by B. J. Scott
Ian hesitated for a moment, then tugged her into his arms and kissed her. “I’ll go for Quinn’s sake, but I’ll come back for you Roslyn. You have my word.” Ian released her and climbed out the window, just as Roderick broke down the door.
Chapter 9
“I warned you, Roslyn.” Roderick stormed into the room, stepping over fragments of wood from the shattered door. Four of his fiercest warriors followed on his heels. “Search the chamber.”
“What are you hunting for, Roderick?” Roslyn brought her hand up to cover her mouth, her lips swollen and still tingling from Ian’s kiss.
“I heard you talking to someone. Your savior perhaps? Or maybe it was your lover.” Roderick upended a large chair, then yanked the mattress off her bed. “Where is he? Tell me now and save us both a lot of grief.”
“This is ludicrous.” Roslyn motioned around the chamber with a sweep of her arm. “As you can see there is no one here. Search if you like, but you’ll na find a soul.” She faced Blake. “You were posted outside my door. Did you see anyone enter or leave my chamber?”
“Nay, m’lady. I saw no one,” Blake replied. “But he could have already been here when you arrived. Perhaps when you were out with Lord Sinclair.”
Roderick wrapped his fingers around her throat, squeezing until she gasped for air. “Tell me who you’re hiding.”
“No one,” Roslyn rasped as she clawed at her brother’s hand. He could beat her senseless, but she’d not betray Ian. Roderick tightened his grip, the room began to spin, and she felt faint. Perhaps he’d end it here and spare her the torture she knew awaited.
Blake stepped forward. “You’re choking her, m’lord. If you kill her, you canna punish her or find out the identity of her accomplice.”
“You’re right.” Roderick shoved Roslyn with all his force, causing her to stumble backward and lose her balance.
She dropped to her knees. “I wish you’d finished the deed, brother.”
“You’ll na get off that easily. Sinclair is gone and you must answer to me for your obstinacy.” Roderick hovered over her with his fists balled. “Dinna play games with me, lass. You might have had our da wrapped around your finger and toyed with Sinclair, fooling them into thinking you could be trusted, but you are dealing with me now. And you know I’ll show no mercy if you continue to defy me.”
“You’re wrong, brother. Father always doted on you more than he ever did me. You were his son, his heir,” Roslyn said. “It is a shame he was too blind to see the man you truly were. Na the one you pretended to be.”
“He molded me into the man I am,” Roderick said. “He taught me all he knew about running the clan so I was prepared to take over upon his death.”
“You are nothing like him,” Roslyn snapped. “He may have been a fierce laird, but he was fair. If he knew the way you were treating people, he’d tell you how disappointed he was in you.” Roslyn lowered her head and mumbled a prayer. “Lord rest his soul. Da is dead and will never know.”
“And dinna forget that.” Roderick moved closer. “I’m laird of Clan Morgan and I’ll decide how best to deal with you.”
She raised her chin and looked him in the eye. “And what do you plan to do with me?”
Roderick gave her a backhanded slap that sent her crashing to the ground. “Whatever I damned well please. This is but a sample of what is to come.”
Roslyn lay very still, her cheek pressed against the cool stone floor, praying her brother would leave.
“Get up.” Roderick grabbed a fistful of Roslyn’s hair and yanked her to her feet. He snapped her head back, forcing her to look at him. “Someone was here. I heard a man’s voice and I want to know how he got into your chamber and out again unnoticed.” He released his hold and strutted toward the window. “Perhaps this is how he got away.”
Roslyn held her breath as her brother leaned out the window, praying Ian had made his way safely along the ledge and into the adjacent room. Were he waiting to return upon her brother’s departure, or if he had some fool notion he might rescue her, she feared he’d be captured.
Blake joined Roderick and peered outside. “No one in their right mind would attempt to come and go this way. They’d have to be a spider to remain on that ledge, let alone travel along it.”
Roderick drew in his head and spun around. “Well, they had to get out somehow.”
“Perhaps this phantom you seek sprouted wings and took flight,” Roslyn said with a sneer.
