Hannah squeezed her hand. “That day, my father reminded Cain that ye were the daughter of the devil who beat his horses and his women.”

Ella swallowed past the stricture in her throat, her voice coming softly. “Alec Sutherland never beat a horse.” The connection between their gazes said the rest.

Hannah breathed in fully. “I cannot imagine the horror of living like that.” She glanced away, moving to the window to run a finger down the fresh nails biting into the frame. “My father may have bellowed, but his only crime against me was…” She turned to Ella with a sad smile. “He never looked at me.”

“Looked at you?”

“Or said my name, or talked directly to me, as if I was not there. I was treated well, like one of his horses, but when I was born a girl and not the fourth horseman like he’d planned, he basically decided I did not exist. To this day, people are shocked to learn George Sinclair had five children instead of only four boys. As if my presence might make his claim about his sons being the biblical horsemen less believed.”

“I do not believe his claim.”

Hannah smiled. “Cain says he didn’t see any of his brothers coming down from a cloud fully formed, either. But the legend Da spurred makes our enemies quake and gives my brothers a way to organize themselves.”

“The legend does not make me quake, either.”

“Of course not,” Hannah said without hesitation. “Ye are the bravest woman I have ever met. Climbing out the tower window, ordering a battalion of men, standing before Cain without trembling.” She shook her head. “And requesting to be executed instead of wedding.” She lowered her voice as if someone might hear. “So, the wedding night, ye prefer death to the breeding act?”

“No,” Ella said slowly. “I prefer death over surrendering my clan.”

The wedding night? What would a wedding night with Cain Sinclair be like? His kiss had nearly wiped all plans of escape from Ella’s mind when they’d balanced together in the tree. Her pounding heart had turned from desperation to something else, something like her foolish response when he’d smiled at her years ago.

Hannah’s brows lowered. “I do not know how to help ye. Cain was raised to take all he can for our clan. It is his main responsibility.” She stepped out into the dark hall and gave her a gentle smile. “Oh, and Cain said that ye must come below in the morn to eat instead of food being carried up here. And I will see if I can find more smocks for ye. Sleep well.”

At this rate, Ella would have more clothes at Girnigoe than Dunrobin. “My trousers and tunic?” she asked quickly before Hannah could shut the door.