Page 103 of Enchantment of a Highlander

“I have news of the witch, laird.” The voice on the other side of the door held a note of pride.

Alec’s heart pumped hard in his chest and echoed in his ears. Only the years of warrior’s training and squelching emotions in times of stress kept his face impassive.

“Then come in,” MacDougall said in a smooth voice.

A guard strolled in, sweaty and thick with more layers of flesh than any respectable warrior should possess. The man’s barrel chest expanded with a deep breath. “Yer daughter has captured the witch. I was on the team of men to bring her down.”

Every organ inside Alec’s body stopped. His ears strained to pick up sounds of her voice, of her struggle.

He heard none.

God help them if they brought her any harm.

MacDougall’s gray eyes glinted like freshly wrought steel and he smiled at Alec. “It appears yer intended bride has brought ye a wedding present.” His hands spread across the desk’s surface in a greedy caress before curling into fists. “Bring her to me.”

The order hit Alec’s gut like a dirty punch. To see Celia dragged in as a prisoner—it was more than he could bear.

The guard shifted on his feet and bits of sand screeched beneath his boot. “My lady still has the witch.”

MacDougall straightened. “Then have her come here.”

“She isna here yet, laird. We were ordered to stop on the edge of MacLean and MacDougall land. She told us to wait and so we did. I knew ye’d want the witch right away, so I came here at first chance to tell ye we’d captured her.” The man’s eyes gleamed. “Will we be getting the bag of gold for our efforts?”

Hope beat with a rapid pulse through Alec’s veins. If Celia was not already at the castle, she might still be saved. He rose, his muscles firing with renewed vigor. “I’ll go get them for ye.”

MacDougall turned his eyes toward Alec without moving his head. “Go and find her, bring her to me.” His gaze slid back to the guard. “Ye may leave, Laird MacLean.”

Alec walked from the room on legs stiff with his restrained gait. He wouldn’t consider the guard’s reward or fat, not when he had a chance to find Celia, not when there was a chance to save her.

• • •

The wind shoved against Celia’s back, but she refused to allow herself to stumble. Five guards glared at her, their faces evidence of how ready they were for an excuse to end her life.

MacDougall’s daughter paced in front of her, each step punctuated with the kick of heavy skirts and anger. There had been six guards when Celia was first taken. One guard had gone missing, a sign Celia knew did not bode well.

MacDougall’s daughter came to a stop in front of her. A scowl twisted the noblewoman’s refined features. “Confess ye’re a witch and be done with it.”

She lifted her chin. “I’ve told you before. I’m a healer, not a witch.” The same words she’d repeated time and again, but the woman did not seem to hear.

MacDougall’s daughter gave a hiss of annoyance and waved her hand toward the guards. “Leave us.”

They exchanged uncertain looks. “Are ye sure ye want to be left alone with her?” a towering balding man asked.

Her eyes rolled heavenward before snapping back to him. “It’s only for a moment. Go and I will call if I need ye.”

The press of their sweaty bodies into Celia’s personal space eased and sunlight replaced their shadows. MacDougall’s daughter watched them walk away and did not speak until they were out of earshot by the edge of the forest.

She leaned close and her spicy perfume fogged around Celia. “I intend to let ye go.”

Celia tipped her head back in order to get a clean breath. “Why would you help me?” she asked, dubious.

“Because witches are powerful allies.” The woman settled back with a grin, as if she were exceedingly proud of herself. “Ye have only to make me a simple potion and ye may have yer freedom.”

Celia’s mind raced. Did the woman pose the option to her as a test? A fake potion could always be made, but what if MacDougall’s daughter was merely trying to get proof of witchcraft?

“What kind of a potion?” Celia asked slowly.

The noblewoman’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Ye know what I want—a love potion.”