Once Connor and Gavin were in place, Daniel and Roddy followed the curtain wall to the fence around the back, then shimmied over the wrought-iron barrier as they’d done before.
“Shite, guards ahead,” Daniel whispered, motioning for Roddy to stay low.
“Where?” Roddy turned his head to search to the right of their location, but Daniel shot off to the left. Moments later, Roddy heard the moan of a man knocked out by Daniel. “What the hell? How did you see him?” Hellfire, but Daniel was talented.
Daniel, serious for once, replied, “I didn’t see him. I felt him.” Then he pointed off to the side and disappeared before Roddy could ask him what exactly he’d seen.
Another thump told him Daniel had taken out another guard with a blow to his head. He returned in a matter of seconds. “Felt him, too.”
“And now?” Roddy whispered.
“We’re free to move.”
They’d almost made it to the back entrance to the abbey when Daniel held his hand up to indicate that Roddy needed to halt.
“The lasses,” he said, nodding.
Sure enough, Rose and Constance appeared in the dim moonlight, creeping about just as they were.
Roddy stepped out of their hiding spot, not far from them. As soon as she saw him, Rose raced toward him and leapt into his arms, wrapping her arms around him. Constance followed behind her. “We could be in trouble,” she said. “The guards are looking for us. We were sneaking around in the cellars last night and tried again this night, but I think they’ve discovered us.”
Roddy set Rose down, though he held on to her hand. “I’m taking you far away from here. I don’t like all that has happened. I’m also hoping you can show us your cave and all the paths that lead away from it. There has to be a place where the boats dock. It could be the physical dock we’ve seen, but is there a place inside where they could be hidden?”
Rose nodded.
“Constance, would you like to come with us?”
She nodded furiously, pulling her mantle more tightly around her. “Whatever they’re doing here, it isn’t right.”
“Daniel, protect her and help her over the fence.” Daniel bent over at the waist and held his arm out as if to escort her to a regal ball. Constance giggled.
“Hush, you two,” Roddy said, but he couldn’t help but smile. Daniel did know how to lighten a moment.
A few moments later, they had just gone over the fence when the shout of a guard brought all the attention down on them. He’d known there were about thirty guards about the abbey, but this was the first time they’d seen more than two. Suddenly ten appeared out of nowhere.
They raced to the front of the abbey, ducking in and around any shrubbery they could. Connor and Gavin were both on horseback, Connor with his sword drawn and Gavin ready with his bow, and they’d prepared the two other horses to leave.
“Go,” Connor said. “We’ll cover you both. Get the lasses away from here.”
Roddy didn’t wait. He lifted Rose onto his horse and mounted behind her, sending his loyal warhorse away from the abbey with a neigh and a snort, proof that the beast loved a challenge. Daniel and Constance were directly behind them. He charged ahead without looking back for possible pursuers, taking the path that headed directly toward the loch and MacDole Castle.
Once they were a good distance away and Connor and Gavin caught up with them, Roddy slowed his horse to a canter.
Gavin pulled his horse abreast of Roddy’s while Connor and Daniel rode ahead of them. Constance appeared to be sound asleep in front of Daniel. Winking at Roddy, Gavin said, “Now I see why you’ve become such a religious man, cousin. She’s quite a beauty.”
Roddy rested his hand on Rose’s waist. “Do you always say things like that in front of the women you help?”
Gavin shrugged his shoulders as he glanced at Rose first, then Roddy. “What? You said she’s deaf. If she cannot hear me, I cannot hurt her feelings. Besides, what’s wrong with saying the truth? She is beautiful.”
Daniel spun around with a grin, one Roddy understood but Gavin didn’t. “What else would you say about the lass?”
Gavin said, “I don’t know.” His eyes narrowed at Daniel. “I could say lots of things, I suppose, but you first, cousin.”
