“Or trickery.”
Darton snorted, shaking his head. “How can you doubt when you were there?”
“Is this why you wanted to kidnap her? For her power?”
“I told you—”
“I know what you said, brother,” Hagan cut in swiftly, “but none of my scouts has reported an army being gathered at Prydd. Only you and a handful of your men seem to think there will be an attack.”
“You think I lie?”
Hagan thought long and hard. “ ’Tis no secret that you have plans, Darton. There are new faces in the castle, men who are loyal to you.”
“You think I’ve plotted to wrest control of Erbyn from you?” Darton said, one brow lifting. “Aye, I’m ambitious, brother, and there is nothing I would like better than my own keep, you know this, but I’m also loyal to Erbyn and the lord thereof. I would be satisfied with a castle somewhere to the north, Benwick mayhaps.”
“Benwick?” Hagan wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly. “But it’s occupied by—”
“Father’s whore. I know. Lady Aileen. But she is old and I’ve heard she’s ill. She will not last much longer.” His eyes held Hagan’s. “I would be glad to be lord of Benwick … or of Prydd.”
“Prydd?” Hagan repeated, though he finally understood the reasons behind his brother’s behavior—why he stole the girl, why he wanted the savior of Prydd.
“When Tadd attacks, and surely now, with his two sisters prisoners here—”
“They are not prisoners.”
“Guests, then. Call them what you will. But they cannot leave, and Tadd has his pride to consider.”
“You want this war?”
“Nay, brother, but ’tis nothing we can stop, and when the fighting’s done and we’re the victors, I see no reason that I shouldn’t become the baron of Prydd.”
“What of Eaton—off fighting the Scots? He has only to tell Edward, and Longshanks will send hundreds of men to give Prydd back to its rightful baron.”
“Eaton is old. ’Tis unlikely he will survive the war,” Darton observed.
Hagan was astounded at the depths of his brother’s deception, and he knew with a sudden vision into the future that Darton would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Benwick wouldn’t be enough to satisfy him, nor would Prydd. Until Darton ruled all of Erbyn, he would be dangerous. However, Hagan had no proof, only suspicions. “I’ll consider giving Benwick to you,” he said, buying time, “but Lady Aileen would be allowed to live out her days there as the castle is her home.”
Darton didn’t respond.
“However, when Lady Leah awakens, I will hear how she was treated.” Hagan frowned as he stared at his brother. “If she wasn’t cared for like the lady she is, you will be punished, Darton. Tadd will demand it, and I will see that it’s done.”
“She was not hurt.”
“And yet she nearly died.”
“At her own hand.”
“Because of you.” Hagan raked furious fingers through his hair. “I’ll not keep you in your chamber like a wayward child,” he said, though his eyes narrowed on his brother, “but, Darton, I warn you, if I find out you’ve mistreated Leah, or if you have done anything disloyal, there will be the very devil to deal with.”
“The girl will be fine,” Darton said, slowly withdrawing his sword and watching the reflection of the fire’s flames on the smooth steel. “And to prove to you that I want to make up for the mistake of kidnapping Lady Leah, I’ll agree to marry her sister.” He slid the sword into its case.
“Her sister?” Hagan repeated, trying to keep his temper under control, although his blood thundered through his brain. The thought of Darton and Sorcha … His stomach turned over, but he managed to remain outwardly calm. “You want to marry Sorcha?”
“Aye, as I said, she is a beautiful woman with a power that is rare. I think her passions are deep and she would be a tigress in a man’s bed.”
Hagan’s guts twisted painfully as he envisioned his brother tearing off Sorcha’s chemise and mounting her. It was all he could do to keep his voice from shaking in rage. “You’ll not marry Lady Sorcha.”
“Certainly Tadd would be satisfied with a marriage that would link Prydd with Erbyn.”