“I’ve heard enough from you. Hold your wheesht or I’ll cut out your tongue before I flog you.” Roderick shook his fist in the air. “You’ve pushed me beyond my limits.”
The glower of contempt in her brother’s eyes made the hairs on her neck bristle, but she’d not back down. The longer she engaged him, the better chance Ian had of getting away.
After leaving no corner of her chamber unsearched, Blake addressed Roderick. “We’ve found no sign of anyone, m’lord. I see no point in continuing the hunt. If someone was here, he is no longer.”
“If someone was here?” Roderick repeated. “Are you saying I am daft and hearing things?”
Blake stared at the floor. “Nay, Lord Roderick. Why-why you have perfect hearing,” he stammered.
“Leave one man here to continue the search or in case the bugger is fool enough to return,” Roderick ordered. “Take the others and scour the rest of the chambers on this floor. After you’ve done that, speak to the crofters and servants. See if anyone witnessed the attack on Lord Sinclair or has noticed anyone suspicious skulking about the castle of late.”
Blake offered a curt nod. “Right away, m’lord. What of Lady Roslyn?”
“I’ll take care of my sister. She has a cell awaiting her in the dungeon and a meeting with the lash to attend.”
“You would damage your property, brother?” Roslyn challenged. “How do you expect to get a fair price for me if you do?”
Roderick dragged her to her feet. “After Sinclair tells people what happened, there isna a man in all of Scotland who will want you. Perhaps he is right, you should be sent to the priory.” Roderick shoved her toward the door. “Unless I kill you first.”
Ian made his way down the dark corridor, away from Roslyn’s chamber and raced up the stairs of the tower, his stomach knotted with guilt and worry. He took no pride in leaving her to face Roderick alone. The bastard had a heart of stone and Roslyn was at his mercy.
Ian hesitated halfway up the steps and contemplated going back, confronting Roderick, and doing what he could to rescue Roslyn. But the lass was right. While her brother was distracted, this might be his only chance to rescue Quinn. He was but one man against Roderick and his men. He didn’t fear death, but if he perished, he’d be no use to either of them.
Ian’s heart clenched when he remembered the look of desperation on Roslyn’s face, the fear in her eyes—even though she had done her best to put on a brave front. She was willing to sacrifice her own safety for the sake of the lad, a selfless act that touched him deeply and made her even more appealing. He promised Quinn he’d protect him, he’d vowed to Lazarus he’d bring his son home safely, and Roslyn was prepared to suffer at the hands of her brother so the lad could be freed. He’d not let her courageous effort be in vain.
Treading lightly, Ian ascended the remaining stairs. When he reached the top, he peered around the corner and spotted Duncan dozing in a chair outside Quinn’s chamber. His first task would be getting past the sentinel.
A mountain of a man, Duncan stood three inches taller than Ian and outweighed him by at least two stone. But he was determined to take the brute down with as little fuss and noise as possible. Having carefully studied their schedule, Ian knew another guard would be along very soon, so he had to work fast.
Unarmed, aside from the dirks in his boots, Ian searched for something larger he could use to subdue Duncan. When he spied an unlit torch in a sconce on the wall beside him, he carefully retrieved it, then crept forward, prepared to rush headlong and
attack the bugger.
Duncan mumbled in his sleep, stopping Ian in his tracks. But when he settled again, Ian pressed on. He tightened his sweaty palm around the handle of the torch, quietly approaching the guard from behind, and struck him on the skull with all the force he could muster.
Duncan groaned and toppled forward, landing with a thud on the floor. Ian nudged him with the toe of his boot, uncertain if the blow had killed him or merely rendered him unconscious. He hoped the later, but he had no time to worry about that now.
He stepped over the man’s body, grabbed the key from the hook on the wall, and swiftly entered the chamber. “Quinn,” he called out as he closed the door behind him.
Quinn sprang from the bed and raced toward him. “Ian. I’m so glad to see you. Is it time to eat?”
“Nay, lad, it is time to leave this place,” Ian replied.