He’d caught on to the fact that there was a trick—though not what the trick was. Daniel saw the full picture, so he knew how best to respond. “I think she’s highly intelligent.” He gave Rose a nod of encouragement.
“Well, I think she’s probably got a nice arse,” Gavin said, “but I didn’t see it. What the hell is your game, Drummond?
Connor snorted while Roddy threw his head back and laughed. It felt good to laugh, even if danger lay just ahead of them.
Rose smiled at Gavin. She tugged on her ear and then pointed at him. I can hear you.
He stared at Rose as she repeated her gesture and said, “What? What is she trying to say, Roddy?”
Connor drawled, “That she’s smarter than you.” He glanced over his shoulder, his wry grin making Gavin visibly nervous.
Gavin spewed his next sentence out so fast that they all broke into gales of laughter. “All right. She can hear me. Why the hell didn’t you say so before I made a fool of myself?”
“I thought you knew. We discussed it at Muir Castle,” Connor said.
“I must not have been paying attention.”
Daniel scoffed, “And that’s the first time that has ever happened.”
Gavin glanced at Rose sheepishly. “My apologies. No offense intended.”
Rose held her hand up and shrugged. Roddy translated for her. “She says she’s not upset.”
The group had to settle into a single-file path, so Connor took the lead while Gavin moved into last place, making sure the lasses were safely in the middle.
***
Rose leaned back against the massive chest behind her, deciding to put her concerns behind her and enjoy the time she had with Roddy.
Her mother would be appalled by everything she’d done with Roddy—the kisses they’d shared and the way their bodies were pressing together. She’d tell her to confess her sin.
She was not sinning.
Though she knew she was an innocent, new to the ways of love, she recognized her feelings for the man behind her for what they were.
She was falling in love with Roddy Grant, just as her sire had told her she would do someday. He’d given her another piece of advice, to enjoy that feeling for as long as she could, for it could be taken away at a moment’s notice. He’d stared off over the water after making that comment, causing her to question his meaning, but now she could guess. His marriage to her mother had been less than perfect.
Her sire must have finally seen her mother for the woman she was—not the kind, devout picture she presented to others. Her father must have seen the truth long ago.
She closed her eyes, letting the light banter between the cousins wash over her as she focused on the feeling of Roddy’s strong thighs bracketing her hips, keeping her from jostling overmuch as the great beast moved.
She’d ridden with her sire before, but it had been nothing like this.
This was as sensual as anything she’d ever experienced, moving with her protector’s comfortable rhythm. Soaking in the feel of his hand on her hip, his chest against her back, the soft rumble of his voice echoing in her ear, and his laughter ricocheting through her.
She was beginning to understand some of the things Constance had explained to her about men and women and how bairns came to be.
If she spent much more time with Roddy Grant, she’d be so deeply in love with him that she would probably wilt like a flower when he left her after this was over. What man would wish to live a life with a woman who couldn’t speak?
The cousins’ talk changed tone, so she opened her eyes. They weren’t far from her castle. The place that normally made her feel a wonderful sense of belonging seemed almost strange to her. As if something were on the verge of changing
.
Once they arrived at a clearing a short distance from the loch, far enough away from MacDole Castle to not be seen, Rose indicated that they should stop and dismount. The smell of the sea, the songs of the birds, and the crash of the waves—all conspired to tell her they were close. The moonlight was strong, highlighting the flights of the birds and the bats.
Rose motioned to Roddy and Constance, doing her best to explain herself. Roddy translated, “The boat in the night had a beacon that could be seen from her castle.” When she tried to explain the rest of her story, she moved too quickly for Roddy, but Constance understood.
Constance said, “She went down to the caves and didn’t see anyone about, but she could hear the sound of lasses crying, but it sounded like it came from the dock down the shoreline.”
Connor asked, “We’ve seen that dock, Rose. Do you know of a path near that dock? Can you lead us there without having everyone at your castle see us? Is there anywhere they could hide lasses while they waited for the boat?”
