by B. J. Scott
Ian plucked a torch from the wall and used it to illuminate the entrance of the tunnel. “And Roderick doesna know about this hidden passage?”
“Aye, but he doesna know that I know about it,” she said, grinning. “He believes that only the laird and his family are aware it exists, so he wouldna expect a servant to be using it.”
“Thank you so much for helping us, Fiona.” Ian took her hand, then brought it to his lips and kissed the back it. “I canna repay you.”
“There is no need.” She bobbed a curtsy. “I’m glad I could be of assistance.”
Ian dropped his gaze. “I only wish there was something I could do to help Roslyn.”
“But you are.”
“How?”
“Lady Roslyn made a promise to Quinn and you are helping her to keep it.” Fiona patted the lad’s head. “She vowed to let no harm come to him, and to help him get home. But if you dinna depart, Roderick will have finished with his sister and could return to his chamber.” She shoved Ian toward the opening of tunnel.
“What about you, Fiona?” Ian asked. “Will you na be in danger if you’re caught skulking around the Roderick’s chamber?”
“Dinna fash over me. I’m a servant, so being found in the laird’s room wouldna be odd. Once I put things back the way they were, I’ll merely bundle up some of the linen and carry it out of the room with me. If stopped, I will say I am on my way to fetch clean pelts so I can make the bed.”
“A cunning plan. I dinna know how to thank you,” Ian said.
“Just getting the lad to safety and keeping him out of the clutches of Laird Roderick will be thanks enough. Now be off with the both of you. Once you are in the tunnel, I will close the door and no one will be the wiser.”
The sound of voices echoing in the hall caught Ian’s attention. “Someone is coming,” he whispered.
“Then best you hurry,” Fiona replied. “God’s speed, Ian, and you take care of yourself Quinn.”
Ian grasped Quinn’s hand and they entered the passageway, but once inside, the lad tugged free and turned around. “Thank you, Fiona. Will you say goodbye to Lady Roslyn for me?”
Fiona glanced at Ian, then smiled at Quinn. “I will, God willing,” she said and closed the door.
“This place is very dark, smells bad, and there are lots of spider webs,” Quinn whispered as they moved down the corridor. “Do they have a secret tunnel like this in Fraser Castle too?”
Ian held the torch higher, illuminating the way. “I’m na sure. We’ll have to ask your Uncle Connor when we see him.”
“When will that be?” Quinn asked.
“Very soon, laddie. They’re camped in a clearing na far from the castle. Once we get outside the curtain wall, it willna take long. Before you know it, you’ll see all of your uncles, and Lazarus will be waiting for you as well.
“I canna wait to see them.” Quinn dashed into the darkness, with Ian on his heel.
After traveling a short distance and descending a flight of stairs, they entered another passageway. Ian saw light coming from the far end, but he could also hear the rattle of pots and pans above them. He brought his finger to his lips and lowered his voice. “Shhh. We are beneath the kitchen and someone might hear us talking. So you must be very quiet. We have come this far and dinna want to be caught.”
Quinn nodded and remained silent as they completed the final distance. But when they reached a small wooden door, Ian hesitated.
“Why do you not open it?” Quinn asked.
“Because I am na sure what might lay on the other side,” Ian replied. “We must proceed with caution.”
“But Fiona said the tunnel came out on the other side of the curtain wall.”
“True, but we dinna know where exactly. If we dash out, we might run into guards patrolling the outer wall or we could be in an open field and seen by the sentry on the parapets.” Ian opened the door a crack and peered outside, relieved to find it hidden in a thicket of bushes, near the edge of the forest. But instead of exiting the tunnel, he closed the door and sat.
“What are you doing? Why are we na leaving?” Quinn asked.
“We need to wait until dark.” Ian patted the ground beside him. “Sit and rest a while.”
Quinn stomped his foot and began to pout. “But I dinna want to stay here. I want to go now. Lazarus is waiting for me.”
“I know he is, but a little longer willna matter. The entrance to the tunnel is well hidden in the bracken, but there is a section of open ground to cover between here and the woods. Should we make a dash for the trees, we could be seen.”
