by Fiona Faris
“Trust, dear Violet, there is no way Elias will be able tae fool me. But I need ye tae ken, anything that comes from my lips is going tae be a lie. Dinnae fash if ye hear something contrary to what we’ve spoken about here.”
Violet gave Milly another embrace. Milly fought back the burning behind her eyes. The time for sobs was over. Now came the time to get to business. Let not Nathan’s death be in vain. The women settled themselves in the two chairs located across from the hearth. Best to busy themselves in embroidery until the inevitable came. If Elias barged in and saw them docile and pursuing women’s work, perhaps it would disarm him, if only slightly. It was Violet’s idea. The last thing on Milly’s mind at the moment was needle and thread, but she conceded. Violet had been living the nightmare of the Mackenzie keep for the last week while she was out looking for Gavin with Nathan. She would know better than Milly possibly how to navigate Elias.
They didn’t have to wait long. The door to the bedchamber pushed open and Elias appeared. Milly wasn’t acting when she gave a slight gasp in surprise.
“Ah, what a sight. I see ye’ve returned to your senses, milady?” Elias’ smug smile caused a chill to run down Milly’s back as she stood and gave a weak curtsy.
“Not by choice of mine, milord.” She purposefully used the English inflection. Violet shot her a warning glance. She may be forced to be compliant, but she would not deny herself some small acts of rebellion.
“Leave us, wench!” he spat at Violet, who despite her straight spine, flinched at the harshness in his tone. Milly could see her friend was frightened of the man, and it made her blood boil. What exactly had Violet suffered in her absence? “Let your time in the dungeons be a lesson to you, that I will not be crossed. Do not spare a thought of betraying your lady, lest you end up back in a cage. Keep your mouth closed to all. Go to the kitchens, see what help you can be until the evening meal needs to be brought back up.”
Violet scurried past him, keeping her eyes downcast until she reached the door. Elias couldn’t have known but it was exactly what they needed. Once behind Elias, she turned, giving Milly a small wink before she headed out the door. Milly took a deep breath. She was alone with Elias. Thinking he had won may be her saving grace. He turned to face her, his face a mask.
“I told you, Milly, I had ways of making you agree. Regretful that you’ve made me do horrible things when you might’ve just said yes to my generous proposal.” Milly knew better than to fall for his words. If his goal was to blame Nathan’s death on her refusal to marry him, it wouldn’t work. Her heart was already steeled from such a base attack.
“What will ye have me do now, Elias?” She tried her best to keep her face blank and her tone even.
“Nathan’s death could’ve been avoided had he not rushed headlong into a foolish trap with you by his side. He paid a fool’s price. Don’t do the same. You are still the only high-born lady of the Highlands at an appropriate age to marry. We are to be wed. You have no choice. The easier you come along, the better it will be for your brother. Nathan only wanted you for the same as I. I don’t see how I could be worse than my brash, idiotic, dead cousin.”
Milly reared back at the mention of Nathan, slapping Elias hard. He laughed as he rubbed his cheek.
“You are right, lass. I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead. I’m going to like breaking you, that’s for sure. But if you know what is good for you and your brother, you will get in line. We are to be wed, in two days’ time. I trust my cousin has not defiled you?” Milly was shocked by his insinuation.
“You insult me with your comments, Elias.” It was true she and Nathan had spent intimate moments together, but he hadn’t taken her maidenhood. Even though she wished he had. She had no desire to allow Elias to be her first, not after how she knew it could be with Nathan.
“One can’t be too sure. You were in the woods, alone with my cousin for quite some time. I hope you understand that I have sent for a woman I trust to ensure your maidenhood is, shall we say, intact.” The mere thought of Elias sending someone to check such a thing was disgusting to Milly, yet she wouldn’t allow him the satisfaction of her weakness.
“Send who ye like, they willnae be disappointed. But if ye think ye will be welcome in my bed ye have best give it another thought.”
“Do not threaten me, Milly. You should take time to think about what it is you find important. Choose your battles. Will you continue lashing out over my dead cousin, or save your brother’s life? The value of each is only what you place on it. I’ve been generous in allowing you your ladies maid, but do not mistake my generosity for kindness should you fight me.”
“You are a beast! As soon as Gavin is free and our brother Lucas finds out what you’ve done, they will tear you limb from limb!”
“Ah, yes, Lucas, Laird MacGille. This is exactly why Gavin and that fool lad Thomas will remain in the dungeon until we say our vows. I can’t have them running off for reinforcements, now can I? Once we are wed, even your brothers will know better than to fight me. They will not start a war with the Crown over you lass. Rest assured. If you want Gavin to live, this is your only option. Now come, give your betrothed a kiss, a little preview of the wedding night.” He moved closer toward her, the stink of ale and sweat coming off him in waves that made Milly nauseous. She raised her hand and slapped him again. She recoiled as his eyes darkened, truly afraid she’d crossed a line. He moved toward her, and before she could move out of his way, his hand came down across her cheek with force enough to send her to the floor. “Do not mistake my kindness for weakness, Milly,” he said. She choked back a sob as pain radiated through her flesh. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of her tears. His only response was more laughter as he left the chamber.