She mouthed, “Maybe, but there could be two places. I’ll show you one, the other is inside the cave.”
“Are you sure we won’t be seen?” Gavin asked. “We’re not equipped for a confrontation. We need to get information and then get word to Will.”
“I can tell you it’s safe,” Roddy said. “’Tis where we met. I saw her on the cliffs and followed her into caves that run underneath her home. No one else but Rose was there. She ran into the cave, and I’m guessing there’s an entrance to her castle under there because she disappeared. The dock is down away from the castle.”
Rose nodded.
“Lead the way, my lady,” Connor said. “Show us where they might hide the lassies.”
Chapter Eighteen
Rose grasped Roddy’s hand and started toward the shoreline, but he stopped her.
“Who’s staying back?”
“Not me,” Daniel said.
“Me, either,” Gavin said. “I want to see the cliffs.”
Connor groaned. “Fine. I’ll stay back, though there’s little need. This spot is well away from the regular path. In fact, once you return, Gavin can find Will and tell him this will be our meeting spot.”
They all agreed and turned to follow Rose. The beginning of the path was easy to navigate, but the closer they came to the water, the steeper and more treacherous the descent. Roddy tugged on her hand, so she spun around to look at him.
“Slow down,” he said. “We don’t know these paths as you do, nor are we as nimble.”
She smiled at the compliment, then took her time, glancing back occasionally to make sure they were keeping pace with her. When they finally reached the bottom of the rocky shore, they stood and looked out across the angry water, churning more than usual.
Gavin whistled. “I’ve never seen a loch churn like this.”
“Our loch certainly doesn’t,” Roddy said.
Rose pointed above them at the swiftly moving clouds dancing in the dark of the night. Storm coming. Roddy shared her thoughts with the others, and it struck her that he could already read her so well.
Gavin said, “I don’t know if I could even swim in that water.” He glanced at Rose and made motions to ask her if she swam in it.
She nodded, then mouthed, “Good swimmer.”
Roddy gave her a look of awe and admiration. “I grew up on a loch, too, and I’m not sure I could manage those waves.”
“There are no vessels in the water,” Daniel said. He glanced south of their location and said, “The dock is empty. Rose, show us the caves near the castle, then we’ll meet up with Will. See what he’s discovered.”
“This is a treacherous path,” Roddy said. “I’ll go with Rose. Check our meeting place to see if there’s any sign of Will, then meet me in the clearing.”
The group split up, promising to meet in less than an hour.
Rose scrambled up the path toward her castle from the shoreline, easily finding her way between the slippery rocks. Whenever she came to a treacherous spot, she waved her hand in warning and slowed down. Once they entered the sea cave, she held her finger to her lips. From this point on, they could possibly be heard by someone, though it was unlikely to happen on such a windy night. The two torches had stayed lit, helping them find their way.
She breathed deeply, taking in the earthy smell she was so accustomed to, as memories of her childhood excursions through the caves washed over her. Her sire used to make up tales about lassies with fins who lived in the cave.
She loved the sharp surface above their heads, made of rocks that would shine like dark diamonds when the passageway was illuminated by the fire of torches. How she wished to share her love of her land with Roddy, but this was not the time.
When they reached the door leading to the castle’s cellars, she pointed for Roddy to wait, indicating that she would creep in alone.
“Absolutely not,” Roddy said. “I will go with you.”
Once they found their way into the passageway connected to her cellar, she stopped, holding her hand up to Roddy. She could always hear activity from this spot. From here she knew exactly who was abovestairs.
Tonight, it was hauntingly quiet.
Where was her mother?
***
Roddy had searched the castle with Rose, and to their surprise, it was empty. She led him away from the castle and up in a different direction near the main path. When they found the main area, she veered off to the side and took him well into a copse of trees and pointed. A small hut that had probably been built by fishermen nearby sat tucked in the small forest. It could easily hold six or eight lassies. There were several stools inside, evidence that they had found the hiding spot.
