you can’t, we’ll both be swinging from a tree.”
Robbie moved, lifting his head with difficulty. His swollen lips formed a crooked grin. His eyes were battered shut, his face discolored from bruises. “Have you come to save me, Tiebauld?” He sounded as weak as a wee lamb. Even his body seemed to have been shrunk by pain.
“Only if you are much tougher than you look like right now.”
Pride shone in Robbie’s eyes. “Death alone will make me heel.”
“Good, lad. Now listen, here is what I have planned. I want you to play the soldier.”
“And guard myself?” Robbie asked with a hoarse laugh.
“Exactly,” Aidan answered seriously. He began working to loosen the knots binding Robbie to the chair. “I want you to put on the guard’s uniform. Wear his hat low on your head.”
“Are you telling me you don’t have armed men outside waiting to help?”
“Aye, I brought all the kitchen women. Bonnie Mowat is going to conk heads with her washboard.”
His quip earned a rusty laugh from Robbie. The knots finally untied, Aidan placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s us and us alone, lad. If you can’t do it, we’re damned.”
“For my freedom? I can do it,” Robbie said proudly. He attempted to sit straight and winced. “It may take me a moment.”
“Aye, you’ll manage,” Aidan said, more to reassure himself than Robbie. If Robbie failed, they were all doomed. There was no turning back. He continued explaining his plan.
“The watch will change at four. The night grows cloudy. I’m wagering whoever comes on for you will be sleepy. Keep quiet, walk straight, and you could pass.”
Robbie rubbed his legs, attempting to get the circulation going, a painful process. “Pass for the guard?”
“Aye.”
“And then what?”
“Then you walk off the estate.”
Robbie stared slack-jawed. “Have you been drinking?”
“No. I just did it myself. Lambert thinks you important, but his men prefer the show of soldiering to hard work. They lounge in the house and enjoy heavy meals. If they are on guard for anything, it is an armed force coming from the road.”
Robbie considered his words a second and then he smiled as he realized freedom was within his grasp. Aidan was glad to see this surge of renewed spirit.
“So, you’re joining me, are you?” Robbie said softly.
Aidan frowned. “What do you mean?” he asked in a low voice.
“You are leaving Kelwin for the rebel’s life. It is glad I am to have you beside me.”
Aidan rocked back on his heels. “I can’t leave Kelwin.” He couldn’t. It was where he belonged. Yes, it was his birthright, but it was also the haven he’d created for himself.
“You can’t stay, not after killing Lambert’s guard. They’ll hunt you down.”
“If my plan works, Lambert will never know you are gone.”
Robbie snorted his disbelief. “He’ll know. Granted, you believe Lambert’s men thick, but don’t you think the bastards will recognize their own mate sitting in my place?”
“It won’t be the same man.”
“Who will it be? You?”
“Packy Gilbride.”
Robbie’s eyes widened. “Gilbride? I know he has a rebel’s heart, but I didn’t think him a fool.”
“He’s not. He’s dead.” Aidan knew his words were blunt, but he didn’t have time to sweeten them. However, he didn’t anticipate Robbie’s reaction.
“They’ve not killed him, have they?” Robbie rose with a surprising amount of strength, ready to do battle.
“No, no,” Aidan hastened to assure him. “Gilbride died of old age and obstinacy as we all knew he would. But I’ve a plan to pull a switch, one I think Old Packy would enjoy playing a part in.” Quickly, he told Robbie what he intended. “I’ll bury the soldier in Gilbride’s grave. There won’t be any loose ends.”
“Sooner or later, someone will miss the soldier.”
Aidan shook his head. “Lambert will think the soldier deserted. They desert all the time, especially around planting season.”
“But Packy and I don’t look anything alike.”
“Have you seen yourself lately? Dead Gilbride looks better.” Aidan stood. “You’re both about the same height, and the grayness in the red hair may or may not be noticed. I warned Lambert he dare not let you die or there will be a war. If my plan works, I’ll advise Lambert to bury you as quickly as possible else word gets out the English killed you.”
“I don’t—”
Aidan cut through his protest. “It’s the only plan I have. We must risk it and time is wasting.” He began stripping the soldier. “If you want freedom, get into this uniform.”
Robbie began disrobing. While he changed, Aidan fetched Packy Gilbride. Packy’s body had