She had no choice. She would have to marry him to release Gavin, but as soon as she saw with her own eyes her brother was well, she would run Elias through. She would rather be an early widow than suffer one single night as his bride.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Road Back to MacKenzie Keep
Nathan’s head was pounding when he woke. He felt as though he had enjoyed too much whisky the night before, but memories of the ambush and Milly came rushing forward, pushing the pain away and replacing it with rage. He looked around, trying to make sense of where he was and how he could get out of it. His hands were bound, but not tightly, and his feet and legs were free. Most likely his captors thought him no threat in his passed out state. He was in a campsite not too far off from where he and Milly had stopped to feed and water the horses. Night had fallen. Did they still not know what to do with him? Certainly the fact that he was still breathing was an indication that all was not lost.
He worked to loosen the ropes that bound his hands. One of the men appeared, walking toward Nathan with a sense of purpose. It was the younger lad, the one who didn’t want to kill him to begin with, the one Nathan thought was most likely to help let him go. He motioned for Nathan to keep quiet before whispering to him.
“I’m coming tae tell ye, master, that the other two hae decided tae kill ye. I’ll not be a part of it.”
“No? Do ye not think yer already a part of it, lad?” The boy nervously shuffled his feet.
“When we left th’ keep, I thought it would be an adventure. An’ it was all well and good for the coin and the fun of it, but I dinnae think we would actually kill anyone. Least of all you, Laird.”
“Lad, now isn’t the time for thinking about what ye should’ve done. It’s over. If yer friends are comin’ tae kill me, I could use a hand in escapin’.”
It was a long shot, Nathan knew, but he would take any help he could get at this point. He needed his sword and a horse. The faster he could be on his way, the faster he could be at Milly’s side. He could only pray she didn’t do anything rash, and that Elias left her unharmed. Based on the way night fell, they would be arriving at the keep within the hour, or maybe they were already there. Time was of the utmost importance.
“Get me my sw
ord, and lead me tae the horses. Then stay out of the way. When yer friends realize you’ve given me an advantage, things won’t be easy for ye.”
“Uh… I dinnae think of that, master. Not sure what I should dae?” Nathan looked around. Standing up, he rubbed his wrists where the ropes burned through his skin till they broke. They should keep their voices quiet and move fast. He didn’t know if he trusted the lad, but he didn’t have many options before him. If he could get the boy to Cadney, he could maybe warn Lucas of what was happening at the keep, and have his friend send reinforcements. If the lad was trustworthy, he would make it there. If not, well then, Nathan and Milly were no worse off than they were right now. It was worth a shot, and most likely the only way to keep the other two from killing the lad.
“What’s yer name?”
“Name’s Derek, Laird, Derek Shames.”
“And the other two? Their names?”
“The mean one, that’s Graham. He used tae work in the smithy til he got kicked out. He’s a bad temper. And the other, that’s Drew. I dinnae ken either of them before Samuel brought us together. I kent Sam from workin’ in the stables at the keep.”
“So ye ken who I am then?”
“Yes, sir, seen ye around th’ keep. Me ma works in the kitchens. She doesnae ken I’m here. Like I said, just needed the extra coin, I dinnae mean any harm. I had no thought it would go this way.” Nathan could tell the lad was scared. He was maybe sixteen, maybe less. His demeanor softened. Damn Elias and his foolish greed for putting their clansmen in these positions. He raked his hands through his hair. He couldn’t very well hold anything against the lad, not when he was risking so much trying to save him.
“No, I suppose ye didn’t. Well, Derek, I’m gonna get us both out of this mess. I can’t say the same for the other two, though. Are ye fine with that? Do ye ken where Cadney Castle is?” Derek gave him an uncomfortable nod. Nathan hoped he understood. If the other two meant to do him in, then it would be a fight to the death. He also wanted to ensure the lad had a fighting chance to make it to Cadney it could be their last hope.
“Aye, just over the hill to the east, about two hours by horse,” he replied.
“Aye, good lad. Ye won’t have a horse, you’ll need tae run and deliver a message to the Laird for me. Speak tae none but him.”
They worked quickly with Derek securing Nathan’s sword, and then listening intently as Nathan gave him the message for Lucas. He didn’t want to go into too much detail, but gave the lad just enough to let the MacGille know Milly was in trouble and to send men. Heads down, he made marks in the dirt with a stick to show Derek the best way through the forested lands to head toward Cadney undetected.
“Well, what do we hae here?” Nathan snapped to attention and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. The sound came from the man Derek called Drew. Not the larger of the two, Drew would be easy enough to take in battle alone. Nathan stood drawing his sword, nodding at Derek.
