Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander Page 6

  Drawing a deep breath, she walked in. The smell of Sorcha’s poison potions hovered in the room. Was the stench yet another way the Irish healer kept Brian Blackburn separated from the world? Her father lay alone and unattended. He did not move or show any sign he knew she visited. Katie sent a prayer heavenward and crossed herself. Memories of happier times assailed her when her gaze flew to her mother’s loom. As a young girl, she spent hours trying to learn the art of intricate stitchery. It became a useless endeavor. Katie did not share Lady Katherine Blackburn’s talent for needlework. It did not stop her mother from being endlessly patient in her attempt to impart the skill.

  A moan drew her attention to the bed. Moving closer, she looked down at her father. His still body pulled at her heart strings. A stand near the bed held a basin of water and a cloth. Sorcha must have just left. Taking up the cool, wet rag, she wiped it against his brow. “I need you, Da,” she whispered. “Please try to open your eyes.”

  For awhile she thought him unaware to her presence. As she continued to speak to him in soft tones, she could see him begin to stir. Ever hopeful, she kept up her efforts until he rewarded her with a flutter of his eyelids.

  “Da, can you hear me?” He opened his eyes. Now what? “Can you blink?” Katie watched his eyelids go closed and reopen. Hugging him, she tried to control her excitement. With one quick glance around the room to assure they were alone, she began. “I think Rannoch and Sorcha have poisoned you. Blink once if you agree, twice if you do not.” Her father blinked one time. Katie could not suppress a sob. It was the first time she talked with him in any way since he became so ill. “I overheard them.” Her father gave out a snort of sorts. Brian Blackburn knew of the tiny chamber with the spy hole into Rannoch’s room.

  Trying to soothe him, she stroked his arm. “I am always careful. It became necessary,” she assured him. As his eyes lost some of the fire she had lit, she inhaled sharply. “They fear you will die from the poison before Rannoch can put his plan in action. I heard them plot to cut back the dose. I pray this will help your condition, but you must not let them know if you start to get better. Perchance they will continue cutting back if you dinna let them see improvement. Can you do that?”

  Her father blinked once. She nodded at him. “Good, ‘tis so wonderful to be assured you understand.”

  His eyes searched hers. Even totally immobile he knew there was more she should tell. “Aye, so. There is something else. We need Keith’s help, but Rannoch sent Keith from the keep. I canna get his help until he returns.” Wiping away the tears that flowed down her cheeks, she hugged her father again. “Can you endure a bit longer? ‘Tis only until I can find someone to aid me.”

  Her father blinked a single time. She closed her own eyes in a grateful prayer. “I will find a way out of this,” she promised him.

  For a brief moment, she entertained the possibility of telling her father about her captive then dismissed it as something that would only worry him more. His mind still worked inside his helpless body. She could tell by the way that he looked at her now.

  Katie needed him to fight through this treachery until she could stop Rannoch’s evil plan. She would save him. Years of what her father called her hard-headedness taught her if you persisted long enough, you would succeed no matter what barriers stood in your way. Hadn’t she brought order to the family after the untimely death of her mother? Devastated by the loss, her father lost his way for a time. Katie rallied the family until they found the will to continue living.

  She wiped his brow again. “I must go and see what can be done to undo this foul plot.” He blinked his agreement. “Be strong until I can find a way to free you from their evil clutches.” A single tear streaked down his cheek. She smiled at him. “Dinna fear, you always told me I was the strong one, remember?”

  Again, he agreed in the only way he could. Brushing a soft kiss on his forehead, she left his chamber in search of Rannoch.

  An abiding chill fell on Duntaigh Castle ever since her father became ill. Now knowing Rannoch was the cause, she had to face him, face him, and give him no suggestion she had discovered his secret plot. Her stomach lurched as a brief vision of the episode between Rannoch and Sorcha leapt into her mind. She would do anything required to save her family, if only she had a plan.

  It came to her then. Ian Innes would give her advice if he thought it would aid his cause. She had not seen Draco all day. Perchance the time was right to see what insight she could gain from her captive.

