The Banished Highlander

by Keira Montclair

  Riley.

  His dear niece raced toward him, her legs flying across the grass near the portcullis. “Uncle Ruari?”

  “Good morn to you, Riley. Is something wrong?”

  She stopped in front of him, a brilliant smile lighting up her face, but only for a brief moment. Her face turned deadly serious. “Uncle Ruari, you must go.”

  He had no idea what she meant, so he knelt down in front of her so they were face-to-face. “Sweetie, what do you mean by that?”

  “You must go. I’ve been told to tell you so.”

  Her face was so serious for one so young that he didn’t know whether or not to believe her. But according to Juliana, Elyse and Riley were the ones who’d conveyed Joan’s message from beyond the grave. He’d be a fool to discount what she had to say.

  “Go now, please.”

  Ruari thought he’d do best to handle the matter delicately. “I believe you, but where shall I go?”

  “It does not matter. Ride your horse off Cameron land, and they will lead you.”

  “They? Who are they?” An eerie feeling crept up his back.

  She twirled around and ran back toward the keep.

  He changed his direction and headed for the stable first to saddle his horse. The stable lad noticed him coming, so he readied his stallion and walked him out to him.

  Ruari’s mind flew in a dozen different directions. He prayed Juliana wasn’t in trouble, but who else could it be?

  He mounted his horse after settling his satchel behind the saddle. The lad asked him where he was going, but he ignored the question.

  How could he answer when he didn’t know?

  Tugging the reins, he sent his horse into a gallop, heading off Cameron land toward the abbey, but then he felt the sudden urge to veer toward the south.

  He didn’t know why, but he didn’t ignore it.

  A short time later, he had his answer. A group of riders, about a dozen, were headed south with a prisoner in their midst, his hands tied behind his back.

  Neil.

  Neil had been taken prisoner by a group of Munro guards and they were headed south toward Munro land. Ruari immediately went into spy mode, because this time he was wise enough to know he couldn’t take on a dozen men. He led his horse into the forest while the riders stayed on the main path. He could follow them in this manner for at least two hours, which would bring him almost to Munro land.

  As he rode, his mind shifted to Juliana and their plan to leave on the morrow. Should he shift the responsibility of saving Neil to his brother? Aedan could pursue this group with plenty of guards.

  No. There was no doubt in his mind. If he didn’t continue his pursuit, Neil’s life might be forfeit.

  Although Neil was a thorny bastard and they had their issues, he needed to do the right thing.

  They were nearly on Munro land when he overheard a conversation that tore his insides apart.

  “Did they get the lass?” one guard said.

  “Aye, they had to tie up a few guards, but they got her out. They’re about an hour ahead of us,” another answered.

  “They did not hurt the nuns, did they?” asked a third. “The Munro gave strict instructions to leave the abbess and the sisters unharmed.”

  The first guard guffawed. “The only feisty one was our soon-to-be mistress. She’ll make a fine lady to the Munro. She bit your brother.”

  “Didn’t think it would take three tries for us to finally steal her away.”

  Ruari’s ears pricked over that statement. What the hell were they talking about?

  “The first time, they waited too long. They were too close to Cameron land.”

  “Aye, we lost three men.”

  “At least your brother survived that one. ’Twas a good thing they didn’t wear their Munro plaids.”

  “Aye. He said he nearly had her when they tried to grab her near Stonecroft Abbey, but the bastard Cameron hid her too quickly. Still, he got a good slice on her sister.”

  Ruari couldn’t have been more shocked. The two attacks had been aimed at Juliana. That bastard Munro had sent his men after her, likely to avoid paying whatever dowry he’d agreed upon with her sire. Thank the Lord that they’d been able to save her from kidnapping the first two times.

  The louts continued their conversation about their dirty deeds, chuckling all the while. Ruari wished to kill the bastards for touching his betrothed.

  But he couldn’t attack them before he knew what he was walking into. He had to find out where they were keeping her.