Quinn flopped down on the ground beside Ian. “I’m sorry if I got cross with you. Please dinna be angry. I just want to go home so badly.”
Ian tousled Quinn’s hair, then snaked his arm around his shoulder. “There is naught for you to apologize for. You have been a very brave lad and I’m na angry. As soon as the sun sets and it is safe to do so, we’ll be on our way.”
Quinn was about to respond when Ian quickly covered lad’s mouth with his hand. “I heard voices. Someone is right outside the tunnel. You must be very quiet,” Ian cautioned. His breath lodged in his throat, his heart hammering, he waited for the door to open.
Chapter 11
After what seemed like an eternity, Ian leaned close to Quinn’s ear and whispered, “I canna hear the muffled sounds of men talking outside the door any longer. But best na speak above a whisper. At least until we’re certain they’ve gone.”
“I hope they left.” Quinn peered up at him, his voice trembling. “Do you think they’ll come back?”
“I canna be sure, lad. But if the men we heard were the castle guards making their rounds, chances are, they willna return for a while. Unfortunately, waiting in silence is the hardest part.” Ian knew all too well that in times of danger or uncertainty, minutes seemed like hours. To his credit, Quinn remained quiet and scarcely moved a muscle.
This wasn’t Ian’s first clandestine missions for Clan Fraser, and most likely wouldn’t be his last. During the war for Scotland’s independence, he spent many a day and night in anticipation of upcoming battles against the English, so he’d learned to be patient. But he could still remember how difficult it was to sit still for any length of time when he was a lad.
“When can we go home?” Quinn asked.
“I’ll check to see if all is clear.” Ian crawled toward the door and opened it a crack.
“I’m na sure how you’ll fit,” Quinn said, scratching his head. “Why, the space is hardly wide enough for a bairn to squeeze through.”
“This is the only way,” Ian replied. “To make it less noticeable from the outside, the entrance into the tunnel must be small. Otherwise, it wouldna be a secret and enemies could easily locate it. But dinna fash. We can both fit through when the time comes.”
Quinn frowned. “Would they na see a door no matter what?”
“The entry is hidden by branches, boulders, and bushes,” Ian said, then peered out.
The sun hung low in the sky, the walls of the castle casting shadows across the moor. He rocked back on his heels and glanced at Quinn. “It will be dark soon, then we can leave. By now, Roderick must be aware you’re na in your chamber and will be looking for you. We canna tarry much longer.”
“Do you think he will find us?” There was no hiding the fear in the lad’s voice.
“Not if I can help it.”
“I wish we could have brought Lady Roslyn with us,” Quinn said. “The only good thing about staying here would have been having her as my aunt. I’ll miss her.”
Ian nodded. “Roslyn is a very special lady.”
“She was so nice to me,” Quinn continued. “When Lord Morgan threatened to beat me and his wife vowed to do worse if he dinna cast me out, Lady Roslyn stood up to them. Even after her brother struck her, she refused to back down.”
Despite the insatiable urge to leave the lad in the tunnel and go back for Roslyn, Ian reminded himself of the promise
he’d made to her and the sacrifice she’d made so he could rescue Quinn. He had no intention of letting her down and would see the lad home. After which, he fully intended to return to Morgan Castle for her. And at the same time, he hoped to teach Roderick a much-needed lesson.
Just thinking about the bastard made Ian’s blood boil. It always amazed him how two people raised by the same parents could turn out so differently. Roderick was a fiend, the devil reincarnate. He was a ruthless, selfish, self-centered man who cared more about power and wealth than anything else. Evil enough to rape a bairn, then take the babe from the arms of his mother. Despicable enough to harm his own sister, perhaps even kill her if it suited his needs.
Roslyn, on the other hand, was the kindest, gentlest, most selfless person he had ever met. Despite the danger and Roderick’s threats, she put Quinn’s safety before her own. And later did the same for him by insisting he leave and help the lad rather than remain in her chamber and face her brother.
