Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“It is one thing to think me a savage, another thing to think me a fool to believe your lies,” Noble said, a harshness not only in his voice but on his handsome face as well. “You did not come here ignorant of what you would face, but you did come here believing you were more skilled than the warriors you would face… a deadly mistake for sure. Now tell me who sent you.”
One of the other men was quick to respond. “Lord William of Clan Braverman.”
“So that’s who is financing Hedley’s quest to gain control of my clan,” Lady Elizabeth said with fierce anger as she hurried her steps toward Noble and Leora.
Noble turned to snap at the older woman. “You have no business being here.”
“It appears we both have a penchant for being places we shouldn’t be,” Lady Elizabeth countered.
Leora hurried to intervene and to prevent the squabble between the two from escalating. “Why would Lord William finance Hedley’s efforts to gain control of your clan?”
“Lord William has long desired to unite our clans, though his true intentions are to gain control of my clan. He can do that with me out of the way and by marrying his only daughter to Hedley.” She shook her head. “Lord William will tolerate Hedley until his daughter produces an heir to Clan MacMurray, then he will see the fool disposed of quickly.” She shook her head again. “I knew someone had to be helping Hedley. He does not have the finances nor the intelligence to do this on his own.” Her eyes went wide. “Good Lord, I forgot that William has skilled archers.” She turned to the prisoners. “You’re part of his elite troop of archers, aren’t you?”
The man in the middle who had claimed to speak for the three of them kept silent, not so the one who provided Lord William’s name.
“We are and—”
“Shut up, Neville!” the man in the middle ordered.
“Why? We are damned no matter what we say. Lord William would see us punished for failing to do as he ordered, and that is if we ever make it home, nor would he care if he learned we were captured, and the Gallowglass are not known for being kind to their captives. So, my best choice is to cooperate and hope that provides me with a quick death.”
“Neville’s right,” the other prisoner said.
“What if I offered you a different choice?” Lady Elizabeth asked.
“You have no authority to do so,” Noble warned.
“Then give me the authority,” she snapped.
“Nay!” Noble commanded. “Nothing less than death awaits them for attacking my clan.”
“That is nonsense,” Lady Elizabeth said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Killing serves no purpose. Use them to your benefit.”
Noble laughed. “You are naïve to think they could be of any benefit. They cannot be trusted and—”
Lady Elizabeth was quick to correct him. “Maybe the middle one can’t be trusted but the other two I believe will do whatever is necessary to survive.”
The two men nodded vigorously.
“You fools!” the man in the middle shouted at each of them. “You will still lose your life in the end.”
“Not if given the chance to run,” Leora said, looking from one to the other of all three men and all of them avoiding her glance. “Lowlanders who would brave the Highlands for the clan they serve would fight to the end to see their mission accomplished. They would not want to return home defeated, the only survivors of their troop. That would be worse than defeat. It would make them appear cowards.”
“Wise words, wife,” Noble praised, seeing the look of defeat on the three men’s faces.
“Hmmm,” Lady Elizabeth said, glaring at the three men. “I should have considered that. Willaim’s warriors are loyal to him. William would not be stingy with the amount of men he sent. Are there more men than those who attacked today?”
Leora spoke up before her husband could explode at the woman. “It is my husband’s duty to question these men, not yours, Lady Elizabeth. You either remain here holding your tongue or take your leave now.” And when Lady Elizabeth went to respond, Leora added, “Or be forcibly removed.”
Lady Elizabeth smiled. “Aye, you are much like me.” She folded her arms across her chest and pressed her lips tightly together.
“Lord William said we would be doing the Lowlands a favor in getting rid of the foolish, old hag,” Neville said as if the woman had proven Lord William’s words true.
Leora’s hand shot out to grip Lady Elizabeth’s arm, a warning to hold her tongue, though Leora did not hold her tongue.
“It would appear Lord William was remiss in his remark since it appears Lady Elizabeth is not the fool here and, unlike her, you will not be surviving the Highlands.”
Lady Elizabeth grinned from ear to ear while the men seemed to just realize their fate and looked at Noble.