Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1)(89)

Sweet Jesu, she was in a dungeon.

What could anyone want with her in a dungeon?

She thought hard on the events leading up to her capture. It was all a blur. She’d spoken to Mary and then stepped outside to eat her bread and cheese and enjoy a breath of fresh air. And then Kierstan …

Realization was sick and overwhelming. Kierstan had led her around the keep to the bathhouse. Kierstan was with her when the intruder had struck Eveline’s jaw. Kierstan, who hadn’t made a move to aid Eveline or to call for help.

Eveline drew up her arms as far as the chains would allow and tried to warm her cold fingertips. Then she yelled with all her might. She screamed as loudly as her throat would allow and she continued screaming until she was no longer certain she even had a voice.

In the distance she saw a flash of light. She leaned up, uncertain as to whether she imagined it. But nay, it was coming closer, and as it did, she could make out the silhouette of a man carrying the torch.

Her pulse thudded painfully against her chest and temples, making her head ache viciously from the two blows she’d taken earlier.

She drew her legs protectively against her body, determined to do whatever necessary to ensure she didn’t incur further injury.

And then the torch was thrust forward, nearly blinding her. She flinched away from the sudden light, shielding her eyes with one hand.

The man yanked her hand down, twisting cruelly until she cried out in pain. Then he wrapped his hand in her hair, hauling upward so her face was forced closer to his. It was then she saw his features and knew who her captor was.

Fear rendered her immobile. Ian McHugh was a man she thought capable of all manner of evil. Over time his power had grown enormously in her mind until she imagined him some demon from hell.

But oddly, as he stood holding her at his mercy, he seemed much smaller than she’d remembered. He had a slight build, much smaller than the average warrior. How had he seemed so much larger than life just a few years before?

Had she made him more than he was because he talked so big and she feared him so deeply? Or maybe her panic was producing stupid thoughts, telling her that she could fight back, that she wouldn’t let this evil idiot make her cower as he had when she was younger.

Perhaps the time with Graeme and his clan had given her a strength she lacked while in the protective bosom of her own clan. She’d had to fight for any respect she earned in the Montgomery clan. She was fiercely proud that no one had given her a thing.

“I’ve heard of your grand deception,” Ian said, spittle rimming his lips. His face was red with rage that was only made more prominent by the flames from the torch.

He reached up to insert the torch into one of the sconces over Eveline’s head, and then he yanked her upright until she was straining on tiptoe, his face just a breath from hers.

It was then she saw Ian’s father, Patrick McHugh, standing off in the shadows. He looked uneasy, as if he wanted no part in the entire thing, and when he saw that Eveline was staring at him, he faded back so he was no longer in her line of sight.

Her heart sank. If Ian’s father was an accomplice, what hope did she have? And he seemed frightened of Ian, which made no sense to her. Patrick was larger and stronger than Ian. He was a warrior. What warrior would allow his son to threaten him?

Her glance darted back to Ian when he shook her to gain her attention. Hatred shone like a beacon in his eyes. He was the mad one. He looked crazed.

“Played me for a fool. You act the simpleton to escape marriage and instead marry Montgomery. I cannot allow it. ’Twas supposed to be an alliance the McHughs forged with the Armstrongs. We would have been invincible! You’ll pay for your deception, Eveline Armstrong. No one makes me look the fool and escapes retribution.”

“Nay,” she bit out, interrupting his tirade. “ ’Tis Eveline Montgomery now.”

His eyes widened. “So the simpleton chooses to speak. Kierstan informed me that you found your tongue shortly after arriving at Montgomery Keep. I wondered if the lamb would find the courage to bite with the teeth of a lioness. I think I prefer the new and improved Eveline over the pale, skinny coward who went rigid with fright every time I came into contact with her. It will be a lot more entertaining to break the new Eveline.”

“Why are you doing this?” she demanded as loudly as she could make her voice. “You have to know Graeme will kill you.” Her glance darted to where she knew Patrick McHugh to be standing. “He’ll kill all of you.”

Ian smiled, and it sent a shiver down Eveline’s spine.

“He’ll never know where you are. And your father? Even now, he’s likely riding on the Montgomerys, intent on war and revenge.”

Fear rocketed through her chest, squeezing her, robbing her of air. “What have you done?”

“It doesn’t look good that Graeme Montgomery’s new bride has gone missing. Nor does it sit well with the Montgomerys that a man bearing the dress of the Armstrong clan made an attempt on the Montgomery laird’s life. What think you will happen when the two clans come head-to-head?”

“You were the one who shot Graeme with the arrow,” Eveline breathed.

“Nay, not exactly. ’Twas not me, but a man under my command.” He shrugged. “ ’Tis the same. The result is the same. There’ll be no peace, no alliance between the Montgomerys and the Armstrongs. They’ll be too busy fighting each other and will be branded outlaws by the king. They’ll pose no threat to other clans. Instead, we’ll take them down, one by one, and collect a rich purse as bounty. When I am done, the McHugh name will be the most highly revered in the highlands.”