Lillia couldn’t eat, sleep or do anything meaningful while she awaited the return of her brothers. The weather grew colder and even with the chillier late autumn breezes, she paced the hills without a cloak or tartan to offer warmth. For three days, she kept watch. The ladies tried to get her to eat, but she couldn’t stomach food. Thoughts of her wee brothers held captive turned her stomach and her chest heavy with despair.

What sort of knaves abducted small children and used them as pawns? The same sort who thought to use her to take the kingdom. They were dangerous rogues and men who cared not for the lives of others. Determined more than ever, Lillia swore she wouldn’t be part of their scheme even if she had to do the unthinkable and leave Heath.

If Heath succeeded in rescuing her brothers, she had to consider making her way to King Robert. The king should know of the threat and perhaps he would protect her and her family. Lillia’s heart held guilt for putting the king’s guard in a perilous position. They shouldn’t have to attend her problem when it was imperative they see to their own troubles.

“Out walking again? You’ve been wearing a path betwixt the caves.”

She glanced at Gilroy, but continued to wander ahead.

“You need rest, m’lady. Mistress Annag worries you’ll waste away if ye don’t eat. And m’lord Heath will be cross with me if ye fall to illness.”

“I shall eat later. How long do you deem they’ll be? They’ve been gone so long. I cannot await much longer.”

“Bothwell is a few days’ ride. They’ve been gone a sennight. I’d think they’d be close to returning by now.”

“I wish they’d come.” She gazed to the sky in prayer and the sound of a whinny came. “I hear horses. It must be them.” Lillia turned and peered toward the ossuary, but couldn’t tell if her brothers were amongst the riders. They stopped at the cave where they housed their horses. The men dismounted and she gasped.

Her brothers spotted her and sprinted in a full-out run. She rushed forward and opened her arms and caught them when they reached her.

Lillia held them close and closed her eyes at the emotion of them against her. “Miles, Macon, you’re safe and unharmed. How I worried for you.”

“Och the scary men came for us,” Miles said.

“Aye, they frightened us,” Macon said, “But Heath said ye awaited us. And ye ken what?”

“What,” she said, barely able to voice the word.

“He was aright. Da is going to punish us,” Macon said in a sorrowful voice.

She petted their heads, content to see they appeared unharmed. “Why would he punish you?”

Miles looked at his feet. “Cause he told us to stay in the keep—”

Macon cut him off, “But we heard you were missing and we went to find you.”

Miles grinned. “And ye ken what, Lillia?”

“What?” she said, her heart nearly bursting with joy at having them safe, and at their obvious concern for her. They’d disobeyed their father in hopes of finding her and unfortunately put themselves in danger.

“We did find you. Mayhap Da won’t be as ireful when we tell him.”

“You certainly did find me.” She glanced up and found the king’s guard watching them. The ladies stood outside the main cave and wiped their eyes. Lillia continued to kneel in front of her brothers and noticed the smudges of dirt on their faces. They were quite filthy and needed to wash at the soonest, but first they needed to be fed. Who knew how long it had been since they’d eaten a meal.

“Is all well?” Heath asked, from the distance he stood.

Lillia nodded, waved, and took a calming breath so she wouldn’t weep. “Have you thanked the men for rescuing you?” They shook their heads. “You must. Go on, give your thanks.” They rushed to the men and spoke low and hastened back to her. “You must be hungry. Come and let us fill those gullets.”

They giggled at her choice of words.

She introduced the lads to everyone and led them inside the main cave. “Be on your best behavior and be sure to use your manners. These people are kind and generous for sharing their home and food with us.”

Her brothers bowed their heads to Mistress Annag, who smiled widely before handing them each a bowl of stew. “Oh what sweet winsome lads they be.”

Lilia noticed Heath across the large chamber. He stooped next to a trunk. She approached and sat on the chest next to his. “How am I ever to repay you?”

“Marry me.”

She scoffed. “Do not jest, Heath. I am grateful and realize there is no way to ever repay you for rescuing them.” For the first time in days, her heart eased.

Heath knelt next to her and pulled her into his arms. “It’s what we do.”

“Was it dangerous? Was your safety in jeopardy? Did you have to kill …?” She ceased the thought in midsentence.

“Danger always abounds. We were safe enough. Astoundingly we didn’t have to kill a single man. There were a few that would have a headache, oh and one that would need to be patched up for he was left bleeding, but his life not ended.” Heath grinned and seemed satisfied with the mission. But his eyes darkened and she considered he’d spoken a falsehood, but she wouldn’t reproach him for it.

“When will you return them home?”

Heath continued to hold her, and she reveled in his touch. “We’ll get a night of rest and head out in the morn.”

“They’re young. Be patient with them on the journey.”

He set his hand along her jaw, his eyes alight with intensity. “They are mischievous lads to be sure. We cover ourselves with soot to blend in the night when on missions, and the lads made us wash to prove we weren’t clooties.” He laughed and she found herself smiling at his mirth. “On the way here, they put a huge worm in Brodin’s bedroll, untied Liam’s harness and took my bow. They didn’t bother Graeme one wee bit, but he’s been surly lately and they probably didn’t want to test him.”

