Highlanders Collection. Ann Lethbridge

made it clear that he intended to do just that. ‘You can’t stop me if you’re already gone.’

      Bram grasped Dougal by the wrist. The boy yelped as he dragged him past the others, seizing a length of rope from near the stables. While the boy cursed and struggled, Bram tied him up, securing the end of the rope to a post. ‘You’re going nowhere, lad.’

      He didn’t care that what he was doing would humiliate his brother. What mattered most was keeping him safe. The ropes weren’t tight enough to hurt him, only to prevent him from following. He also left enough slack in the rope where Dougal could enter the stables for shelter, if it rained.

      ‘I hate you,’ Dougal raged, struggling against his bonds. ‘I wish you’d never come back.’

      Bram returned to his horse, knowing that it was the boy’s anger speaking. But the barbed words had their intended effect. It bothered him that his youngest brother didn’t know him anymore. And Dougal couldn’t understand that Bram only meant to protect him.

      Alex raised an eyebrow at the sight of their brother fighting to tear off the ropes, struggling to escape. ‘You think that will stop Dougal?’

      ‘Do you have a better idea?’

      Alex shrugged. ‘Not really.’

      When they returned, Bram supposed he’d have to do something to atone for his actions. But it was better for Dougal’s pride to suffer than for him to become Lord Cairnross’s captive.

      ‘Nairna or Laren can cut him free tomorrow,’ Bram said. ‘By then, we’ll be far from here.’

      ‘I don’t envy them, having to live with Dougal while we’re gone.’ Alex grimaced. ‘He changed after our father died. He’s angry all the time.’

      ‘What about our mother?’ Bram ventured. ‘Was he better when she was here?’

      Alex shook his head. ‘No. Grizel ignored him in her grief and he became a hellion. She wanted nothing to do with either of us.’ With a nod towards their brother, he added, ‘Leave him be. That’s the only solution.’

      Bram cast a look towards Dougal, who was raging at the others around him. Some of the older men teased him, which only provoked the boy’s temper further.

      He saw Nairna approaching, carrying a bit of food. When she caught sight of Dougal, her face grew troubled.

      She made the mistake of going to speak to the lad, and when she offered him the food, Dougal snarled at her, kicking at her ankles.

      Bram’s temper erupted and he crossed the space until he reached the boy. He ignored Nairna’s protests and caught Dougal by the scruff of his tunic. ‘You don’t touch my wife. You don’t speak unkindly to her or dare to harm her in any way.’

      His hands exerted a light pressure, and when Dougal tried to bite him, Bram tightened the force.

      Without looking at his wife, he added, ‘Nairna, he’s not to be released until tomorrow morning.’

      ‘But—’

      ‘He can’t follow us.’ Looking deep into the boy’s eyes, he lowered his voice. ‘You don’t know what kind of hell Callum is enduring right now. But I do. And I won’t let you or anyone else become their captive.’ Raising the boy’s chin, he added, ‘While I’m gone, you’ll treat Nairna with respect. Or you’ll answer to me for it.’

      Bram released the boy, letting Dougal see his scarred wrists. At the sight of his mauled skin, the boy quieted.

      Nairna looked upset, but Bram took her hand, leading her away.

      ‘It’s not right,’ she protested. ‘He’s too young to be tied up like that.’

      ‘He’s four and ten. And he knows better than to behave like a stubborn fool.’ With a squeeze to her hand, he ordered, ‘Don’t let your compassion get the best of you, Nairna. Don’t believe a word that passes his lips. He’ll try to find us if you free him.’

      He had no doubt that Dougal would do anything possible to escape. ‘Swear to me,’ Bram urged. ‘Don’t let him follow us.’

      Nairna gave a slight nod, worry creasing her lips. ‘Do I truly need to wait until tomorrow?’

      ‘If he behaves himself, you can cut him free late tonight.’ He stopped walking when they were a few paces away from Alex and the others. ‘It’s for his safety.’

      Reluctance lined her face, but she agreed with a nod. He could see that she didn’t like what she had to do, but she understood his reasons.

      He stopped walking, taking a moment to study her. In her eyes he saw worry and regretted that they’d had no time together.

      ‘I’ll return in just over a sennight, if all goes well,’ he said.

      She embraced him. ‘God be with you on your journey.’ Into his hands she pressed a bundle of food.

      She’d known he wouldn’t take the time to break his fast, and the gesture made him tighten his arms around her.

      A hollow feeling unfurled within him, for he didn’t know if he’d see her again. If the worst happened …

      It’s different this time, he reminded himself. Instead of Nairna remaining in his shadowed memory, she would be here, waiting for him. He had a flesh-and-blood reason to return, a woman who had already driven out so many of the demons.

      Until then, he had to concentrate on finding Callum. And coming back alive.

      ‘You’re not going to leave me here,’ Dougal growled as Nairna drew close.

      ‘Have you broken your fast this morn?’ she asked, ignoring his fury.

      ‘Why would you care?’ He spat at her feet.

      Nairna continued past him, returning to the Hall to fetch some bread, before she came back. Her brothers had always been in worse tempers when they were hungry. No doubt Dougal had been so eager to follow Bram and the others, he’d neglected a morning meal.

      When she reached him once more, she held out the bread. ‘Do you want this?’

      ‘What I want is for you to cut me free.’ He glared at her, fighting against the ropes that held him bound to one of the palisade posts.

      ‘And what I want is for the women to come back,’ she countered.

      ‘They don’t matter. Good riddance to them.’

      ‘Even your own mother?’ She broke off a piece of the bread, setting it on the ground within reach.

      He snatched it up, shoving it into his mouth to avoid answering. Behind his brown eyes, she saw the shadow of hurt. ‘I don’t care if I see any of them again.’

      The lie slipped from his mouth and he didn’t meet her gaze. Nairna left the remainder of the bread at his feet.

      ‘I’m going to bring them back,’ she promised. ‘But first, I need to learn more about what happened with the attacks.’

      ‘I’ve nothing to say to you.’ Dougal ate the bread, his gaze fixated upon the horizon where his brothers were disappearing over the ridge. The intense longing on his face and the adolescent sense of unfairness possessed him.

      Bram was right, Nairna realised. If she dared to loosen the ropes, the boy would be gone within a few minutes. Though she hated the thought of keeping him tied up, there seemed to be no alternative.

      ‘I’ll bring you food and drink later,’ she promised. With a reluctant glance back at Dougal, she left him behind.

      Inside the Hall, the MacKinloch men had left the evidence of their own meal from the night before, with bits of bread, discarded meat and refuse strewn everywhere.

      The chief’s wife Laren crossed the Hall, seeming to recognise the dismay on her face. ‘It’s