His words took on a sarcastic tone. "Do not worry, Anna, the Highlander will think you repulsive when he sees you have no hair. He will hate you and me for sending you. Highlanders are savages and if he is as big as his father, he is a brute of a man who would rather kill you than love you." When he finished with her hair, he stood back and surveyed the damage. "Let me see, perhaps a scar across your face would further his despair. Yes, yes, an ugly wife would be sweet revenge indeed."

"What has this man done to deserve your hate?"

"Oh, Kevin MacGreagor has done nothing at all. It was his father who tricked me and I have not forgotten. When I attack the MacGreagors, I will burn his home and kill every last one of his followers. And if you are a good girl, I might let you live. Do as I say, Anna, and before you know it you will be back in England where you belong."

She was thinking hard about how to avoid his dagger. She vaguely heard his words or his vow to kill her little sister and her mother if she did not obey. When he put his knife away, she said a silent prayer of thanks and was off her guard when he struck her with his fist. The blow knocked her completely out.