Page 23 of The Dark Highlander’s Heart (Thorns Of The Highlands #2)

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B ryan’s panic rooted him to the spot. His skin came over cold as ice, and he was deathly certain that, having been caught, he would never see another sunrise.

I didn’t even make it far enough to see Katherine one last time , he lamented inwardly. After all of this danger and uncertainty, I won’t even have that to comfort me during my final moments .

When he turned toward the source of the voice, he saw a haggard-looking woman he’d never seen before, with tangled hair and haunted eyes that were sunken in their sockets. The clothes she wore looked as though they had been fine indeed in years past, but lack of cleaning or care had made them dingy and threadbare. She was somehow fierce and pitiable at the same time.

And the resemblance to Romilly and Katherine was unmistakable.

Bryan cleared his throat. “Lady Annabel, I presume. Am I correct in supposing that Romilly told ye she might be bringing me along? That ye have McGregor soldiers ready tae take me tae face yer husband’s judgment?”

Annabel lifted her chin imperiously. “Yer suppositions are incorrect, sir, as it happens. Romilly didnae tell me she suspected ye might pay us a visit, or that she meant tae go and find ye so she could lead ye in safely.” She looked at her daughter, and her expression softened. “Nay, I guessed it on my own, for ‘twas what I was tempted tae do myself. I am only gladdened tae discover that Romilly has thought better of her allegiance tae her father. In truth, my own had been on the wane for quite some time.”

Romilly’s eyes widened. “Mother, why did ye not confide in me?”

The older woman sighed. “I was afraid tae admit it, even tae myself. So I buried my worries in my headache powders and my long silences, and prayed for my daughters tae find some deliverance from that dreadful man, somehow.” She peered at Romilly. “Perhaps my prayers were answered, at that. Now let us go tae the dungeon and free yer sister.”

“What of the guards?” Romilly asked.

“I dismissed them. I told them that Angus commanded they withdraw tae their barracks, as part of some grander trap he has in store. They were willing enough tae believe it. They would believe any madness spoken in the name of their laird, at this point.”

“And what of Angus himself?” Bryan inquired. “What if he chooses tae go down tae the dungeons while we are there?”

At this, Annabel offered a wan smile. “I dropped one of my headache powders into his ale earlier. It ought tae put him into a deep sleep for the rest of the night. Come, let us tarry no longer, that poor Katherine does not spend a moment longer in that dreadful place!”

Annabel led them down to the dungeons. Sure enough, Bryan saw that there were no guards positioned in the corridors. They were empty, save for the flickering torches mounted on the stone walls, and the rats that skittered here and there at their feet.

None of Bryan’s previous squeamishness regarding dungeons plagued him that night. His stomach might as well have been fashioned from steel, for he was wholly possessed by his determination to free the woman he adored.

Nevertheless, when they reached the final cell of the dungeons and opened the heavy iron door, the sight of Katherine sitting amid such appalling conditions sickened Bryan. She was on a hard metal bench bolted to the wall, her head in her hands, her shoulders heaving with sobs.

She raised her head, and as their eyes met, they were instantly filled with hope. Her tears left streaks upon her dirt-filmed cheeks, and she rose slowly, approaching the bars of her cell.

“Is this some sort of dream?” she whispered. “For if it is, I pray that I shall never awaken.”

“‘Tis no dream, Daughter,” Annabel assured her, unbolting the door from the outside and swinging it open. “The time has come for ye tae fly free. Back tae the Oliphant lands with this man, if that is what pleases ye, or anywhere else yer heart takes ye. So long as it is far from this dismal and hopeless place,” she added with a shudder.

“But won’t ye come with us, Mother?” Katherine pleaded, taking Bryan’s hand. “Surely ye will be happier there than here.”

Annabel shook her head sadly. “Alas, my place is by Angus’s side. I chose him, and took a solemn vow never tae abandon him. Ye did not.”

Romilly turned to Katherine. “I cannae come with ye either, Sister. My place is here, with our people.”

“Ye cannae remain, Romilly,” Katherine protested. “Our father is a madman!”

