Draco frowned. “I dinna see it. Will you use Sorcha’s magic every time you take her?”
“The small sample I received makes me think that wilna be necessary. Brianna took her first initiation to my touch almost too well. It is new to her. She craves it now.” He smiled. “She agreed to bend to my every desire if I would leave off taking Sorcha.”
Draco laughed.
Tessa opened her door and pulled Ian inside. “You live,” she murmured, hugging him joyfully. “I wasna wrong.”
Ian held her for a minute then pushed her back from him. He ran his finger across her forehead. “Your mind’s eye?”
“But of course,” she said with a grin. Her face quickly turned grim. “What of your father? I have no visions of him.”
Ian grimaced. “Jared tells me he lives and has been sent to my sister for a cure.”
Her innocent face lit with wonder. “Lady Asilinn wilna fail, Ian, I am sure of it.”
“From your lips to God’s ear, if my sister doesna succeed in saving him it will take a terrible toll on her. Asilinn doesna accept failure easily.”
“And thus she is usually triumphant.” Tessa offered him a seat near the fire. “The Dragon of Dunbocan aids our cause?”
“Aye, we are one blood since his marriage to my sister.”
“But you are here to rescue Katie.”
“Aye, please tell me I am not too late.”
“Rannoch brought her back and put her in the tower now occupied by Sorcha. He claimed Katie was not herself and couldna see or hear what transpired around her.”
“The shock of thinking we were all killed.”
Tessa nodded. “So it would seem.”
“Where is Sorcha’s tower?”
“I will take you there, but you must have a care. It is where the Red Witch keeps her cures and potions. All of it is black magic if you ask me. Jamie visited Katie earlier today. He says Katie has come to her senses and now only pretends not to see or hear anything going on around her. He advised her to fake a slow recovery.”
Ian hesitated at his next question, but he had to ask. If anyone could tell him, it was Tessa. “Did he hurt her?” he asked.
“I dinna think so, Ian. Jamie made no mention of any abuse. I believe her state frightened Rannoch and he didna touch her. He has turned his attention to Brianna.”
“Brianna?”
“Aye, so, Brianna desires his attention and he has given it. He plans to marry her in Katie’s stead.”
“Does Katie ken Rannoch’s plans?”
Tessa shrugged. “You will ken soon enough. I will see you safely into Sorcha’s tower. You must do the rest.”
He grabbed Tessa’s hand. “I must get Katie safely away and go to Dunbocan to plan the attack on Rannoch. Will you be safe until I can return or do we all need to go together?”
“If we all go, Brianna and Rannoch will move up the wedding in order to assure his position. You must leave us all here save Katie. Father canna travel in his state. His condition is improving since I switched out his medicine with water, but not enough to allow such a journey. Come back with troops to free us from Rannoch. That is all we ask.”
“I need to see your father. I want his blessing on my plans.”
“It is too risky. You should just get Katie and go.”
“I must insist.”
“Why?”
“Just take me to him.”
Tessa let out her breath in a rush. “Very well, put on your monk’s robe and come with me.” She rose and peeped out the door, checking the hall in both directions. “You will play the same part as before should we meet anyone.” Ian nodded his agreement.
When they reached Laird Blackburn’s chamber, the two guards he had encountered before were standing outside the portal. Tessa approached them. “I bring the monk to pray over father,” she said.
“Very well,” one of them said stepping back to allow them entrance.
Tessa opened the door and ushered Ian into her father’s chamber. Brian Blackburn stirred in his bed when they entered. As they walked closer, Ian could see that Sorcha’s potions had taken their toll on Katie’s father. Ian pushed back his hood as he moved closer to the bed.
“Ian, are you alive, or does my mind play tricks on me?” Brian asked.
Ian sat on the edge of the bed and took hand. “I am very much alive and my father is injured, but alive and sent to my sister.”
“Thank God,” Brian murmured. “Have you come to save us?”
