Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

T hey dozed on the bed for a few hours, wrapped in each other's arms. Tadhg slept fitfully because since their vigorous bout of lovemaking, which had at the time made him forget the pain he was in from the beating, it came back with a vengeance.

Aside from his physical discomfort, he felt an enormous sense of wellbeing to have Alana sleeping in his arms. He could hardly believe the way things had changed so drastically between them. Of course, it was all he had dreamed of, but it was still hard for him to take in the fact that Alana had forgiven him for leaving her.

Maybe we will end up having that wedding and bein' man and wife after all.

It annoyed him that he was not at leisure to fully enjoy their new-found closeness. Being able to lay together was indeed a marvelous thing. But he wanted to be with her all the time, enjoying all the simple, domestic pleasures loving couples did, like going to market to buy groceries for dinner or tending the garden together. He wanted bairns with her.

Ye're gettin' ahead of yersel', man! Ye've only just got her back. Dinnae go scarin' her away with yer dreamin'. And besides, there's other matters that need attendin' tae first, like Blaine.

"A penny fer yer thoughts," came a soft voice. Alana rose up from his arms, leaned over, and kissed him on the lips. She smiled into his eyes, and his chest filled with warmth to see the tenderness they held.

"They're nae worth that much," he quipped, kissing her back and brushing aside the long curling tresses of her dark mane, "but I'll take yer penny." He took a few moments to drink her in and had to shake his head in wonder. "How is it that ye can look so bloody beautiful when ye wake up?"

She fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously and replied, "Maybe because that's how ye make me feel. And anyway, I'm nae sure I'm the only beautiful one around here." She kissed the tip of his nose playfully. "Ye're nae so bad yersel'." But then her humorous expression changed to one of worry as she scrutinized his face. "Except fer those nasty bruises and wounds tae yer poor face. I must dae somethin' about them at once." She moved to get out of bed, but Tadhg, not wanting her to go, caught her wrist.

"Hey, where d'ye think ye're goin'?"

She gently disengaged her wrist and got out of bed. "I'm goin' tae see Moira, of course, tae get somethin' fer yer face. Ye must be in a lot of pain. Have ye lost any teeth?" She asked, flicking him a questioning glance as she dressed quickly in her red gown quickly, not bothering with petticoats or stays.

"Nay, ye ken yersel' I'm as tough as old boots. I'll mend. But I have tae admit, I'm hurtin'," he told her, yawning and rubbing a hand through his hair. "I suppose I'm goin' back on the willow tea."

"Aye, or maybe somethin' a wee bit stronger until that bruising subsides. Ach, I'd love tae get me hands on the bastard who did that tae ye and teach him a lesson," she said, putting on her slippers and heading for the door. She smiled back at him over her shoulder before she went out. "I'll nae be long. If ye feel up tae it, put the kettle on the fire tae boil. It'll save waitin'."

"Aye, be quick, I'm already missin' ye," he called after her truthfully. He did not like her going anywhere without him, especially not after the horrors of the kidnapping and captivity, however brief. While he waited, he cast his mind back to his meeting with Blaine, when he had agreed to go on the scouting mission for him. What had really been going on yesterday when Blaine arrived and so heroically "rescued" them?

Tadhg had deliberately not asked Blaine about who their kidnappers had been, nor why they had been taken, nor if those responsible had been punished. That Blaine had failed to mention something so important seemed highly suspicious. Plus, his explanation as to how he had discovered their whereabouts was sketchy to say the least. It all smacked of skullduggery.

When Alana came back a short while later, she gave him the revolting willow tea, and set then set about tending to his injuries.

"After what happened yesterday, I trust Blaine even less than I did before," he told her as she tenderly bathed his damaged face.

"Aye, I dinnae trust him one inch. There's nae doubt in me mind he's up tae something."

"I just wish I knew what it is. Ow, that stings!"

"Sorry, I'm tryin' tae be gentle. There must be a way we can find out. I have the feelin' it has somethin' tae dae with me faither's disappearance."

"Aye, me too. Ye're right, we have tae find out somehow."

"Well, I've been thinkin' about that, and I've come up with a plan of sorts," she said, carefully applying salve to one of the many cuts on his cheeks.

He looked at her in surprise, then he frowned. "A plan? What sort of plan? If it puts ye in danger, then ye can forget it."

"Blaine likes me. We should take advantage of that. I thought I could meet with him, maybe try flirting a little, and try tae learn something."