  Katie should have been back by now. Ian strained at his chains. He’d spent hours trying to loosen the shackles. Nothing worked. If his captor didn’t set him free, he would stay chained to the wall. He needed some tool to try and pry loose the lock. Sighing in disgust, he watched the last flicker of the lantern that lit his cell.

  Pitched into darkness, he dreamed about his captor, the sweet taste of her lips, and her creamy skin. He became a man possessed. What the hell had Katie Blackburn done to him to scorch her image across his brain so indelibly? A combination of things Ian decided. He admired her bravery to hatch such a wild plan and carry it out with so little help. Beautiful and headstrong, she bewitched him every time he saw her. Those sea-green eyes lit when she challenged him. Again, the mere thought of her inflamed him.

  What if Rannoch interfered with her return to the dungeon? Ian could starve in this hell hole or worse. He could hear the rats shuffling in the distance. The darkness made them braver. Despite his surroundings, Ian found a sleep full of sea-green eyes and red-gold hair.

  The sudden rattle of the key in the lock woke Ian with a start. Katie stood before him carrying a lantern and another sack of food. That didn’t bode well. If she intended to free him, it would not be necessary to feed him in this hell hole. He rose and faced her letting his gaze feast on her soft curves in the dim light. Her light blue shift made her look angelic in the candlelight.

  “Milady, I see you have come back.”

  “I would speak with you while you eat,” she petitioned. “I listened to what you said earlier and I have things to discuss with you.”

  He moved as close as his chains would allow. She brushed past him and began setting forth a meal of roast lamb and fresh bread on the table. Ian sat down across from her watching her discomfort in the dim light.

  “If you would like to discuss my release, I would be happy to talk,” he began. “Sadly, I dinna think that is why you have come.”

  Her face colored, but she held her head high. “Please eat while I gather my courage.”

  The aroma of the lamb filled his nostrils bringing back the memory of the night she served him lamb stew in the tavern. He began eating, waiting patiently for her to tell him what troubled her. When he finished the plate and mopped up the juices with his bread, he sat back and looked at her. “What is it, Katie? Has your father taken a turn for the worse?”

  “Nay, Milord, he improves slightly.”

  “So I was wrong about the poisoning?”

  She shook her head negatively. “You were right.”

  “How do you ken?”

  “I spied on Rannoch and Sorcha.”

  Ian pounded his fist on the table. She jumped. “Are you daft? If they caught you they would kill you!”

  “I am thankful you are concerned about my well being, Milord, but from what I heard I am more valuable to them alive.”

  “Please tell me more. How did you overhear them without endangering yourself?”

  “There is a spy hole in the small room off Rannoch’s chamber. I watched them and listened to what they said.”

  “Sorcha was in his chamber.” Katie’s face grew pale and she swallowed hard.

  “What did you see, Katie?”

  “He took her. He had her bound to a table near the fire and he….”

  “They are lovers.”

  “Aye.”

  “You watched?”

  “Dinna make it sound like something it was not. As soon as I saw what they were doing, I turned aw
ay and waited for them to finish.”

  Ian drew a deep breath. “Had you ever seen the like before?”

  “Nay, Milord,” she said quickly. “When they finished, they spoke of the potion Sorcha is giving my father. He told her to cut back on the amount so that my father would not die before… before….”

  “Before what?”

  “Before he could get our king’s permission to take me for his wife.”

  “Zounds! He seeks to marry you and kill your father.”

  “So it would seem, Milord.”

  “You need to release me so I can get you and your family to safety.”

  “What can one man do against so many?”

  “I canna believe your father’s clansmen would support Rannoch if they knew what he is about. He would be left with twenty or so of his kinsmen.”

  “Rannoch is a dangerous man. He sent Keith somewhere. There is no one I can trust.”

  “I canna help you unless you free me.” He reached his hand across the table and took hers. “Katie, I dinna want anything to happen to you. In better days, your father and mine were friends. Let me help you.”