Today it was empty.
Little else was there beside some shelves lined with different tools, small knives, and various types of rope. Anything they found could be used by fishermen or by the kidnappers.
“Well done, Rose,” Roddy whispered as he leaned over to kiss her cheek. “They could use either spot.” He motioned for her to lead the way back to the meeting place.
As soon as they found their way back, Connor came toward them on horseback. The others were fast behind him, Constance still riding with Daniel.
“What is it?” Roddy asked, recognizing the sense of urgency on his cousin’s face.
“Word from Will. They think something is about to happen at the other abbey. They spotted a beacon and expect the boat to come ashore near the mouth of the firth. Not at Loch Linnhe. ’Tis less than an hour away.”
“Is the other abbey that close to the firth?”
“Not as close as this one, but a good place to transport their cargo without being seen,” Daniel said.
Rose dropped her hand from Roddy’s and shook her head.
Roddy peered at her, noticing her unease. She shook her head again, more emphatically. “What is it?”
Constance said, “She doesn’t want to go. The guard told us about the other abbey.”
“Did he have aught else to say about it?” Connor asked.
“He said the guards from Sona Abbey take many of the lasses training to be nuns there. The mean lasses, two of the ones who attacked Rose, were sent there. They were still in their punishment spot the other night, but now they’ve disappeared. Mayhap ‘tis where they were taken.”
“You mean ’tis another place used for punishment?”
“Nay, I don’t think so. They’re still cleaning it and preparing it for more novices. I think they were sent to work there. ’Tis a normal part of discipline—hard work so our Lord’s work can be done.”
Roddy had his doubts, but he didn’t wish to burden her with the truth. With any luck, they would stop the worst from happening.
“She doesn’t have to go,” Connor said. “Neither of you do. You may stay here until we return. Gavin and Daniel, ready the horses. Roddy, you have five minutes. We won’t wait any longer. Decide what you wish to do with the lasses.”
Connor turned
his mount around and headed off, not waiting for the others. Much like his sire, when Connor had his mind up about something, he would not be swayed.
Roddy turned to Rose. “I don’t want to leave you alone.”
“She won’t be alone,” Constance said. “I’ll be here with Rose, and no one else is here to bother us.” Daniel helped her down from his mount, and she waved to him as he and Gavin took off after Connor.
Rose nodded, trying to tell him something with her gestures and her mouthed words. He understood part of it. She missed the cliffs.
“She wants to walk the cliffs,” Constance said, “the place that most reminds her of her sire. I’ll stay here with her. Just come back when you can.”
“On one condition,” Roddy said, looking Rose in the eye. “No speaking with your mother if she returns.”
Rose nodded, indicating they’d stay in the chamber in the cellar near the caves if anyone returned.
Roddy arched his brow at Constance. “All right. I don’t like it, but I promise to return as soon as I can.” He wrapped his arms around Rose and brought her closer. Over her shoulder, he said to Constance, “Give us a minute, if you please?”
Constance blushed and spun on her heel, following the path Connor had taken to the meeting place.
Roddy couldn’t stand it any longer. He cupped Rose’s face and his lips locked on hers in a devouring kiss. He’d felt her soft bottom rub against him all the way from the abbey and he couldn’t wait any longer.
She parted her lips and sighed, allowing his tongue to search out hers. Their tongues dueled in the dark of the night, as if none of their problems existed and the two of them were the entire world. His lips left a trail of kisses down her neck and to her ear, whispering sweet words as they did so, and her response was to tip her head back to give him better access to her neck, her hands sliding up to grip his tunic. He cupped her breasts through her mantle, frustrated that he couldn’t feel her skin, but she arched against him nonetheless, telling him she was as eager for him as he was for her.
“Roddy!”
Daniel rode up behind him, leading his horse by the reins, so he ended the kiss and said, “I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Highland Lies (The Band of Cousins Book 4) Page 15