by Gwyn Brodie
Archibald turned his attention back to Sorcha. "Keep your mouth shut or I'll kill them both. If you doubt what I say, then try me."
She knew better than to raise his ire. She kept her mouth shut. If Archibald had one honorable trait, 'twas that he kept his word. If she screamed or called attention to them, she had no doubt that he would hurt Jillian and Robbie. She wouldn't let that happen.
Sorcha winced, as one of Archibald's guards threw her over his shoulder. He carried her outside the postern gate, and tossed her across the saddle. She pulled herself upright and straddled the horse, then froze. A few feet away, Jim and Erwin lay motionless. Their throats had been slit. They died because of her. Her heart ached with pain and grief. They'd been good men who'd lost their lives for naught. Her sudden fury almost choked her. One day Archibald would get what he deserved and she hoped she'd be there to see it when he did.
The guard kept a tight hold on her reins, as he swung onto his own mount beside her.
Sorcha looked over her shoulder into the garden. Jillian lay still on the ground, with Robbie playing beside her. His thumb was tucked into his mouth, and in the other hand he held a strand of his mother's hair. He glanced up and saw Sorcha watching him, then pulled out his thumb and squealed with delight.
Archibald raised his targe and they hurried away.
Just before Ravenskull Castle disappeared from sight, Sorcha realized that the postern gate stood open. Fear clutched at her heart. She prayed Kade would find them before Robbie wandered into the wood, or into the deep, dark depths of the loch.
Chapter Nine
Galen hurried through the door of the library, followed closely by Cinead and Duncan. "We can't find Jillian or Sorcha." A blade of fear stabbed at Galen. "We've searched the castle already, they're not here."
Kade jumped to his feet, sending the documents on his desk flying to the floor. "By this time of day, they should have returned from their walk in the garden and gone to the nursery."
They stormed out of the library and raced down the corridor. Kade threw open the nursery door.
Startled, Winnie looked up from folding linens. "M'laird, is something amiss?"
"Has my wife returned from the gardens with my son?"
She shook her head. "Nay, I thought perhaps she'd taken the wee lad to the great hall for his porridge."
An icy finger trailed down Galen's spine. "Search the gardens," He called over his shoulder, already halfway down the stairs.
They ran out to the courtyard. "Jillian!" Kade shouted. When she didn't answer, they raced past the rose bushes and into the clearing where she usually took Robbie to play.
They found her lying motionless on the ground, but Sorcha and Robbie were nowhere to be seen. Kade dropped to his knees beside her. "Jilly, wake up. 'Tis I, Kade," he said, gently shaking her. Galen saw him wince upon seeing the dark bruise covering Jillian's cheekbone.
Galen darted about, combing the garden for Sorcha and the bairn, but found neither. He rushed back to the others. "They're not here." A cold knot formed in his stomach.
Jillian began to stir, then her eyes opened wide and she fought to get up. "Robbie," she screamed." Where's Robbie?"
Kade held her against him in an effort to calm her. "Listen to me, Jilly. Could he be with Sorcha?"
"Nay," she cried, shaking her head. "Campbell took Sorcha. You've got to find him, Kade."
A heated arrow of rage shot through Galen's heart. "How many men were with Campbell?"
"Perhaps twenty-five, thirty…I don't ken for certain," she said, as tears rolled down her face.
He had to get her back. Galen needed to tell her how he felt about her. But first, they had to find Robbie.
Kade helped Jillian to her feet. "Search every inch of this garden. Perhaps he's crawled off somewhere and fallen asleep."
"Kade," Galen said, nodding toward the open postern gate.
Fear flickered through his friend's eyes. "We'll search the loch's edge, then the wood," Kade said, his voice thick with emotion. "He couldn't have gone far. I'll carry Jillian inside, then I'll join you."
"Nay, Kade. I'll be fine right here. Hurry. If anything happens to Robbie…" She sobbed.
"Don't worry, Jilly. We'll find him." He kissed her on the forehead, then went with the others.
They hurried through the gate, then slid to a stop when they spotted Jim and Erwin's blood- soaked bodies.
Galen cursed. Both men had been good friends of his.
