Page 5 of A Laird and a Fugitive

“Aye, where ye attempted tae steal from my men.” His tone was neutral rather than accusing.

“We were hungry, tired. We just wanted a morsel. If ye would be sae kind as tae give us shelter for the night, I’m sure we could find some way tae repay ye. And we would never be shy about spreading word of yer kindness in the future.”

At this, Laird Knox laughed. It was a low rumble that started in his gut and then shook over his entire body. He brought his cup to his lips again, but hesitated to drink until he had stopped laughing.

“Dae ye think I want people tae believe I’m kind? Then I would hae all kinds of wastrels coming tae my door, begging me for shelter. This is nae an inn. If ye knew anything about me, ye would know that I dinnae give away anything for free,” his voice lowered to a growl.

“As I said, I’m sure I can repay ye,” Caroline gulped.

She didn’t want to think about what kind of payment he might require. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, bracing herself for these next few moments because they were going to define the rest of her life. She was battling with the odds, however, for it didn’t seem as though Laird Knox had any shred of compassion within his heart.

“And how would ye gae about daeing that? The bandits stole everything from ye. Or did ye hae payment of a different kind in mind? Are ye willing tae barter yer sisters?” he asked.

He reached down and tugged the blindfolds away so that he could look into their eyes. He pursed his lips in an approving look. Caroline was incensed. Her fingers twitched, and her wrists rallied against the knots, but the rope held firm. Pain pressed into her, scratching her skin, making her eyes water. But she gritted her teeth.

“I will repay ye,” she emphasized. “They hae suffered enough already. They are just lasses.”

“And ye are a woman?”

“I can be whatever ye want me tae be,” she averted her gaze as she said this, ashamed at how low she was willing to stoop.

Her stomach churned and emotions curdled inside her. Gone were the dreams of marrying for romance, love, and virtue. Now she was having to debase herself, but she promised she would have done anything for Nessa and Tara. At first, she thought this meant dying, but there were other cruel fates, and she would embrace them all if it meant shielding her sisters from the same.

For their part, Nessa and Tara widened their eyes and shook their heads, trying to express themselves.

“It seems they hae something tae say…” Laird Knox reached towards Nessa’s gag.

“I speak for them. I am the eldest. Ye only need tae listen tae me,” Caroline whipped her head around again.

Laird Knox paused. Caroline held her breath, only exhaling when the Laird withdrew his hand.

“Whatever ye want, I will dae. If there is a task ye need completing, then I shall dae it. If ye would like me tae sing or dance, I will dae that as well, anything for the guarantee of shelter for the night, and a hot meal. We dinnae mean tae enter yer territory. Surely ye can see that it was an honest mistake? Or dae ye nae think we hae been through enough taeday? Whatever ye dae, it cannae be any worse than the bandits,” the words poured out of her mouth in a torrent of emotion.

Laird Knox’s nostrils flared. “Ye dinnae want tae test me on that,” he warned.

He rose to a standing position again and tilted his head back, draining the cup dry. He dropped it on the floor. It landed with a clang. A servant rushed to pick it up. Laird Knox rubbed his hands together.

Caroline wanted so badly to say something, to find some magic combination of words that would persuade him to take pity on them, but they clotted under her tongue and she remained silent. Laird Knox paced before Caroline, thinking out loud.

“But if bandits are operating in or near my territory, then they need tae be taught a lesson. Did ye get a good look at the men?”

“I’m afraid nae. It happened tae quickly, and they obscured their faces.” Caroline thought about creating fictitious descriptions of men, but what if they turned out to be accurate and innocent men were punished because of her description?

“And where will ye gae if ye leave here?”

Caroline glanced towards her sisters. “Anywhere we are safe. I will seek shelter and work and try my best tae put this matter behind us. Father always wanted us tae continue the family trade, but I dinnae see how that is possible now.”

“He must hae been a brave man, or foolish, tae take his lassies along the Highland roads. I’m nae sure I would dae the same if I hae daughters. Then again, fathers dinnae always make the wisest decisions. Some never get a chance,” he seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, but quickly collected himself.

He lowered himself into a crouching position and studied her again. He tugged at her shawl, which was loosely wrapped around her shoulders. She gasped as her neck became exposed. His eyes widened.

“It seems as though the bandits dinnae get their hands on all yer valuables,” he reached up and pinched the thin chain that hung around her neck. The outside of his fingers rested against her alabaster skin.

The touch was unexpected and sent a searing heat rushing through her body. She seized entirely, tension tightening her supple skin. Breath was stolen from her throat. He touched where her neck melted into her shoulder, so near to the hollow of her throat, which fluttered as she gulped. He tugged at the chain and something moved beneath her clothes. The family emblem was revealed.

She knew from the look on Laird Knox’s face that she was doomed.

He snarled and wrenched the emblem from around her neck. The thin chain snapped, and he pulled it away, holding it in his palm.