“All the more reason why I must do all I can tae mitigate the damage he inflicts during his final years of madness,” her sister replied solemnly. “I must use all he taught me tae serve our clan now as best as I can. There is no one else tae stand against him, no one else tae insist upon reason when his commands are lunacy. If I stay, I may yet be able tae prevent a war between the clans. I must try.”

Katherine nodded sadly. “Very well. But ye must promise tae find some way tae keep in touch with me, then, so that I may know how close ye are tae success in that regard.”

Romilly gave her a wan smile. “I shall find a way. I promise.”

Then Katherine gave her mother and sister a final embrace, took Bryan’s hand again, and crept with him to the sluice gate where he’d come in. They both crawled through, grunting, panting, even giggling nervously sometimes, for they were giddy with the notion that they might make it out together without being caught at it.

They emerged into the night air, gasping and hugging each other, shedding tears of relief upon each other’s shoulders. Katherine was every bit as familiar with the patterns of the tall heather as her older sister had been, and so she led Bryan to them. The blades of grass waved softly in the cool breeze, as though beckoning them in.

“Stop them!”

Katherine’s nails dug into Bryan’s palm sharply, and they both froze, horrified, as her father’s voice echoed across the moors.

They turned and saw Angus standing upon the ramparts of the stronghold, his white nightgown flapping around him in the wind. That, combined with his pallor and the stark insanity in his eyes, made him appear to be some sort of vengeful phantom shrieking from the abyss.

He pointed at them, continuing to scream. “My daughter! She is escaping with that-that damned Oliphant guardsman. Get them! Stop them! Drag them back here this very instant!”

Before any of the sentries could respond to his cries, Annabel appeared at his side, placing her hands on his arm. “What is the matter, husband? Why do ye wail and carry on so?”

Angus gesticulated wildly at Bryan and Katherine. “Our daughter! She is running off with that Oliphant swine.”

Annabel looked in the direction he pointed, and her eyes swept over Bryan and her daughter. “I see nothing, Angus. Nothing at all. Yer eyes must be playing tricks on ye.”

He spluttered and stammered, his cheeks turning red. Before he could form any words, Romilly stood at his other side, looking deeply worried. “What is the meaning of all this shouting, Father? Why, ye will have every member of our clan thinking ye have taken leave of yer blood senses.”

“Katherine is escaping,” he howled, pointing again with a trembling finger. “She is in the company of that callow young Oliphant thug. He is stealing her away! How can ye be so damned blind?”

“Ye have nae been sleeping well these past nights, Father,” Romilly said in a pacifying tone. “Ye have been at war with the Oliphants in yer mind day and night, and now ye have driven yerself into a frenzy, so that ye can no longer tell the difference between what occurs within yer imagination and what transpires outside of it.”

“Aye, it seems this is so, husband,” Annabel chimed in quickly. “Ye have put so much pressure on yerself of late, ye have endured so much on behalf of yer clan. Is it any wonder that it has ye jumping at some hare running across the valley, thinking it is some terrible skulking enemy?”

“But it is no hare,” Angus roared, foaming at the mouth. “What is the matter with ye? I am no madman, do ye hear?”

Bryan watched this scene unfold, astonished. He glanced over at Katherine, and saw that she was similarly dumbstruck.

One of Angus’s oldest and most trusted guardsmen came running. Katherine recognized him. He was called Stump, for his height and girth lent him to such a nickname quite easily. He had always been kind and attentive toward Katherine and Romilly, ever since they were wee lasses.

“What transpires, Laird Angus?” he huffed, out of breath.

Angus gesticulated wildly once more. “My daughter is fleeing! She is being abducted again by the same damned blackguard as last time. Tell me ye see it, Stump.” He seized the front of Stump’s tunic desperately, his bloodshot eyes rolling in his head. “I am no madman, ye must say it. Ye must say I am no madman!”

Now Stump’s eyes were wide as well, and filled with terror. He peered down into the gloom of the valley, and his eyes met Katherine’s.

She gave him the smallest shake of her head, her lower lip quivering.

Stump turned, first to Annabel, then to Romilly. They gazed back, their eyes intense, and after several seconds, understanding dawned on him.

He took Angus by the shoulder, gently but firmly. “There is nothing there but the tall grasses, Laird Angus. And the breeze that moves them, which ye no doubt mistook for the shapes of those ye described. Ye have been under great strain, my laird, and ye have not rested or ta’en care of yerself. Come, let us get ye back tae yer chamber before ye catch yer death out here.”

