by Tarah Scott
“I’m not certain.” Cailean shrugged. “Marriage, maybe?”
“He could just as easily woo her,” Lennox said.
“Lady Julianna has at least two other suitors that I’ve seen. There’s no guarantee she would accept Murray’s proposal. This way, she has no choice.”
“He knows my father and I would kill him for abducting her.”
“Even if they were married?” Lennox asked.
Lennox snorted. “Aye.”
“I don’t know,” Cailean said. “Maybe someone else is involved.”
“Someone else? Who?”
Cailean shook his head. “I wish I knew. But we need to free her or she will die tomorrow.”
“Die? But you said—”
“She will be killed while trying to escape,” Cailean cut in.
“I warn you, Cailean Ross, if ye are in league with the bastards who took her, I will kill you.”
“If I were in league with them, why would I help you?”
“I do not know.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “For all I know, you could be leading me into an ambush. Only God kens why I dinnae think you would do that. Still, this is very strange business. How do you know Hugh took her?”
“I have knowledge of the future.”
Lennox stared for a long moment. “So you do have second sight?”
“That’s about as good an explanation as you can understand right now.” Cailean glanced at the clouds, drew a long breath. “I know nothing of Murray’s defenses. How will we rescue her?”
“He has a small stronghold. He’s a bit-laird, his family and followers a lesser branch of the great Murray clan up near Inverness. His home is a tower keep only, his lands of no great significance. If he has a dungeon, it will be one or two cells in his undercroft, and very small. But I wager he would keep her in a bedchamber, or maybe a tower. She is a woman, so he wouldnae fear that she could escape, and there is always the chance she could sicken in the dungeon.”
Cailean nodded. “That makes sense. But how do we find out without alerting him?”
“We get another woman’s help.” He kneed his horse and the animal broke into a gallop.
Cailean cursed and spurred his mount into action.
Chapter Twelve
Julianna squinted against the afternoon sun that streamed through the tiny window in her tower prison. Her heart jumped when she spotted riders approaching Strone Hall. There was no mistaking Lady Kristen’s pale hair amongst the half dozen men who accompanied her cousin. Was it possible Kristen had come to negotiate her release? But Kristen couldn’t possibly know that Hugh had taken her.
How could she alert Kristen to her presence? Julianna reached for her silver comb before remembering that she’d lost it in the struggle with Hugh’s men. She whirled and raced to the small table near the hearth where sat a copper goblet and pitcher of wine. She tossed the goblet’s wine into the ewer and hurried back to the window.
With a quick prayer that no guardsman would see the glint of sunlight on metal, she held the goblet up to the window. It took several tries before she was able to reflect sunlight off the metal. Again, she managed a glint, and again, before someone in the courtyard turned and started to look up. She jumped aside. Her back struck the stone wall, her breath coming hard and fast.
She counted to four, then cautiously peered around the edge of the window. The person who had turned to look up was gone and Kristen had entered the courtyard. Julianna’s pulse jumped. Cailean accompanied her cousin. Tears stung her eyes. She didn’t know how, but they were here to rescue her. She scanned the other men and recognized no one else. That made sense. They wouldn’t want Hugh to recognize any of her father’s guards.
How could she know if they had seen her signal? Should she call out to them? Nae. That would start a fight, and five men were no match against fifty, even if one of those men was Cailean Ross. Lennox may have hidden in the trees with his warriors. She scanned what she could see of the forest. He would never stay behind at Raghnall.
Her heart beat faster. One way or another, Lennox would not leave without her, even if it meant a battle with all of Strone Hall. But Lennox would never involve Kristen in a fight. That meant Julianna had until Kristen left to escape without bloodshed.
Kristen and her escorts dismounted and strode toward the castle. Julianna began to pace. How was she to escape? She gave the door another yank but it remained locked, as it had the other dozen times she’d tried. She had yet to see Hugh, and had no idea why he had kidnapped her. Yet Lennox clearly knew who had snatched her. Why would Hugh risk war with her father? They weren’t feuding, and they lived too close for Hugh to think he could get away with a demand for ransom. He had to want marriage and thought it safest to act during her father’s absence. But he was addled to think that her father and Lennox would let him live after this abduction.