“There are things I must ask you first,” Ian said. “Laird Blackburn, I wish to take Katie for my wife. Will you give your blessing on our union?”
Brian’s face broke into a grin. “What does Angus say about that?”
Ian withdrew his mother’s ring from his sporran and showed it to Brian. “He bid me use the ring he used to wed my mother when we spoke the vows.”
Tears streamed down Brian’s face. “Finally my old friend has forgiven me for stealing Katie’s mother from him.”
“May I wed your daughter?”
“Aye, you have my blessing.”
“There is more I need to tell you. Jared works with us against Rannoch. He is at Dunbocan gathering an army to rout Rannoch from Duntaigh Castle. I must go to lead them into the secret passages that will give them the advantage they need, but I canna leave Katie under Rannoch’s control. I came to take her with me to Dunbocan.”
Brian nodded. “’Tis a good plan, Ian, but only if news you are alive remains a secret.”
“Rannoch may suspect I live when Katie disappears.”
“Perchance not, Keith is here in hiding. We could blame the deed on him. This would allow you time to give Rannoch the surprise of his life.” Brian chuckled. “Just imagine Rannoch’s expression when you show up with an army.”
“I will do anything for you and your family, especially Katie. Still I hesitate to leave you and your other children here with Rannoch while we carry out our plan. Is there any way for you to come with me?”
“Sadly, it is impossible. Brianna cannot be trusted. She hangs on Rannoch’s every word. Tessa and Jamie will see that all of us sneak away to the secret passages if things turn bad. Rannoch doesna ken where they are. We will be safe.”
“Thank you, I’ll go and find Katie. You have my word I will return.”
“You are like your father. Your word is your bond. I ken you will come for us. I will tell Jamie of the plan. I expect him soon. Wait for the cover night. ‘Twill aid your escape. Now go before they discover you are alive.”
Chapter 24
Sorcha prepared to seek out Jamie. She had a taste for him now. His innocence delighted her almost as much as her experience and guidance delighted him. A light rap on the door interrupted her thoughts.
“Milady, ‘tis Gareth, I come to guard Katie.”
Sorcha let him in. “She is locked in this chamber,” she told him, indicating Katie’s room. “The key hangs on a nail outside the door. I have gotten Katie to eat some dinner and now she sleeps. You are not to disturb her.”
“And if she calls out or asks for something?”
Sorcha gave him her best mournful look. “Gareth, Katie’s mind has not recovered from the terrible things she saw. She doesna ken what she is saying. You must ignore any pleas from inside her chamber.” Sorcha shrugged. “This advice might not be necessary. I dinna think she will ask for anything. Remember, you are just here to protect her from harm.”
“Very well, Milady. How long will you be?”
Smiling, Sorcha adjusted her bodice. “I wilna return until morning. Laird Rannoch has given me a task that will require some time.”
“Aye, so.”
“And dinna fall asleep,” she warned. “You must stay alert.” With that, she left the tower.
Her feet practically floated down the hallway. Rannoch ordered her to do exactly what she desired. She would savor Jamie Blackburn and tie him to her in an allegiance she might need in the future. She could not wait to begin her
task.
Sorcha decided to try his chamber first. The hour grew late and she felt confident he would be there. Jamie opened the door when she knocked. His hair fell in tousled ringlets about his youthful face. He smiled slowly when he saw her and opened the door wider so she could pass by him. Her flesh skimmed his bare chest as she ducked under his arm and entered his chamber. She heard him slide the bolt in place. Sorcha turned to face his burning gaze.
With one hand, she undid the laces of her bodice and let it fall open. Shrugging her gown off her shoulders, she let it fall to the floor. “Milord, it would give me great pleasure if you would allow me to continue our lessons,” she said in a dark whisper.
In three steps, he closed the distance between them and reached out to touch her. “I crave all the knowledge you can impart,” he assured her.
Tessa led Ian through the dimly lit passages that led to Sorcha’s tower. “I am glad you will be my brother by marriage,” she said.
“And you saw this as well?”
