think the kitten here has claws enough to hurt you, man. So why not put the knife down? You’re not in your right head.”
A wild, feral look in Brodie’s eyes warned them both that he was not yet ready to be reasonable.
“She drugged me, offered me water, but then she . . .” Brodie shook his head, as though trying to rid himself of the memory.
Lydia covered her mouth with a hand, unable to speak. Portia had drugged him? Her sister and father had done unspeakable harm to this man. As soon as he calmed down, she would have a rational discussion and explain to him that she’d had no part in any of this nonsense.
“Hand me that ribbon, kitten. The one in your hair.” Rafe held out his hand to Lydia, who removed the ribbon and handed it to him. Rafe took a handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket and turned to Brodie, holding up the two items.
“Should you, or shall I?” Rafe asked.
Brodie slowly set the knife down on the seat and took the ribbon and handkerchief from Rafe. When Brodie looked her way, Lydia cringed at the look on his face.
“Dinna fight me, lass,” he said, then lunged for her.
Lydia kicked and screamed as he came down on top of her. But the man was too large and too strong. He worked the handkerchief into her mouth, tying it behind her head so she was unable to spit it out, and then her wrists were bound together in front of her.
Lydia sat still, trying to calm her breathing so as not to panic or choke on the bit of cloth in her mouth. She was terrified and furious all at once, which had a crippling effect on her. Why couldn’t Brodie tell her apart from Portia, and why wouldn’t he listen to reason? Was he going to hurt her? Would Rafe stand by and let it happen? She forced her spinning thoughts to stop so she could focus on what the men were saying.
“When you left the tavern room, everything started to spin. I didna realize I’d been drugged until I was in the corridor and four men attacked me,” Brodie said.
“Yes, I saw them carry you outside into a coach,” Rafe interjected. “I thought at first that you were simply being ejected for starting a fight. Once I realized that wasn’t what was going on, I followed at a distance.”
“I wasna awake the entire time. I slipped in and out. It was the bloody laudanum. I woke to find the lass’s father in the room, explaining how I would have to marry her. To do the right thing. Then I drifted off again and woke to find her kissing me and boasting of how she’d please me as a wife.” Brodie shot Lydia a glare of purest loathing. “Then she offered me water, and when I drank, I tasted more laudanum.”
“Bloody hell.” Rafe shot a fiery look at Lydia. “You are a heartless wench.” He focused back on Brodie. “So what is your plan for her? I shall have your back, regardless.”
“Thank you.” Brodie seemed to relax a bit as he settled back in his seat. “I want this lass to feel as used as I have. Oh, she will get what she wished—me in her bed. But she’ll not have the courtesy of the title wife.”
“That’s a rather bold move, Kincade,” Rafe murmured.
“You still have my back?”
“No. I do not hold with rape, and I sincerely doubt she would willingly go to your bed now.”
“You underestimate me,” Brodie replied quietly.
“Do I, now? You believe you can convince her to join you in bed, without coercion? That’s a rather bold claim. Care to wager on it?”
Brodie’s eyes glinted. “Why? You’d only lose.”
“We’ll see.”
Damn Portia and her blasted schemes, Lydia thought. She was going to be ruined. Her already slim chances of a respectable marriage were to be dashed on the rocks of Brodie Kincade’s rage.
“I suppose that means we are leaving Bath?” Rafe asked the same way one might discuss the weather.
“Yes.”
“And our destination?”
“Edinburgh. I canna take her to Kincade lands—my brothers would disapprove.”
Rafe snorted. “Naturally.”
Lydia made a sound of pleading and tried to lift her hands, but after a sharp look from the men, she fell silent again.
“Life really is more interesting with you Scots. No wonder Ash married your sister. The lure of scandal and adventure with you lot is irresistible. Very well, I shall come with you and help where I can. If this