Kade growled. "The whoreson! He slit their throats."
"Campbell will pay dearly for all he's done here," Galen said, "of that you can be certain."
"Cin, Duncan," Kade shouted. "Search around the loch. Galen and I will scour the wood."
Cinead nodded and the two men disappeared from sight as they raced down to the loch.
"Robbie!" Galen shouted, then stopped and listened, but heard naught.
Kade peered inside a thicket of ivy with no luck. "I don't wish to think it, Galen, but there's been a pack of wolves roaming about Ravenskull, taking a sheep now and then. A wee lad like my Robbie would be no trouble at all."
The pained look on his friend's face caused Galen's throat to tighten. "Nay, Kade. The lad is out here somewhere. We just have to find him."
After several minutes, Cinead and Duncan came hurrying back from the loch.
"We saw no sign of the bairn, Kade," Cinead said, his gaze searching the wood.
Kade glanced up at the sky. "'Tis still some time before nightfall. We must find him before then. Duncan?"
"Aye."
"Return to the castle and have my garrison to come search for Robbie. Tell them not to stop until they've scoured every inch of this wood."
Duncan nodded and turned to go, then he suddenly stopped. "I heard a cry. I'm certain of it."
Kade's eyes widened. "Which way?"
With a frown on his face and his head cocked sideways, Duncan moved deeper into the wood, the others following him closely. "There, 'tis again." He cut to the right and quickened his pace.
Galen prayed Duncan's exceptional hearing would help them find Robbie. For every moment that passed, Campbell took Sorcha farther and farther away from him.
Duncan suddenly stopped and pointed. "There, in that wee glen. I'd bet my next meal the lad is there."
Kade ran past him. "Robbie, where are you, son?" he shouted.
Robbie's pitiful howls suddenly echoed through the wood.
"He's alive!" Kade said, as they hurried toward the wailing child.
Galen blew out a long breath. Thanks be to God!
They found Robbie sitting on the damp earth. "Da Da Da," he said, when he saw his father. He was a bit dirty, with a few scratches, but appeared to be none the worse for wear.
Kade grabbed his son and cradled him against his chest, then lifted his eyes to the sky.
Galen knew without a doubt Kade was giving thanks for Robbie's safe return. "We'd best get the lad back to his mother. I'm certain Jillian is beside herself with worry." Now that Robbie was found safe, he intended to turn his full attention to finding Sorcha.
Kade grinned and gently ruffled the mass of blond curls covering Robbie's head. "Aye, that she is."
"I'm going after Sorcha," Galen said as they neared the postern gate.
His friend nodded. "I thought as much."
"Would you allow a portion of your garrison to accompany me on my search?"
"Aye, of course I will."
When they walked through the postern gate, Kade placed Robbie into Jillian's outstretched arms. Her injured cheek had swollen until her eye was nearly closed.
Galen realized a moment of panic. Had Campbell mistreated Sorcha as he had Jillian? Or perhaps worse when she'd refused to go with him? "Jillian, did he also hit Sorcha?"
"Nay. Before everything went dark, I heard him tell her if she uttered a sound he'd kill me and Robbie. And since he didn't, I'm certain she did as he asked."
Kade cursed, and his eyes narrowed with anger. He gen
tly touched his wife's bruised cheek. "Does it hurt overmuch? What of the bairn?" he whispered, nodding toward her belly.
With eyes filled with tears, she held Robbie against her chest and pressed her lips to his grimy cheek. She smiled up at Kade. "Don't fash yourself. I'm fine, as is the bairn."
Kade nodded, clearly relieved, as was Galen.
"I'll take my leave here and ready the garrison." Galen meant to take Sorcha back from Campbell in any way possible.
"Wait!" Kade slipped his arm protectively around Jillian. "I'm going with you."
Galen shook his head. "Nay. This is my fight. You've a wife and child. Your place is here with them."
Kade snorted. "'Tis not only your fight, Galen. 'Tis now mine as well. Because of Campbell, I came close to losing my son. Look at what he did to Jillian? And the blood of two good friends is on his hands. You'd go after Campbell if you were in my boots, would you not?"
"Aye, I would." Galen was anxious to get started.
