Colin shook his head in wonder. "Ye could have gone astray at the verra least."
"Nay. I knew 'twas on the border, so I kept to that as near as I could. Had to near it ere long."
"Of course," Tavis drawled, his eyes alight with laughter, " 'tis verra logical. I can see that."
"Can ye now." Colin turned his attention to Storm again. "Ye have grown into a verra bonnie woman." He smiled widely when she blushed.
Phelan frowned. "How can ye say that? She looks just like me." He frowned even more when the men suddenly took to coughing. "Well, she does look just like me."
"Nay," Storm said. "Ye look just like me. I looked this way first and have for eight more years than ye."
Grinning, Phelan nodded. "Aye, 'tis true enough. Still and all, I shall be taller."
"Oh, I do hope so." She laughed with Phelan, but then looked at Colin. " 'Tis no guarantee of a ransom this time, m'lord. I would not be surprised to find my father's second wife holding a celebration," she added with a small smile. "She would be fair pleased to see the last of the Eldons she began with eight years ago."
"Och, weel, we shall give it a try, lass. We will put her in the west tower room, Tavis. The boy can bed down in the room just beneath her."
"Nay," Phelan cried, and his gaze was fixed upon Tavis even though he spoke to Colin. "I will stay with Storm even an I must needs sleep upon the floor. 'Tis true I will be little protection an a man wants to visit her, but, if naught else, my presence will make seduction awkward. I swore to her father that I would watch out for her and I shall."
"Then ye shall," said Colin, oblivious to Tavis's obvious displeasure. "Lay him out a pallet in the west tower room. Tavis, lead them to their quarters. I ken they may like to rest a wee bit, mayhaps wash up."
Tavis gave Phelan a harder shove than needed to make the boy move along. He had not really thought to creep to Storm's room like a thief in the night, but the boy's clear intention to stay constantly at her side would make a wooing very difficult, if not impossible. There would also be the problem of what to do with the boy when the time was right to collect his treasure. It was just another obstacle that he did not need.
"Why do ye give the best room to that Sassanach slut? Is she not a prisoner?"
Looking at the woman he regretted marrying more with each passing day, Colin replied, "Aye, a prisoner, but also the daughter of an enemy I respect and a lass who once did me a good turn. Lord Eldon is a man of honor. I will treat his kin as I would expect him to treat mine if they fell into his hands."
"If ye want her treated weel, then ye best keep Tavis from sniffing round her."
" 'Tis expected to use a woman taken a captive," said Sholto. "Lord Eldon will think naught else."
"Aye, 'tis expected," agreed Colin, "but I'll nay have the wee lass abused. I have Tavis's word that he will seek a ransom first, and his word that he'll nay take the lass to his bed if she is unwilling. 'Tis all I can do."
Janet thought it very little indeed. She had wanted Tavis since she had first seen him four years ago. It had seemed such a simple thing to seduce him into her arms, but it had not been. Unlike other men she had known, Tavis MacLagan had proven immune to her, his sense of honor and his deep loyalty to his father proving an unbreakable wall. She had accepted the occasional presence of Katerine MacBroth in his bed, for she knew Tavis only used the young woman, that he would never wed her nor care for her as the girl hoped he would. However, it had taken Janet but a moment to see that Storm Eldon was a very real threat. She hoped fervently that Hagaleah would quickly come forth with the ransom. It seemed impossible that the girl's kin would refuse to pay any ransom. Lord Eldon could easily survive to return to power at Hagaleah and need to be answered to.
* * * * *
"Recovered from your ordeal, Sir Hugh?" Lady Mary purred, her full mouth slipping into a smile.
"I am so pleased I was able to provide your ladyship with some amusement." Sir Hugh was unmoved by the sight of Lady Mary in her bath, her voluptuous charms barely concealed by soap and water. "Do you plan no retaliation for this raid?"
"I have seen to the watches being strengthened." Her lovely face hardened. "The arrogance of them."
"But what of that which they have stolen from us?"
"The stock will be replaced. I am, nonetheless, enraged by the theft of my mare. However, I will not pursue those heathens into their own den. It would cost me more than it would gain."
"I speak not of your stinking horse," Sir Hugh snarled. "What of Storm? Your husband's daughter?"
Lady Mary shrugged as she stepped out of the bath, and her maids rushed to dry her off. "The swine will no doubt cry for ransom. They usually do when they catch one of our people. That fool Roden would even ransom the peasants."
"Ah, then you will pay. Mayhaps it will not be too steep."
Wrapping the towel around herself, Lady Mary sent her maids off before turning to Sir Hugh. She resented his apparent immunity to her as well as his deep interest in Storm. Despite that, she did not fear that he would become too uncontrollable. Not only did she know how to stir his passion despite the apathy he now displayed, but she could also use