Angus gazed down at his daughter and her companion once more, and his jaw went slack. He mumbled and shook his head, mystified. “I am no madman. I-I…”

“Nay, ye are no madman, my dear husband,” Annabel said soothingly, patting his shoulder. “Just a leader pushed tae his extreme, that is all. A night of sleep is all ye need. Mayhap one of my headache powders might help.”

One final mad-eyed stare from Angus, and then he was coaxed into the stronghold.

Romilly and her mother likewise gave Katherine a last look, offering a pair of reassuring smiles and nods before following him in.

Bryan and Katherine stared at each other, unsure of what to say after having borne witness to such a strange thing.

After a few moments, they turned toward the wooded ring around the stronghold’s grounds and ran toward it as fast as they could. Bryan led Katherine to the place where he had secured his horse, and found that Romilly had tied up another steed in hope of their plan’s success.

“yer sister is a shrewd woman,” Bryan remarked as they mounted their horses and rode toward the Oliphant lands.

“Aye, she ought tae be,” Katherine replied, flicking the reins of her steed. “She was taught by the best.”

They rode hard toward the Oliphant territories, stopping only briefly here and there to let their horses recover and to kiss each other passionately. Though they wished to tarry beneath the moonlight and enjoy each other’s company more thoroughly, without anyone around to stop them for a change, they did not dare to push their luck, having escaped from the stronghold so narrowly.

So they continued through the night and all the following day, expecting to hear McGregor horses at their heels at any moment, even after they crossed over the border.

Katherine’s mind raced. Had her mother and sister truly been able to convince Angus that everything he had seen had merely been in his head? What would happen if he went down to check the dungeons the following day and found Katherine gone?

Would Romilly be punished? Would Lady Annabel?

Would the McGregor clansmen even follow orders that came from Angus anymore, having seen the extent of his madness?

She did not know. She could only tell herself that it was all behind her now, and that she would soon be carried safely through the gates of Castle Oliphant.

Sure enough, as the sun started to set behind the rolling hillsides, the castle’s towers came into view. Bryan felt a surge of apprehension, and when he looked over at Katherine, he saw uncertainty on her face as well. He had already told her along the way that his rescue of her had not been approved by Laird Alex.

What sort of reception, then, would await them?

Might Alex turn them both away, Bryan for defying him, and Katherine simply because he could not risk war with Angus for granting asylum to his wayward daughter?

Neither of them knew.

However, as they neared the gates, a strange sound was carried to them over the evening breeze. It perplexed them for a few moments before they came to realize what it was.

Clapping.

The closer they came to the castle, the easier it was for them to see the sentries atop the ramparts, gathering above the gates to applaud the travelers’ return.

Bryan broke into a wide grin as he saw that Kirk was with the guardsmen, who were now hooting and cheering. The gates swung open, and when the horses came to a stop in the courtyard, the sounds of merriment and relief echoed from all sides.

Alex and Isla scurried into the courtyard, looking confused by all the noise at first, then shocked and delighted by the reason for it.

“Bryan!” Isla exclaimed, embracing him warmly as he dismounted. “When we saw that ye were gone, we didnae know if we would ever see ye again.”

“Aye, and before we discuss such matters further where others may be in earshot,” Alex interjected quickly, his brow furrowed. “Mayhap we ought tae go inside, so that ye may enlighten me on what has transpired here.”

They followed the laird to his study, after Isla gave Katherine a welcoming, and reassuring hug, and once they were seated before him, Bryan related everything that occurred from the moment Romilly found him in the woods up to their escape.

Alex stood at the window for a while in silence, stroking his chin pensively. After a few minutes, he said, “Well, it sounds to me as though the captain of my guard chose to take a couple of days to himself riding the outskirts of our lands, and forgot to inform anyone of his plans. Which was careless of him, certainly, but no reason for undue ire or punishment.”

