Lady Akira let out her breath. “This sounds to me like a betrothal you are unhappy about. If your da has died, some other male member of your family must be your guardian, and you will have no say in the matter.”
Was she betrothed to some disagreeable Highlander? “I am not betrothed to anyone.” She hoped. Pulling off the borrowed belt, Eilis laid it on the chest. “What happens to me is no one’s concern. I died when the ship went down. That is all.”
“Except everyone here at Castle Craigly knows better. Tell me what ails you, Eilis. James is very clever at working out matters that benefit most concerned.”
“Forgive me if I feel he would fail in this venture. I fear my family will not be dissuaded. If Eanruig finds my—the lady he saw me with last summer—she will tell my family that I am still alive. It will not go well for me, my lady. Believe me. And there is naught His Lairdship can do about it.”
Lady Akira frowned. “Then you are displeased about a disagreeable betrothal.”
“I am not betrothed…” Eilis stopped, nearly saying she didn’t remember, but then how could she know she was a MacNeill if she didn’t recall why she feared returning to her family? If she didn’t remember anything, her family name, the reason for her concern, they would discount her fears and attempt to locate her family. She worried then, her life would be forfeit.
“Why not tell me what it is all about?”
Lady Akira waited patiently for Eilis to finish what she was saying, but when Eilis shook her head, Lady Akira asked, “You are going to bed now?”
“Aye, my lady, if it pleases you.”
Tavia returned with a goblet. “If you are ill, you need to be abed.” She strode across the floor and set the goblet on a small bedside table. “I will help you with your kirtle.”
“I will see you in the morning, Eilis,” Lady Akira said.
“Thank you for your kindness, my lady.”
James’s mother’s expression revealed not a clue as to what she was feeling. She said naught, bowed her head slightly, and left the room. Fergus closed the door, and Eilis took a ragged breath. As soon as Tavia left her alone again, Eilis would make a rope out of linens and pray they held her weight when she made the perilous climb out the window.
Getting beyond the wall, that was another matter.
****
“Eanruig, since there is still no word from my brothers, make a trip to Brecken Castle also as you seek answers concerning Eilis, and see what is keeping them. Do you have spies inquiring into the recent sheep theft?” James asked, as his seneschal prepared to leave at his request.
“Aye, Laird. Two of our men are attempting to determine what has occurred.” Eanruig took the pouch of rations the cook offered him.
“It seems the Dunbartons must have known a wedding was taking place. I wish to know if someone in the village had leaked this information to our enemy.”
“Aye. I will return as soon as I am able with all the news.” Eanruig gave a nod then hurried out of the hall.
James stretched his legs in front of the stone hearth, the sweet-smelling peat burning blue. “Ah, my lady mother,” he said, spying her coming his way, hoping at least his mother had more success at clearing up yet another mystery. “You look like you did when da passed away. What is the trouble with the lass?”
“I think Eilis is betrothed, although she denies it.”
The news shouldn’t have mattered to him, except to be concerned her suitor would be anxious to secure his bride, but the thought irritated James that she would not be free to wed another. Feeling such a way was more than foolish. He combed his fingers through his breeze-tangled hair. He told himself it was just his concern the man she was betrothed to would take her away before Catriona arrived, and his plans would be tossed asunder.
When he did not speak, his mother continued. “She is afraid of her family, but something else is the matter, although she would not say what.”
“Och, why would she deny she is betrothed to marry someone? The truth will come out soon enough. When her family learns she is still alive, they will take her home, and that will be the end of our ruse with Catriona.” There, he said it. The real reason for his concern that Eilis might be betrothed.
Lady Akira sat down on a bench next to James and stretched her hands out to the fire. “Ah, but Catriona will be here, whether Eilis is or not.”
Niall stormed across the room, his cheeks red and a frown digging into his temple. “The lady cannot be forced against her will.”
“We can say naught about the matter if her guardian has already decided this for her,” Lady Akira said.
