in them?
“You better come out. I’d hate for two beautiful women like yourselves to go to waste.”
Gwen yelled something at them in Gaelic. Abby assumed, by their enthusiastic laughter, that is was some sort of warning or swear word.
“We can’t go outside. We’re dead either way.” Abby coughed as the air started to thicken with smoke. She tried to think of a way out and could’ve cursed herself when nothing came to mind. All she could think about was the awful way in which Laird O’Cain would seek his revenge against Aedan for a war that hadn’t had anything to do with her or Gwen, but Jinny. This was absurd.
Neither of them deserved what the men outside had in store for them. Hell, no one on earth deserved such a horrific death. “We’d be better to stay here. The smoke will kill us long before the flames. He’ll torture us if we go out there.” Gwen took her hand and rubbed it in silent consolation.
A loud roaring sound, followed by shouts from the threatening clan sounded as another sword battle started outside. Hope fleetingly filled her heart as the sound of Aedan’s voice, his battle cry, permeated the air. He was here. He’d save them. Of course he would.
He’d never let them die in such a way.
“Help me with the floor, Abigail. We’ll go down in the secret room. It may buy us some time. If the roof caves in, it’ll crush us.”
Abby nodded, pushing a small table full of bowls and glass containers to the side, seeing the square stone slab that covered the stairs leading to the underground room.
“The room has a stone roof, so even if the building goes up in flames, we may survive, depending on the smoke.”
Abby didn’t think they’d have much chance of survival should they go down there, but then, their options were limited. She started when a small wooden trap door near the fireplace pushed in and Aedan’s head popped through.
She went to him quickly, pulling him inside, feeling his body to make sure he was in one piece. “Is it safe to leave with you? Is the battle over?”
“Nay, lass,” he said, pushing her hair out of her face, his brow furrowed in deep worry lines. “My men are holding them at present, enough for me to see ye. I couldn’t let ye go without saying good-bye.”
“What do you mean?” His gaze moved to the corner of the roof, which was now well alight, small embers dropping onto the floor below. “We don’t have time to discuss the matter, but know, Abigail, that I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love ye.”
She nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “I know you do. I’ve never doubted your affections, Aedan.” She hugged him quickly, pulling him tight against her, worried that should tonight be the last time she saw him alive, at least he never doubted how she felt about him as well.
“Send her back, Gwen. Get Abigail out of here.”
Abby’s gaze widened and she frowned. “What do you mean?” As the truth of his words slammed into her, she reeled back on her heels as if slapped. “You cannot mean to send me back to my own time? I don’t want to leave, Aedan. You know that.”
“Aye, I do, lass. I know what ye feel, and I know you’re true, but I can’t assure your safety this night. There are more O’Cain clansmen headed our way, and it’ll be a miracle if anyone is left standing at the end. I can’t lose ye to them. I can’t let them take ye in the way they would. I want to know you’re safe, happy, and home in your own time, than be selfish and keep ye here and risk ye life. Please, go into the cellar and do as I ask.”
Shouts from outside called out to Aedan and his body tensed. Abby kissed him, threw her arms about his neck, and took one last taste, one last touch of the man she doubted she’d ever see again. He deepened the kiss—its raw intensity making her body ache with longing that would forever be her curse.
He pulled back, staring at her with such pain she physically hurt. “Gwendolyn, you’ll send Abigail home. That’s an order from your laird.”
His tone brooked no argument. Abby looked around to see Gwen nod. “You know what you ask, brother. Are ye sure?”
“Aye, I know what I ask.” He pulled her against him once more, his strong arms