Page 60 of Fearless Heart
His comrades grinned.
Brodin chortled. “Are ye finally admitting you love Lillia?”
He nodded.
“It’s about damned time. I’ve been pondering the king’s location. I deem he’d take residence on his lands near Cardross for it’s early in the season. I hope the friar is right and Robert is at Dumbarton. He’ll not move to a more defensive keep until the weather grows colder. We should search for her there.”
Heath agreed. They forged ahead, but during the ride, they had to rest their horses several times. The ride to the northern area was afar and their horses hadn’t been exercised on the hillier climate of the north of late. With the weather colder and the climb tiresome, not only affected their horses but them as well.
Heath pulled on an extra tartan and peered behind him. He thought he caught the sound of someone following. But nothing was of particular note when he turned to scan the area. He rode ahead and his comrades followed.
By eve, three nights later, they reached the outlying area of Cardross. The king had a small fief in the wilds where he often stayed. Heath dismounted his horse and stroked his horse’s neck. The beast settled quickly when he gave him an extra helping of the special grasses Gilroy had put in his saddle bag.
His comrades stood about, none speaking their thoughts. Heath tried to reason the best course of action. He turned and found his comrades watching him.
“I should go alone. It is my wife that is being held. None of you should risk your necks for us. I won’t allow it. I will go and if I’m successful, we’ll meet you by the river we crossed yestereve. If not … well ye might hear of my execution.”
Graeme cursed, Brodin raised a brow, and Liam shoved him.
He was about to explain his reasoning when a rider approached. His comrades pulled their swords free. Heath did so as well, but as he peered ahead, he realized who had come.
Liam let the foulest expletive from his lips. “What the devil is she doing here? I will take a switch to her bonny arse for leaving the caves.” Makenna rode forward. She dismounted and embraced her husband, but Liam after a brief second pushed her back. “What in God’s name are ye doing here?”
“I came because I knew what you were up to and followed. You are not the only one skilled at tracking. I will not have you, Liam, or any of you risking your necks again. You cannot trust the king for he will have you tortured. Remember what he did to you, Liam? He will call for your execution. We ladies discussed it and are positive Lillia would agree with us.”
“Agree with what?” Liam asked.
“That such a rescue mission calls for a woman’s touch. If you rush in there with your swords drawn, you’ll only cause your peril. I shall enter without anyone being the wiser.”
The men stood dumbfounded and Heath would have chuckled because he found her gumption humorous. Yet the thought of how Liam almost had his head in a noose, didn’t sit well. He relaxed his stance.
“Makenna, rest assured the king’s guard will not be entering the king’s keep to save Lillia.”
She turned a disapproved gaze at him. “How do you propose to save her then?”
“I will go. She’s my wife and I am not willing to embroil my comrades in this rescue mission. Lillia is my responsibility.”
“Is she now? Well, I detest saying this, but Lillia is part of our family now. She is all our responsibility. The king doesn’t know me. I will go inside and bring Lillia to you.” Makenna snapped her fingers. “It shall be as easy as retrieving a bucket of water.”
The men looked at her as though she’d lost her mind. Heath stepped forward. “I cannot ask that of you. Nay, I should be the one to enter the king’s keep. Await me at the river as we planned.”
But Makenna wouldn’t have it. She shoved him back and Heath’s eyes widened at her gall. Liam was about to call her to task, but she shook her head.
“If you move one step toward that keep, I shall scream bloody murder.”
The men stepped back.
Makenna waggled her finger at them. “All of you have aided us women, and Kerrigan and I discussed it. We will not allow you to put yourself in danger again. I have a plan. It will be quite easy. Heath, you will have to resign yourself to the fact that I am more than capable of handling this matter.”
“What is your plan?”
His comrades gave appalled glances at him.
She smiled. “Night comes. Many will seek their beds soon. When they do, I shall go inside dressed as a servant. I’ll find Lillia and get her to safety, here to you. None will be the wiser. No one questions a servant lass and I’ll be free to roam the fief. They’ll think I’m one of the fief’s kitchen lasses. I will go. You all await me here. Promise not to interfere for you’ll put me in danger if you do.”
They nodded.
Heath stepped forward and set a hand on her shoulder. “If you succeed …”