“We’re going home?” Quinn squealed with delight and clapped his hands, then frowned. “But how? The door is guarded and when Roderick claimed I was his son, he said he’d never let me leave.”
“Lady Roslyn came up with a plan to keep her brother busy so we can escape.” Ian saw no point in telling the lad she’d forfeited her freedom so he could have his. “But she canna keep the laird occupied for long. We must be away.”
“I really like Lady Roslyn,” Quinn said. “I wish she were coming with us. Or at least I could say goodbye.”
“She would see you off if she could, but she has things to do here. Perhaps I will come back for her once you are safe and with the clan. But right now, we must prepare to leave.”
“I’d like that very much.” Quinn scratched his head. “What about the guard?”
“Dinna fash, I took care of him.” Ian held out his hand to Quinn. “Come, lad, we must be away.”
When they reached the door, Ian opened it a crack and peered out, not certain what he’d do if the guard had awakened or other warriors occupied the stairway, blocking their exit. “The coast is clear,” he said. “We must hurry.”
Quinn gasped when he almost tripped over the guard sprawled on the floor. “Is he dead?”
“We have no time to fash about that now. Roderick could show up at any minute.”
“I hope you killed him,” Quinn said. “I dinna like him. He was very mean to me, just like Lord Morgan.”
Ian clasped Quinn’s hand and led him toward the stairs. “You must be very quiet and do whatever I say without question. Do you understand? Whether we make it out of here or not depends upon it.”
Quinn nodded. “Aye. I will be a quiet as a mouse. I canna wait to see Lazarus and Sheena again. Please take me home.”
Chapter 10
Ian and Quinn crept down the stairs. When they reached the second floor—the level of the castle on which Roslyn’s room was located—Ian stopped and brought a finger to his lips, signaling for the lad to remain silent.
Heart hammering, Ian peered down the hall. This was the only way out, and if Roderick and his men were still searching for him, they could very well be captured. Relieved the hallway was empty and a guard was no longer posted on her door, he inched down the corridor with Quinn in tow, all the while keeping his head on a swivel.
As they neared Roslyn’s chamber, a powerful sense of foreboding washed over Ian. While he wasn’t certain what happened to her, he feared the worst. He prayed she’d escaped or somehow evaded Roderick’s wrath. But when he stared at the broken door, laying in splinters on the floor, his dread turned to grim reality.
“You’re Ian Forbes, are you na?” a woman asked in a hushed voice. “I’ve come to help you escape.”
Ian faced the lass, and shoved Quinn behind him, protecting the lad with his body. “Who are you, and why do you offer to help us?”
“My name is Fiona. I’m Lady Roslyn’s maid and her friend.”
“How do I know you can be trusted and that this is not some sort of trick, a means by which to trap us?”
“I’m afraid you must take my word.” Fiona smiled down at the bairn. “And you must be Quinn. Roslyn told me so much about you. I must say, you do look like your father. I just hope you dinna grow up to be like him.”
“What do you know about my da?” Quinn poked his nose out from behind Ian, glaring up at her.
“I’ve known Laird Roderick all my life.”
Quinn raised his chin in defiance and puffed out his chest. “Laird Morgan, he isna my father. I wish people would stop saying that. My da died when I was a babe, and my new da’s name is Lazarus Fraser.”
“I dinna blame you for denying your parentage, lad,” Fiona said. “But in some ways you are fortunate.”
“I am?” Quinn’s eyes widened. “How so?”
“Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to choose their clan or their parents.” She looked at Ian. “Best the two of you make haste. Do you know how you’re going to get out of the castle unseen? If na, I’ll show you the way.”
“Where is Roslyn?” Ian asked. “I’m na going anywhere until you tell me.”
Fiona lowered her gaze. “Roderick took her to the dungeon. He plans to punish her for insulting Lord Sinclair and for refusing to tell him your name, or where he could find you.” She wrapped her arms around her middle and clucked her tongue. “The laird has always hated his sister and now he has an excuse to show her how much.”
