Again the messenger had to tell his embarrassing tale. This time there were at least thirty outlaws who had attacked him. Robbers and murderers who were excellent marksmen and were equipped with grand weapons, much more deadly devices than he’d described earlier.
“Think you that the outlaw and Tadd of Prydd have joined together?” asked Darton. He crossed his arms over his chest and studied the messenger intently.
Frederick shook his head and accepted a mug of soup, which he quickly devoured. The hounds moved closer, hoping for a morsel, and several servants and guests listened to Frederick. If Erbyn was attacked, no one would be safe.
Nelson Rowley scowled thoughtfully. “I had planned to leave in the morning.”
Hagan’s mouth twisted into a scowl. “I’ll have my men search the road and woods, but I myself saw the outlaws in the woods today.”
Frederick’s back straightened a bit, but he went on with his meal.
“The leader is indeed Wolf; I met him years ago. The men who were riding with him were fewer in number than Frederick reported, and less well armed, but if they join with Prydd—”
“They will not!” Sorcha said, tired of all the gossip of her home.
“You know not what your brother has planned.”
“He would not deal with outlaws,” she said, but even as the words passed her tongue, she knew she was lying. Tadd had no loyalty.
“Ha!” Darton rubbed his thumb over the nails of his fingers. “Tadd is not so pure, Sorcha, and we all know that he thinks the truce between Erbyn and Prydd little more than a yoke which strangles him. He’s no prince, m’lady, and I think you know it as well.”
“You do not even give him the chance to prove his good intentions.”
Hagan tossed his gloves onto the table. “I have ordered no attack on Prydd.”
Sorcha wasn’t conv
inced. “Not yet.”
“In good time,” Darton said.
“And I will go to Prydd myself, seek counsel with Tadd.” Hagan motioned for more wine, and the serving maid complied.
Sorcha felt herself begin to smile. “Then Leah and I can return.”
Hagan’s gaze turned thoughtful. He rubbed the back of his neck and felt the weight of everyone’s gaze on his back. “If I take you home, what’s to prevent Tadd from tossing me in his dungeon and demanding ransom?”
Her heart sank and her small fists clenched. “You’re a coward.”
“Nay, woman, just not the fool you take me for.”
“But—”
He whirled on her, his fury as dark as a midnight storm. “Don’t argue with me, Sorcha,” he hissed. He loomed above her, a horrid, hateful beast who would imprison her. How silly she was to think that she was falling in love with him.
“I will not be held captive, and don’t even argue and say that I’m your guest, for we both know much differently, don’t we, Lord Hagan?” Without waiting for her leave, she swept up the stairs.
Hagan caught her halfway and dragged her up the remaining steps.
“Don’t you ever defy me in front of my men!” he ordered.
“Your men are all cowards like your brother.”
“Keep still—” Hagan warned.
But she could not. Instead she glared up at him. “Do you know what your brother did to Leah?” she demanded. “Did he tell you that he tied her to the bed and raped her? That he allowed his men to watch? That he would have killed her if he didn’t enjoy the sport of torturing her?”
“He admitted that he took her to his bed.”