He closed his eyes, recalling the moment their lips touched for the first time, the scent of her hair, the warmth of her breath on his cheek, and the way it felt to hold her in his arms. Not only did Roslyn possess beauty of face, but she had a heart and spirit to match. A heart he hoped to claim.
“I too wish Roslyn could have accompanied us. But she knew we stood a better chance of escaping on our own.” Ian blew out a heavy sigh and patted Quinn on the back. “It’s time to go.”
Ian shoved open the door, the thick bracken concealing the entrance to the hidden tunnel giving way. He cleared the broken brush from his path and crept out a little farther, hoping to get a better view of the area. Once he was certain all was still clear, he motioned with a flick of his hand for Quinn to join him.
The lad moved to where Ian waited. “Is it safe?”
“As safe as it will ever be. There is no one patrolling the moor at this moment and the sun has set. If we use the shadows to our advantage, and move quickly and quietly, we can make it to yonder grove of trees without being seen.” Ian pointed in the direction of the forest. “On the other side of those woods lays a glen. There, Lazarus and the other are waiting for us. Are you ready?”
Quinn lowered his gaze and chewed on his bottom lip. “I-I’m afraid.”
Ian rested his hand on Quinn’s shoulder. While the lad always tried to put on a brave front, he was still a bairn and justifiably frightened of what might lay head. “I understand. Only a fool wouldna have concerns. But you can do this. I know you can.”
Quinn sucked in a deep breath, then nodded. “Aye.”
“Good. Then let’s go.” Ian rose and did another quick search of their surroundings. He pressed his back against the curtain wall and motioned for Quinn to do the same. Once he was certain no one was around, he closed the door and piled the brush around it.
“What are you doing?” Quinn whispered.
“Leaving things as they were. You never know if I might need to use this again. It wouldna do for anyone to find it, or to learn how we got out of the castle unseen.” He tousled the lad’s hair. “Run, and no matter what happens, dinna stop until you reach the trees,” Ian said, then bolted for the woods, with the lad following on his heel.
Roslyn moaned and made a fruitless attempt to lift her head. She lay on the floor of the dungeon with her cheek pressed against the cold, damp floor. Her entire body screamed out in agony and her back felt as if it were on fire. Roderick made good on his promise to see her punished for her disobedience. He’d neither spared the lash or his fist while completing the task. Her sadistic brother tried to break her body, but he could never break her spirit.
She drifted on the edge of consciousness, but struggled to remain awake. Were she to fall asleep, there was no telling what might happen to her in this deplorable place.
Rats scurried about, squealing and fighting over the trencher of rancid slop her jailer left, should she be able to eat. A gesture she found ironic since the unpleasant odor of mold, decay, and human excrement permeating the air of the dungeon, turned her stomach.
Sadly, the stench and disgusting vermin were the best parts about this hellhole. While her father was stern, she’d always believed he was a fair and decent man. The fact this dungeon even existed in his castle and was used, shocked and sickened her.
As she contemplated the bleakness of her current situation, Ian came to mind. She prayed he was able to get Quinn to safety. If so, it made the suffering worth the while.
Her one regret was that she and Ian did not have more time together. He had a mystery about him that intrigued her, but there was so much more she found attractive.
There was no denying he was a braw man, and she found herself drawn to him like a moth to flame. Tall, handsome, and well-muscled, he reminded her more of a fierce warrior than he did a servant. Yet he had a gentleness and compassion about him that put her in mind of a bard. The kind, nurturing way he treated Quinn suggested he would be a good father someday. And the tender way he kissed and held her—all the time showing her the utmost respect—confirmed he would also be a wonderful lover.
“Where is he?” Roderick opened the door to her cell, the metal bars hitting the stone wall with a loud thud. He stomped across the room. “What have you to say?”
When Roslyn offered no reply, Roderick kicked her shoulder. “Dinna play games with me, sister. I know you can hear me. Tell me what I want to know or I will beat you again. And this time I willna stop until you’re dead.”
Roslyn licked her parched lips, then sucked in a shallow breath before peering up at her brother. “Do with me as you wish. But I have no idea who you mean?”