“You say guardian?” James asked, his curiosity piqued. “Why not her brother, or an uncle, or mayhap a cousin?”
“She did not say, just spoke of her family.”
In a gesture of irritation, Niall threw up his hands. “But why would she say she is not betrothed? Should we not take her word for it? What if some other matter frightens her?”
James faced his mother. “Well?”
“She did not say.”
James let out a disgruntled sound.
Niall paced then stopped abruptly. “What if the lady is in danger? You should not have sent Eanruig on this errand.”
At hearing his cousin distrust his decision, James quashed his growing temper. “He will keep the questioning to a minimum. Several of his family members live in Glen Affric. They will speak not a word of the matter.”
“And if their tongues wag?” Niall asked, his voice at a fevered pitch. “If word reaches her family, and they demand her return at once?”
James took a settling breath. “We will deal with that when we come to it. No sense in worrying about what might or might not happen.”
“Know you she will attempt escape,” his mother said, her eyes shifting from the fire to him. “She will not stay here if she can help it. She is like a frightened, cornered animal, and she will make every attempt to flee her cage.”
“Tavia knows to stay with her tonight? And Fergus will stay on guard until he is relieved by another?” James asked, although he could not imagine the wee lass would try to leave the castle grounds again.
“Aye.”
“I liked it better when she did not know who she was,” James mused.
“I believe she did as well,” his mother agreed.
“I like her just the same. Eanruig will put her life in danger, of that I am certain.” Niall stalked out of the keep.
James jumped up from the bench, but his mother grabbed his arm. “Let him go, James. He only wants to help.”
Shaking his head, James stared in the direction his cousin had gone. “He cannot have the lady, although I know it is his most fervent desire. I need to speak to Fergus, to remind him not to give the lass an inch, if she thinks she is leaving here without my say. The woman will be her family’s concern when we discover who they truly are. I do not want to lose her before then and have to explain what has happened.”
Although James couldn’t help wonder if the lass was truly in danger or if his cousin’s usual flights of fancy were getting the better of him. But worse, he couldn’t help wondering if the lass did know the clan she was from, and she was attempting to hide it from him. He took off for the stairs and a word with Fergus, mayhap a word with the lass as well because he was certain his mother used too soft a touch to get the truth from Eilis.
****
Dougald MacNeill touched his forehead where his temple pounded something fierce. He found his wrist, nay, both wrists in chains that rattled with his movement. The horrific odor that filled the cold air was no doubt from the dank, dark confines of a cell in Dunbarton’s dungeon. Every inch of his body ached, and one eye seemed to be swollen shut. He tested his teeth. They all seemed to be in place and no bones broken. Thank God for small miracles. The lassies loved his handsome face. ‘Twould be a shame if the Dunbartons had ruined his charming looks, he thought facetiously.
The way his naked skin burned, he was sure he had
suffered a few lacerations as well.
Easing himself up on one elbow on the foul-smelling straw he reclined on, he winced as his head nearly shattered with the pain. Mayhap a couple of ribs were broken after all.
“Dougald?” a harsh voice whispered nearby but not near enough.
“Gunnolf?” Dougald called out, meaning to announce in a warlike voice and ready to take on every last Dunbarton, but he sounded weak and in pain, which frustrated him all the more.
“Across the hall from you. How fare you?”
“Methinks I have been beat about a bit like the time we fought the last battle in the Crusade. And you?”
“Ja. Have you come up with a plan to escape, yet, mon?”
Dougald chuckled under his breath, although even that hurt every part of his body. He wasn’t used to being the one in charge. James, being the eldest, had always made their decisions. Then when Dougald and his other brothers had sought their fortune, Malcolm, the next older brother had led them. Now ‘twas his turn, though he wished the circumstances less dire.
“I have only just come around. Give me some more time, and I will come up with a plan, Gunnolf.”
