The Recruit (Highland Guard #6)(115)

With his fear for his wife intensifying, he didn’t hesitate a minute longer. As soon as he had an opening he took it, crossing the yard and climbing the stairs to the tower.

Once inside, he took a quick scan of the Hall. Noting Mary’s absence, he headed up the stairwell in front of him. His heart pounded as he raced up the two flights. It was almost as if he sensed even before he opened the door that she wasn’t there. Still, he felt a hard jarring in his chest when only dark silence greeted him.

Where the hell was she?

Perhaps the babe’s room?

Holding out hope, he raced up the next flight of stairs, opened the door, and felt an even harder jarring than the first when he found only emptiness.

His heart was pounding even faster now, panic slipping in.

She had to be here. He would find her if he had to tear apart every inch of this castle—Felton’s men or not. The entire English army wouldn’t be enough to keep him from her.

But it would be easier with help. Those pottery jars he’d seen earlier in the trunk would work, but the trunk was gone. Which left Sir Adam. The older knight cared for Mary; Kenneth just hoped he was right about how much.

Retracing his steps down the stairs, Kenneth stopped at the level below Mary’s room. Not bothering to announce himself, he pushed open the door.

Sir Adam stood by the small window staring out into the yard below. Glancing over his shoulder toward the door, his gaze met Kenneth’s. “I wondered how long it would take you to arrive. The horse was a clever distraction.”

Kenneth strode into the room. “Where is she?”

“Felton took her a short while ago.”

Kenneth’s heart dropped. “Took her? Where?”

“To Berwick Castle.” Sir Adam’s eyes narrowed. “He came here looking for you. He has a warrant for your arrest.”

Kenneth swore.

“Aren’t you going to ask the charges?”

“Do they matter?”

Sir Adam shook his head. “I suppose not.”

Kenneth tried to steel himself against the disappointment he saw in the other man’s eyes, but it didn’t work. Betrayal was never easy, and this one was particularly difficult. He hoped one day they would meet again as true allies.

“How long ago did they leave?” he asked.

“Not long. Twenty, maybe thirty minutes.”

“Then I still have time to catch them.”

“What makes you think I won’t have you arrested right now?”

Kenneth stilled, eyeing the other man carefully. “Because I know you love her and want her to be happy.”

“And you think you can make her happy?”

“I know I can.” He paused. “I also don’t think you are as opposed to Bruce as it appears.”

The other man bristled. “My fealty is to King John.”

“Balliol is deposed and living in France. You know he will never be accepted again as king.”

Sir Adam didn’t argue.

“I suspect that is why you have not told the English of your knowledge of the Saracen powder.”

The older knight stiffened. Kenneth could see he was going to deny it and cut him off. “I know about the explosion on the bridge when Mary lost her sister. It was you, wasn’t it?”

Sir Adam paled. “My nephew shared our family secret, it seems. I suspected as much. It was an accident. Does she know?”

Kenneth shook his head. “Not yet.”

“But you will tell her.”

“Aye. But you can make it up to her. I need your help.”

Sir Adam considered him for a long moment. Kenneth could see the warring going on inside him between the fealty he owed his deposed king and the love he had for Mary. Eventually, his shoulders sagged, as if the battle had proved too much. “Tell me what you need.”

The ride to the castle could be done in as little as an hour, but due to Mary’s condition and the darkness, the journey was progressing at a much slower pace.

She could claim to be slowing them down purposefully, but she was genuinely uncomfortable. Her back had started to hurt, and she felt an occasional cramp.

Despite his anger toward her, Sir John was a chivalrous knight, and when quietly reminded of her condition, he slowed the pace considerably.

Her heart jumped at every little sound. She scanned the darkness, half expecting her husband to jump out of the blackness like some avenging apparition. She knew it was silly to think he could take on nearly twenty English soldiers by himself, but part of her knew he would try if he could. The other part feared he would do exactly that.

Where was he?

A short while later, she had her answer. They were a couple of miles from the castle when they neared the bridge over the Tweed.

Riding near the back of the procession, at first all she heard was a shout, followed immediately by a burst of action in the men around her. Sir John shouted orders, and a dozen of his men circled around her and David. “What is it?” she asked. “What’s happening?”

No one answered. She managed to catch a glimpse through the line of mailed soldiers in front of her of a solitary torchlight about twenty yards ahead. A man stood holding it. She didn’t need to see the yellow shield with three red stars to recognize her husband.

Her pulse jumped and a soft cry tore from her throat. Tears sprang to her eyes. She didn’t know whether it was happiness at seeing him alive or fear that he might not be so much longer. It was Kenneth. But what was he doing?