“Dinna lie to me.” Roderick grabbed her by the hair and yanked her to her feet. “Quinn. He is gone. As if you dinna know.”
Her head spun and pounded like a hammer set to anvil, nausea churning in her stomach. Her legs were weak and felt as if they were about to give way, but somehow she managed to remain standing. “You are asking the wrong person,” she sputtered, then clenched her teeth against the excruciating wave of pain washing over her.
“Explain yourself, woman,” Roderick growled.
Roslyn swallowed against the bile rising in her throat. “You warned me to stay away from the lad and I have done as you ordered. Perhaps you should ask your wife where he is.”
“Since when do you listen to me?” Roderick snapped her head back, forcing her to look at him. “And what would Jean have to do with the lad’s disappearance?”
“Think about it, brother,” Roslyn replied. “Your wife made it clear she dinna want Quinn here, and she threatened to take matters into her own hands if you dinna send him away. A ruthless woman like Jean will do almost anything to protect the interests of her own bairns. I just pray she dinna harm Quinn.”
Relieved to learn that her nephew was no longer in her brother’s clutches, she hoped by falsely accusing Jean, she might buy Ian more time to escape, and delay Roderick’s pursuit. She mumbled a quick prayer under her breath, certain the Almighty would forgive her indiscretions.
Roderick released his hold on Roslyn and she dropped to her knees. She cradled her face in her hands, wishing her head would stop spinning.
“Jean had best na be involved. If I find out she has had any part in this, she will soon be your cellmate.” Roderick stormed toward the door, grumbling, then paused and glared over his shoulder at Roslyn. “If I find out you’re lying to me and know who took my son, I’ll be back. And heaven help you.”
Chapter 12
“We made it!” Quinn bent over at the waist, resting his hands on his knees and gasping for air.
“Aye. You showed great courage, but we still have a ways to go before we’re safe.” Ian waited for the lad to catch his breath, then tapped his shoulder. “We mustna tarry here and risk being caught. Let’s be off.”
Quinn bobbed his head. “I canna wait to see Lazarus. And Sheena must be so worried about me by now. I sure hope she and the babe are well.” He sprinted down the path.
&
nbsp; Ian gave chase, overtaking the lad after a few strides, then stepped into the brushes. “It is safer if we dinna use the well-known route through the woods. Besides, it runs north to south and we need to go west.”
“But how will we find our way in the dark without a trail to follow?” Quinn turned full circle and peered up at Ian. “Every direction looks the same to me.”
“Dinna fash, we’ll use the moon to light our way. Follow me and stay close.” Ian dashed into the woods. “I’ll have you at the Fraser camp before dawn.”
After traveling at a swift pace for over an hour, Quinn halted and sat on a fallen tree. “Will we be there soon? My legs are starting to get a bit tired.”
“It willna be much farther. But you’ve done well keeping up with me, so we can rest here for a minute, then finish the distance. Lazarus will be so pleased to see you.” Ian perched on a log beside the lad. So far, no one appeared to be following them, a boon Ian knew would not last for long. Once Roderick realized his son was gone, he’d be hot on their heels. If he wasn’t already.
Quinn sprang to his feet. “I’m fine now. Let’s go. Lazarus and the others are waiting.”
Ian chuckled, marveling at the bairn’s resilience, then trotted off behind him.
When they finally came to a clearing at the edge of the forest, Ian grasped Quinn’s arm. “Hold, lad. I need to give the signal or those guarding the camp might mistake us for Morgans.”
“You mean we’re here?” Quinn hopped up and down with excitement.
Ian brought two fingers to his lips, whistled three times, and listened for a reply. Upon hearing the signal mimicked in response, he thumped Quinn on the back. “Off you go, lad. Your family awaits.”
There was no further prompting necessary. Ian’s heart soared as he watched Quinn bolt into camp and straight into Lazarus’s embrace. His cousin hoisted the lad into the air and hugged him so tightly, Ian though the bairn might snap in two. As he witnessed the touching reunion between father and son, Ian felt a pang of envy in addition to his joy. He hoped that someday he would sire a bairn and prayed their relationship would be as strong.