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red and long, and he had but one visible eye. The other was covered by a patch.
    Despite his wicked appearance, there was a soft courtesy in his voice.
    “Why have you taken me?” she asked.
    “For yer good and the good of my lord,” he said.
    “My good?” she asked incredulously. “I do not understand.”
    “An alliance between the Camerons and Macleans would be good for both,” he said. “My lord is a handsome man, a man of strength and wealth, and he be needing a bride.”
    Maclean.
    Dear Mother in Heaven. The Maclean . Everyone knew the Macleans and Campbells were mortal enemies.
    Suddenly she realized what had happened. They thought they had Janet.
    What would happen to the courtesy when they realized they had abducted a Campbell as bride for their lord? Their courtesy would unquestionably vanish.
    Her blood turned to ice. If he discovered who she was, the Maclean would hold her hostage, if not slay her. She had to continue the masquerade. Only now it was even more important. If the Camerons had discovered her identity, they would merely have returned her home. But the Macleans were known for their ferocity. One had even chained one of her ancestors to a rock in hopes she would drown. Others had raided Campbell properties. Only fifteen years ago, a Maclean had led a party that had raped women and killed children.
    Could it be this Maclean?
    She tried to contain the new terror. Maclean was worse even than Morneith.
    She would have to pretend to be amenable to the match, then escape before they discovered her true identity.
    How soon would an alarm be raised? How quickly would her uncle discover that she had been abducted? And what would they do to the Macleans? And the Macleans, in turn, do the Campbells? To her cousin Jamie?
    Dear Mary in Heaven, what have I done?
    The food she’d just consumed rose in her throat.
    “My lady,” the man, obviously alarmed at her distress, tried again. “My lord is a fair and true mon.”
    She would be expected to protest.
    “How dare you?” she said. “My family—”
    “Your family canna but be pleased. We have had long alliances.”
    “Is that why you felt free to abduct me?” she asked with the indignation he would expect.
    “My lord. He … he …”
    The man was stammering. His large face flushed red. It was such a strange reaction that apprehension ran rampant inside her.
    “Is he a monster that he needs to abduct a wife?”
    “Nay, lady. You will find him well favored and of mild temperament. It is only—”
    “Only what?”
    “He does not wish to wed again. But men speak of your beauty. He will surely be …”
    Just then his gaze met her eyes. The cloak had fallen from her head, and her hair had come out from under the cap. She knew it was plastered to her head. Even at the best of times, she was certainly no beauty. Now she must look like a drowned rat.
    Janet was the beauty, not her.
    When would they discover their mistake?
    She realized now they must have heard that Janet was to return home. The Macleans must have followed the escort, and when she had veered away they had followed. They probably couldn’t believe their luck. No battle. No casualties. And they had their heiress.
    What if Janet had accompanied the escort?
    Well, she had much less to lose than Janet.
    Felicia had no man she loved. And Janet was not being forced into a marriage with a man she detested.
    The big man tried to reassure her. “I am Archibald,” he said. “Know that no harm will come to ye while under our protection. We will reach Inverleith tonight, and you will be made most comfortable.”
    “My family will not be pleased,” she said haughtily.
    “They would no’ be displeased at the match.”
    “I am betrothed to Jamie Campbell.”
    The man spat on the ground. “A Campbell. Ye can do far better than that.”
    “I love him.”
    “Ye have not yet met our lord.”
    “The king will be most displeased.”
    Archibald shrugged as if King James was of no matter. ”