"Absolutely nae," Tadhg replied vehemently, hating the thought of her flirting with Blaine. "Ow, that stings!"

"It was meant tae. Ye say nay without even thinkin' about it. If ye have another plan, I'll gladly go along with it, if I think it could work. D'ye have a better idea?"

Tadhg huffed. "Nay. But I still dinnae like the sound of yers. What if it goes too far and he tries tae take advantage of ye?"

"Ah! Ye're jealous, are ye?" She smiled as she gently pressed a cold compress of witch hazel to the worst of the bruising.

"Damn right, I'm jealous! But that's beside the point. 'Tis nae why I'm rejectin' yer so-called plan. Well, nae entirely."

"Why then?"

"Because 'tis dangerous fer ye, of course. I dinnae want ye tae be alone with

the man. Who kens what he's capable of? If that performance of yesterday was anythin' tae go by, he wants me dead. And with me out of the way, ye're at his mercy."

She stopped what she was doing and looked at him keenly. "Ye really think so?"

"I ken it, lass! Ye're the one who told me how fast that bastard who was beatin' on me and tryin' tae take ye ran out when ye told him yer name? And then how quickly Blaine came tae the rescue?" He shook his head. "If ye hadnae been with me, ye can bet yer last crown I'd be lyin' in a ditch somewhere, food fer the crows."

"Lord, Tadhg, is that what ye believe? That he meant tae kill ye?"

"Alana, 'tis ye he wants, but ye have a husband, me. A very inconvenient husband," he explained patiently. "I was meant tae die in that cellar, so he can marry the MacTavish widow. Ye bein' there too saved me. He didnae expect that tae happen. I have a target on me back, fer sure."

Her eyes widened as she contemplated his words, and he could see she was

disturbed by them. "The bastard!" she muttered to herself, returning to her task. Then, after a moment, she added, "When I was talkin' tae Moira just now, she mentioned Blaine, and she said he was always troublemaking, even as a bairn.

"Apparently, he's always been headstrong, and a bit violent too. I got the impression she daesnae really like him but didnae want tae come out and say it plainly. She has a lot of respect fer me faither, and I suppose if me faither daesnae come back, Blaine will be her employer. She didnae wish tae speak out of turn perhaps."

"Aye, I expect so. I can believe that about Blaine. Knox said he's headstrong as well. Remember the way he set about me with such fury when we were supposed tae be havin' a friendly spar?"

"Aye. Ye still have the wound on yer chest from it. Well, that settles it as far as I'm concerned. We have tae try tae find out what he's up tae. "So, d'ye have a better plan than mine?" she asked, applying more salve.

"Aye, as it happens, I dae. We dae what any good scout would dae. We watch him tae see where he goes, and then we follow him. He may well give us some answers without ye takin' any risks."

"And if that daesnae work?" she asked, casting a final approving look over her handiwork before starting to tidy away the medical supplies.

"Then I'll reconsider yer suggestion."

"All right. Let's try it." She smiled at him and gave him a small kiss. "Now, how are ye feelin'? Is the willow tea workin' yet?"

"Aye, me headache's fadin'. I'm startin' tae feel better," he said, returning her smile. "But I can think of somethin' that'll perk me up nae end."

Alana shrieked with laughter as he pulled her back into the bed with him and rolled on top of her. "I think we've just about got time afore breakfast," he murmured, looking deeply into her eyes before hungrily taking possession of her lips once more.

Later that day, they were invited to attend another council meeting.

"They're only askin' me tae attend out of politeness because they dinnae wantae upset ye," Tadhg whispered to Alana after a servant informed them of the meeting after luncheon.

"Aye, good. I hope it annoys them tae see us together after what happened yesterday, especially Blaine. Let's be extra lovin', just tae make them sweat a bit and see ye're nae so easily gotten rid of."

Tadgh grinned and said, "That's me lassie, a wee spitfire. Aye, I'm all fer layin' it on thick. If Blaine gets angry about us bein' so close, he might let somethin' slip. And I suggest we start here, so it gets back tae him," he added, taking her in his arms in the busy vestibule and kissing her soundly.

Alana threw herself into the part of doting wife with enthusiasm, even giggling shyly after they broke apart in the face of some strange looks.

They spent some time walking in the garden hand in hand before the meeting, going over the matter of following Blaine.

"The best time tae dae it would be after dinner tonight when there are quite a few people about the place. That should give us a bit of cover," Tadhg said.

"Aye, alright, and if he sees us and challenges us, we can say we were tryin' tae find somewhere private and got lost," Alana suggested.