“Aye, so,” she replied.
“It will be hard for me to live with two sisters with the gift of foresight.”
“I would think ‘twould be a great advantage.”
Ian smiled at her. “Are we close?”
Tessa nodded, grabbed a candle from one of the wall sconces, and pulled back a tapestry to reveal a hidden door. “Through here,” she said, pulling him along with her. Cobwebs fluttered in the gust of air created by the open door. Tessa shut it. The small, flickering flame lit the silent, dark passage. A stale smell met Ian’s nostrils. “This is hidden and little used. Few have knowledge it even exists,” Tessa explained.
“It doesna look like anyone has been through here in a long time. Does this lead anywhere else?”
“I dinna ken. Once you have freed Katie, perchance this could aid in your escape.”
Ian’s pulse quickened at the thought of seeing Katie again, holding her in his arms, and assuring her that he was very much alive. He must put these images away for now. They would only distract him from the business at hand.
Tessa stopped short in front of him and lit a candle lantern that hung on the wall of the passage. She indicated a nearby bracket. “When you turn this, a cantilevered door will swing open and admit you to tower,” she said. “Let us peek inside before you enter.” She pulled a small stone out and put her eye to the opening. “I dinna see the Red Witch, only Gareth. He is loyal to Rannoch. Sorcha doesna usually allow anyone into her mixing room. She must be away and they sent him to guard Katie.”
Tessa moved to open the door, but Ian staid her hand. “I will take it from here, little one. Go back to your chamber now.”
“I could help,” Tessa protested.
“Not this time. When I come back with an army to take the castle, we may need your help. Wait for that.”
With a groan, Tessa agreed. “Alright, but there is something else I want to tell you. From the other side, the secret door appears to be a built in storage shelf. Should it close while you are busy freeing Katie, you must run your hand down the left side and find the latch that will make it spring open.”
“Thank you, Tessa. Now humor me and get to the safety of your chamber.”
She rolled her eyes then grinned and obeyed. He watched the dim candlelight flicker into the darkness until it disappeared beyond a turn.
Ian made the sign of the cross and petitioned God for help in his next endeavor. Checking the position of the guard again, he sprung the latch on the door. It swung open so quietly he didn’t think the guard heard the noise.
Ian crept silently inside. The circular chamber had several doorways off of the central hub. Much of the main chamber held Sorcha’s assorted cures and mixing table. In another section, comfortable chairs and a smaller table sat close by the hearth. A fire crackled and popped in the main fireplace making the whole area quite comfortable. His quarry slept there with his chair propped back against the wall.
Ian came slowly up beside the guard. The drunken man snored softly. If Rannoch knew Ian lived, it would spoil the surprise attack they had planned. Ian recognized the guard. Gareth attacked the Innes clan with Rannoch. It would be so easy to slit this man’s throat ear to ear, but Ian never killed a man except in battle. To protect Katie and their plan, he must find another way. The answer was right in front of him.
On the table sat a large wrought iron candle stand. Its considerable weight would do the trick. Grabbing his weapon of choice, he struck Gareth over the head. The large guard gasped then fell forward onto the table. Ian wasted no time gagging and binding the man with his own plaid.
“Who goes there?” He heard Katie’s voice call out.
“Katie,” he cried running to the door where voice came from.
“Ian? You live!”
A key hung on a nail beside the portal. He used it to open the only obstacle that separated them. Katie sprung into his arms kissing him repeatedly as he swung her around and held her close. “Aye, love, I am very much alive,” he told her. Their lips met in a searing kiss that took his breath away, but soon Ian broke it off and let her feet drop slowly to the floor. “Love, we must get out of the castle before we continue this,” he whispered.
“What of my family?” she asked. “Are there more troops?”
“Not yet, love.” He took her face in both of his hands and gazed deep into her eyes. “We will come back with an army to free them.”
“Ian….” She started to protest. He cut her off with another kiss.
