Page 18 of Keeping Kate

“Not yet, but soon, I hear. Colonel Grant and his men took me down. He is a madman, that one—watch out for him. But I earned my right to be here.” He smiled in impish contrast to his ugly wounds.

“Earned it how?” She looked at him, puzzled.

“Ach, careless. Just the once, see. We slept in a shallow cave in a storm and they found us before dawn. Killed two of my cousins and took me. But I wounded two red soldiers and made fools of the rest. Knocked heads together and went down roaring like a bull.” He touched his swollen cheek, then gestured toward MacDow. “They took that one with us—he was a messenger come to us, and we did not know him well. Now we are comrades in dire circumstance.” He grimaced. “I am sorry about your cousins and your troubles. And I am very glad you are fine. My kin will want to know. Did you find—what you were searching for?”

He looked at her for a moment as if gauging an answer. “I know what you are asking. I have not yet found it, but I know where to look. I was taken before I got there, before I could send word to your brother.”

“Where is it?” she asked breathlessly.

“Lass, if I told you what I know and they tortured you as they did yesterday—damn them all”—he spat in disgust—“you might speak of it.”

“I would not,” she promised.

“Then I will just say this.” He leaned close, glancing toward the cell door. “The hermit of the Highlands knows the truth.”

She blinked. “The hermit?”

“My cousins told me so. A hermit near Glen Carran, they said,” he whispered, watching the door. “I could not learn more.”

“They told you nothing else?”

“They died too soon, lass. If you see Duncrieff, you must tell him.”

“I will. Somehow I will find a way to reach my brother.”

“They may take you to Edinburgh too. Does he know you are here?”

She shook her head. “I do not know. My cousin may have seen my arrest, and he would have told my kinsmen. But I have not said my name here, so no word has come from the red soldiers. If they knew my name, they would go after my kinsmen.”

Cameron dropped his shoulder to lean toward her. “Listen to me, lass. Keep your silence. Whatever you know about this business, keep it close. And do not tell me anything. If they torture me, I might talk.” His tone turned light.

“You never would!” She nearly smiled, glad to find such a friend.

“Oh, I might. I do not have your strong will to survive what they did to you here.” His expression darkened. “I heard it all. Forcing you to stand chained for hours—I would have killed them for you if I could have done.”

“I am fine. An officer decided it was enough punishment and put an end to it.”

“The captain? I saw him. A good man, seemed like.”

“I owe him for it. Though he was also the one who arrested me.”

“Och, was he? And did you not use the fairy charm of your clan?”

She looked at him in surprise. “You know about that?”

“Some.” He shrugged. “Can you get us out of here? Spirit us away to a fairy hill?”

She smiled again. “It is not such a useful gift as that!”

“Pity.” He grunted. “Well, that gift will serve its purpose one day, I think. Now get some sleep, lass. Do not fret about that lad over there,” he added. “I am your guardian.”

“And I am forever in your debt.”

He smiled crookedly through the scruff of his black beard. “Och, you are a bit of sunshine in this place. Hush, now. Sleep. I am tired. And old Hobb over there is snoring, do you hear it?”

She did, and nodded. “Ian—if I use the—in the other corner—”

“None will disturb you. I am sleeping already.” He tipped his head back.