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“Well,” Dahlia muttered once they were clear of Mab’s hearing. “Clearly that wasnae the place Arran meant fer us tae be.”

Beattie led the way along a small overgrown pathway to the second cottage which was well out of the way of the scattered cottages of the village, situated in a clearing in the woods.

This cottage was even smaller than Mab’s, surrounded by a white-washed picket fence. It too was covered with a mass of gloriously fragrant flowering herbs.

They rapped on the front door but there was no answering response. The place seemed strangely deserted even though there was a spiral of smoke issuing from the chimney.

They were proceeding around the back of the little house along a narrow path when they heard the sound of someone walking in the woods nearby.

Dahlia looked up, holding her breath, when, sure enough, Arran’s tall figure appeared among the trees. She handed her basket to Beattie with a quick word. “Wait here,” she said and hastened toward him, a joyful smile on her face. He seized her in his arms and, together, they wandered arm in arm into the woods, out of sight of the world.

Once they were certain they were alone, Arran folded her close, his lips desperately seeking hers and they lost themselves in a long, despairing kiss that held all their fears and joys and hopes for the future.

Tearing themselves apart, they searched around for a suitable place to sit and, still holding each other close, made a cushionfrom a cluster of bracken ferns. Dahlia leaned her head on his shoulder.

“I cannae stay long, Arran. I was only permitted tae leave the castle for a brief time because I was accompanied by Beattie. We were forced tae promise tae return within the hour.”

“’Tis better than naught, me sweet dove. I am pleased the wee lass remembered me message fer ye.”

Dahlia chuckled. “’Twould have saved me the cost of two baskets of herbs if the girl had been able tae tell me where tae go.”

Arran nodded. “Apologies. I didnae think she could remember all that.”

“’Tis nay matter. Ye are here with me now, and safe. I’ve been fashin’ all this while nae sure if ye were still concealed in the castle or whether Bairre or his henchmen had taken ye prisoner again.”

“There’s been one or two close moments when I thought I might be discovered, but I’ve managed to keep well out of their way most of the time. There are some old servants I trust who’ve brought me food and made sure I was comfortable enough.” He pulled her close and looked intently into her eyes. “But I cannae remain concealed. I wish tae find me maither and help ye tae leave the castle afore yer betrothal time has run its course and Bairre seeks tae claim ye as his bride.”

She shuddered. “Aye. ‘Tis what I fear with every part of me. I’d rather slice me own heart with me dirk than allow that man tae touch me.”

“Skulking about the castle as a fugitive doesnae sit well with me. I must confront the man and take me rightful place at Castle Mackinnon.”

“Nay.” Dahlia clutched at his sleeve in a panic. “Ye ken he’ll kill ye.”

Arran shook his head. “He’ll nae lay a hand on me. I’ll let it be kent among the guard and the men who are still loyal tae me that Bairre is nae tae be trusted and that he’s already attempted tae kill me. They’ll nae stand fer outright murder, whether he be the laird or nae. And I’ll make sure he understands that. He’ll be risking his own life if he attempts tae take mine.

“’Tis still a dangerous game ye would play. I beg ye, keep out of his sight.” She gazed at his profile, the determined set of his jaw, and her heart sank. She well knew if Arran made up his mind about something, there was little that would stand in his way.

Then she brightened, recalling the conversation she’d had last night with Nicol.

“I’ve hopes we may be able tae find where yer dear maither is being held.”

She then related everything she’d learned. First, the stories she’d gleaned from Bairre himself of his childhood adventures with his brother and the hideaway they’d made for themselves in the mountains.

“Och, that’s a good discovery, lass. But did he reveal tae ye where this place of concealment was located?” He scratched his head and a golden lock of hair fell across his brow tempting Dahlia’s fingers to smooth it behind his ear. “The mountains are vast, there are many tracks and pathways throughout the woodlands that line them. There are caves and a thousand hiding places there. I ken the mountains also. As a lad in exile from the castle I used tae explore when I had time tae mesel’.”

Then she told him about everything she’d learned from Nicol.

“…so ye see, with Nicol tae guide us, this means we have a good chance of finding the bothy that the two young lads used in their boyhood escapades. If me suspicions are correct, this is exactly the well-hidden place Bairre would use tae keep yer maither prisoner.”

Arran nodded, a smile breaking out on his face. “Aye. If the guards couldnae find the place when they were in pursuit of Bairre and his braither, he’d be certain nay one would find the place now. I’ve searched high and low.”

He hugged her close. “Ye’ve given me hope me precious darling. We must seek this place as soon as we are able tae safely make our departure from the castle.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Arran’s head was buzzing like a hive of bees as he made his way back to the castle. Dahlia’s words had left him in no doubt that he must find the place Bairre had told her of. He was convinced this was where he would find his mother. Now it was time for him to put plans in motion to follow on with the rescue mission.

He slipped through the gate with a nod from the guard on duty and made his way to the stables. There he engaged in a quick conversation with the chief groom, advising that he would be wishing to ride out with the lady Dahlia sometime in the coming days and he wished their horses be kept well-exercised and ready. Then he progressed to the guards’ quarters and spoke briefly to three men there who were loyal to him. He looked for Nicol but guessed the man was not yet on duty after his late shift the previous night.