"Sound plan." He nodded just as a servant came to tell them the meeting was about to start, and Blaine was requesting their presence.

"We'll be there directly," Tadhg told the man, who hurried back to the castle. They followed him at a more leisurely pace.

When they arrived at the council chamber, everyone else was already there, including Blaine.

"How are ye both? What a terrible ordeal fer ye tae have tae go through," he greeted them as soon as they entered the council chamber. "I'm very sorry it happened on me watch." He looked at Tadhg's battered face with what looked like sympathy. But Alana did not believe it for a minute.

"I'm just about recovered," she replied, "thanks tae yer heroic rescue, Blaine. But poor Tadhg here," she placed her hand on her husband's arm and looked up at him solicitously, "he was brutalized by some uncouth monster who found it amusin' tae cause pain."

"Aye, I ken. The man's name was Andrew Lawrence apparently. A very bad man, the chief of a band of vicious brigands who prey on travelers around those parts. I killed him mesel' as we were tryin' tae get tae ye, and several of his men were killed too."

"Well, I'm amazed that ye managed it with only two men with ye," Tadhg put in, earning a sharp glance from Alana. "Ye and yer men are tae be congratulated fer putting up such a courageous fight and winnin' against the odds."

"I couldnae let anythin' happen tae ye while ye're me guests," Blaine replied. "What kind of a host would I be then? But I'm truly sorry ye got such a bad a beatin', Tadhg. Lawrence certainly made a mess of yer face. Me and the council hope yer injuries are nae too bad and will heal soon."

"Thank ye, Blaine, I appreciate yer concern. And I'm pleased tae hear the villain who inflicted them on me has met justice, though I would have liked tae take me revenge on him mesel' fer the insult tae me and me dear wife. But I'm grateful fer ye gettin' us out of there when ye did. Ye came just in time, did he nae, Alana, me love?"

Alana did not have to try to pretend to be upset about Lawrence, if that was his name, threatening to assault her in the worst possible way. The fear came back to her, and tears pressed at the back of her eyes. She got out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.

Blaine's eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. "What is it, Alana? What happened?" he asked with what could only be genuine anxiety.

"Ach, she daesnae like tae remember it," Tadhg told him quietly, enfolding Alana in his arms and stroking her hair tenderly. "There, there, me poor darlin'. 'Tis all over now. Blaine killed the scoundrel, so he can never hurt ye again."

Behind her hanky, Alana could see Blaine was getting riled up. And when Tadhg leaned over and whispered in his ear, his face went scarlet, and his mouth turned to a snarl.

He turned to her. "Alana, I had nae idea what ye suffered. The bastard! I'll kill– I'm glad I killed him!" he exclaimed; his fists clenched at his sides.

"Och, ye're so courageous, Blaine," she simpered, "and we're both so grateful, are we nae, Tadhg?"

"We surely are, me lassie. Now, come and sit yersel' down, eh?"

"Of course, I apologize fer forgettin' me manners," Blaine told her, appearing to collect himself. He gestured at the empty seats to his left. "Come and sit down, the both of ye, and we can start the meetin'."

They took their seats. After Blaine officially opened the meeting, Roger Huston addressed Alana and Tadhg. "The whole council wishes me tae tell ye both how sorry we are fer what ye went through at the hands of those brigands. We're all very glad tae see ye back safe here today."

"I thank ye and all the council members fer their good wishes," Alana told the old advisor gracefully.

"We'd like ye both tae stay here with us until ye decide what ye want tae dae, Lady Alana, and the council can come tae a decision about what action tae take about getting Laird John back safely," Roger further explained.

"Is there any news about me faither? He's been gone over a week. Surely, ye ken who has him by now," Alana said, her concern real, even though she still harbored resentment towards him.

"We've heard naethin'," Blaine cut in. "'Tis very concernin'. I expected tae get a ransom demand by now. Me men are still searchin' fer him. I'm doin' all I can." He looked at Tadhg and added, "I'm very disappointed that Tadgh's scoutin' mission ended in failure. I hoped, with his skills, he would have tracked me faither down, but alas, it was nae tae be." His expression as he finished his speech was one of heartfelt woe.

"Aye, it daesnae look good fer the laird. If whoever took him daesnae want a

ransom then 'tis hard nae tae conclude they had some sort of score tae settle with him. I'm sorry tae say this, Lady Alana, but we fear he may already be dead."

