Page 24 of Jack (Highland Outlaws #1)

T hey had left Berwick at a gallop and did not slow their pace until just after dawn when they reached monastic land. The abbot and his monks continued on toward the monastery while Jack, Bella, and Lord Redesdale disappeared into the woods.

Beneath the shade of towering pines, Jack expelled a tense breath.

For years, the forest had hidden his family away, allowing their crimes to go unpunished. The trees had been watchful guardians, to which he entrusted those he loved most. And now, they would no doubt give them sanctuary one last time.

Patches of mist circled around jutting rocks and wove through the underbrush, painting the earth in white shadow.

His appreciative gaze followed the ghostly wisps.

Overcome with gratitude, he dropped the reins.

While his horse picked its own way toward camp, he wrapped both arms around Bella’s waist. She smiled up at him.

The morning sun slanted through the leaves, streaking her unbound sable waves with gold.

He absently wove his fingers through her hair as he bent his neck back, admiring the tangled green canopy overhead.

Having glimpsed the cold interior of a great fortress, the richness of the forest struck Jack as never before.

Trees like sentinels creaked in the wind, announcing their return as they rode into camp.

The pit fire burned brightly, and the log seats were fully occupied by three of his brothers, his wee lassies, Rose, and one unexpected visitor.

Jack frowned when he met Bishop Lamberton’s stern gaze, but an instant later a chorus of girlish squeals erupted as his lassie’s raced toward him.

He slid from his horse with Bella in his arms and set her down in time to feel the impact of five girls’ unabashed delight.

“Jack,” they cried.

“Let him breathe, lassies,” Rose said, laughing. Jack reached over the girls and gave Rose a hug. When he pulled away, his sister’s attention quickly shifted to Bella.

“My lady, ye’ve returned,” Rose exclaimed.

Jack smiled down at Bella as she embraced his sister. “I never thought I would see you or this place again,” Bella said, squeezing Rose tightly.

Rose’s eyes welled with happy tears. “Did ye decide to trade yer mighty fortress for my fine cooking?” she asked, laughing.

“In a manner of speaking,” Bella answered hesitantly. She drew away from Rose and took hold of Jack’s hand.

“We’ve much to discuss,” Jack said, his voice grave.

Rose arched her brow at him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“I’ll explain,” Jack said just as Florie shouldered her way past Moira to hug his leg.

Brows drawn, Ian picked his way around the girls. “Where’s Quinn?”

Rory stepped forward. “Aye, Jack, where’s Quinn?”

Alec also looked at Jack, and though his expression was impassive, his steady gaze told Jack that he also wanted answers.

Before Jack could relay to his brothers all that had occurred, a throat cleared behind him. He turned and met Bishop Lamberton’s disapproving gaze.

“Judging by your present company,” the bishop said, looking pointedly at Lord Redesdale. “You clearly have much to explain. However, I insist you first remove the robe you wear.”

Jack nodded, peeling Florie off his leg. “Forgive me, Bishop. I meant no offense.”

Jack disappeared into his hut, emerging moments later divested of his monastic robes.

As he walked back toward the fire, he smiled when he saw Bella’s appreciative gaze travel from his tall black boots, past his black hose, to the black tunic belted at his waist. She smiled her approval.

He fought the urge to sweep her up into his arms and retreat back to his hut.

With regret, he turned from her and looked at her father.

“Lord Redesdale, I would like ye to meet Bishop Lamberton; my brothers, Ian, Rory, and Alec; my sister, Rose; and my wee lassies, Moira, Florie, Anna, Mary, and Maggie.”

Ian was the first to step forward. He bowed, but Bella’s father shook his head. “You need not bow, lad. I am lord of nothing now, except my own conscience. I have, or rather, I will, in due course, be stripped of my titles and wealth.”

Jack crossed the glade to his horse and pulled the satchel of coin out of his saddlebags, giving it to Lord Redesdale. “Yer claim of poverty is not entirely true.”

“How has this come to be?” Bishop Lamberton asked, his gaze darting between Lord Redesdale and Jack.

Jack cleared his throat. “In short, Lord Redesdale—”

“Please, Jack,” Lord Redesdale interrupted. “Call me David.”

Jack smiled slightly and nodded. “David has denounced King Edward and is now guilty of treason.”

The bishop’s eyes widened with surprise. “Then your lives are in danger.”

“That is the truth of the matter,” David said grimly.

Jack nodded. “We must leave. All of us,” he said, raising his voice for his family to hear.

“Wait.” Ian grabbed Jack’s arm. “What of Quinn? Is he hurt?”

Jack shook his head. “Quinn has journeyed to Ravensworth Castle to retrieve Bella’s sister. Now that Catarina is no longer a lady, Bella and David fear her husband will not honor their marriage.”

“Or worse,” Bella added.

