Highlander's Daring Escape (Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance)

by Alisa Adams

  “There are none, my Lady. It seems to me you have made your choice,” Betsy said.

  Catherine sighed. “I only wish it was easier. When I look in my heart of hearts I know that I do not want to marry Lord Ralls.”

  Bryan offered her a way out of her current predicament and although she did feel something for him, part of her wanted to escape with him because it allowed her to be free as well.

  “Then we should form an escape plan,” Betsy said in a conspiratorial whisper, leaning forward. Catherine’s eyes twinkled and the two girls began to plan Catherine’s escape, keeping their voices low just in case there was any chance of anyone overhearing them.

  “The first thing we need to do is figure out how we’re going to get Bryan out of the dungeon, which isn’t going to be easy considering I wasn’t even allowed to see him. The guards are loyal to Nathaniel and it’s going to be difficult to get them to turn,” Catherine said.

  “That’s what you think. The guards are also loyal to something else,” Betsy replied with a wink. Catherine tilted her head and wore a questioning look, and her mouth hung open in surprise.

  “Are you?”

  “His name is Timothy and he’s quite the charmer. He’s been honest with his affections for me for a long time, but until we returned I wasn’t going to return them because I thought being in a relationship with a guard would be…well…I don’t like the idea of a man being called away into a conflict whenever one arises. However, since we returned, I’ve been thinking about my own future and, well, he certainly has some appealing characteristics. I’m sure that I could manage to persuade him to let you see Bryan, or I could even sneak away his keys. I think it’s best if we do this under the cover of darkness, but you will need a way to escape.”

  “I think I can take care of that,” Catherine said.

  “Then that is all you need. After that you’ll just have to flee into the Highlands and keep running until you disappear entirely.”

  Excitement flared inside Catherine’s heart, but then she looked at Betsy and realized what fleeing really meant. It didn’t just require her to forsake her family, but also her friendships.

  “I always thought we were going to be together forever,” Catherine said. “Betsy, you have been like a sister to me. You are my best friend.”

  Betsy smiled in return. “And what more can a best friend do? Do not worry about me Catherine, I shall be well. I’d rather you be happy in the Highlands than be living with you in some bleak castle in London with a dreary man who wouldn’t know excitement if it pinched him on the nose. And we can never guarantee what will happen in life. We’ll see each other again, one day. Perhaps in time your father will accept what you have done and you will be able to return.”

  “Perhaps,” Catherine said, although she wasn’t confident of that at all. The more they talked about the plan the more it seemed the right thing to do, and all they had to do now was wait until the following night when they were going to put their plan into action. Catherine slept that night with much excitement and fear in her heart. She had always dreamed of striking out on her own and making decisions for herself. This rebellious feeling was intoxicating and exciting, but it was tempered with the feeling that she was betraying her father. If only he could have seen the truth in Nathaniel’s eyes…she hated to think of what her uncle could do without anyone to offer an alternative perspective to her father.

  The morning sun rose and Catherine awoke filled with confidence and a steely determination. If everything went to plan, this would be her last night at home.

  She descended from her room and joined her father and uncle for their customary breakfast. She held herself with poise and dignity, not wanting to show them how much emotion was bubbling under the surface. Nathaniel looked at her when he came in and he wore a smirk all through breakfast, although Catherine wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of showing how much this ordeal was affecting her.

  “Are you looking forward to Lord Ralls’ arrival? He should be here tomorrow. I think he’ll enjoy the spectacle we’re going to put on for him.”

  “I would hope that a man as dignified as Lord Ralls wouldn’t be impressed with such a barbaric ritual, and I would hope that his attention is entirely focused on his beautiful young bride rather than something as gruesome as an execution,” Catherine replied immediately. Nathaniel’s smirk turned into a scowl.

  “We shall see,” Nathaniel said, and since he wasn’t getting the reaction he wanted from Catherine he dabbed the corners of his mouth, rose from the table, and walked briskly out of the room.

  “I am going to miss you when you’re gone,” Thomas said. At first Catherine froze and a chill ran down the middle of her body, for she was afraid that he had become aware of her plans to escape, until she realized that he was speaking about her impending marriage.

  “The more I think about it the more I am looking forward to it. It shall be an interesting and exciting challenge to begin a new life,” she lied, although she found that her words could equally apply to what she was planning with Bryan.

  “You’ll make a good wife, although I do have to admit that part of me wishes it was possible to keep you here forever. You’re the last link I have to your mother and it’s not going to be the same around here without you.”

  “I am sure I’ll be able to visit, and you will be more than welcome in our house, as will Uncle Nathaniel of course.”

  “I would like that. I’m glad you have opened your heart to this path. I know you can be stubborn, but this is best for all concerned. I’m sure Lord Ralls will make you happy, and that you will make him happy too. Soon enough you shall have children as well, and your life will be filled with happiness and joy and we can put all this terrible business behind us.”

  “I hope so too Father, speaking of which, did you speak to Uncle Nathaniel about perhaps showing the prisoner a little mercy? I really do believe he was just misguided. Frankly I’m not sure that he’s all there and it seems cruel to punish him for something he doesn’t really understand. I think it would be merciful to allow him to leave, and would set a good example for Lord Ralls. After all, I do not want his first impression of me to be associated with an execution.”

