The Highland Laird (Lords of the Highlands #8) - Amy Jarecki Page 0,35
the door closed, he spun around and grasped her shoulders. God, it was so good to see her, yet infuriating as hell. “You are the last person I expected to visit.”
Within the blink of an eye disappointment reflected in her features. “The last?”
He dropped his hands, peering through the tiny window on the door. “Who’s with you? Surely you didn’t come alone.”
“Alone? I wouldn’t have made it beyond the gate.” She ran the lead through her hand. “I asked Sam to help. He’s acting as my footman and my guide.”
She’d brought a child? Ciar raked his fingers through his hair. “But why are you here? I cannot believe Janet allowed you out of her sight. Ye ken how dangerous it is to leave the castle. ’Tis the reason Robert had you stay at Achnacarry. The roads are full of lawless fiends and will be until…” He couldn’t bring himself to say “until George of Hanover is crowned.” Such words rubbed against the grain.
“After everyone was asleep I slipped out of my chamber, found Sam, and away we rode through the night.” She moved a hand to his cheek. “One of us had to do something. All the men are away. Janet sent missives to Robert, her father, and to Mr. Livingstone, but I didn’t feel it was enough.”
“Who else kens I’m here?”
“I have no idea. We received word of the charges against you from one of Lochiel’s men who was returning from Inverlochy with supplies. I imagine the news has spread by now.” Emma slid her fingers to his chest, the soothing sensation almost making him sigh. “Livingstone has taken your men back to Dunollie, has he not?”
“Aye. But Wilcox has sent half his army there as well. He told me if one of my men sets a foot in Fort William he’ll be shot.”
“Goodness, the man is vile.”
“Aye, and he believes a handful of contemptable scoundrels’ testimony over my word.”
“He told me the same, but I don’t accept a word of it. Tell me, what happened?”
Ciar relayed the details about finding the dragoons on the road to Spean Bridge after they’d killed Tommy MacIntyre. “I didn’t get a good look at the victim’s face at the time, but once I heard the name of the poor sop, I realized I’d met him. Had an ale with MacIntyre and MacDonnell at the Inverlochy tavern last year.”
She pulled a kerchief from her sleeve, making him realize he’d lost the one she’d given him when they’d taken his sporran. “Good heavens. There must be something we can do to prove your innocence.”
“There is, but I’m powerless caged in this box.”
“What if…” Emma inclined her ear to the door.
“What if?”
Her eyebrows arched with intelligence as she wiped the kerchief along his jaw. “I have an idea.”
He caught her wrist and stilled her hand. What was she doing? “I cannot abide your involvement in this mess. I’d never forgive myself if you were caught up in the middle of it.”
“But I can help.”
How in God’s name could a sightless wisp of a lass be of any help? She’d already taken too much of a risk in coming. “Nay. ’Tis too dangerous.”
“You already said simply riding on the roads is dangerous.” She pulled her hand from his grasp and moved the kerchief to Albert’s nose. “Ciar.” She shook it. “Ciar.”
The dog sniffed and wagged his tail.
“Ciar,” Emma said again and then tugged the dog’s nose toward the hem of his kilt. “Ciar.”
“Arf!”
“He seems to like this game,” Dunollie growled. “But this is nay child’s play, and Albert is not keen enough to break me out of this fortress if that’s what you’re thinking. You’ll be arrested and locked in the pillory if you try it.”
The guard rapped the door. “Time’s up, miss.”
Emma clamped her hands to his cheeks and pulled his face downward.
Ciar’s breath caught as he pursed his lips. But she didn’t kiss him as he expected. She pressed her lips to his ear and whispered, “Tonight. Be ready.”
“Did you not hear what I just said?” Before Ciar could ask what in God’s name she was planning and put an end to her well-intended but ludicrous ideas, the door swung open.
“Aw, now isn’t that nice,” said the sentinel. “A kiss for the condemned.”
Emma backed away, holding her head high like a queen. “Come, Albert. Thank you so much for allowing us a modicum of time, sir. Would you do me the kindness of accompanying me on a walk of the perimeter? This wee beasty