Brows drawn, Rory asked, “What are the rest of us to do?”

“We must flee,” Jack said. “Doubtless Edward has men already searching for our trail.” Something pulled at Jack’s tunic. He looked down at Florie’s smiling face. “Is it time to play yet?” she asked.

He squatted down and motioned for his lassies to come to him.

“Nay, my lassies, we cannot play, for we are going on an adventure. And I need all my girls to help Rose with preparations.” Jack ruffled Florie’s hair, feeling a pang of guilt at the thought of taking his family away from the only home they had ever known.

But his duty was clear—he had to protect them.

“Where will we go?” Rose asked.

“To the Isle of Colonsay,” he said. Then he turned to Bella and David. “Our father’s people come from there. I am confident we will be welcomed.”

“But what of the other children, Jack?” Ian asked. “Who will provide for them when we are gone?”

Jack pressed his eyes closed to think. He had not considered the dozens of other children living with various families throughout the countryside, who were still reliant on his support.

“We’ve stolen coin hidden away in the hole,” Alec said, his voice flat and his eyes downcast. “That should keep them fed for a while.”

AT THE MENTION OF THE hole, Bella whirled around to face Alec.

He must have sensed her gaze because he looked up.

She had never seen his face up close. His hair was longer than his brothers’ and bone straight.

His eyes were dark like Jack’s, but their emptiness made them appear even darker.

A chill crept up her spine as she continued to meet his lonely gaze.

Taking a deep breath, she blurted, “Show me the hole.”

With a careless shrug, he turned, heading deeper into the woods. She followed. Alec was tall, leanly built with sinewy muscles. There was something sleek in his movements, quiet and effortless.

They followed a narrow path that led to the river where she, Rose, and the lassies had enjoyed their picnic. Before too long, he stepped off the path toward a patch of dense thicket. “’Tis there,” he said, his voice smooth and emotionless.

She stared him hard in the eye. He remained aloof, his face like finely carved wood—beautiful but unchanging. She circled around him and parted the brush and saw the black hole, though she dared not look down.

Bella arched her brow at him. “This is where you wanted to stick me?”

Alec shrugged. “It seemed a good idea at the time.”

Screwing up her courage, she stalked up to him and brushed a lock of black hair from his eyes. Despite his shield of impassivity, she could feel his power as one feels the strength of a caged animal. Then she remembered Rose confessing that he had the sight.

Suddenly, she felt as if a blaze of heat passed from his body into hers. And for a moment, she felt his pain. “You feel nothing to keep from feeling everything,” she blurted.

His expression never altered. “Let’s go,” he said. Then, without another word, he turned around and headed back toward camp.

Her legs trembled as she followed behind his sleek body, and she remembered Rose telling her that she had a special place for Alec in her heart.

Now Bella understood why.

There was something inside Alec that he hid behind his cool indifference, something powerful and broken.

Back at camp, a bustle of activity was underway. She crossed to where her father stood. “Are you well, Papa? You seem confused.”

He smiled, crinkling his pale green eyes. “I’m not confused, perhaps a trifle overwhelmed. As far as I can tell, Rose and Jack’s lassies are coming with us, but Jack and Bishop Lamberton appear to disagree on whether his brothers should come.”

Bella looked across the glade to where Jack and the bishop stood away from the others.

She could see the strain on Jack’s face.

Her heart broke for him. She knew all too well the pain of a family divided and lost. Chewing on her lip, she considered crossing the glade and intruding upon their conversation, but then her father’s hand clasped hers. She met his gaze.

“I see your concern, my dear,” her father said gently. “But remember, Bishop Lamberton is one of the most powerful men in Scotland. Do not forget yourself.”

She expelled a slow breath. “You’re right, Papa.”

He patted her hand tenderly. “Do not worry, my dear. Remember, hope for a heart full.”

She threw her arms around her father’s neck. “And never take for granted a mouthful,” she finished for him. Drawing back slightly, she met his gaze. “You’ve come back to me, Papa.”

He smiled through his tears. “I have.” His brows drew together with concern. “I’m just sorry that my awakening has come at the cost of my daughters’ titles.”

Bella lifted her shoulders. “I was already planning on relinquishing mine.” Her thoughts turned to her sister. “Catarina, I’m certain, had no such plan, but my heart tells me to trust Quinn. He will save her.”

“But your sister will not easily trust him.” Her father took a deep breath.

“Despite what Catarina may believe, she deserves so much more than Lord Ravensworth. His heart is cruel. She may have tried to argue otherwise, but you can see his hardness in his eyes. I pray that Quinn is able to convince her to leave Ravensworth Castle.”

A smile curved Bella’s lips as she shifted her gaze to Jack, who was still speaking with the bishop. “I do not believe that will be a problem. The MacVie men can be very persuasive.”