  Thomas stroked his chin as he took a sip of his drink.

  “You do raise some good points Catherine, which is no less than I would expect from such a perceptive and insightful young woman as yourself. I’m sure Lord Ralls is going to be very pleased with what you can offer him, but I have spoken to your Uncle about this and I’m afraid he is quite insistent on making an example of this Highlander. He pointed out that if we show mercy to him we are practically giving an invitation to any intruder to come whenever they like and have free reign of this estate. For the sake of our future safety we must make an example of this Bryan Pressley. I am sorry Catherine, but you must see that we cannot allow such brazen acts to go unpunished.”

  Catherine pursed her lips and quelled the sorrow that was rising within her. She should have known that her father wouldn’t have been able to deny her uncle’s wishes, and if she hadn’t already been hatching a plan to escape with Bryan she would have been much angrier about the whole situation.

  “I suppose it was too much to ask for, but I am glad you tried anyway. I’m sure that in his wisdom Uncle Nathaniel knows what is best for this estate, and this family.”

  “I’m sure too,” Thomas said, narrowing his eyes with suspicion. “I must say that although I find this change of mood entirely agreeable it is somewhat unexpected.”

  Catherine smiled wanly and placed her hands in her lap. “I am merely trying to be the daughter and woman expected of me. I realize it will do me no good if Lord Ralls sees me as a petulant little girl. I am a Lady, and I must act like one. I will miss you terribly, Father. I hope that you remember all that we have done together in life, and that I will always love you with all my heart. I know it has been difficult for you during the years since Mother died and I hope that you can find happines
s again. Please, remember that you are a strong, brave man and you have a lot to offer this estate.”

  “You speak as if I am never going to see you again,” Thomas chuckled, “but I appreciate your words. It is never a bad thing to massage a man’s ego. We may seem like we are always confident and brash, but deep down we like to hear compliments just as much as anyone, and I have no doubt that Lord Ralls is exactly the same.”

  “I just want to tell you how I feel because I do not know when I shall return. I am sure that I will be kept busy in London. There will be so much to learn and I shall have to learn how to manage the estate myself and acquaint myself with all the servants and the friends of Lord Ralls. I am quite sure that he won’t want to waste any time in starting a family either.”

  “Oh I’m sure of that, especially when he sees you, and you can be sure that children do take up quite a lot of time.” His eyes twinkled. “I am sorry that your last days here have to be tainted with this horrible business, but rest assured that we will all be fine here and I shall send regular letters down so that we may keep in contact, even if we do not see each other as often as we would like.”

  Catherine had to turn away from her father, and it took all her willpower not to collapse into sobs because she knew that there would be no letters. There would be no reunion in London. There would be nothing left, only resentment and betrayal and perhaps, in time, love and understanding. To see him so hopeful of his daughter’s future and yet know that it was not going to happen made her feel rotten inside, but it also steeled her resolve, as she knew she had to go through with this. There was no other way for her to be happy. The life her father had planned for her was not the one she wanted. But, at the same time, she did regret that she had to leave him at all.

  “I wish there was another way Father. I wish there was a way for me to stay.” She moved closer to him and placed a hand upon his. Her voice trembled with emotion and she went back to being the little girl who used to run to him whenever she scraped her knee. He’d always be able to soothe her tears and make her feel better. He was her warrior, and he always seemed to be able to reassure her and make her feel safe. It was a sad thing to admit that that was no longer the case. Now, Catherine saw him as just a man, with all his flaws. Perhaps that’s what growing up really was; the realization that the people you admired weren’t flawless.

  “Father, please promise me that you will take good care of yourself after I have left.”

  “Oh you won’t have to worry about me. I had a life before you were born, don’t forget. I’ll be perfectly fine, and I’ll have your uncle by my side, as always.”

  Catherine sighed and thought about her words diplomatically. “Father, please do not think I am being disrespectful when I say this, but I would like you to be wary of him. Uncle Nathaniel is an ambitious man and I am not sure he always has your best interests at heart.”

  “Your uncle has been by my side ever since your mother died. I don’t think I would have been able to get through that without him,” he said.

  “I’m sure,” Catherine replied softly, not wanting this to turn into an argument, “but please just bear in mind that he may not be as inherently good as you think. I know you are loathe to believe the word of a Highlander over your own flesh and blood, but I did see it myself. I know he was treating those people horribly and they do not deserve that. They are just simple people trying to eke a living out of the land. Please try to make it clear to him that that behavior will not be tolerated.”

  “I will have words with him, of that I can assure you. Now, I think that perhaps you should begin to gather your things together and prepare to leave tomorrow,” he said. Catherine bowed her head and placed a kiss on his cheek before she left. As soon as she was out of the room she rested herself against the wall and bowed her head as she succumbed to sobs, hiding her face behind her hands, for she couldn’t contain her sorrow any longer.