  She licked her lips then pulled her hand away and stood. “I will think on it, Milord.”

  Ian stood and tested the distance his chains would let him travel. She was just out of reach. “Can you do one thing for me?”

  “What is that, Milord?”

  He smiled. “Considering our relationship, could call just call me Ian?” He saw her faint, fleeting smile and grinned. “You expected me to ask for something else.”

  She nodded. “Aye, Ian. Given your propensity for rude behavior, I thought you might ask for….”

  “A kiss,” he said.

  She rolled her eyes. “Or more.”

  “I would love to kiss you. I dream of the kisses we already shared.” Katie shifted and drew a ragged breath. “Milady, do you think of them as well.”

  “Rude, arrogant man! Why would I dream of the likes of you?” She took a step forward and hit him in the chest.

  Ian grabbed her and pulled her close, pressing her hard against his body. Grabbing her hair, he forced her to look up into his eyes. “Because you feel alive beneath my touch,” he accused. Not giving her time to deny it, he captured her lips with his repeatedly until she succumbed to his tender assault and began to answer his every move. Ian groaned as her tongue slipped into his mouth, exploring him the way he explored her. He lifted her and pressed her loins against his growing arousal. She gasped as he broke off the kiss and planted hot caresses down her neck. Katie began to struggle against him.

  “I canna do this, Ian,” she cried. “Please release me.”

  With a sharp exhale, Ian let her slip slowly down his body until she touched the floor. Katie seemed unsteady on her feet so he held her up. “This mad attraction we have for one another is a rare and beautiful thing. Dinna think denying it will make it go away.”

  She pulled back from him and straightened her dress. “Aye, so,” she admitted. Finding her composure, she stepped away from him. “I will think about the things you have said and about releasing you so you can aid my family.”

  “Good,” Ian told her. “But I warn you, Katie, dinna think too long. Rannoch’s plan is afoot and things could change at any moment that would put you jeopardy.”

  “You will have my answer when I come tomorrow,” she promised as she fled the cell. As Katie locked the door, their eyes met. “Ian, I am sorry for the terrible things I have done to you.”

  He grinned. “Your sweet kisses make it almost worth the pain of my imprisonment.”

  She shook her head and walked off down the hall muttering, “Impossible man.”

  Ian laughed.

  Chapter 9

  Angus pushed the men as fast as they could go. None complained. In the distance, he saw the massive stone walls of Duntaigh Castle. It hung on a precipice that overlooked Rannoch Moor and Loch Laiden, majestic and impenetrable. Many days fog off the loch obscured the tallest spires, but not today. High above, the sun lit the gray, stone towers with a wash of warm white. Angus felt the chill mist in air. The ever-moving water sent a moist earthy smell over the valley. A steep, sloping trail wound around the outcropping. It took a winding path to the main gate of the castle situated high above the floor of the valley.

  How would he get in? If he took his men to the castle gate, he endangered their lives. He needed to take some time to devise a plan to get all of them in and out safely.

  Just then, a lone rider came down the hilly trail before them. The man wore Blackburn colors. He pulled up his horse a safe distance away when he saw Angus and the Innes riders.

  “Laird Innes,” the man called. “I am Keith Blackburn, of Duntaigh Castle.”

  “Come closer, Keith,” Angus entreated, smiling at his good fortune.

  “Milord, I mean you and yours no harm.”

  Angus let out a belly laugh at the thought. Did this lone man think he could best Angus and his men? “So happy to hear that, Keith,” he replied. “Please, come closer so we can speak without shouting.”

  In response, Keith turned his horse and raced back up the trail away from the Innes clansmen. They lit out after Keith at full gallop. Angus saw Keith turn and look over his shoulder, then veer off on a little used rocky trail. Branches and thick foliage swiped the horses’ flanks as they thundered after their quarry.

  “Dinna let him escape,” Angus cried. His men responded with more speed on the treacherous trail. They were catching him. Suddenly a gorge loomed ahead. Keith Blackburn whipped his horse, but the steed turned sideways and balked at the deep chasm. As the horse stopped short, Keith flew over the horse’s head and landed hard on the ground.

