The Devil in Plaid(49)

“Don’t worry about me,” she said, her voice steady, despite the shiver of fear coursing up her spine. “Ye just focus on the plan ahead. How will ye get me into the keep without Ranulf finding out?”

She could feel the captain’s heart beating against her back. “I will sneak ye in through an unguarded passage, known only to the laird of the keep who is dead and me, his first captain. I will have to blindfold ye, of course.”

“I understand,” she said. Then she turned and looked Tormod in the eye. “I spoke the truth, Captain. We have not raided yer people. Ye must believe me.”

Tormod sighed, and his face softened. “The horror of these last weeks have been so great, ‘tis hard to know who to trust or believe. But I once believed ye to be the perfect wife for young Adam.” His voice broke. “God’s blood, Ranulf’s villainy is too great. He took the life of good men and has pitted us against one another.”

She squeezed his hand. “Ye can trust me. In two days’ time an army will march to yer aid. If my laird sees three torches lit side by side on the eastern parapet, he will know we have an accord. Open the gates and let our men inside. Together, we will rid yer keep of Ranulf and his men.”

Once again, his face went cold. “Open the gates to an army? How can I know the MacLeod does not seek to conquer us?”

She looked at him boldly. “Because ye hold his wife prisoner.”





Chapter Twenty Nine


“What do you mean ye left her with them?” Jamie growled.

“She surrendered herself into the captain’s possession,” Alasdair explained.

Jamie’s fists clenched tight. “My wife has proven herself to be a shrewd and sensible woman. Why would she give herself over to the MacKenzie?”

“She did so to gain their trust.”

“But why would this captain need reassurance of my word? Our clans have never feuded.”

Matthew stepped forward. “He claimed that men wearing our clans’ colors have raided MacKenzie land, killing innocent people.”

Jamie’s eyes widened. “That’s a lie.”

“Lady Fiona told him that Ranulf had to be behind the attacks, not our clans. She told him that ye had an army ready to march and would join ranks with Clan MacKenzie, but the captain refused to take her at her word,” Alasdair explained.

“That was when she offered herself as a guarantee,” Matthew added.

Jamie raked his hands through his hair. “Why would she do that?”

Alasdair came forward. “Because, my lord, she did what was needed to move our plan forward. She did what was needed to safeguard her people.”

“Damnation,” Jamie said through gritted teeth. He wanted to hit something, to beat something to the ground. “I…I…” He whirled around, seizing Matthew by his shirt and plaid. “I need to get my wife back!”

“Listen to me,” Matthew said. “I can see ye’re incensed and rightfully so. Ye’re worried and—”

“And ready to kill someone, so tread carefully,” Jamie snarled.

“I do not condone what yer wife did, but I do admire her courage and her quick thinking. We have a plan that puts the lives of innocent people first—”

“Is my wife not innocent?” Jamie shouted.

“Of course,” Matthew snapped. “But our enemy is still one man and his henchmen, not the entirety of the clan MacKenzie. Yer wife made a difficult choice to preserve yer plan, to ensure a clan war doesn’t start. Have faith in her. Have faith in the strength of yer alliance. Do not make her sacrifice in vain by now marching on the keep.”

Jamie’s mind raced. “How can ye be sure she isn’t in danger?”

“We cannot be certain, but one way to ensure her life is forfeit is to attack. She made them a promise—that you amassed an army to free their clan. If ye act contrary, then ye put her life at risk. All we can do is to protect the trust she has earned.”

Jamie’s heart pounded, drumming in his head. A cry of rage tore from his lips as he released Matthew and seized the table beside his highbacked chair and threw it against the wall. The wood splintered. His chest heaved as he fought for control. He whirled around and faced his men. “All right. We proceed as planned. But know this—if any harm befalls her, I will bring my vengeance upon the clan MacKenzie ten-fold.”

“Trust me,” Matthew said. “I made that very clear.”

A soft rapping sounded at the door. Jamie whirled about. “Enter,” he growled.

His eyes widened in surprise when the door swung open and Esme and Abby rushed into the solar. They both dipped into a deep courtesy before Esme blurted, “Forgive me, my laird. My lady confided in me about leaving Castle Làidir last night, but she told me to expect her return by now. I know I’ve overstepped the boundaries of decorum by coming to ye, but Fiona is more than my lady, she is my dearest friend. I wanted to ask why she has not returned, but we heard ye shouting through the door. And now I ken.” Breathless, Esme clasped her hand to her bosom.

Abby stared up at him, her face ashen. “Has she really been taken by the MacKenzie?”

“Blast,” Jamie cursed, ushering the women further into the room. He looked out the door to see if anyone else might have overheard his tirade, but the corridor was empty. Raking his hand through his hair, he turned back, locking eyes with Esme. “What did she tell ye exactly?”