“As that happened,” he went on, pacing the room, “it appears as though Laird Angus McGregor suffered some sort of nightmare that his younger daughter escaped from her cell in his dungeons. A product of his overwrought and rather fragile mind of late, no doubt. His wife and older daughter put him tae bed before his mad ravings caught the attention of his people and showed him unfit tae lead them. Even so, a strange coincidence, for it seems that Lady Katherine had , in fact, freed herself from captivity and was wandering the woods at the far edges of the McGregor territories.”

Bryan began to see what Alex was playing at, and nodded eagerly. “At which point, of course, I found her and brought her here.”

“Where I pleaded for asylum,” Katherine chimed in, “and it was granted tae me, most graciously. Unless ye believe that would be enough for my father tae wage war after all?”

“If he is choleric enough tae choose such a conflict under these circumstances,” Alex replied, “then as far as I am concerned, we needn’t dance around the prospect of it any longer. Ye would know better than most, though, since ye are his kin. Do ye believe it will come tae that?”

Katherine searched her heart, but could provide no honest answer. Her own father was a stranger to her now.

Alex saw her uncertainty and shrugged. “So be it, then. There is nothing for us tae do but wait and see. In the meantime, I suggest ye return tae the chamber ye inhabited prior tae yer departure. Isla will be happy tae see tae any other needs ye may have, no doubt. And Captain?” he added, raising an eyebrow at Bryan. “Though I am quite sure ye are relieved tae have Lady Katherine back in our company, might I suggest that ye make yer visits with her public ones? She is still a lady, after all, and one would not wish for rumors tae spread about her propriety. Or yers, for that matter.”

“Ye are right, of course, Laird Alex,” Bryan agreed immediately. “And thank ye.”

Bryan led Katherine to her room, and though both of them wanted nothing more than to fall into each other’s arms out of sheer relief, they knew the wisdom of Alex’s warning.

When they reached her door, Bryan kissed her hand gently. “Get some rest, my lady. After all ye have been through, I imagine ye need it.”

She did, and once he had left her to herself, Katherine collapsed on the bed and slept all through the night and the following morning. It was nearly noon when she roused herself, and the servant girl who brought her a late breakfast told her that Bryan was in the courtyard waiting for her when she was finished. The servant also brought a riding outfit, courtesy of Isla.

Katherine donned the outfit and met Bryan in the courtyard. He had a pair of horses with him. “I thought perhaps ye might appreciate another ride tae the village,” he said with a grin. “Tae take yer mind off things while we wait tae hear from yer clan.”

“That would be a most welcome distraction, thank ye,” she answered with a curtsy. “Thank ye.”

He took her to the same village they had visited twice before, and they took tea with Fiona once more. The old woman listened to all that had happened, by turns amused and horrified. As they told her, several of the younger lasses gathered at the window of the cottage, eavesdropping and hoping that Katherine might teach them more sewing patterns. They wondered among each other whether she would return to her own people, or if she was here to stay this time.

These simple activities allowed Katherine to relax, for she was still extremely anxious about all that had gone before, and all that might still occur as a result of her escape. Would her mother and sister be punished by the insane laird? Would he declare war on the Oliphants the moment he saw her cell empty?

Just as Katherine was helping Fiona clear the table, there was a knock at the door of the cottage. Katherine looked up, and saw a familiar face; a man called Declan, who had often delivered messages for her clan in the past.

He held one for her now.

“Beggin’ yer pardon, my lady,” he said, stepping in timidly. “But ‘tis a great joy tae see ye, if ye dinnae mind me saying so! None of us were happy tae learn yer father had imprisoned ye upon yer return, and when word spread that ye had fled.” He beamed at her through his great bushy red beard. “Well, a great joy indeed, my lady, I should say!”

“Many thanks, Declan,” she replied. “May I see the letter ye bear?”

“Of course!” He handed it over, and she recognized her sister’s seal upon it. She broke the wax and read it to herself.

My Dearest Sister,

I hope you managed to reach Castle Oliphant safely, and that you are doing all you can to put the terrible things you endured here behind you.

Mother and I were able to get Father back to his bedchamber for a few hours, and convinced him that he had imagined the entire thing. However, shortly after that, he rose once more and saw that you were no longer in the dungeons. He roared and raved, as I’m sure you can imagine, and demanded that all those sworn to the McGregor banner ready for war against the Oliphants.

