Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)(63)

“You worried me, Bowen,” Graeme began. “ ’Tis the truth I suffered great fright when I received word that the keep had been attacked and you were injured. Eveline was distraught. ’Twas difficult to persuade her to remain behind under the protection of her kin.”

Bowen grimaced. “ ’Twas not a serious matter. Were it not for the fact that Brodie kept pouring a potion down my throat, I would have been up from my sickbed in much less than two days.”

Graeme pursed his lips and studied Bowen. “How have things worked with the Armstrongs?”

“All is well. Aiden departed with Teague, but Brodie remained behind to lend his aid. ’Tis fortunate for me that he did. We may not have survived the attack and been able to drive them back were it not for the Armstrongs who elected to stay.”

Graeme nodded his satisfaction. “ ’Tis a good thing this alliance, then. Perhaps this will be a new dawn for the Montgomerys and the Armstrongs. Eveline has united us. ’Tis a fact that still mystifies me.”

“Patrick McHugh is dead,” Bowen said bluntly. “He was killed in battle.”

Graeme’s face twisted into a savage expression. “Good. I’d not suffer him to live a minute longer. Did you witness his killing firsthand?”

Bowen shook his head. “Nay, I did not.”

“ ’Tis a shame. I’d know whom to thank.”

“ ’Tis known who did the killing,” Bowen said. “ ’Twas a lass.”

Graeme’s head reared back. “A lass? In battle? What mean you?”

“ ’Tis a long story, and one I have need to tell,” Bowen said.

Graeme stared at him with narrowed eyes. A knock at the door interrupted whatever would be said next. Bowen went to admit the serving woman, and she nervously brought in the food for the two men.

When she finished setting out the food by the hearth, Bowen saw her to the door and in a low voice said, “See that Genevieve has food brought to her chamber this night. She will be hungry.”

The serving woman dipped a curtsy, her lips pressed into a fine line.

“So tell me of this lass who felled Patrick McHugh,” Graeme said as Bowen returned to the fire.

“I would tell you the whole if it,” Bowen said. “ ’Tis too important not to.”

Graeme arched an eyebrow but fell silent.

“Do you remember the lass who directed us to where Eveline was being held in the dungeon? She wore a cape with a hood and her face was hidden from view.”

Graeme frowned a moment, his brow creased in concentration. “Aye, I remember. I was frantic to find Eveline. ’Tis a shame. I never had the opportunity to thank the lass. Everything happened so quickly after that.”

“Her name is Genevieve. Genevieve McInnis,” Bowen said slowly.

“The lowland McInnises?” Graeme asked.

“Aye.”

Graeme’s frown deepened. “What’s a McInnis lass doing in McHugh Keep? They are close with the king. The laird’s daughter was killed in an ambush on her way to wed her betrothed.”

Bowen shook his head. “Nay. Genevieve lives still.”

“Wait a moment. Are you saying Genevieve is the laird’s daughter? And that she’s not dead? And she is the one who directed us to Eveline?”

“Aye, but that is only part of the tale. I have much to say, so eat and listen.”

Graeme fell silent and then motioned for Bowen to continue.

“Ian met Genevieve at court and became infatuated with her. He set upon her and her escort when she was traveling to meet her betrothed and killed every member of her party. ’Twas believed she too was killed.”

Graeme started to say something, but Bowen held up his hand.

“Ian took her back to his keep, and when she refused his advances he cut her face so that no man would ever look upon her again with favor.”

Graeme let out a curse. “The poor lass. And she is still here?”

“There is more,” Bowen said quietly. “He raped her repeatedly, forcing her to become his unwilling leman. She has been prisoner here for a year.”

“Have you sent word to her family? Are they coming to fetch her?”

Bowen blew out his breath. “Nay. She would not allow it.”

“Why not?” Graeme demanded. He looked stunned.

“ ’Tis better if I tell you the whole of it. ’Tis a complicated matter, and it only becomes more complicated.”

Graeme’s brows drew together, but he nodded. “Carry on, then.”

“Genevieve is deeply shamed by all that has been done to her. She’s permanently scarred. She bears the shame of what Ian forced upon her. She’s determined not to bring dishonor to her family, and she doesn’t want them to know what was done to her.”

Bowen could see that Graeme itched to argue, so he continued on before Graeme could interrupt again.

“As I said, she is the one who directed us to Eveline.”

He drifted off, reluctant to say the next. He knew it would condemn Genevieve in Graeme’s eyes, and he’d do anything to spare the lass that censure. But he wouldn’t lie to his brother. Graeme needed to know all so the slate was cleaned from the beginning.

“What you don’t know is that Genevieve was responsible, indirectly, for Eveline’s abduction.”