Page 98 of Hold Fast

“You three will stay here,” he said, holding up a hand to silence their loud, immediate protest. “I willnae leave the keep unprotected. You will stay and keep our clan safe.”

Angus scowled, but Rabbie nodded quickly. “We w-w-willnae let you down, Ewan.”

Ewan put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed before turning to Kenneth. Always laughing, always joking—even when it was the wrong time—Kenneth looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

“If something happens, and I dinnae plan for it to,” Ewan added quickly, “it all falls to you, Kenneth.”

“Ewan, I—”

But Ewan cut him off with a shake of his head. “If ever the time comes for you to be laird, you will do a fine job of it.”

Kenneth nodded, blinking rapidly. “Perhaps, Ewan. But see that it isnae right now.”

Ewan’s lips curved into a half smile. “Go now. Select your men who will stay with you and get to your posts. Dinnae close the gate until morning as there will be families making their way to the keep.”

The afternoon flew by and the sky grew deep as pitch, made all the darker-looking by the brilliant full moon that shone like a silver dish against a black velvet cloth. Ewan and David rode in the front of the marching column, listening to the sounds of their horses against the background of muffled boots against the ground. Angus had been at the gate, counting and releasing each unit of men in time so that there was even space between them.

Once they reached the woods, they would fan out, covering a wide space as they closed in on the Cameron keep, performing whatever grisly reconnaissance was necessary along the way. Ewan and David would keep to the path. Let Cameron know he was coming. He would be expecting the foolhardy young son of his late enemy to rush in unprepared and alone. Ewan wanted Cameron to taste the sweetness of his own arrogance before both it and his life were snatched away from him.

Sweeter than that arrogance would be Ewan’s revenge.

CHAPTER44

Una woke to a knock on the door. She was groggy from having slept all through the previous day and night, her body needing the rest after the ordeal of being kidnapped and the long ride that had followed. Una went to the door, pressing her ear against the wood.

“Who is there?”

“’Tis Maddie, Una. I’ve brought you food to break your fast.”

Relieved to hear Maddie’s warm voice, Una lifted the bar and stepped back. Maddie entered the room carrying a tray in her arms and a basket at the crook of her elbow. She gestured to the chair, and Una sat as Maddie pulled up the table and laid out a spread of bread and cheese and a bowl of porridge. Una fell on the food, and Maddie glided around the room, making the bed and straightening.

“I finally found a gown that I believe will fit you. It laces on the sides. Helen in the kitchens wore it when she was carrying her last babe. She is shorter than you are, and ’tis quite humble, but it will serve better than your shift until your own gown is clean and dry.”

Una nodded, her mouth full, as Maddie pulled the brown wool gown from the basket and laid it on the bed.

“I am sorry that it is so plain. Hardly befitting a laird’s lady,” she said, and Una shook her head. Maddie approached and bent to Una’s ear.

“I wasnae able to get a message out, Una. I will keep trying, I swear it. But the only lad I trust hasnae been in the kitchen since you arrived.”

Una’s heart sank as this information confirmed what she, deep down, had already known—that if she was going to get out of here, she would have to save herself.

CHAPTER45

They had traveled through the night and all through the next day as well. The light was nearly gone when Ewan entered the clearing. This was where they would wait and consolidate. Fergus’s lanky body limped from behind one of the larger trees.

“I have news, Laird MacDonald,” he said quietly, standing shoulder to shoulder with him as they watched men quietly filter into the clearing. Ewan grunted.

Fergus whistled, and a small, fair head popped up from behind the undergrowth. A boy, no older than eight or nine.

“Come, lad. And tell the laird your news.”

The boy came, dutiful but hesitant, his eyes on his feet as he approached.

“He came and found me just after you left. I’ve kept him hidden in my cottage ever since,” Fergus said, his voice like gravel. “Go on, lad. Laird MacDonald willnae hurt you.”

“Laird Cameron is back,” the boy said softly, shuffling his feet and staring at the ground. “He was away but rode back like the wind this afternoon. I am afraid for Una,” the boy replied, meeting Ewan’s gaze with watery eyes.

“You know her, then?”