A Very Highland Holiday - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,158

back onto Destiny’s back and rode casually right through the gates, shouting messages of good tidings to those he passed and tossing little wrapped sweets that had been prepared for the occasion. All the while, in his mind, he recited a prayer for their traitorous deaths. The bastards.

In the bailey, a young lad came forward to take his mount by the reins. He was tall and lanky, hungry-looking. Eyes haunted. Poor bairn had likely been ill-treated by his clansmen.

“Och, wee laddie, I’ve a task for ye.”

The lad cocked his head, interest in his eyes, especially when Thane passed him a coin.

“Rub him down, but then, if ye would, saddle him right back up again and keep him tied to the outside of the barn by the trough.” Thane made an exaggerated look about the bailey teeming with people, some of whom appeared already to be quite into their cups. “I dinna think I’ll be staying as long as I had anticipated.” He gave a slow, exaggerated wink. “And if ye’re a good lad, there’s another coin where the first one came from.”

“Och, Father Christmas, I’d do it for free.” The lad beamed, looking as though the coin were the first that he’d ever seen, and likely the best gift he’d ever received in his entire life.

Thane regretted disappointing the lad when he found out who Thane truly was—the enemy. Would he trade the coin for Lady Sarah’s life? Thane was willing to bet the lad would not.

Guilt ebbed at his conscience. But feeling sorry had no place in his plan, else he might as well walk right out the castle gates and back to where he came from. There was no time for regrets.

As Thane walked about the bailey, tossing out good cheer, sometimes through gritted teeth, he noted the various ways of escape and studied every female he passed in hopes of finding the red-haired beauty. The castle walls were being protected by guards. A good number of them, in fact, but they were all holding various cups likely filled with ale, wine or spirits, and they were all laughing and jesting instead of looking out over the snow-covered moors.

The winds had died down, and the massive bonfires in the bailey warmed the air. People danced and lazed about as if it were the height of summer rather than the middle of winter.

A tug at the bottom of his coat had Thane whirling about a little too exuberantly, afraid that he’d been caught. Much to his horror, the sudden movement sent a small child flying. The wee lass was sprawled on her backside, a look of alarm on her face. That expression alone was enough to make him want to abandon his cause. He’d not set out to frighten children. But her fear was quickly erased when she spied his beard and velvet coat. A tentative smile curved her tiny mouth.

Thane rushed forward, extending his hand. “My dear, I am so verra sorry.”

The wee lass grasped onto his outstretched hand with wide, blameless eyes.

Forcing a smile, he said, “Why do ye no’ tell this clumsy Father Christmas what it is ye wish for.”

The bairn stood before him, blinking upward with large eyes, hands clasped in front of her, and without preamble said, “I wish to have our lady and laird back.”

The lass could not have done more damage if she’d thrust a dagger into the center of Thane’s heart. Her request broke his heart, and he found it hard to breathe for a moment. What innocence…

“Lady Thea was helping my ma with the new bairn in her belly. ’Tis being quite troublesome. And the laird, my da said he was twice the laird as these new ones. Says only the weak need to rule together.” Truth out of the mouths of bairns.

Thane choked on his heart, which seemed to have removed itself from his chest and thrust its way up into his throat. He, too, had thought it odd that Edward and Ellyson Campbell had made a pact to share the lairdship.

He swallowed and then patted the lass on the head. “How old are ye?”

“Six summers.”

“Well then, ye’re practically grown. I bet ye can be a great help to your ma with the bairn.”

The lass beamed up at him. “I think I can. But…” She shook her head and bit her lip. “What if she doesna want my help?” The wee thing looked so worried.

Thane knelt before her at eye level. “All mothers want help from their older bairns