Laird Maclean made everyone wait on him for over three long hours. Judith was kept at one end of the gigantic hall, and the other captives were kept at the opposite end. Patrick and Graham had their hands tied together behind their backs.
Judith couldn't sit still. She paced back and forth in front of the long table. The longer they were kept waiting, the more anxious she became. She was worried about Frances Catherine most of all. Would her friend begin her laboring when she was given the news that Patrick had been taken captive? Dear God, she wouldn't be there to help her.
Her heart went out to Patrick. He was certainly thinking the same worrisome thoughts right now.
Her pace must have been driving the Maclean warriors daft. One reached out to grab her. She was too surprised by the bold action to fight him until he pulled her into his arms.
Patrick let out a roar of fury and came charging across the hall. Douglas came running from the entrance. Judith gathered her wits before either man could get to her. She rammed her knee into the eager soldier's groin. He let out a howl of outrage-and pain, she was pleased to note-before doubling over and crashing to the floor.
She was thoroughly satisfied. Douglas caught her attention then. He grabbed her to pull her away from the soldier writhing on the floor. Patrick wasn't hindered by the fact that his hands were bound behind his back. He used his shoulder to knock Douglas away from Judith.
Douglas went flying into the stone wall. Judith went with him. She would have hit the back of her head against the stone, but Douglas's hand got there first, protecting her.
Patrick tried to slam into Douglas again. Judith was still in his way, however. Douglas shoved her out of his way and then lunged for her brother-in-law.
"Don't you dare strike him," Judith cried out. "His hands are bound, damn it. If you want to hit someone, hit me."
"Stay out of this, Judith," Patrick roared.
"Enough."
The bellow came from the entrance. Everyone turned to see who had issued the command.
Laird Maclean stood in the center of the entrance. Judith stiffened at the sight of the big man.
The laird's hands were settled on his hips and he had a mean scowl on his face. "Get that soldier out of here," he ordered.
Douglas nodded. He helped the soldier Judith had felled to the floor back to his feet and gave him a push toward the entrance.
The laird nodded with satisfaction, then walked into the hall. He passed Judith without giving her a glance and continued on until he reached the other side of the table. He took his seat in a high-backed chair in the center.
A woman came hurrying inside. She appeared to be about ten years older than Judith. She was dark-haired, heavyset, and wore a smug expression on her face. She paused to stare at Judith before hurrying on toward the table. Judith decided to hate her.
Her attention returned to her father. She didn't want him to be handsome. He was, though. He looked a little like Douglas… and like her, she supposed with a sinking heart. His skin was far more leathered-looking than his son's, of course, and he had deep creases around the corners of his eyes and mouth. His brown hair was streaked through with gray, giving him a distinguished appearance.
It was apparent he didn't know who she was, but when his gaze settled on Graham, he smiled a mean-hearted, ugly smile.
Douglas walked forward. She tried to trip him when he passed her. He grabbed hold of her arm and jerked her into his side.
"I've a wedding present for you, Father," Douglas called out. "I can't be certain, but I've got a strong feeling this shrew belongs to Iain Maitland."
She kicked him because he'd called her an insulting name. Then the fullness of what he had just said penetrated her mind.
A wedding present for her father… no, it couldn't be. She couldn't have understood. "Your father isn't getting married, is he?"
She sounded as though she was strangling on something. Douglas turned to look at her. "Aye, he is getting married, and Lord, you really do ask the strangest questions for a captive."
Her knees went weak. Douglas had to hold her up. God's truth, she didn't think she could take any more surprises. First she found out she had a brother, and now she was learning her father was about to become a bigamist.
"He thinks he's going to marry that woman?" she asked with a wave of her hand toward the table.
Douglas nodded. The laird's companion took offense. "Get her out of here," she called out. "She offends me."
Judith took a step toward the woman. Douglas squeezed her arm. She thought he might have broken the bone. She let out an involuntary cry of pain and pulled away from him. The sleeve of her gown ripped wide.
Douglas had an appalled look on his face. In a low whisper only she could hear, he said, "I didn't mean to hurt you. Please stand still. It won't do you any good to fight."
Laird Maclean let out a loud sigh. "You will leave," he ordered his companion. "I don't need your interference."
She took her time obeying. She glared at Judith again when she walked past her. Judith ignored her.
"The Maitland laird's coming up the path," a soldier shouted from the doorway.
Judith's heart felt as though it had just stopped beating. Iain was here.
"How many ride with him?" Laird Maclean shouted.
"He's all alone," the soldier reported. "Riding up the hill as sweet as you please."
The Maclean laird laughed. "The boy's got courage, I'll give him that," he remarked. "He isn't carrying any weapons, either, I'll wager."
"Nay, he isn't," the soldier replied.
Judith desperately wanted to run outside to her husband. She tried to do just that, but Douglas caught her. He tightened his hold on her already bruised arm and pulled her close.
"You will not mistreat a woman, Douglas, no matter how much she provokes you. I'm wanting Iain, not his woman."
"For the love of God, I beg you to listen to reason, Laird Maclean. Stop this now before there's a bloodbath."
Father Laggan shouted his plea from the entrance. Judith turned just as the priest came running into the hall.
He came to a quick stop when he reached Judith's side. "Are you all right, lass?"
She nodded. "Father, did you come to listen to Laird Maclean give his marriage vows?"
"Aye, Judith," the priest wearily answered. "And to hopefully talk some sense into these men before it's too late."
Judith shook her head. In a whisper, she said, "I can promise you there won't be any wedding."
"Unhand her, Douglas," the priest ordered. "Look what you've done to her arm. The skin's already turning purple with the swelling. You're hurting her."
Douglas quickly obeyed the priest's command. Judith took full advantage of her freedom. She ran toward the doorway. Douglas caught her around the waist and dragged her back just as Iain walked inside.
He didn't even pause to take in the situation, or the numbers against him. He just kept right on coming. Judith took one look at his expression and closed her eyes. Iain was about to kill someone. She thought Douglas might very well be his target.
"Let go of me," she whispered. "He'll kill you if you don't."
Her brother was intelligent enough to do as she suggested. She immediately ran to Iain and threw herself into his arms. She buried her face against his chest.
"Are you all right?" he asked. "They didn't hurt you?"
She could feel him shaking. She looked up at him. The expression on his face told her it wasn't fear causing that reaction. Nay, it was rage.
"No one hurt me," she told him. "I've been treated well, truly."
He nodded. He gave her a quick squeeze, then gently forced her behind his back.