"You ken that Duncan and I will be with you, as well," Cinead said, squeezing Galen's shoulder.
Galen grinned. "I guessed you might be."
Jillian looked at Galen and raised a brow. "You've come to your senses, then? About Sorcha, I mean?"
"Perhaps." But exactly what that meant, Galen wasn't certain. He only knew that he couldn't allow Campbell to have her—nor anyone else, for that matter.
"Then we must hurry, before they reach Campbell lands," Cinead said.
Kade nodded. "Cin, ready half my garrison for battle and I'll meet you outside the castle walls, once I see Jillian and Robbie safely inside."
While they waited for Kade, Galen sat his horse, his mind occupied with Sorcha. What a fool he'd been to believe he could walk away from her and never look back. When Jillian said Campbell had taken Sorcha, an unbearable pain of loss had washed over him. He blew out a long breath. He loved her more than life itself. There, he'd admitted it. Now that he had, what did he plan to do about it? He smiled to himself. Why, he'd marry her, of course. That is, if the lass would have him after what he'd said. But first, he had to take her from Campbell.
The portcullis lifted and Kade walked through.
Galen tossed him his reins.
Kade jumped onto Caesar's back, then thrust his fist into the air. The garrison moved in behind them. "Jillian thought there were perhaps twenty-five to thirty men with Campbell," Kade explained. "I dared not bring more than half my garrison, as I'd not wish to leave Ravenskull insufficiently guarded, but we still have an advantage over Campbell."
Galen nodded. "'Tis hard to believe Campbell had the nerve to grab Sorcha at Ravenskull. 'Tis her dowry, he wants. According to Sorcha, he especially covets the lands, which would expand his holdings to the sea. I'm guessing he plans to wed her, without her brother's consent, to get his hands on her dowry."
Kade nodded. "Perhaps we should have one of my men let MacPherson ken Campbell has taken his sister."
"Aye, 'twould be good to have him with us, should we be in need of assistance," Galen said. "None of us are familiar with the full size of the garrison Campbell left guarding Clifftower."
"'Tis sizeable, to be sure," Duncan said behind them. "A man like him would feel the need to show the full extent of his strength."
"Cin," Kade said, "have Shaw send someone to Blackstone Castle with the news of Lady Sorcha's abduction.
"Aye." Cinead moved back to speak with Shaw.
A couple minutes later, Angus broke away from their party and headed in the opposite direction.
"Galen," Cinead said, after rejoining them, "what do you plan to do if that swine manages to marry the lass before we catch up to him?"
He glared at Cinead for a moment then shrugged. "Och, I'll have to run the bastard through, won't I then?" he said through clenched teeth, before kneeing his horse into a run and sprinting ahead of the others.
The thought of Campbell tasting Sorcha's sweet lips or touching her creamy skin as he had the previous night, sent rage pulsing through Galen's veins. 'Twould be his bed and his alone she'd be sleeping in from now on. Until Sorcha came into his life, he never fancied himself in love with anyone, but suddenly he couldn't envision life without her.
Aye, Sorcha would be his—she just didn't ken it yet. But first, he had to free her from the one man who stood in the way. And Galen was willing to do whatever it took to accomplish that—even if it meant putting his own life in jeopardy.
***
Sorcha looked up at the darkening sky. Gloaming was close upon them. They'd been riding for hours and she was so exhausted she could barely keep herself upright.
The garrison consisted of thirty guards, one of which held the reins of her horse, and Archibald, who'd been riding at the forefront most of the journey, but now moved back to ride beside her.
She refused to acknowledge him.
He snorted. "I'll be teaching you some manners once we get to Clifftower. You'll show me respect as your laird, as well as your husband, especially in front of my clan, or I'll be beating it from you," he said, a scowl on his face.
An icy chill swept over her. "I'll not be marrying you, Archibald. Alex broke the marriage contract, as you well ken."
He chuckled. "No matter. I still intend to marry you. Once we're wed, MacPherson will be forced to provide me with your handsome dowry, whether he wishes to or not. All you need do is obey me without question, serve me well in bed and provide me with a male heir."
She glared at him. "You cannot force me to wed you. No priest will ever agree to such a union."