“I went to your father and asked for his advice. He bid me take you and leave. He said Tessa and Jamie would help him hide if it became necessary.”
“What of Brianna?”
“Until she is free of Rannoch’s spell, there is little we can do for her.”
“Rannoch plans to marry her.”
“Tessa told me. All the more reason to hurry and get back with troops before he can set his plan in action.”
“But, Ian, what will they think when they find me gone? They will ken someone helped me.”
Ian grinned. “Keith will take the blame for your escape; meanwhile he will stay hidden and be safe. Rannoch must continue to think I am dead.” He hugged her. “’Tis your father’s wish, Katie.”
With tears running down her face, she nodded her agreement. “If this is what my father wants, we will go for help.”
Ian kissed her forehead. “That is not all your father wants.”
“What else?”
“He gave me his blessing. You are to be my wife.”
“And I have no say in it?” she asked her face coloring with a blush.
“I will get you to agree,” he said. “But for now, we must away. I dinna ken how long Sorcha will be gone.” He put his arm around Katie. “I hoped you might have some secret way to the dungeon from the passage I used to surprise Gareth.”
“Aye, let’s make our escape.”
“First I must lock up Gareth.” Ian dragged the man across the floor and into the chamber where Katie had been. He locked the door and hung the key on the hook then turned to Katie. “Ready?”
“Aye,” she said, taking the lead.
When they entered the secret passage, Katie twisted the lever and door swung closed as quietly as it had opened. Ian grabbed her and found her lips again—forcing them apart with his insistent enticement. She opened her mouth and let him slip his tongue into the warm well of her mouth. Katie moaned and he continued his attention until she responded in kind. Then he ended the kiss and gazed down into her passion-flushed face. “You are already mine,” he whispered. “Vows or not, you and I are one. Would you deny it?” When she didn’t answer, he pressed the point. “Deny your love for me if you can.”
“I cannot,” she cried.
“Then tell me you love me, as I love you.”
“How can you love me? I caused the death of your father and your kinsmen. How can you take me for your wife?”
“Katie, my clansmen did what they did by their own ch
oice. ‘Tis not your fault they are dead. As for my father, he still lives. Jared MacLean sent him to my sister Asilinn in the hopes her care will be able to save him.”
“Your father lives?”
“I hope that he still lives.”
“Where will we go?” she asked.
“We travel to Dunbocan Castle. Jared is rallying troops there to attack Rannoch.”
“I caused all this….” Her face looked so forlorn it plucked at Ian’s heart.
“Katie, Rannoch caused this with his devious plot to destroy your father and take his lands.” Ian ran his hand across her cheek. “Our love did not cause any of this. It was born of the passion that occurred when we met, the special feeling we both have of belonging to one another. You ken you are mine regardless of any vows spoken before a priest.”
Shakily she touched his chest. “I love you, Ian” she rasped. “I love you more than life itself.” She took his hand and led it to her flat stomach. “When I thought you were dead, I prayed your seed took root inside me—hoping beyond all reason that I carried your child so that part of you had survived.” She broke off in a silent stream of tears.
With a hitch in his breath, Ian leaned closer and slowly began kissing her tears away. “Dinna cry, love. If you dinna carry my child now, I will be happy to plant my seed over and over until it takes root.”
She grinned through her tears. “You are an impossible man.”
“Aye, but now we must go. No more of this until we are safely away.”
Rannoch stood outside Brianna’s chamber. How fitting he would again enjoy a visit with Katie’s sister while Sorcha enticed Jamie to support him. He rapped lightly and Brianna opened the door. She wore her nightdress, a free-flowing, see-through thing that covered her, but let the beauty of her shape shine through.
“May I come in,” he asked.
“Rowan, ‘tis late,” she said fluttering her hands over her chest. “I am not dressed.”
He smiled and stepped inside the door closing it and bolting it behind him. “You will be my wife soon enough.”
“But… Rowan… you said we would not do more until we spoke the vows.” She dropped her head blushing and staring at the floor.
Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander Page 17