There were none willing to follow such an order. Our people have long watched their laird’s descent into madness, and though it pained many of them to show disloyalty to their leader, they were nevertheless unprepared to risk their lives over the rantings of a lunatic.

It is uncommon for a woman to rule over a clan, but it has largely been decided that this is the proper way of things for the McGregors, now that our father has taken leave of his senses and left no sons to rule in his stead. I have addressed our people and let them know that things will be different going forward; that we shall consider the Oliphants our allies from now on, and will have an open exchange of resources with them which will benefit both parties. They seem pleased with this, for as you know, their farms have struggled mightily these recent years.

Now our father largely keeps to his room. He takes his meals there, refusing to see anyone. He has largely given up, I think. Perhaps eventually he shall see that there are other roles for him to fill, other ways that he might continue to serve our clan.

Oddly—and by contrast—our mother has emerged from her self-imposed confinement, and seems all too eager to assist me in forging a new and prosperous direction for the McGregors. I hope to rely on your counsel in the days ahead as well, for we always seemed to fare better on those rare occasions when our goals were as one.

If ye intend to marry Captain Bryan Black, as I imagine you do, then you must extend an invitation for the wedding. Rest assured I shall attend, and health permitting, so shall our mother.

Until then, I remain your loving sister,

Romilly

Katherine jumped up and down, squealing with glee. Bryan, bemused, took the letter from her hands and read it aloud to Fiona, whose eyes twinkled with joy at the news.

“There’s an end tae it, then,” Bryan crowed, picking Katherine up and spinning her around merrily. “No war with yer clan, no worrying about vengeance from yer father! Just the happy life ye and I deserve, Katherine, at long last!”

“Well, young lad,” Fiona cackled, “that almost sounded like a proposal just now. If ye meant tae make her yer wife, do ye nae wish tae do a proper job of it? She seems like a lass who deserves it.”

There were tears of rapture in Katherine’s eyes, but, nevertheless, she sniffled them back and folded her arms primly, raising an eyebrow. “That sounds true enough tae me!”

Bryan laughed heartily, his eyes shining with tears as well. He took Katherine’s hand tenderly and lowered himself to one knee. “Lady Katherine McGregor, ye are, without doubt, the strongest, bravest, sweetest, and loveliest woman I have ever known in my life. I feel I could spend twelve lifetimes with ye and still never learn all of yer secrets and wonders, but I’d like tae start with one, and see if I might make a fair go of it. Will ye be my bride?”

“Aye, Captain Bryan Black,” she giggled, “I shall gladly marry ye! Ye have saved me from a dismal life, and I cannae wait tae build a merry new one with ye here.”

Bryan stood, and their bodies and lips came together with the majestic urgency of nature itself, of waves meeting the shore, of lightning striking the ground. Their breath carried the warmth of their very souls, and both mingled on their tongues exquisitely. Their fingers laced together tightly, and each could feel the heartbeat of the other, reverberating through their limbs like cathedral bells.

When they rode back to Castle Oliphant to deliver the news, Laird Alex was glad indeed. “We shall have a strong new ally in the McGregors,” he intoned. “They will have the benefit of our resources tae bolster their farms, proper soldiers tae train their raiders and rabble…”

“Och, Alex Oliphant,” Isla exclaimed, shaking her head. “Ye are a clever laird, but a very silly man! Did ye nae hear the most important thing? Bryan and Katherine are tae be married.” She ran over to Katherine, hugging her tightly. “Such delightful news, my dear!”

Alex cleared his throat uncomfortably, his face turning red. “Ah. Aye. That as well, I suppose.” He walked over to the captain of his guard and shook his hand stiffly. “I wish ye both all the best. A union with the McGregor Clan through marriage…”

Isla sighed loudly.

The laird caught himself, blushing deeper still. “…pales in comparison tae a match made out of genuine love, as this seems tae be.”

“Thank ye, Alex,” Bryan replied. “And, for what it’s worth?—”

Alex held up a hand to silence him, smiling softly. “I have never questioned yer loyalty tae me, Captain, and I never shall. Ye did what ye felt was right, and I respect that. I am only grateful that yer actions didnae deprive me of a damn fine captain and advisor.”

Bryan did not know how to answer that, for he was touched beyond words.