  Angus drew up halting his men. They dismounted and walked over to Keith, who lay sprawled on the ground. “Secure him,” Angus ordered. One of the men retrieved a length of rope from his saddle. They tied Keith.

  “Erland, it appears Keith has had a delay in his journey,” Angus said to his trusted companion.

  “Aye, so, Milord,” Erland agreed. The Innes men all laughed.

  Angus walked over to his captive. “Why do you run from me, Keith? Could it be you were at The Stagg Inn a few nights past?” Standing over Keith, Angus grinned. “Dinna deny it. I ken you were there. The innkeeper saw you even without your colors.”

  Keith squirmed noncommittally.

  “Dinna make me lose patience,” Angus warned. “You were up to no good.” He kicked Keith in the ribs until he groaned. “Admit it.”

  “Aye, Milord,” he muttered. “I was there.”

  “Then you ken the whereabouts of my son, Ian, you and your lovely female companion.”

  Keith remained mute. Angus knelt with his knee pressed hard in Keith’s chest, drew his dirk, and pressed the sharp blade to Keith’s neck until he drew blood. “Who assisted you in this foul deed?” Applying a little more pressure, Angus stared down at his captive. “Tell me now. Who is the red-haired whore?”

  “Katie is not a whore.” Keith spat it out, and then gasped at his own error.

  “Katie who?”

  “She didna mean any harm,” Keith said in a rush.

  “By taking my son?” Angus snorted. “I would ken her full name, or your life will be forfeit.”

  “Katie Blackburn, Milord. The lass is young and full of fire. She only sought to end the fighting.”

  “Little Katie Blackburn is all grown up and taking my kin. I canna believe it. How low has Laird Blackburn sunk to send his own daughter to set a honey trap?”

  “He didna send her.”

  Angus could not hide his surprise. “Did you hatch this plan? I think not. ‘Twas the girl, was it not?”

  “She is young and headstrong. I tried to dissuade her, Milord. She was set to do it with or without me. I couldna let her go alone.”

  “Does Ian live?”

  The man nodded. “Aye, Milord. He is unharmed, only held captive.”

  Angus withdrew his dirk
from Keith’s neck and sheathed it. “If Blackburn does not ken, then you and Katie snuck Ian into the keep. Is there a secret way in?”

  Studying Keith, Angus awaited his affirmation. “Aye,” Keith finally muttered.

  “You have just given me a reason to let you live. You will show us where Ian is or you will die.” The man on the ground drew a ragged breath.

  “I will show you, if you will spare Katie,” Keith said. “’Twas not right what we did.”

  “In case you didna notice, you are not in a position to bargain.”

  “Aye, so,” Keith agreed. “But much hangs in the balance. How can I betray my clan?”

  “I only seek to retrieve my son. I plan no other attack.”

  “And I am just to take your word?”

  “You dinna have much of a choice.” Angus stood and dusted himself off. “How old is the lass? I thought her just a child.”

  “The years slip away from all of us, Milord. Katie is all grown up.”

  “Aye, so. Ian is a bit of a devil with the ladies, but he doesna bother children. She must have at least looked of the right age or he wouldna have been fooled by her.”

  “’Tis so, Milord. “

  Angus turned to his clansmen. “Get Keith on his horse,” he ordered. Looking back, he met Keith’s gaze. “If you betray us, you will be the first man I kill.”

  Keith nodded his acceptance. “I wilna betray you, Laird Innes. In the past you and Laird Blackburn were friends.”

  “Aye, I remember it well. Before Katie’s mother came between us, we had many alliances.”

  Unbidden the memory snaked through Angus. He remembered the first time he saw Katherine Stuart. She entered his castle on the arm of her father wearing a blue, velvet gown that made her eyes sparkle with color. Her honey-red hair fell below her waist, and her soft curves enticed him further.

  She laughed at his feeble attempt to introduce himself. “Milord, you act as if you have never seen a woman before, but I ken full well you are a widower with children.”