CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Justine had paced the castle like a caged animal since Andrew and Sully’s departure. Never had she been alone in the fortress without Josephine or Sully, and the knowledge that they were in danger, and Andrew along with them, nearly drove her mad.
Several times, she had consulted her cards and, several times, she was left confused with the results. They simply weren’t making any sense. Perhaps it was because Justine was no longer a virgin and her powers had been significantly diminished. Not that she would have traded her marriage to Sully for anything but, still, she feared her powers of insight had left her.
She was no longer the witch she had once been.
Now, she was pacing the Knight’s Haven, a room she seldom entered. But with everyone gone, she had called the knights of Torridon together before dawn and had given command over to Etienne and Thane. It was a wise decision on her part, for she truly had no idea how to run a fortress and was in no condition to make any kind of decision.
She had not slept for two nights. Instead, she was trying to devise a plan of action. But she was not a soldier and could not think in those terms. She was, however, a bit of an actress and a skilled deceiver, and she believed that therein lay her best offense.
Donald was still at Torridon, remaining behind when Sully and Andrew headed to Edinburgh. He thought Justine might need his help and he’d been correct; the woman had been a mess. At this early hour, he entered the Knight’s Haven because he’d been summoned, with his expensive boots thudding dully against the stone as he crossed the chamber.
“Ye sent for me, Lady Montgomery?” he asked quietly.
Justine turned to look at him and he was amazed to see the change in her. She wore one of her sister’s yellow silk gowns and her hair was attractively styled; not at all like the Justine of the past. Marriage had certainly done something for her.
“I have,” she said. “Donald, you are not planning on leaving us yet, are you?”
Donald shook his head. The swelling in his nose had gone down quite a bit and he was feeling well enough to travel, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave, not just yet.
“Nay, my lady,” he said. “I had not planned on it.”
“Good,” she said firmly. “Donald, I have need of you. You and I are traveling to Edinburgh.”
His eyes widened. There was doubt in his expression. “May I ask why?”
“Because my sister, her betrothed, and my husband are there and are in great danger,” she said. “They may need our help.”
Donald thought that was the case, but he wasn’t sure it was a good idea. “We may get in the way of their rescue attempt.”
Justine was stubborn. “I do not think that is true,” she said. “It is only the three of them against all of Scotland. I cannot stand here and wait to become a widow, Donald. Please say you shall go with me. If you do not, I will simply go without you, so it would be better if you agreed.”
It was a blunt way of putting it, but Donald knew she spoke the truth. He also knew it wouldn’t be a good idea to argue with her about it. Justine did as Justine wanted to do, and it had always been this way.
“Have ye spoken to any of the other knights about it?” he asked. “What of Etienne or Burl?”
Justine shook her head. “They must remain here and in command,” she said. “I have no duties here at Torridon, Donald. I am tired of feeling useless. I must go and help my sister.”
It was a very bad idea and Donald almost said so, but he bit his tongue. Whatever he said to her would not make her change her mind. As she said, she would go without him, and that would be a terrible thing, indeed. Therefore, he sighed in resignation.
“If that is yer wish, Lady Montgomery, then we shall go,” he said. “We will do what we can.”
Justine nodded, triumphant. She didn’t feel so helpless anymore. “Good,” she said. “Let me pack my things and you will see to the horses. I shall meet you in the inner ward in an hour.”
She breezed past him, heading from the Knight’s Haven. Donald watched her go, shaking his head doubtfully. If truth be known, he only agreed to go with her because he had nothing better to do and he wouldn’t be able to stand the thought of Justine going to Edinburgh alone. Back at his fortress awaited his overbearing father and two stupid sisters, and Donald always yearned for adventure and freedom. In helping Justine, perhaps, he was actually being presented with an opportunity to do something worthwhile.
Or extraordinarily stupid.
Donald went to the room he had been occupying since his arrival at Torridon and packed a small satchel, all the while wondering what exactly Justine had in mind. He had known the girl since she had been a small child and he never could seem to understand the workings of her mind. Hell, no one could. Justine had always been skittish and strange, and Donald was truly amazed at her metamorphosis since her wedding to Montgomery. It was as if she had finally found her place in life.
Donald, on the other hand, seemed to have yet found his particular place in this life. He knew that one day he would inherit everything from his father, but Donald wasn’t content with that. He longed for the adventure of love, and although he wasn’t as accomplished a swordsman as Andrew or Sully, or every other knight he had ever met, he was quick of wit and was extremely agile. Good thing, too; if he couldn’t outfight his opponent, then at least he could outrun him. He was an obnoxious sort at times, he knew, and his speed had always been a bonus. So, perhaps, the venture to Edinburgh was what he’d always sought – a sense of purpose, a sense of adventure.
A chance to do something good.
With his things packed, he ordered his steed and Lady Montgomery’s palfrey readied. He never had a war horse, rather opting for a white Arabian stallion whose mother had been brought back from the Crusades. The horse was quite a bit like Donald in equine form: high-strung, smart, and but needed direction. Donald loved the horse as one would love a brother.
The horses were brought forth into the inner ward and Donald waited for Justine. And waited. When she finally did emerge, she looked like the Justine of old – swathed in black, hair pulled back severely. She was trailed by servants carrying two huge satchels.
Donald cocked a wary eyebrow at her. “What is all of that?”
Justine didn’t answer until she mounted the brown animal. “That, my dear Donald, is our greatest hope for bringing everyone back to Torridon alive.”
He frowned. “What? Ye have armies stashed in those bags?”
She gave him an impatient look. “Think bigger, Master Muir,” she said. “I am bringing all the tools of my trade. If one item does not work, then we shall try another. You’ll see.”
He shook his head in bewilderment. “What, exactly, are ye planning, Justine?”
She grinned knowingly. “Trust me.”
Good Lord, he thought as the horses moved for the main gates. Angels in heaven, protect us dimwits!