Rescued by a Highlander(88)

Alex glared at his brothers, then jumped out of the chair and started pacing. “I know my Maddie will be safe, she is a strong lass.”

“Absolutely,” Robbie said with a laugh.

“She is the strongest lass I have ever known. She will be fine.” Alex turned and paced in the other direction.

“I agree completely, brother,” Brodie yelled as he downed his ale. He glanced at Robbie as their peals of laughter echoed through the hall.

“Why are all these people in the hall now?” Alex scowled at his brothers.

“Word spreads quickly, brother. Everyone has been waiting for your wife to have her bairn. Everyone wants to see if it is a laddie or a lassie.”

“Get them out, I don’t know all of them. By the saints, how can I hear what is going on in the chamber?” Alex was distraught.

“Robbie, go listen outside the door and see if Maddie is safe,” he ordered.

“Nay, I think we best stay down here, Alex. Nothing could drag me away from your side right now,” Robbie replied.

“Quiet!” Alex yelled. Dead silence followed. He tried desperately to hear some sounds from his chamber, but all was peaceful. He ran his fingers through his hair realizing it would be a long night.

***

Alice and Brenna quickly prepared the bed and helped Madeline into a clean night rail. Maddie grabbed her belly again, but bore her pain quietly.

“‘Tis all right, Maddie,” Alice said. “Everything is happening as it should be. You will make a great mother for your bairn. It will not be long now.”

Alice continued to coach Madeline while Brenna made herself busy getting ready for the birth. The cradle was in place, along with clothes to swaddle the babe in. She had her healing kit in case she needed it, but she hoped she would not. Maddie knew Brenna was a little nervous as she had not seen many births, but Alice was experienced enough to help her through it all. Maddie’s pains continued for another couple of hours before they heard the door to the chamber quietly open and close, followed by the bolt put in place.

Madeline’s face turned stark white. Alice and Brenna twirled in unison.

“Kenneth!” Madeline yelped as she clutched her belly for yet another pain. Alice gasped as she stared into his wild eyes and turned to look at Brenna. Brenna continued to tend to Madeline, remaining calm.

“Leave immediately, Kenneth. You don’t belong here and my brother will kill you when he finds you.” Brenna’s demeanor was cold.

Kenneth reached over and grabbed Brenna by the hair. Yanking her head back, he placed a dagger at her throat.

“You will be quiet unless I tell you to speak, or I will kill you each slowly. Agreed?” he asked Brenna. Brenna nodded her head slowly. Kenneth released her.

Maddie grasped her belly again as another pain shot through her. They were getting worse. She could not think what to do.

Kenneth stared at her with disdain. “You are a disgusting whore, Madeline. Look at you, fat as a pig. I loathe you,” he snarled at her. “But I have waited a long time for this moment.”

He paced the chamber as he peered at her. His hair was a mess, his clothes were filthy and his stench was overpowering. What could he possibly want with her now? Maddie willed herself to remain calm for her babe.

“Finally, I will get my revenge on you and yours. I will pay you back for all the pain you and your revolting husband have caused me.”

“Kenneth, what have I done to you? Why do you want revenge against me?” Madeline asked. She couldn’t believe this was happening now. How had he gotten in? Where was Alex? She had to do something to protect her bairn, but it was a little difficult focusing through her pains.

“What have you done to me?” he stopped in front of her to scream at her. “You ruined my life! You and that vile husband of yours ruined everything. You took the only thing I ever cared about away from me!”

All three women turned and stared at Kenneth. What was he talking about? Alice shook her head in denial. Maddie was certain he had finally lost his wits.

“Niles! Your husband killed him. I loved him and he loved me. You were just a plaything for him, Maddie. We had so many plans. We could have controlled the Highlands together. We would have more wealth than we ever would have needed. But you ruined them. You ruined them all! You took the love of my life away from me. Now I have nothing. You and the Grant will pay!”

Kenneth started pacing again. “Hurry up and push that bairn out so we can be done with this.”

Alice peered at Kenneth. “What will you do, my lord?”

“What will I do? Why, of course, I will kill them! I will kill Maddie and her bairn! I will watch them bleed all over the sheets, and then I will call her husband so he can watch them bleed. I want him to watch the life drain out of their eyes just like I had to. I want the Grant to know what it feels like to see someone you love die in front of your eyes and be powerless to stop it. Then revenge will finally be mine!” Kenneth threw his head back and laughed.