Ian hung his head in despair. The confirmation that Roslyn was going to be tortured by her sadistic brother made him feel like he’d been gut-kicked. His legs suddenly felt as if they might give way. He pressed his hands against the wall for support and cursed beneath his breath. He should have done something to protect her. Instead, he scampered off like a frightened rabbit and left her to face her brother alone. “I must find way to rescue her.”
“Nay. Lady Roslyn wouldna want you to forfeit your life for hers. And what about the lad?”
“What do you know about Roslyn and me?”
Fiona rested her hand on is forearm. “I know enough to say my mistress cares about you and Quinn very much. And she would want you to leave. She’s risked much so you can get the lad to safety.”
“I’d hoped it was an empty threat on Roderick’s behalf, but after meeting the bastard, I should have known better.” He pounded his fist on the wall, guilt tugging at his gut. “This was my fault.”
“You are na to blame. Roderick has always been at odds with his sister. It was only a matter of time before his hatred and temper got the best of him,” Fiona said. “I’m surprised it took him this long.”
“That may be true, but had I not interfered between her and Sinclair, perhaps none of this would be happening. To make things worse, I went to her room to see if she was hurt and her brother nearly caught me there.” Ian straightened and met Fiona’s gaze. “I must do something. I canna desert her when she needs my help.”
“I’ve already told you, that’s na what Roslyn would want,” Fiona replied. “Besides, you are but one man and there is naught you can do. Best you leave things as they are and continue on your way. She knew the risks when she chose to challenge her brother.”
“Is Lady Roslyn in trouble?” Quinn asked, his lower lip quivering.
“Dinna fash over Roslyn.” Fiona squatted before the lad and wiped a tear from his cheek with the pad of her thumb. “She told me how special she thinks you are, and how much she wants you to go home to be with your mam. So much so, that she asked Ian to take you there, because she knew he would do everything possible to see that happens. You must be brave and do as he says.” She rose and addressed Ian. “You should go before anyone finds out the lad is missing.”
Ian glanced over his shoulder in all directions, then focused on Fiona. “You’re right. Someone could come along at any minute, and Roslyn’s sacrifice would be for naught.”
“Aye. But you canna just walk out the front door of the keep with the lad. If you follow me, I’ll show you a safe way to exit the castle.”
“Nay.” Ian held up his hand. “I canna involve you in t
his. If we get caught and Roderick finds out you helped us, there is no telling what he might do to you.”
“I’m here by choice. Lady Roslyn canna help you, so I wish to assist you in her stead,” Fiona replied. “And we willna get caught. Na if you follow me and dinna tarry any longer.” She turned and headed in the opposite direction to which he was originally traveling.
Confused as to why she was going the wrong way, Ian grasped her elbow. “Where are you taking us? If we hope to escape, we must get to the lower lever of the castle. That is the only way.” He pointed toward the stairs.
“Och, but you’re wrong. There is more than one way to get downstairs.” She tugged free of his grasp and hurried down the hall, halting when she came to a large, ornately carved door, then opened it.
“This is Roderick’s chamber, is it na?” Ian found himself even more baffled than ever. “How could hiding out here be safe?”
“I’m about to show you.” Fiona ushered Ian and Quinn inside, then shut the door. “This may be Lord Roderick’s room, but it once to belong to his grandfather. When the old laird built the keep, he had a secret passageway and a set of stairs enclosed in the wall. The tunnel runs under the kitchen storage room and beneath a section of the bailey. It comes out on the opposite side of the curtain wall.”
She scurried across the room, removed a cornerstone from the mantle of the hearth, then tugged on a chain, a section of the stone wall opening wide enough for a person to pass through.
“How did you know about this?”
“Lady Roslyn and I have been friends since we were bairns. At the time, her parents occupied this room,” Fiona explained. “Her father dinna approve of our friendship. I was the daughter of a scullery maid and my da was a smithy. Roslyn was a chieftain’s daughter and of noble blood. Our friendship was forbidden. So we spent many hours hiding in the passageway.”