"Aye, I realize that, but it's only been a little over a week. There's still reason tae hope," Alana replied, feeling a peculiar stab of dread at the idea the laird might have been killed, however she felt about him.

"Thank ye, Alana, that's what I keep sayin', but as ye can tell, me advisors are nae so optimistic," Blaine chimed in vehemently, acting as if his advisors were culpable for the abduction. "But I'm nae prepared tae write me faither off just yet," he added fiercely.

There were mild protests from some of the councilmen then. After they died down, Roger said, "On behalf of the entire council, Blaine, I can assure ye there's nae question of givin' up. In the absence of any news or information, we remain optimistic, but at the same time, we're just tryin' tae prepare fer the worst. As things are, however, there appears tae be naethin' more tae dae than step up the search. We must get more men out there, lookin' fer the laird."

"I'm already on that," Blaine insisted tetchily. "And if ye dinnae mind, I'd like tae get back tae tryin' tae find me faither. I call an endin' tae this meetin'. We'll reconvene tomorrow at the same time if naethin' happens before then," he declared.

"What did ye say tae him when ye whispered in his ear?" Alana asked Tadhg after they left the meeting and were out of anyone's earshot.

"That the man who beat me was about tae rape ye before ye told him who ye are," he replied.

"Why did ye dae that?" she asked, mildly offended. It was not an experience she wanted others to know about.

"Two reasons. First, I just wanted tae see how he reacted. I wasnae disappointed."

"He looked as though he was about tae burst a blood vessel."

"Aye, he was furious. That told me that he arranged the whole thing, but his hired lackey overreached himself with ye bein' there, thinkin' ye were naethin' but some wee whore I'd bought and paid fer that he could use," he explained.

"So, ye're sayin' Blaine paid that man tae kidnap us and keep us locked up at that horrible inn?"

"Aye. How else would he have kent where tae find us, or even that we were in trouble? 'Tis obvious, and the way he reacted just confirms it."

"All right. That makes sense. What was the second reason?" Alana asked, reeling a little from Tadhg's assertion.

"Eh?"

"Ye said there were two reasons why ye told Blaine about the man goin' tae attack me."

"Oh, aye, so I did." He halted them outside the door to their chamber, put his hands lightly on her shoulders, and looked into her eyes, planting a small kiss on her forehead. "The second reason was that if I cannae kill that filthy scum who was about tae attack ye mesel', the next best thing is tae let Blaine dae it."

"I'm confused. Did Blaine nae say he killed that man? Lawrence something, he said his name was, a brigand chief," she replied, frowning.

Tadhg gave a small, mirthless laugh. "That was just a nursery tale, Alana, a sop thrown tae satisfy me pride and put us off the scent. There was nae brigand chief. That man was Blaine's lackey, and ye can bet he's goin' about his business, waitin' fer his employer tae give him his next job. But now I've told Blaine the man was about tae rape ye, ye can be sure the scum willnae live much longer."

Alana was amazed at his reasoning. "So, ye told him… so he would kill that man… and that would be me revenge?"

"Aye. Revenge fer the insult he did ye. I couldnae allow that tae go unpunished. And also, fer the beatin' he gave me, of course. But mainly fer ye."

"Tadhg! How yer mind works sometimes is a mystery tae me," she exclaimed. "'Tis like a labyrinth. I hardly ken what tae think. I should nae be glad someone is gonnae be killed because of me, but…"

"Exactly. Look at it like this, Alana. 'Tis nae just about revenge. Imagine if it hadnae been ye locked up in that cellar, helpless, tied tae a chair with nae way of escape. What if it hadnae been Lady Alana MacIver? What if it was an ordinary lassie from the village? Or even a lassie forced tae sell her body. It daesnae matter which." He paused as they mounted the staircase, heading to their chamber, and resumed when they reached their landing.

"The point is, they'd have had nae one tae protect them from that filthy cur, nae hero tae rescue them. Likely, he'd have abused them fer a while as he fancied and then either sold them on or killed them. So, ye see, when Blaine kills him, he willnae ken it, but he'll be revengin' ye and every other lassie who has or might have the misfortune tae fall intae that monster's hands. Because men like that, Alana, they never change. They're the sum of the earth. By gettin' rid of him, we're doin' the world a favor."

"Tadhg!" She opened the door to their room.

"Ach, what is it now? I suppose ye're gonnae tell me off fer wishin' that bastard dead, are ye?"

She grabbed his arm and pulled him over the threshold. "Nay, I'm gonnae tell ye that I think ye're wonderful. Now, come in here and let me show ye how much!"