

“I did, and thank you,” Genevieve said with a smile.

Taliesan’s expression sobered. “What goes on, Genevieve? The Armstrongs and Montgomerys alike are being close-lipped about the laird’s condition, which has fueled gossip that he lies dying in his chamber. There is much worry as to what our fate will be if that happens. ’Tis widely known that Patrick instigated the attack, and that some of the men who swore allegiance to the laird turned betrayer.”

“How many?” Genevieve asked sharply.

Taliesan’s eyes widened. “You do not know?”

Genevieve grimaced. “I know not anything. I spent the night tending the laird’s wounds and watching for any sign of fever. I’ve only just come to my chamber a short time ago.”

“Then ’tis sorry I am for disturbing you. You should be resting.”

Genevieve shook her head. “I am well rested,” she lied. “I would know what is occurring within the clan. Brodie left Bowen’s chamber last eve to determine if there were more traitors in our midst.”

Taliesan sighed, her mouth turning down in an unhappy frown. “ ’Tis a sad and disgraceful tale I bring you. There were three other McHugh warriors who remained behind and made a vow to support Bowen Montgomery. ’Twas discovered that they played a part in the killings of two men. One a Montgomery and one an Armstrong. They are to be executed, and the clan is in uproar over it.”

“ ’Tis not less than they deserve,” Genevieve spat. “They follow in the old laird’s footsteps. A path steeped in treachery and dishonor. They bring shame to your clan’s name. The clan should be first to want justice to be served.”

“But they are husbands and fathers to our clan’s women and children,” Taliesan said quietly. “ ’Tis not such a simple matter when wives and children will be left without a husband and father.”

“Aye, I know it, but they should have given the matter due consideration. The consequences of their actions were spelled out long before they chose to travel the path they trod.”

“When will it end?” Taliesan asked softly. “Our clan is bathed in blood, betrayal, and treachery. All because of Ian McHugh.”

“Nay,” Genevieve said fiercely. “He carries not the full blame. Patrick McHugh allowed his son free rein. Patrick was laird, not Ian. He was too weak and dishonorable to stand up to his son and correct the wrongs that have brought this clan low. ’Tis on him and Ian that the clan should turn their ire. Not me. Not the Montgomerys or the Armstrongs. They set in motion all that has occurred when they made the choices they made.”

“You are right, of course,” Taliesan murmured. “But ’tis still sad that brother is pitted against brother. Father against son. Wife against husband. ’Tis no position for any clansman to be in. We are family. If we don’t stand together, how can we stand for anything else?”

Genevieve grasped Taliesan’s hand. “Aye, ’tis sad indeed, but there is naught you and I can do to change it. ’Tis their decisions. Their choices. They must live with the consequences.”

Taliesan sighed. “I know you are right, but I still have no love of the entire sordid mess. It makes me fear for the future of our clan—our bloodline. Already we have a Montgomery laird. How long will it be before there are none of us left and we are but spoils of war, scattered to the winds, our name naught but a black memory carried to generations after us.”

“You take far too much on your shoulders, Taliesan,” Genevieve said gently. “You are wise for one so young, and you think deeper on matters than your kinsmen. You can only take responsibility for your own actions and act with honor in every encounter.”

“I know you are right. ’Tis not me who is wise, Genevieve, but you.”

“If I was wise, I would have found a way to kill Ian McHugh long ago and save us all the misery of his actions,” Genevieve said, her voice so cold it sent a shiver down her own spine.

And ’twas true enough. Killing Ian would surely have meant her own death sentence, and yet that would have been preferable to the life she’d endured. But she’d stubbornly clung to her existence, refusing to be beaten down. Her damnable pride would not allow her to concede defeat to Ian or any other McHugh, most especially not Patrick McHugh. She would not have given him the satisfaction of ordering her death. And that was supposing that she would have even been killed. Just as easily she could have been consigned a fate as bad as the one Ian had heaped upon her. Given to the McHugh men to play the unwilling whore. Passed from one to the other and perhaps given as bounty to another clan.

Nay, as long as she had hope of one day regaining control over her destiny, she had silently endured, knowing that one day … one day she would be in a position to seek justice. That time had come the day before, when Patrick had been in her sights and she’d let the arrow fly.

“How is the clan taking the news of Patrick’s death? Is it known who did the killing?”

Genevieve held her breath, feeling guilty over deceiving Taliesan. But if it was known that she had killed Patrick, the clan would only harbor more animosity toward her. She cared not if anyone ever discovered the truth.

“The clan is divided. There are those who are angry about Patrick’s betrayal, and they believe the Montgomerys and Armstrongs acted accordingly. He was buried this morn, but the Montgomery and Armstrong men bore his body beyond our borders, not affording him the honor of being laid to rest on McHugh land. There are others who, while confused and bitter about Patrick’s defection, still believe he should have been given the honor of being buried on his lands.”