The Flaw in the Plan
Lily sobbed, pressing her face into Kyla’s thigh as her brother began removing his tunic.
He slowly undressed and tossed each garment into the boat without once taking his eyes off the sniggering Lochwood laird.
Soon, he stood proudly defiant like Michelangelo’s David.
Corbin elbowed Kyla in the ribs. “Take a good look. It’s likely not the first time you’ve seen him naked, but it’ll be the last.”
She made no reply, resolved not be party to his obvious intent to humiliate his enemy. She refused to avert her eyes from Broderick’s nakedness. His body was a magnificent work of art, his bearing noble.
The tide was turning. If he was forced into the bore rushing into the estuary of the Nith, it was likely he would drown. Yet, he showed no trace of fear.
She resolved to be equally stoic in the face of the madman’s threats. She would not cry, and would somehow find a way to thwart Lochwood.
“Go on, then,” Corbin ordered with a wave of his hand. “Off you go. Enjoy your swim. It’s a pity you’ll miss the nuptials.”
Only Adrian rose to the bait. “Nuptials, my laird?” he asked nervously.
Corbin pouted, evidently disappointed Broderick hadn’t challenged his taunt. “Your sister will make me a fine wife.”
Kyla gasped. If this was the plan, why was he abducting her as well? Her blood ran cold as she remembered the unsettling way he’d always ogled her, and the extent of his depravity dawned.
Broderick frowned only slightly as their eyes locked. He too had realized what Corbin had in mind. Her heart broke as he turned away and waded into the deepening water. She longed to tell him she loved him, but the vengeful lunatic who held their lives in his grasp gave the order to row away from the Nith.
The grim-faced oarsmen obeyed.
Kyla took a last look over her shoulder in time to see Broderick disappear beneath the surging waters. Her heart broke.
*
Broderick held his breath, trying to calm the fury seething in his gut. If he resurfaced too soon, Corbin might realize the flaw in his diabolic plan. He hadn’t counted on his victim being a strong swimmer. As a youth, Broderick had challenged the Nith’s tidal bore more than once, though never stripped naked. Clothing might actually have proven an impediment to survival, and his anger had chased away the initial chill. All he had to do was keep his body loose and let the tide carry him to Glencape.
When his lungs were about to explode, he came to the surface, gasping for breath. The rowboat was almost out of sight and Lochwood had his back to the Nith in any case. Only the oarsmen might be able to see him, but waving could cause them to react.
Treading water, he raked the strands of wet hair off his face and gathered his thoughts. It appeared Corbin was heading for Annan along the coast, probably with the intention of making his way north to Glenkill Tower. His plan was clear. Kill Broderick, marry Lily, and inherit Caerlochnaven.
But why take Kyla? There could be only one reason, and he didn’t intend to let the monster defile her. He clenched his jaw. If anyone was going to bed Kyla MacKeegan, it was Broderick Maxwell.
The tidal bore had already carried him a fair distance. All he had to do was conserve his strength and let the sea do the work. He’d need clothing once he got to Glencape, and a horse to get him to Caerlochnaven. Neither should present a problem since he’d still be on Maxwell lands and was known to the folks who dwelt there. They might be a wee bit taken aback to see their laird stripped bare, but…
It chafed that Kyla’s first sight of him naked had been under such dire circumstances, but he appreciated that she’d refused to avert her gaze. Her courage, and the unmistakable admiration in her eyes, had bolstered his resolve not to give Corbin the satisfaction of appearing cowed.
Time was of the essence if he was to pursue his enemy with the gunboat before the wretch lay a finger on either of the lasses he loved.
*
“Make for Annan,” Corbin snarled, “and put your backs into it.”
The Maxwell oarsmen nodded grimly and increased their efforts, though they must realize he couldn’t risk leaving them alive once they reached the shore.
Lily had fallen alarmingly silent, her face still pressed to Kyla’s thigh.
Adrian clung to the side of the boat, staring into the water. Kyla wondered what occupied the lad’s thoughts. The last time he’d been with Corbin, his laird had deliberately left him to the mercy of a choppy sea. However, he belonged to the Lochwood Clan and had probably been raised to hate Maxwells. There was no reason to suppose he’d help a MacKeegan either. Clan loyalty could be deeply ingrained.
If she could somehow untie the sling, at least she’d have a weapon.
She resisted the urge to again look over her shoulder at the Nith. Corbin had turned his attention back to where they were headed several minutes after forcing Broderick into the water, apparently satisfied his enemy had drowned.
She grieved for the loss of such a fine, decent man who’d gone to his death with great dignity. It was a personal bereavement, and Lily would be heartbroken.
Kyla didn’t know when or how, but she swore a solemn oath that a day of reckoning would come for Corbin Lochwood.