Had Hugh sent a message to Lennox that he held her? Nae. If that were the case, Lennox would have come with Kristen and Cailean.
An ache began to pound in her head. She sat down on the hearth bench and rubbed her temples. Too many unanswered questions.
*
Cailean strode on Lady Kristen’s right while another man walked to her left. Others took up the rear as they followed a warrior across Strone Hall’s modest courtyard, up the few steps and into the great hall. An older woman emerged from the screens passage on the far side of the hall, clearly leaving the kitchens.
Her gaze fell on Lady Kristen and her face lit with delight as she approached. “Lady Kristen, ‘tis good to see ye. We were no’ expecting you. Is anything amiss?”
Lady Kristen smiled. “Nothing more than being a little tired, Libby. I have been about all day, visiting the sick among my father’s tenants, and thought perhaps I might stop and rest a bit before continuing home.”
The older woman nodded. “Ye always were a tender soul. You do look a bit tired, and dusty. Mayhap you would like to refresh, as well?”
“I would welcome the opportunity to wash my face.”
Libby nodded. “Come with me. I will have wine and food laid out for you in the ladies’ solar.”
“Ye are too kind, Libby. There is no need to go to so much trouble. I am happy to rest myself here in the great hall.”
“Heavens, no. I cannae leave ye here with these brutes.” She grunted and nodded in the general direction of the men who sat at the tables. You will be more comfortable in the solar. I will tell Lady Bess that you are here.”
“Is she home?” Lady Kristen asked. “I thought she visited her cousin in Inverness.”
“Aye, but she returned two days ago. She will be pleased to see ye.”
“And I her. What of Hugh, is he home? I have not seen him in some time.”
Libby shook her head. “Nae, he isnae here. But I believe he will arrive later tonight.”
“Perhaps I will be fortunate enough to see him.” She looked at Cailean and said, “You and your men may refresh yourselves as you please. I will call you when I am ready to leave.”
Cailean angled his head in acknowledgment, then nodded to the men. They started toward the tables as Libby led her to a narrow staircase. His men sat at one of the tables while Cailean sauntered over to the hearth near the staircase that Libby and Kristen had used. When Libby disappeared into the kitchen, Cailean glanced at the men, now scattered about the room. When he was certain no one watched, he nipped into the stair tower and hurried up the steps.
The flash of sunlight off something metallic they’d seen in a window of the east tower had to have been Julianna trying to contact them. One glint could be someone walking past a window. Half a dozen flashes was by design. Cailean reached the third floor and hurried down the corridor to a hallway that turned left. Left, right, left, right, and he would arrive at the east tower, if Lady Kristen’s directions were correct.
He made the final turn and spotted a very narrow staircase just as Lady Kristen described. So far, he hadn’t encountered anyone, but Lady Kristen
had warned him to beware going up the tower steps. Only one man could travel up or down the stairs at a time. If he got trapped while descending there would be no escape.
Cailean drew his sword and peered around the edge of the wall. A classic medieval turnpike staircase, the steps constructed in a well that hid all but a few feet of stairwell. The tower chamber was about twenty-five feet straight up, but if someone waited beyond a turn they could cut him down before he realized they were there. Conversely, anyone up there would be trapped by him. They could call out for help but they wouldn’t get past him.
Cailean lifted a low burning sconce from the wall and crept up the stairs, ears straining for telltale heavy breathing or a scratch of leather or steel against stone. He heard nothing. Sconce stretched out before him, he proceeded carefully until he reached a chamber. To his relief, a thick, long timber barred the door. He had feared a lock that required a key. This was too easy. A chill slipped through him.
He was tempting fate. Changing history.
