could jump out of her skin. And if she didn’t act swiftly, Angus’ fate would be sealed.
Because of me.
When the latch clicked, Anya startled. Hopping to her feet, she held her breath as Finovola led Lord O’Doherty inside.
“Ye’d best be quick, else His Lordship will hear about this,” barked the guard in the passageway.
“Ye cannot deny the lass a chance to see her betrothed even if she is restricted to quarters,” Finovola replied, her words like honey flowing from a spigot.
After kicking her work beneath her bed, Anya smoothed trembling hands over her hair. “Thank ye for coming.”
Lord O’Doherty and Finovola exchanged glances before the man regarded Anya with a frown. “This is very untoward.”
“Forgive me, but it could not be avoided given my imprisonment.” Anya led them away from the door and to the bench seats in the window embrasure, where they could speak without being overheard. “I have a plan to benefit us all. If the two of ye indeed want to marry, I must have your help, my lord.”
Her eyes dancing as if filled with sunshine, Finovola clasped her hands, though Chahir appeared to be about as comfortable as a man sitting in a bed of nettles. “Ye are aware that Ulster is my overlord. I cannot and will not agree to anything that might put the earl or his men at risk.”
“Ye will not. I swear it. The only favor I ask is for ye to take me to Dunyvaig…tonight.”
Finovola gasped. “But ye cannot leave this chamber, let alone set foot outside the castle.”
“With all due respect, I have been slipping beyond these walls for seven years. Do ye think I cannot spirit past a guard or two?” Sounding far more self-assured than she felt, Anya looked to His Lordship. “Tell me, when is Ulster planning to take Islay to London?”
“He hasn’t said for certain, but the morrow is Sunday, and I do not reckon he’ll set ships to sea on the sabbath. Did ye know his plans are to send Islay to Carlisle and have the Lord Warden take him to London?”
“Ulster is not accompanying him to the Tower himself?”
Chahir cringed, his gaze shifting to the woman he truly loved. “Not with our wedding coming so soon. He insists the ceremony cannot be delayed.”
“Well, it will not be my wedding. On that ye have my solemn vow.”
“Once ye leave, what should I tell the countess?” asked Finovola.
“Nothing. And she’ll never know. The only time Her Ladyship has ever visited this chamber was when she brought the midwife. Am I wrong?”
“Nay…but she could come all the same.”
“She will not. I swear she will not.” Anya tiptoed to her bed and pulled out the rope of bed linens she’d hastily made, then returned to her perch in the embrasure, addressing her sister with a somber stare. “To purchase time for my plan to run its course, after the Lord of Islay has been gone for two days, ye are to report that I was not in my bed when ye awoke that morn. Tell the countess ye slept sound and did not wake.”
“Wait two whole days?”
“’Tis the only surefire way Lord O’Doherty will not be suspected of intervention.” She shook the rope. “We’ll pile pillows under the coverlet so it looks as if I’m abed. If anyone asks, say I’m suffering a bout of melancholy. Then, once time has passed, tell the countess ye found my mode of escape and show her my makeshift rope. Let them form their own conclusions. Meanwhile, my lord, ye will be safely tucked away in your keep and none the wiser. After ye return ready to take your vows, and discover I have once again disappeared, ye will be free to demand Finovola’s hand in place of mine.”
“But my plan is to remain here until the wedding,” said Lord O’Doherty.
Sitting straighter, Anya tightened her grip around the rope. “For the love of all that is holy, ye have a castle to run—lands and enemies. I do believe ye are able to conjure something that requires your immediate attention—requires ye to set sail for home this very night. With the promise to return for the wedding, of course.”
Chahir brushed his fingers over the O’Doherty crest embroidered in the center of his surcoat. “Providing I agree to this, what is your plan? Fairhair is an outlaw. Not only that, he’s an enemy of your kin. My kin as well.”
Anya blinked. No wonder Angus thought the man dull. He had no imagination whatsoever. “Do