“Go on now, lad, make haste.” He turned to face Drew. “It seems the lad has had second thoughts as to the nature of what ye and Graham were plannin’ for me. Can’t say that I blame him. I don’t verra much like the idea of being bound up, but I find I like the idea of being sliced in two even less appealin’”
“Now look, MacKenzie, we told ye before. ’Twas nuthin’ personal.” Drew backed away slowly. Nathan saw he was unarmed, most likely thinking he would come upon him still bound, therefore helpless. “Graham!” the man shouted into the night. “Th’ bastard’s free!” Before he tried to break into a run, Nathan stopped him, sweeping his legs out from under him. Drew pulled a dagger from his boot and attempted to run it into Nathan’s leg. Without sparing a thought to his next move, Nathan dodged the knife and rolled over the man, digging his sword into the man’s belly. He hated to give the man such a slow and painful death, his moans dragging into the night. But Nathan had no time to finish the job as at that moment Graham came charging at him with full force, slamming Nathan to the ground. His sword flew from his hand as he fought to keep Graham’s dagger from his throat.
“I ken ye’d be a hard one tae kill. Dammit all to hell, ye bastard!”
The men fought over the knife. Time stood still with Nathan watching each movement the other man made. His only thought was staying alive long enough to reach Milly before it was too late. Graham was strong for sure, but his body had gone soft since the last battle he’d fought. Drew’s moans of pain from where he lay served as a needed distraction allowing Nathan to use a combination of both to his advantage. Being slighter, therefore quicker, he used every muscle in his body to gain the upper hand. Before another moment passed, he gained control of the blade and drove it into Graham’s throat, twisting it at just the right angle to ensure the man would not rise again. Pushing the man off of him, and wiping away as much blood as possible, Nathan moved to make his way to a horse. He staggered, although not hurt, he was sore and exhausted. As long as he got as far away from the campsite as possible, there would be no way to tie him to the men below, but he still grieved battling his own kinsmen. God willing, when this was over, he would come back and do right by the bodies. Even if they’d lost their way, they still deserved honor enough to be buried proper and their families made aware of their ends.
There was no sign of Derek. Nathan hoped he wasn’t wrong and the boy was a good lad. If he listened and headed away from the fight and toward Cadney, there may be hope for them all yet.
Nathan took one of the horses and rode with hours ahead of him. Sleep was a luxury his mind wouldn’t allow, yet his body wouldn’t ignore. He came upon an old crofter’s shed. He didn’t know the family, but he knew he must be on MacKenzie lands by now. He would have to stop if only for a few hours. Once he reached the keep, it would finally be over.
He knew there was more than one way inside MacKenzie castle. When he was a lad, he’d spent hours exploring the deep stone walls, the stairs, caves, and secrets of his home, but Elias knew every inch just as he did. The only place Samuel would’ve taken Milly was the keep. Without her hand in marriage all of Elias’ plans would be laid to waste. Elias must’ve trusted his men, and that meant he thought Nathan dead. It would work to his advantage. His stomach churned, not in hunger but at the thought of Milly grieving him. Once he got into the castle, he would find her first, then deal with his cousin.
He laid a small stack of stale hay across the dirt floor of the shed. It wasn’t ideal, but it would do if only for what remained of the night. I’m coming for ye, lass, he thought closing his eyes. And when I reach ye, I’ll not let go again.
* * *
Milly stared out the window of her chamber. Night was black, no moon that she could see. The room itself was too high to jump as any means to escape after she killed Elias. She would need another way out. Chances were that none of his men would be made aware of her deed until daybreak, but she didn’t want to leave anything to chance. By that time if all worked accordingly to her plan, Thomas and Gavin will be ready by the stables. She’d tried desperately over the last day to get Elias to at least let her see her brother, but it was to no luck. He’d confined her to her chamber, only promising a reunion after she pledged to be his wife.
Violet had been allowed to see her only twice, both times assuring her that Gavin was aware she was in the keep, and knew she was planning a way to get him out of the dungeon. He was still weak, but Violet said not too weak to fight when needed.
“I doubt ye may have to dae Elias in. It seems yer brother is eager to take th’ charge himself.”
“I would love tae let him dae it, but it needs tae be me. Elias willnae be expecting it from me, and I need it for myself, for Nathan.” She looked at her friend and gave her a solemn nod, the serious intent of her actions written in her eyes. She would not be dissuaded.
“Aye, I understand. I’ve told both Thomas and Gavin of th’ need tae get horses tae get us back tae Cadney. I imagine Lucas will get involved at that point?” Milly hadn’t even considered wha
t her older brother would do. She hadn’t considered anything past killing Elias and leaving the castle for home. After that, she didn’t care as long as Elias wasn’t able to hurt anyone ever again.
Milly took a deep breath in of the cold night air. A light snow began to fall. She loved the Highlands in the winter. The loch would be frozen over and everything covered in a fresh blanket of white. It always seemed to Milly like a fresh start was on the horizon with a new snow. Mayhap tonight’s snow was a sign. If she believed in signs, she would be inclined to think so. She thought of Nathan, the sweet taste of his kiss on her lips. She would never again feel his arms around her. Another tear threatened to fall, but Milly steeled herself away from the grief. There would be time for grief later, afterwards. Now she had to keep her focus. Pulling the dirk from the safe place in the fold of her skirts, she ran her fingers down the length of the blade. She had spent a considerable amount of time making sure the knife was sharp. She had only one chance and she would not make a mistake. Everything had to be perfectly executed.