"Nay, that's where you're wrong, Sorcha. As we speak, Father McIntyre is awaiting our return to Clifftower where he will perform the ceremony."
She looked away. She didn't want him to see the overwhelming dread that seeped deep into her bones and forced tears into her eyes. Once she explained the situation to Father McIntyre, surely the elderly priest will refuse to marry them.
Archibald leaned over and slid his finger across the top of her breast.
Sorcha knocked his hand away.
He laughed, then rode to his place at the front of the garrison.
Galen's sinful smile danced before her eyes. Would she ever see his handsome face again? Or feel the heady sensation of his kisses? Would she ever again tremble with desire as his fingers trailed along her bare skin? She shivered. After feeling such love, how could she ever live a loveless existence with a man like Archibald?
They rode until the full moon hung high in a sky dotted with thousands of tiny stars. The hurried travel had taken its toll on Sorcha, weariness had overwhelmed her and she'd found herself near falling from her horse on more than one occasion.
They suddenly stopped moving, and began to dismount.
"There's a rider coming our way," a guard shouted to Archibald.
"Take a couple of men on ahead and find out who the devil 'tis."
The guards returned with Garreth Campbell in tow.
Sorcha was relieved to see him, for he'd been her one true friend while she was at Clifftower.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Archibald demanded of his nephew.
Garreth drew himself up to his full height and faced Archibald. "I didn't ken of your intent to kidnap Lady Sorcha, uncle, until 'twas too late. If I had, I'd have done my best to stop you from carrying out such insanity."
"Och, you may be my nephew, but you're only head of the guard, and unless my body lies cold in the ground before I produce an heir, you'll never be anything more."
The way Archibald belittled Garreth, especially now, before his own men, angered Sorcha.
"Since you're here, make yourself useful and watch her. You can start by getting her off the horse." Archibald dismounted and walked away, leaving Garreth to stare after him. "And don't let her escape, unless you wish to be cleaning out the stables from here on out," he warned, over his shoulder.
Garreth uttered an unflattering curse, too low for his uncle to hear.
During her short stay at Clifftowe
r, Garreth had been good to her. On one occasion, when Sorcha had asked him to retrieve a book from a shelf much too high for her to reach, Archibald had caught them alone in the library. When she tried to tell the outraged laird they were innocent of his unfounded accusations, he'd become angry, and shoved Sorcha to the floor. Garreth tried to help her up, but his uncle uttered a curse and backhanded him hard enough to bloody his nose.
Garreth jumped from his horse, and walked over to Sorcha. "I'm sorry, Lady Sorcha. If I'd known what he was up to, I'd have done my best to stop him. He tends to be quite secretive about what he does, especially where I'm concerned."
Garreth would make a fine laird one day. She hoped he got the chance. "I ken you would have, Garreth. 'Tis no fault of your own he is the dreadful person he is."
"Were any lives lost?"
"Aye. Two MacLachlan guards."
He nodded. "I feared as much. Here, let me help you down." He took her by the waist and set her on the ground.
Sorcha had been on the horse for so long, her legs caved beneath her. She grabbed Garreth's broad shoulders to keep from sliding to the ground.
He wrapped his arm about her waist to steady her. "Is something wrong?"
"Nay. My legs are weak, that is all. I'm not used to sitting a horse for such a long stretch."
"Take you hands off of her at once," Archibald shouted, coming their way.
Garreth let her go and stepped back. "I was but helping Lady Sorcha as you asked me to do. She's none too steady on her feet."
Archibald snorted. "I'm not blind, Garreth. I saw what you were doing. I don't care if you are my dead brother's son, touch her again and you'll be sorely punished."
"Garreth did naught, but aid me in standing."
Archibald grabbed her arm and dragged her to the edge of the clearing. "Listen to me, wench. 'Tis you I blame, with your beauty and wily female ways. Keep away from Garreth. For if I catch you dallying with him, or anyone else for that matter, you'll both be harshly dealt with. I don't want you giving me someone else's bastard for an heir." He let go of her and walked away.
"Archibald."
He turned around.
"Was there ever a time that you truly cared for me?"