“Dunbarton’s men said they would have rather hung us from a pike, but they realized you were James’s brother and I, his close companion. They plan to ransom us after we have rotted down here awhile, figuring they would like James to wonder what had become of us first. They hoped, mayhap, he would come begging for us afore long.”
Dougald snorted. “James, no doubt, is unaware we were on our way to aid him. So how many of their kin will no longer wield a sword?”
“Six.”
“Six too few.”
“Aye. If our horses had not been so tired, we would have finished the rest off in good order.” Chains rattled across the hall then Gunnolf said, “They stripped us naked in the inner bailey, although you were out cold. The intent was to treat us like filthy prisoners, but ‘twas more than one lassie’s eye that looked on with admiration.”
Dougald smiled. “Then if a lassie should come to feed us or take another peek, mayhap we shall have our escape plan.”
Chapter Six
Eilis climbed onto the straw-filled mattress in the guest chamber but watched in the shimmering candle light while Tavia prepared herself for bed also. “You are not sleeping in here also, are you?” She failed to conceal the surprise in her voice.
“Aye. His Lairdship was concerned you may become unwell during the night.” Tavia gave a furtive smile. “‘Tis best if I am close by to assist you.”
“‘Tis unnecessary.” But Eilis’s words did not sway the healer.
Tavia combed out her long dark tresses then snuffed out the candles. Joining Eilis, Tavia sent the mattress to swaying slightly on the ropes holding it in place. “His Lairdship decides what is best for you.”
How was Eilis to strip the linens to tie together and make a rope? How could she light candles to see what she was doing without waking Tavia? She ground her teeth and stared upward at the ceiling she couldn’t see for the darkness. Mayhap, she could leave the bed and dress without waking Tavia. Then she might be able to slip past the guard if he grew sleepy.
She rolled onto her side. Served James right if his supper didn’t agree with him, and the healer wasn’t readily at his disposal.
For hours, Eilis lay still, waiting for some sign Tavia was asleep. When she heard her softly snoring, Eilis thanked the Lord. As carefully as she could without rocking the mattress too verra much, she slipped out of bed, although the ropes creaked a wee bit.
Her feet crunched on rushes that she normally wouldn’t have noticed, but every sound seemed to echo off the stone walls tenfold. She fumbled for her kirtle and, after several excruciating minutes, finally located it in the cave-like darkness and yanked it over her head. Then for several more minutes, she crawled around on the floor, patting it, searching for her shoes. She would have to forgo her hose and garters because she feared she would take overlong to locate them. When her fingers finally gripped the soft leather shoes, Tavia stirred.
Eilis froze in place. Och, if she caught her now…
Tavia shifted on the mattress. Her snoring stopped, but she didn’t raise the alarm that Eilis was not in bed.
Praying Tavia was still asleep, Eilis slipped her shoes on then made her way to the door. Beneath the massive oak, the light of a candle outside the chamber shone, the only reason she knew where the door was in the dark.
But would Fergus still be standing guard? Mayhap he had retired for the night because Tavia was sleeping with her. Or if he had not retired, mayhap he would be half asleep or sleeping fully and not notice a wee lass slip out.
With her ear to the door, she listened for any sounds, conversation, snoring, but there was none. Taking a deep breath, she glanced at the door leading to James’s chamber. If she slipped out through his chamber, would the guard at hers see her? But what about James? Was he sleeping, or away from his chamber still?
She stared at the bottom edge of the door. No candlelight shown. Yet, she couldn’t bolster her courage to go to the laird’s door.
She opened the one leading out of her chamber. It creaked, shattering her resolve. No one came to the opening or said a word. Her spine stiffer than a taut bow, she gambled that the laird had removed the guard. Tavia was with her after all. Why make a man serve extra guard duty for naught?
She opened the door further. It squeaked again. She hadn’t remembered it was so noisy before. The space was still not wide enough for her to see out. Her skin chilled. No response on the other side of the door though.
Swallowing hard, she pulled the door open enough that she could squeeze out.