He sheathed Triumph, freed the crossbar and placed it on the floor. Slowly, he inched the door open until a small bed came into view. He pushed the door wider. Something hard slammed the side of his shoulder, knocking the sconce from his grip. He swung around to meet his attacker and suffered a smack across the cheek. A flurry of dark green swamed before his eyes and he charged his attacker. A scream penetrated the ringing in his ears as he struck the floor, his attacker on top of him.
“Cailean, sweet God, it is you.”
The weight on top of him bounced and he rolled onto his attacker before the voice registered as Julianna’s. Cailean slid off her and pushed to his feet. He stumbled back a step before catching himself, then spotted the sconce lying on its side near the wall. He took two steps and scooped it up, then stamped his foot at the ashes and sparks on the floor. He stood fingering his cheek as Julianna rose.
“Bloody hell, woman. How many times will you try to kill me?”
“I-I am sorry. I thought ye were Hugh.”
Cailean paused in rubbing his cheek. “Did he harm you?”
She shook her head. “Nae.”
Her voice was strong, but Cailean saw a tremble in her hands. He had the sudden urge to crush her hard against him and tell her no one would ever again harm her. “We’ll have to hurry, lass. Are you able?”
“Bah!” She gave him a narrow-eyed look. “I am no weakling. I wager I can outrun you.”
“Good, because it isn’t me you may have to outrun, but Hugh’s men. Come on, let’s get out of here before they return.” Cailean pulled his sword from its scabbard and started through the door.
“How will we escape?” She hurried after him, reached out to touch his arm. “Have ye a plan?”
“We will nip through a postern door on the side of the keep.” He started down the stairs, Julianna close behind. “How many people know you’re here?”
“As far as I can guess, only the guards who manned the gate when I entered. I feel certain Hugh’s sister does not know, for I dinnae believe Bess would agree with such a wicked scheme. They brought me in through a postern door, perhaps the same one you intend to escape through, so no one else in the castle saw me.”
An echo of voices stopped him short. “Here.” He thrust the sconce toward her. She took it, and he whispered, “Go back up the stairs. I don’t want them to see the light.”
She obeyed. Cailean quickly took the next three steps and pressed his back against the wall. Bootfalls echoed up the stairs. He tightened his grip on the sword hilt. Light bounced in a soft rhythm off the opposite wall as the men ascended, still in conversation. He gritted his teeth and realized they were talking about a horse, a damned horse, while on their way to visit a woman they had kidnapped.
They neared him and he shifted the sword left so he could swing hard right. If the first man wasn’t wearing armor, Triumph would slice through his chest. Cailean’s heart pounded. Only hours ago he would’ve never considered killing a man. But if he didn’t strike first they would kill him and perhaps even Julianna. Another startling thought struck. What if the escape attempt Julianna died in was this one, the one instigated by him?
Bloody hell.
The first man started around the bend and Cailean swung Triumph with all his might. The man screamed as blood spurted from him. A splatter of warm liquid struck Cailean’s jaw. The man crashed into his companion and the two tumbled down the steps out of sight.
“Julianna, come quickly,” Cailean called.
An instant later, she appeared, sconce in hand. When she reached the stair above him, he turned and hurried down the stairs with her close behind. They neared the bottom of the steps where the two men lay motionless. Cailean reached the hallway first. The man he’d attacked lay on his stomach, his wound hidden from sight. Cailean couldn’t help but thank the powers that be for that small mercy. In the space of a few moments his world had gone from peaceful to violent. If he couldn’t find a way out of fourteenth century Scotland, this was an example of his future life.
He grasped Julianna’s hand and pulled her past the bodies. What were Lady Kristen’s directions for getting to the postern door? He had to head to the opposite end of the hallway. Were they supposed to go down to the second level or all the way to the first floor and then turn right? Or were they supposed to turn right on the second floor and go down to the next floor? Cailean cursed under his breath. Surely, they needed to reach the main floor.
At the stairs and descended to the next floor. He started to take the stairs down to the next level when Julianna said, “Nae, we must go down this hallway and turn left, then use the stairs there to reach the postern door.”
