Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)(6)

“I know not what your plans are, sir, but I would ask two things of you.”

Bowen studied the young lass with interest. She was a brave slip of a thing, barely meeting his shoulder. He couldn’t discern her age, though she looked only on the cusp of womanhood. No doubt, given time, she would be a stunning lass, made only more so by her courage and fire.

Her hair was the color of wheat washed in moonlight. And her eyes were an arresting shade of blue-green that reminded him of the sea on a bright, sunlit day.

She took another step forward, and it was then he noticed that she walked with a limp. A grimace twisted her lips before she quickly forced it away. Her hand went to one of her clansmen, and he was quick to steady her so that she didn’t fall.

“What is your name, lass?” Bowen asked kindly, not wanting to reward her bravery by frightening the wits out of her.

“Taliesan,” she murmured, dipping into a curtsy that made Bowen afraid that she’d take a tumble.

He would have stepped forward in case she indeed teetered, but her clansman once more steadied her with his firm grip. Bowen nodded his approval to the older man, mentally making note of the man’s appearance. Bowen never forgot a good deed, and later he’d ensure that he and the man spoke privately.

A lot could be known of a man by observing his treatment of others. It was something Bowen’s father had taught him from a very early age. Robert Montgomery had always said that the words of a man were meaningless. But actions spoke volumes, and it was always through deeds that the true measure of a man could be ascertained.

“And what two things would you ask of me, Taliesan?” Bowen asked.

Taliesan’s cheeks colored, and Bowen could tell that she fought not to duck her head. Her hand gripped her clansman’s arm, but she firmed her lips and then stated her request.

“I would ask that you have mercy on my clansmen. ’Tis true that Ian and his father, our laird, acted without honor. And ’tis also true that an innocent woman suffered greatly at their hands. Ian is dead, by Graeme Montgomery’s own hand, and now Patrick has fled, leaving his clan to the fate that should be his.”

Taliesan turned her head, sweeping her gaze over the men, women, and children stuffed into the great hall.

“We have no place to go. We have no other home than here. We would serve you and your laird well.”

Teague, Aiden, and Brodie were no less affected by her eloquent plea than Bowen himself. But it angered him that, so far, the only people who’d had courage enough to confront him had been a mere lad and two fragile lasses. What manner of clan was this to allow their women and children to fight their battles for them? The women and children should be cherished above all else and protected fiercely. It appalled him that so little value was placed on their position in the clan.

“And what other thing would you ask, lass?” Bowen asked, hoping to give himself some time for the flames of anger to die down. He wanted to haul every last man into the courtyard and beat them all soundly.

Taliesan licked her lips and, after a nervous glance at her clansmen, directed her gaze at Genevieve.

“I would ask that Genevieve bear no ill treatment at your hands. She has suffered enough.”

Genevieve’s features tightened in horror, the first sign of emotion she’d displayed since they’d entered the hall.

“Talie, no!” Genevieve whispered harshly. “Please, do not! I beg you!”

Bowen’s brows lifted, surprised that this proud lass would beg anything after the courage and haughtiness she’d demonstrated. What could she possibly not want Taliesan to relate?

Taliesan glanced unhappily at Genevieve, but she did as Genevieve asked and fell silent.

There were disapproving looks cast Taliesan’s way. Lips curled. Nostrils flared. Hostile glares were directed at Genevieve.

Bowen wasn’t even sure how to respond to such a slight, though he was sure that Taliesan had intended no offense. Not only had his honor been called into question, but he was extremely curious as to what Taliesan had meant by her cryptic statement. Genevieve looked so mortified, however, that he couldn’t bring himself to demand an explanation, even if it was what he felt compelled to do. There would be plenty of time to sort out this mystery later. First, he had to make it clear that he wasn’t some monster lusting after the blood of the innocent.

“I assure you, I have no intention of mistreating Genevieve or anyone else under my care,” Bowen said, the reprimand clear in his voice.

Taliesan flushed and dropped her gaze, but she offered no apology, and, oddly, Bowen respected her all the more for it.

“Then what do you mean to do with us?”

Bowen’s eyebrow arched in surprise, as, finally, one of the McHugh men found his cods and spoke up.

“And here I thought the McHugh clan depended on their women and children to go to battle for them,” Bowen said, disgust evident in his words.

The men in the room bristled and stiffened. Some of their faces went red with anger, but others darkened with shame, and they averted their eyes. They well knew what Bowen meant.

“ ’Tis a disgrace to send a lad waving a flag of surrender,” Teague growled, speaking up for the first time. He was positively seething with anger and disgust, and now that Bowen had addressed the issue, Teague was only too eager to voice his dissatisfaction as well.

Aiden and Brodie both nodded, their arms crossed menacingly over their chests. Brodie, especially, looked furious. For a moment, Bowen truly worried that he and Teague would have to intervene, because Brodie looked as though he wanted to take on every McHugh man gathered in the hall and bathe in their blood.