  The riders traveled across the bridge with a loud enough clatter that he knew the portcullis protecting the Munro keep had been lifted. He stopped his horse at the edge of the dense forest looking over the castle and its wall. He’d have to scale it or find an entrance around the back.

  Or perhaps there was a tunnel underneath the keep.

  As he was mulling over his choices, a voice startled him from behind.

  “Do not even consider going in on your own.”

  Padraig.

  He’d never been so pleased to see someone. He clapped his cousin on the back and said as much.

  “Who are you after now?”

  He lost his smile as quickly as he’d gained it. “I came after Neil, but I overheard the guards discussing Juliana. She was stolen from the abbey an hour before they kidnapped Neil.”

  “Neil? Kidnapped? Or was he willingly traveling with them?”

  “He was tied up,” Ruari replied, his gaze still taking in everything about the Munro keep. “I also learned it was Munro’s men who tried to steal Juliana away twice. They dressed up like reivers.”

  “Truly? Munro tried to kidnap her outside the abbey?”

  “Aye, I heard his men having a chortle over it. They were also responsible for the attack on the way to Stonecroft. Both were attempts to kidnap Juliana.”

  “Hellfire. That explains much. Except…why the hell would Munro want Neil? Juliana, I understand, but why would he want to kidnap that salty bastard?”

  “I have no idea,” he said, finally shifting his gaze to meet Padraig’s eyes. “But I intend to find out.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Juliana struggled not to sob uncontrollably, but she didn’t want to give Munro the satisfaction. Ten Munro guards had stolen her from the great hall of the abbey, whereupon she’d been tied up and tossed onto a horse.

  It only comforted her a wee bit that she’d spat at, kicked, and scratched several of the guards. She’d even bitten one.

  When the guards had pushed her into the Munro’s great hall, he’d been awaiting her with a smile. “My lady, ’tis lovely to see you again.”

  “Set me free,” she’d barked at him, but to no avail.

  “Sorry, my dear, but you’ll be marrying me on the morrow. You don’t wish to stay?” he’d asked, his eyes turning nearly black. He wore his gray plaid and a tunic—his regal appearance a mockery of the cruel man she knew him to be.

  “Nay, I wish to marry Ruari Cameron, not you.” The Munro great hall was quite stark compared to the warm Cameron hall. Not a single tapestry hung in this hall, and the only decoration was a pair of swords crossed over the hearth.

  Worse yet, the rushes were quite disgusting. Not quite what one would expect from a laird’s holdings.

  The Munro looked at her for a long, drawn-out minute, his gaze cruel and challenging, then announced, “Take her to my mistress’s chamber. Lock the door.” He’d walked away as the guards grabbed ahold of her and carried her up the staircase.

  She’d kicked and bit two more.

  The chamber they’d locked her in had clearly been decorated for a lady. A tub was pushed up against the wall, and there were fine soaps and dried flowers everywhere. Although the bed was small, it was in much better condition than the great hall.

  She paced the chamber, wondering how long it would be before word reached Ruari that she’d been stolen away. They’d tied up all the nuns and the guards, though they hadn’t hurt any
of the women, fortunately.

  The only hysterical one had been Sister Grace.

  Loud voices reached her ear. It struck her that her chamber was just off the top of the stairs, so it would be possible she was overhearing people talking in the great hall.

  “Talking” was a kind word for the bellowing she listened to.

  She held her breath as she pressed her ear to the wood, her hands resting against the solid frame. When she could finally hear the voices clearly enough, she gasped and almost jumped back from the door.

  One voice was her sire’s.

  She whimpered but forced herself to continue listening.

  “I want my coin back, Clavelle. You owe me.”

  “The hell I do. You killed my eldest daughter…my sweet Joan.”

  “She stabbed me first, or have you forgotten that fact? It was self-defense. Not a single sheriff in all of England would fault me for that. I want the coin I paid you. You promised me one of your daughters.”

  “Why? You’re still marrying her. I deserve it.”