Cailean hesitated. “Are you sure it’s the same one?”
“I do not know Strone well, but the postern door they brought me through was out-of-the-way.”
He hesitated, then said, “All right.”
They started forward, then she stopped. “Put away your sword.”
“If we run into guards—”
“We are more likely to encounter servants or other occupants of the keep who will wonder at a warrior walking the corridors with his sword drawn.”
He didn’t like it, but she was right. Cailean sheathed Triumph and they proceeded toward the stairs.
“How will we get past the gate guards?” she asked as they started down the stairs.
“If all goes well, I plan to walk out the gate with you.” He glanced back at her. “You did say only the guards saw you?”
“There were people in the courtyard, but I doubt they paid me any heed.”
They came to a T and Julianna pointed right. “This way.”
They started forward, then stopped at the sound of footfalls up ahead. Cailean grasped his sword hilt, but Julianna covered his hand with hers and nodded to a large tapestry up ahead. She hurried to the tapestry and pulled one edge aside to reveal an alcove.
Cailean looked at her. He didn’t know how she knew about the alcove, but he could have kissed her. He pressed a hand to the small of her back and urged her into the shadows. He drew Triumph, then stepped in after her and let the tapestry fall back into place. Cailean stood in front of Julianna, but she pressed so close that he was certain he felt her hair tickle the back of his neck. He wanted to edge forward, but his chest almost brushed the tapestry as it was.
As a boy in Cumbernauld, when he visited nearby Stirling Castle, he’d kept an eye out for alcoves like this in which to hide. He’d discovered one in a long hallway and slipped inside, giving his parents quite a scare when they turned to find him gone. He’d listened to them call for him up and down the corridor for ten minutes before finally coming out. It had been great fun, and well worth the week’s grounding he received for his mischief. He only hoped he and Julianna stayed hidden as well as he had then.
The footsteps drew closer and he caught voices.
“I dinnae like it,” a man said.
“Never mind what ye like,” another male replied. “Hugh has b
een good to ye. Without him you would have been hanged five years ago. You owe him your life.”
“But why do this?” the first man asked.
“I do not know.”
“If Ravenstone discovers the truth—”
“He will no’,” the second man interrupted. “How could he?”
How could he, indeed? Cailean thought. He wanted to burst from the alcove and cut down both men. His heart, he realized, was racing. He had always considered himself an enlightened man, but in a few short hours he’d gone from enlightened to barbarian. How was that possible?
Both men fell silent. Their footsteps receded. Cailean counted to five, then drew back the edge of the tapestry and peeked left, then right. No one.
Cailean grasped Julianna’s hand and whispered, “Hurry.”
He knew she had to almost run to keep up with his long strides, but the bodies at the base of the stairs would alert the men to her escape. A general alarm would stop them before they reached the gate.
A moment later, he spotted the door up ahead. When they reached it, he motioned her behind him. Cailean inched the door open and peered at a neatly tended kitchen garden, complete with the tower house’s well. Blessedly, the yard was empty.
“Come on.” He tightened his grip on her hand and pulled her outside, then started forward at a stroll.
They made it through the little walled garden without mishap and quickly reached the courtyard. Cailean leaned close to Julianna and said, “Relax and walk with me as if we are lovers.” Her head snapped up and he bit back a laugh. Her wide-eyed gaze would give them away, if they weren’t careful. “You look as though I’m about to eat you,” he whispered. His damned cock twitched and he could’ve bitten his tongue.
Her eyes narrowed as if she’d heard his thoughts, then her expression softened and she giggled. Cailean blinked before realizing she was playing at being coy. Her flirting needed a little work. He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close. She molded nicely to his side. Too nicely, in fact.
She slipped an arm about him and Cailean startled at the wish they were somewhere private where he could find out what her naked skin felt like against his. He groaned inwardly. Thoughts like that would get him killed, whether it be by the guards they faced or her brother Lennox.