A Very Highland Holiday - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,160
will work,” she said.
His gaze met hers, steel blue. “Just what is it ye think I’m here to do?”
“Lay siege.” She shrugged. “Some sort of revenge.”
“Ye have the latter right, but I’m afraid ye’ve got the execution wrong.”
The way he said “execution” with a bite to it had her flinching. Was that what he thought had happened to Thea? No doubt.
“I dinna deny that our clan likely is in need of some sort of punishment for what happened to your sister, but if ye should die too, ye will be of no help to your people.”
“I think ye’re wrong,” he said, a menacing undertone. “I think what I’ve got planned will be a massive help.”
Sarah sighed. “What is it ye have planned then?”
He winged a brow in challenge. “Climb onto my horse, and I’ll tell ye all about it.”
“Climb onto your horse?” She let out a short laugh and narrowed her gaze, the realization of his plot dawning. “Ah, so ye wish to abduct me.”
He pressed his hand to his chest. “That is my Christmas wish.”
Sarah sucked in a heady breath. Here was a gift placed right before her. The means to her escape. And he had no idea. They could kill two birds with one stone. He’d get his revenge, and she’d get her freedom.
She didn’t even bother putting up a fight. “Can I get something from the barn first?”
Thane looked taken aback. “As I’m certain ye’ve no’ been abducted before, I feel obliged to let ye know that will no’ be possible.”
Sarah leaned in close enough that she could smell the stink of the rotting wool beard. “But, you see, I have already packed a bag.”
“What?” he sounded exasperated.
“I…” She licked her lips. “I was going to run away.”
“Why?”
She glanced around, wondering if anyone had taken note of just how long she’d been talking with Father Christmas, but everyone was enjoying the drinks and food and paid them no attention. At least not yet.
“My brothers have arranged for several men to make offers for my hand this evening. One of whom is English. Nay, thank ye.”
Thane groaned. “Fine. Get your bag, but I’m coming with ye. And just so we’re clear, this is still me taking ye, no’ me saving ye.”
“Aye, of course,” she nodded emphatically, grateful he was letting her get the satchel.
They entered the barn, and she spoke to the same wee lad Thane had given a coin to. “Just getting a sack of gifts for Father Christmas,” she explained.
Thane tossed the lad another coin, which quickly distracted him from their task.
A second later, she emerged with the satchel, beaming a smile at the lad and avoiding eye contact with Thane.
“Here we are. Thank ye, Georgie, for all ye’ve done with the horses tonight. I know it’s been quite an ordeal with Harry sick.”
The lad blushed and kicked at the barn floor. “Thank ye, my lady. I’m more than happy to help.”
The lad glanced down at the coin in his hand, and Thane could practically see the thoughts about what he’d spend it on popping from his mind.
Outside of the barn, Thane took Sarah’s satchel and attached it to his saddle.
“Wait.” She touched his arm, and he ignored the frisson of heat that shot through him. “I need my cloak so that no one will see me.”
This was ludicrous. She was actually helping him abduct her. This chore could not have been any easier. He was a little disappointed.
“Good idea.” With his mount blocking him from the crowd in the bailey, he tossed the beard and wig, took off the red jacket, hanging it on the trough and then put on his own cloak.
A few minutes later, they were riding outside of the gates with no one the wiser that Father Christmas had just stolen the best prize of all.
Chapter Three
Though the snowfall had ebbed before Thane arrived on Campbell lands, the storm had steadily picked up since they’d ridden away the night before. Save for a few short breaks to rest Destiny and relieve themselves, they’d ridden through the night. At times Sarah was alert, leaning away from him, and at other times her body sagged against him.
He’d pulled her onto his lap and given her the extra blanket he had, and she’d buried herself inside of it so much that he could barely see her. If not for the weight of her body against him and the unintelligible words he could hear her murmur in her sleep, he might not have known she was