  “I have to force her to marry me, no thanks to you. She’s headstrong, and ’tis all your fault for rearing her badly.”

  She heard nothing but silence now between the two.

  The silence had lingered for an uncomfortably long time. Oh, how she wished she could see their expressions.

  “Clavelle, I’ll allow you to keep the coin under one condition.”

  Juliana’s eyes widened at that comment. She held her breath again, pushing her ear against the door so hard that she feared she’d leave a mark on her skin.

  “Name it. If I can, I will,” her father said.

  “Tell me where he is.”

  At least she thought that was what Munro had said—she couldn’t hear clearly.

  “Where who is?”

  “My son.”

  “Your son?” her sire’s voice grew louder. “What son?”

  “The son your daughter gave birth to in the abbey. I know all about him! He’s nearly two and ten. I want him here now.”

  “What? I know not of what you speak. Joan had a son? Nay…nay…if she did, they would have told me. My wife said the bairn died the day after she went to the abbey.”

  “’Tis a lie. He lived!”

  “Who told you this? I know naught of a grandbairn’s existence.”

  “One of the guards at the abbey said he had information for me. It cost me a sack of coin, but he told me Joan gave birth to a laddie and they sent him away. Where is he? I want to know, and if I have to beat it from you, I will.”

  “Nay, nay! ’Tis all a lie. Margery would have told me. She would have. She…”

  Her sire’s sobs echoed through the hall, a sound that tore at her heart. Tears slid down her own cheeks.

  Was this the secret Joan had referred to in the letter?

  Did she have a nephew alive somewhere?

  ***

  “I have to go inside and see where she is,” Ruari said. “I can get her out and go back for Neil later.”

  “Heed my words, Ruari. You’ll not be any help to her if you run off by yourself. Your spy tactics have gotten us here, but how do we get them out?”

  A rustling in the bushes behind them had them both unsheathing their weapons. But when the culprit emerged, Ruari was surprised to recognize him.

  Aedan had both palms held up. “I know you might like to skewer me, Ruari, but not yet. Please.”

  “Hell, the best way to get yourself skewered is to sneak up on someone who has a sword,” Ruari said, putting his weapon away.

  “Never mind that. Tell me what you’ve learned.”

  “Juliana and Neil are being held against their will by Laird Munro. I’m sure we can guess why he wants Juliana, but why Neil?” Aedan shook his head, indicating he was as baffled as they were by Neil’s inclusion in the scheme.

  “We haven’t figured out why Neil is here. But we did learn it was Munro’s men who attacked us outside the abbeys, both times.”

  Aedan shook his head in wonder, scratching his beard. “Bastard.”

  “How did you know to come after us?” Padraig whispered to Aedan.

  “Riley. She told me about her premonition, so I decided to bring some men and help.”

  “I would never have known to come here if not for her,” Ruari said. “I don’t know what to make of her skills.”

  Aedan sighed and wiped the sweat from his brow. “’Tis what happens when you marry a healer. She’s just learning about her gifts, but I have a feeling they’ll continue to grow.”

  “How many men have you?” Ruari pressed.

  “Thirty. How many does Munro have?”

  “Probably forty or fifty. I’m going inside to see if I can free Juliana on my own once it’s dark. Or at least to figure out where the two of them are being held. Another half hour or so, and I should be able to sneak in.” He rubbed his beard, scratching his chin. “Why the hell is Neil in there? Aedan, have you missed something? You must have an inkling about it.”

  “I don’t, but he and I have not been seeing eye to eye of late.” He paused, then added, “I’d like you to be my new second when this is over.” He clasped his shoulder. “You’ve impressed me with your skills of late.”

  They were words he’d longed to hear for as long as he could remember, but the timing was all wrong. He had to be honest with his brother. “Aedan, I’m honored, but I cannot give you an answer just yet.”

  Aedan gave him a perplexed look. “I thought this was what you wanted.”

  “It is.” He glanced back at the castle. “Or it was. Juliana is more important to me. I have to get her out. We’d planned to run away and marry, travel to our relatives. I can’t answer you until I speak with her.”