“Is your friend perturbed because he has another child on the way? If that is so …”

He shook his head. “Nay, Sweetness. Graeme is overjoyed, but he worries for his wife. William is but a year and a half. I would say he feels guilt at begetting her with child again so soon. Kerrigan will bear it well. She’s a strong woman. He doesn’t give her enough praise.”

She tightened her hand on his. “I suppose he has reason then for being distressed. As soon as the lads finish their supper, I shall get them settled to sleep.”

“Lillia …”

She looked away from her brothers.

“You ken the Comyns will be wrathful now. I will take the lads to my da and tell him to relate the severity of the situation to your father.”

“Will the Comyns invade my home?”

He shook his head. “’Tis doubtful. Your father has called upon his allies. Most search for you as well. But your father’s lands and fief are protected.”

“When you relate the news, don’t tell your father or mine where I am. It will only bring trouble here and I will not have the ladies and children be harmed.”

“I agree. We won’t speak of you. If asked, we’ll deny knowledge of your whereabouts. The lads will need to be told to keep it a secret. Can they be trusted to do so?”

She bit on her lower lip before agreeing. “Aye, I’ll speak with them, but they are young and for them to keep such a secret would be troublesome for them.”

“You must stress the urgency that they not speak of you to anyone. The lads can sleep on my pallet. I’ll find somewhere else to sleep this night.”

Lillia nodded and set off to settle her brothers. “Miles, Macon, we’ll go to the stream and wash.” She almost laughed because they’d made the king’s guard wash and yet their faces reflected their affront at having to do so.

“Do we have to?” Macon asked.

“You certainly do.”

“Och I’m not dirty, Lillia, honest,” Miles said.

“Nevertheless, you will wash. And you are too dirty. Your faces are covered with filth.” Outside the cave, they scampered after her.

Once they were good and clean, she led them back to the cave. “You will both lie here and rest. If you move from this spot, I’ll have Da make you muck out the stables for a fortnight.”

Macon clasped her hand. “We won’t move. Lillia …?”

“Aye?” She pulled the covers back and motioned for them to get in.

“I was scared. Ye won’t tell Da will you?”

“I was scared, too,” Miles added. “He’s going to be ireful that we were afraid. ‘Cause you know why, he says a Hunter never fears.”

She tucked them in and touched their heads. “You know what I think? You were very brave, aye fearless. It is perfectly normal to be a wee bit frightened sometimes.”

“Are you scared?” Miles asked.

“To my toes.”

The lads giggled.

“But I will try to be courageous like you. Before you sleep, I want you to promise me something … You mustn’t tell anyone you saw me. No one can know where I am not even da and ma or anyone within our clan. Those men who took you … they wanted me, not you. They will try to find me and I must stay hidden. You’ll give your pledge now not to tell a soul that you’ve seen me.”

“I promise,” they said in unison.

“It is extremely important. Those men who took you … they are not chivalrous. And if they find me … Well, I shall be frightened and in much danger.”

Macon pressed her hair. “I understand, Lillia. We shan’t tell anyone.”

“Will ye kiss me goodnight like Mama does?” Miles asked.

“Of course.” She kissed them both on the forehead, certain they had been scared beyond all sense if they insisted she kiss them. They were at an age where kissing and affection was avoided akin to the plague.

Lillia waited until her brothers were fast asleep before she joined them. Relief at having them safe overwhelmed her and tears of happiness clouded her eyes. With the little sleep she’d gotten in the past few days, she slumbered as soon as her body lay upon the comfortable bedding.

In the morning, she awoke to the lads’ whispers. Annag had them sitting at the trestle table, their belly’s filled and their mood much lightened.

“Good morn.” She took the bowl offered by the mistress and thanked her.

“The guard said we’re to leave soon.”

She nodded at Macon. “Aye, you’ll be home soon and safe.” Lillia finished her morning fare and helped Annag clean up before she took the lads outside.

Heath and his comrades awaited them. “We need to set out.”

She turned to speak her goodbyes and saddened. Who knew when next she would see her brothers if ever? “I shall miss you both. Promise to be good on the journey and remember your vow not to speak of me to anyone.”

They nodded, but their attention drew to the guard and they darted off before she could hug or kiss them farewell. Miles rode with Brodin, and Macon rode with Liam. Graeme sat unaffected by her emotional display. Tears streaked her cheeks and she hastily rubbed them away.

Heath pulled her hard against his chest. “Worry not for them.” He tilted her chin and kissed her hard.

The kiss turned sensuous and she held him tightly. When he pulled back, she heard her brother’s snickers. Macon made gagging sounds, and the king’s guard’s faces reflected they too were appalled by their overzealous display of affection.

“I shall await your return.”

He released and grinned. “I shall hurry, Sweetness. There’s something I want to discuss with you upon my return.”

She called after him, “Heath, you cannot say that and leave me wondering. Heath …” But he mounted his horse and rode to catch up with the others.