Page 30 of Deception

“You truly do underestimate me if you expect me to believe you were no’ behind the attack.”

Grudging respect replaced his surprise. He shrugged. “I wanted to sever the bond between the MacKenzies and the MacKinnons.”

So, Jacob had been right.

“Murder?” she said. “The three women who died in the carriage were young and innocent.”

He shook his head and said in a hurried whisper, “Nae, lass. It wasnae supposed to be murder. The fool driver was supposed to drive the carriage to a meeting place, but he couldn’t handle the damned horses.”

“What did you mean to do with Lady Alison?”

“I would have eventually ransomed her.”

After she was fifty years old and used up by his men, no doubt. But she doubted even this. Malcolm was not a man to leave ends untied. Jacob was right again. He had intended to kill Lady Alison.

Malcolm opened his mouth to say something more, then paused as a group of men passed. Once the men left earshot, he said, “With you as Jacob MacKinnon’s wife, I can now be privy to all his doings.” He grinned. “Who would’ve guessed that little Linnae would turn out to be my best spy?”

Her stomach knotted. Little Linnae. He hadn’t called her that since she’d turned fifteen.

“By God, together, you and I can rule Skye.”

“Rule Skye?” she said in shock. “Ye are insane.”

She caught sight of Jacob, who now stood with a group of men ten feet behind Malcolm. She gave a slight nod and Jacob strode toward them. He reached her side and turned to face Malcolm.

Surprise flickered in Malcolm’s eyes an instant before he schooled his expression into one of pleasure. “MacKinnon, congratulations on your marriage.” He extended a hand toward Jacob.

Jacob looked at Linnae.

“He says he did no’ intend to kill Lady Alison, but I dinnae believe him. He wants me to spy on you for him,” Linnae went on. “He said we would rule Skye together.”

“What the bloody hell?” Malcolm cried.

Jacob’s brows shot up. “I imagine Dòmhnall will be interested to learn his captain intends to rule in his place. Do ye intend to kill him as you did Lady Alison?”

“I never went near Lady Alison,” Malcolm snarled.

“Reams,” Jacob said.

Malcolm whirled as Reams stepped up beside him.

“Throw him into the dungeon with his men,” Jacob said.

“Do you know who I am?” Malcolm demanded. “I am captain to Laird Donald, and I came here in the spirit of peace to congratulate you on your marriage.”

“You asked my wife to spy for you,” Jacob said. “That alone is enough for me to hang you.”

“You believe a serving girl over me?” Malcolm growled.

“Lady Linnae is my wife,” Jacob said.

“She might be your wife, but I know her well—far better than you do. She lived at Glenwood Abbey eleven years. We were very…close.”

Linnae gasped.

Jacob smiled coldly. “I know ye are no’ implying my wife was your lover, for that would mean I would have to kill you where you stand.”

A shout went up. Linnae whirled. A man near the door stood, sword drawn. Two guards pointed spears at him. The room had gone silent.

“Michael,” Jacob hissed.

From the corner of her eye, Linnae saw Malcolm lunge.

“Jacob!”

Jacob whirled, barely dodging Malcolm’s fist to his jaw. Reams dove for Malcolm, but Malcolm leapt aside. Jacob drove his fist into Malcolm’s belly as large hands seized Linnae’s shoulders and yanked her away from the fray. She tumbled back into the arms of a large warrior.

Malcolm swung his fist in an uppercut and caught the edge of Jacob’s jaw. Jacob’s head snapped to the side. Linnae cried out when Malcolm yanked from its sheath the knife strapped to his belt. Reams lunged. Malcolm swung the knife and slit the left sleeve of Reams’ shirt. Red splattered one end of the rip, but Reams lowered his head and rammed into Malcolm’s belly, driving Malcolm back against the side of the hearth.

Half a dozen warriors surged toward them and Linnae lost sight of them for an instant, then glimpsed Reams and Malcolm on the floor in a tangle of long legs and flying fists. A warrior stepped in front of her. Linnae pushed past him in time to see Jacob yank the knife from his belt and fling it at Malcolm as he shoved to his feet. The point hit home in the center of his chest. Malcolm’s eyes widened in shock, then he collapsed onto the floor.

Jacob spun and pushed through the crowd toward the other man—Michael, Linnae remembered. God have mercy. The guards held him pinned against the wall with their spears. A dozen other men stood behind the guards.