  Once she had composed herself she walked briskly through the courtyard and made her way to the stables to speak with Stephen. He seemed to have a favorable opinion of Bryan and she thought he was the best chance for them to escape, although it was still a risk because if Stephen alerted her uncle her plan would fail before it had even begun.

  Stephen smiled at her when he saw her approach. He was tending to a horse, which whinnied at her. She patted its flank and made sure that nobody else was around as she sidled close to him and lowered her voice. Stephen looked at her with concern.

  “I have to ask you something. But first, tell me your true opinion of Bryan,” she said.

  “I can’t say that I have a true opinion of him. I didn’t know the man, not really. I never would have believed he was capable of something like this.”

  “Speak truly Stephen. You saw him work. You spent time with him. You looked in his eyes. You would have taken your measure of him. Do you believe he deserves to die?”

  Stephen sighed and looked away. “I do think the punishment is a little harsh, yes. From what I’ve seen Bryan hasn’t threatened anyone. He worked hard, kept his head down. If anything he’s a little misguided. He should have stayed away if he knew what was good for him.”

  “Yes, he should have,” Catherine said, “but what if I told you there was a way to save him?”

  Stephen immediately looked alarmed. “I wouldn’t want to do anything to get myself in trouble.”

  “Even if it meant saving a man’s life? I have beseeched my father to overturn this punishment, but unfortunately my uncle holds much sway with him and they are determined to make an example of Bryan. I cannot allow that to happen. I do not want my last memory of this place to be seeing his head lopped off.” Just the thought of it was enough to make her shudder. “Will you help me?”

  “What do you want me to do?” he asked warily. Even though he was clearly hesitant, Catherine was confident that he was willing to help. She described the plan to him and how all she needed was for him to leave a horse ready for Bryan (she didn’t tell him that she was planning to leave as well, as it was difficult enough to get him to agree to help Bryan to escape his fate. She didn’t think he’d be willing to help her escape given what might happen to him if her father ever found out he was involved) and by the end of it, Stephen inhaled deeply and nodded.

  “I think I can figure out something, but this better not lead back to me because I don’t want to be an accessory,” he said.

  “I promise it won’t.” She stopped herself from smiling too widely, although she did rock back on her heels and clasped her hands together as her plan began to fall into place.

  She was about to leave when Stephen stopped her. “There’s something else…I don’t know if it’s important or not, but while Bryan was in here I noticed that he spent a lot of time at the back of the stables. I wasn’t going to pry, after all, a man’s business is his own, but there might be something back there, something he was hiding.”

  He guided her to a shadowed part of the stables that was hidden from view and left her there. Catherine was intrigued to think about what Bryan could have stashed here, and it took her a few moments to search around until her hands curled around the sword. She pulled it out, gazed at it, and then put it back hurriedly, making sure to keep a note of where it was so that she and Bryan could retrieve it before they left. It was a fine piece of craftsmanship, beautiful in a way, but also deadly and she wasn’t sure how she felt about holding such a vicious weapon in her hands.

  She left the stables, thanking Stephen for his time, and just as she was walking through the courtyard a servant came up to her and gave her the good news that plans had changed and Lord Ralls would be arriving that evening instead of the following day, and that there was going to be a banquet thrown in his honor. Catherine’s face paled because of the shock. A banquet meant that she would have to attend and these parties had a tendency to continue long into the night. She’d have to find a way to sneak out. Things had gotten a little more complicated. She had to go to Betsy and discuss how they were
going to manage the situation.

  13

  Bryan had no idea how much time was passing. He shifted his position to try and ease the ache in his muscles, but there was always a constant dull ache somewhere in his body. The ground was hard, far harder than anything he had ever slept on before, and he had slept in some uncomfortable places. He closed his eyes and thought about the rising hills of the Highlands and for a moment he could picture them, beautiful and clear, in his mind. But then he would open his eyes and be surrounded by darkness again, suffering his fate. The only thing for him to do was to await his execution, for he saw no way that he could be freed. He had tried and tried to escape his shackles, but the thick chain showed no sign of weakness. There was simply no hope.

  Soon enough Catherine would be married to an English lord and he would be dead, the Pressley name forgotten in the mist of history. It was an ignominious end and the most painful thing for him was that he didn’t even get to die with his sword in hand. All the good he had done in life, all the people he helped, seemed to have been for nothing. Only one person would mourn him, and there was still much that she had yet to learn about him, so much that she would never learn.

  He thought of his father’s grave, so many miles away under that shady glade in a nondescript forest. He would never get to stand before his father and present his family, and all because of Nathaniel.

  Perhaps he had been foolish to come all the way down here to follow Catherine, but the thought of leaving her to a loveless marriage had gnawed at him and even now he didn’t think he would have been able to do anything differently.

  His entire life had been defined by being born in the wrong place at the wrong time. He didn’t feel he was the right person to lead the Pressley family back to its rightful place, but if he had been born in the olden, glory days he would have been able to travel up to the North and fight the mythical creatures. He would have been exalted as a hero and given all the prestige he was due, but that age was over. The time for heroes had ended and it was now time for scheming, cruel men like Nathaniel to take their place as inheritors of the earth. Bryan was simply a man out of time, and there was nothing he could do about it.