  “So be it.”

  Padraig cast them both a huge grin.

  “What?” Ruari said.

  “After all this time, you might turn him down. You’re full of surprises, Ruari.”

  Aedan shook his head, then stared at Padraig. “How did you get to be such a wise arse? Your parents must pull their hair out over you.”

  His grin showed all his teeth. “They’ve been known to do so.”

  Ruari looked at the two in bafflement, then asked, “Why aren’t you asking Padraig to be your second? I figured ’tis why you brought him here.”

  “Padraig? Hell nay. He was making his sire daft, and his brother wants him to be his second. He’s been growing his guards and wants to put someone else in charge of them.”

  Padraig’s grin disappeared. “He does?”

  “’Tis what I was told. When I feel you’re ready, I’m to send you to your brother Roddy. There’s only one problem.”

  “What problem?” Padraig’s shocked expression made Ruari almost laugh aloud. He knew what was coming next.

  “I told your sire you’ll never be ready. You’re too much of a wise arse.”

  A sudden bolt of lightning shot out across the sky, followed by a loud boom of thunder, enough to shake the ground they stood on.

  “Holy shite. We’re all about to die,” Padraig said, the color draining from his face.

  “Nay, ’tis perfect,” Ruari said. “The storm will provide me with cover. Once the rain starts, I’m going in around the back. Aedan, ready your men for an attack. You’ll know when. Padraig?”

  His cousin couldn’t stop staring at the lightning scissoring across the sky.

  He grabbed his tunic and said, “You’re coming with me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Juliana jumped when the first bolt of lightning hit, followed by a boom of thunder. She had to get out. That was the only thing on her mind. She opened each chest, looking for any weapon she could find, but there was nothing of use.

  Nothing except for the dagger from Joan, which she still had in her pocket.

  To her surprise, the door flew open and her sire stood before her. “Juliana, run. Go to the kitchens and out the back entrance. I’ll keep Munro inside. He’s gone daft.”
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br />   Juliana didn’t hesitate, pausing only to kiss her sire’s cheek as she ran out the door into the passageway. Her sire pointed toward the back staircase, so she flew in that direction, her worn slippers making too much noise as she pounded down the steps. She pushed through the door to the kitchens, then headed straight out the back, ignoring the shouts of the cook and the kitchen helpers.

  Rain pounded down on her, but she plunged ahead, dipping her head down to protect her face from the torrential downpour. She found the door in the back of the curtain wall, tugged on it until it opened, then fled as fast as she could.

  She screamed as she lost her footing on a hill at the back, something she hadn’t expected. Sliding and screaming, she rolled and catapulted down the slippery slope until she hit the bottom with a thud. Her hand hit something hard enough that she feared she’d broken a bone, but she pushed against it, forcing herself to a standing position. The ground was covered in water, flooding nearly to her ankles, but she raced across the landscape, never stopping.

  “Juliana, come back or I’ll kill you! If I cannot have you, no one will.” Ailbeart’s voice carried through the storm, but she ignored him, plowing ahead through the mud and water, tripping again on something sticking out of the dirt. She landed hard and her head hit something. Maybe a tree root, although it felt too hard.

  Moaning, she rolled over onto her back, opening her eyes and brushing the wet strands of hair out of her face. She tried to push her way to her feet, but then she saw it.

  And she screamed and screamed and screamed.

  She’d tripped over a bone and hit her head on a skull sticking out of the ground.

  Bones were everywhere. Bolts of lightning lit up the entire area.

  She was in the middle of an unmarked graveyard.

  Running straight toward her was Ailbeart Munro, a snarl on his face. His hands were over his head, wielding a dagger. “He’ll not have you.”

  That dagger was aimed directly at her.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Ruari heard a scream as he rounded the back of the curtain wall, and he instantly knew it was Juliana. He took off toward the scream, but then found himself hurtling down a steep hill, only visible because of the lightning that lit up the area in flashes.