Fergus watched her, his eyes and stance as hard as steel.
Her heart shriveled. What now? Pretend she needed something? Shut the door and return to bed?
“Could you fetch me something to drink?”
He gave his head a shake.
“I cannot sleep as I am parched.”
“Wake Tavia and have her fetch something for you.”
Eilis frowned. “She is sound asleep.”
“Shut the door then and return to bed.”
Lifting her chin, Eilis motioned to the stairs. “Fine, I will get it myself.” With that, she stormed out of the chamber.
Seizing her wrist, Fergus glowered at her, the fire burning in his eyes. “His Lairdship says you shall remain here at Craigly Castle. Until he says otherwise, you willna go anywhere, lass.”
She tried to wriggle free. “Let me go!”
“What is wrong?” Tavia asked from inside the chambers near the bed, her voice groggy with sleep.
Eilis heard Tavia moving around in the room, probably trying to locate her kirtle in the dark.
“The lady is thirsty, so she says,” Fergus growled.
Her hair tangled about her shoulders and her kirtle rumpled, Tavia joined her and glowered. “I will fetch her something to drink.”
Fergus released Eilis’s wrist as she seethed at him.
Tavia rushed past her while Eilis returned to the chamber and shut the door.
Having no other choice, Eilis headed straight for James’s bedchamber. Again, she listened at the door for any sounds. Silence.
Pushing James’s door open cautiously, she was relieved it made no creaking noise.
Inside, she could see naught except the faint illumination beneath the door leading outside. Like a beacon of light on a cold black night, she headed straight for it and ran into the sharp and flat edge of a table. And bruised her thighs.
Instantly, something crashed on the floor. Shaken, she darted for the door, her shoes crunching on what she thought were bits of clay. The mattress creaked, feet hit the floor, and most likely James pursued her. Her heart couldn’t have beat any harder as she tried to keep the panic from overwhelming her. Halfway to the door, a hand grabbed at her arm then seized her wrist. She screamed.
The outer door flew open, spilling light into the chamber whi
le four men rushed in with swords drawn.
James tsked, still confining her wrist in his iron grip, heating her blood. “You look like you just fell out of bed, lass. Have you lost your way?” He motioned to one of his men. “Naught is the matter that I cannot handle. Light a candle for me, Fergus, will you? The wee lass has made a shambles of my chamber.”
“Aye, my laird.”
Chuckling and shaking their heads, the other men sauntered out of the room with backward glances at Eilis and their laird while Fergus lighted a couple of candles.
The word would be all over the castle by morn as to what she’d done. Her whole body flushed anew.
“Do we need to post a guard in my room also, lass?” James asked, touching her hair with a gentle sweep of his free hand, his other still holding firm. “You did not wish to share my bed with me, did you?”
Her cheeks grew even more feverish, and she tried to twist her wrist free.
A slight smile curved Fergus’s lips. “Wish you anything else, my laird?”
James’s expression mirrored Fergus’s. “Nay. Just a good night’s sleep, which the lass seems intent on disturbing.”
“I was thirsty,” Eilis snapped.
“Aye, and Tavia has already gone to fetch her something to quench her thirst,” Fergus said, his words verging on a growl. “She had nay reason to come in here, my laird.” He bowed his head slightly.
Eilis flashed him a derisive look. Anyone but a fool would see the obvious reason behind her intentions and she need not explain the matter further.
James raised his brows, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You did not intend to traverse my chamber to tell Tavia you were hungry as well, did you?” He turned to Fergus. “You may go.”
Fergus bowed his head again, gave Eilis a look of displeasure then closed the door on his departure.
Eilis fought feeling vulnerable alone in James’s presence, but his capturing her wrist and holding her tight and way too close made it difficult to think otherwise.
“You can let go of me,” she said between clenched teeth, her whole body heating despite the coolness of the chamber. The smell of his heady masculine scent overwhelmed her, and if he did not release her soon, she didn’t think she’d remain standing for long.