to say before Cook swatted her. “Oh, I see. Aye, I’ll not say a word.”
Toran grimaced. “See that ye stick to the story, else they will burn this castle to the ground and not one of us will be walking away alive.”
“Aye, sir.” They nodded vigorously and dispersed, not once questioning. Their loyalty to their mistress was admirable and made him swell with pride.
The English had yet to infiltrate the castle, but he could hear them making a ruckus outside.
From the nearest window, Toran peered out, observing Boyd in the center of the ruckus, pointing to his men, giving orders.
A loud moan echoed through the courtyard, eerie and otherworldly. The men all stopped and turned to stare up at the castle.
“What was that?” Boyd asked sharply.
“The Green Lady,” one of the men said with a shiver. “She haunts us.”
A maid ran around the side of the castle with a bundle in her hands, making for the front stairs to the tower.
“You there, stop!” Boyd demanded.
The woman stopped short, nearly toppling backward.
“Aye, sir?” She turned slowly, terror on her features.
“What have you got there? Where are you going?”
The maid did a fantastic job of glancing back up at the castle tower, her eyes wide with worry as she tapped at her bundle.
“Herbs for my mistress, sir. She’s been near death’s door with the measles these past several days.”
Boyd stiffened, and the men around him backed away from the clansmen they’d been harassing.
“Measles?”
“Aye. We’ve been trying everything we can, but nothing seems to ease her suffering.” The lass lifted her arm, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. “Me own ma just passed last week from it. An outbreak we’ve had. Three of the wee ones and Sarah’s grandda.”
Boyd took another step back at the mention of death and outbreak.
He glanced sharply at Dirk. “Is this true? Why did you not warn us?”
“Aye, ’tis,” Dirk said, not missing a beat. He shook his head sadly and crossed himself. “I thought ye’d already know. We’ve been spreading the word to all those around.”
“Seeing as how you’re dealing with this, we’ll be on our way.” Boyd edged closer to his horse. “But do not think this is a reprieve. I expect, as loyal servants of King George, you will send a message to the garrison and let me know when all is well so I might return.”
“Aye, of course,” Dirk said.
Toran counted the seconds until the English mounted their horses and withdrew as swiftly as they’d come. He took the stairs two at a time until he reached Lady Mackintosh’s room.
He raised his hand to knock, and Jenny threw open the door before his knuckles touched the wood.
“We did it,” she said in a high whisper, and then she tossed her arms around his neck.
Her body crushed to his, the scent of her flowing around him, her lush breasts pressing against his chest, and he couldn’t help but envelop her in his arms.
“’Twas your servants who deserve the credit. I only delivered the message. They came up with the specifics of the scheme themselves.”
“We are safe for now,” she murmured against his shoulder, still holding tight to him.
“Aye, safe for now.” He drew in one last longing breath and then eased away from her grasp. “I just wanted to make sure ye were aware the English had left.”
“We are.” She smiled up at him in a way he’d not seen before. Conspiratorial, proud. And he longed to see that same look on her again.
But not until he’d told her the truth. In their celebration, she’d momentarily forgotten her mistrust of him, and he’d basked in his reprieve for however short it was.
“I’ve a need to speak with ye about something. ’Haps another walk in the gardens after the evening meal.”
“Aye. We need to.” Her eyes narrowed slightly, but before she could say more, her friends called her back into the chamber.
Toran rushed down the stairs, pausing in the middle when he thought of maybe returning to her. He forced himself the rest of the way down instead. Tonight he’d tell her the truth. All of it.
In the barracks, Camdyn lay on his cot, his face pale. When he saw his brother, he exhaled visibly in relief. “I was worried,” he said.
“’Twas a close call and will no’ be the last,” Toran said. “I know that’s no measure of comfort, but it is the truth.”
“I know, and I’m glad ye give it to me straight.”
Toran sat down beside his brother, listening to him tell a tale