They’d almost made it to Buchan land before they found the group. Finlay let out a bird call as soon as he caught sight of Connor near the rear of the group. Connor and Braden both heard him and called the others to a halt.
“What the hell?” Braden asked as they came riding toward them.
Connor chuckled, glancing at his sister. “Your plan worked again, dear sister, but this time with a different guard. She tricked you, aye, Finlay?” Connor motioned for them all to dismount in a clearing off to the side. “And what is your intention this time, Kyla?”
“Who’s leader of your group,” Finlay asked.
Four sets of hands pointed to Connor. “He’s the eldest,” Roddy said.
“Connor, we’d like to request your assistance, and I have Jamie’s approval.”
“Truly?” Connor quirked a brow at his sister. “Davina again?”
“Aye, she sent me a message asking for my help.”
“And you trust ‘tis a true message?” Braden asked. “What did it say?”
“It said, ‘Help me, please.’ True, it could be false, but I have to see her for myself. Will you not guard us? Finlay and I were in her tower room before. We know where to go.”
Finlay said, “I spoke with Jamie about this. Davina promised to inform Kyla if she learned of her sire’s plans. It’s possible there’s more to the message than there appears to be. It could be that Davina’s discovered something useful. Jamie agreed the possibility is worth investigating if we think we can get in safely.”
“I doubt Buchan will allow you in after our last visit. Or have you forgotten the way he kicked us out, Kyla?” Connor asked.
“Nay, I’ve not forgotten.” She crossed her arms and gave her brother a menacing look. “Just remember, I’m older than you.”
The look on her face forced Finlay to step in. “Look, Davina lives in the only chamber in the tower. I can get your sister over the back curtain wall. We can be in and out of there in less than an hour if need be, but not without some protection. If we need to get Davina and the baby out, we’ll decide what to do once we’ve assessed the situation. Will you post two archers on the curtain wall?”
Connor sighed, but then glanced at Gavin and Gregor.
The two exchanged a look, followed by a nod. “We did the same for Jake. Why not Kyla?”
“Lead on,” Connor said. “I’ll leave the five guards at the periphery. Gavin and Gregor will take the wall. Braden will scale it and wait for your return. If they don’t return within two hours, Braden, you’re to go in and find out what happened. Roddy and I will make our way around the curtain wall to see what we can learn of the rest of their operation. I want this done before dawn.”
“My thanks,” Finlay said. “We’ll leave Kyla’s horse back here. She can ride with me.”
Connor spoke to the head of the guards and they discussed their plan while Finlay tied Kyla’s horse in a hidden area. He helped her mount in front of him, and as soon as they were ready, Connor gave the order for everyone to continue toward Buchan land.
They hadn’t gone far when Finlay felt the fine tremors in Kyla’s body. He whispered in her ear, “Why do you tremble, lass?”
“Nervous. I know not what will happen. I do not want aught to happen to my brother or my cousins. Think you all of us are safe?”
“Aye, who is better trained than the Grant and Ramsay lads? And we have two of the finest archers in the land. They will protect us.” He rubbed her arm, hoping to calm her fears.
Truth was, he felt ill. A strange feeling pulled in his chest each time he thought of something happening to her. He’d be the only one guarding her once they stepped inside that tower. He wiped the sweat from his brow at just the thought of her in the hands of her sire’s enemy.
He’d been so intent on getting away and pleased at the thought that she’d be with him that he had not properly thought this through. If anything happened to her, he’d never be able to live with himself. A vision of Glenn of Buchan swinging his word flashed through his mind.
“Kyla, promise that you’ll listen to me. If anything is off, we’re leaving. I’ll not put your life at risk.”
“I promise.”
She gazed back at him with those beautiful blue eyes and her pouty lips that begged to mate with his. She leaned her head against his chest and he sunk his fingers into her plait at the back of her neck, rubbing his hand rhythmically against her skin. This closeness with her was veering his thoughts in the worst possible direction.
Damn, but he liked the feel of her in his arms. He’d do whatever she asked of him.
“All right,” he whispered. “Please remember your promise, no matter what transpires.”
She nodded and tugged his lips down to hers, kissing him, sucking on his bottom lip before she pulled away from him.
She’d just kissed him in front of her brother and cousins, and he was pleased—it was as good as a declaration of their intent to marry. The woman continued to wreak havoc on his senses, and he was glad of it. Hellfire, but he was in deep trouble. He prayed his dear mother was watching over them from above.
***
Getting up the wall had been a challenge. Finlay had thrown a rope from his satchel into a tree branch until it caught just right so he could climb up onto the wall. Gavin, Gregor, and Braden had followed. Once they’d determined all was well, Finlay had climbed back down to help Kyla up the rope.
She’d ignored the drop beneath her, knowing Finlay was there to help her. The wall was much taller than she could handle, but the lads had all easily scaled it. When they finally reached the top, Finlay hoisted himself onto the lip and dropped down to the walkway before motioning for her to jump into his arms. He caught her, and her heart sighed at the nearness of him, but there was no time to savor the new pleasure of his touch. They crept over to the door of Davina’s tower chamber, pointing out their destination to Braden. Once at the tower, she peered up at him, her heart racing, and said a quick prayer for safety. He opened the door and stepped into the darkened interior while she waited outside. A few moments later, he tugged her inside, putting his finger to her lips.
It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. As soon as she could see movement, it was already too late. Something came crashing down on Finlay’s skull just before her world went dark.
***
Finlay’s eyes opened to a harsh voice, followed by a slap to his face, first one cheek and then the other.
“What the hell?” He bolted upright and grabbed for his sword, only to find it wasn’t there. He found himself staring into the eyes of a red-haired stranger. The man was missing two teeth, and he had a grin that told Finlay he needed to be careful and move with care.
The only thing he could think about was Kyla. He didn’t move, just searched the room with his gaze as memories came floating back to him. He stood on one side of the dark chamber, his guard seated at the only furniture in the room, a table with two stools. The man was greedily sucking down an ale.
Finlay reached up and felt the dried blood on the back of his head where he’d been struck. “My companion,” he managed to say. “Where is she?”
The man said, “She’s dead to you. ‘Twould be better for you to forget her. I see your sire has trained you well, just as I expected, just as I told the Buchan.”
“Who are you?”
He snorted. “What? You do not recognize your favorite uncle, dear nephew? ‘Course, it has been a long time since you’ve seen me, since I was sent out of Clan Grant. Foolish bastards. I knew someday I’d have the chance to get my revenge. My own brother never stood up for me. Banished…just banished.”
“Uncle Geordie?” he asked in shock.
The man’s eyes lit up. “Och, you do remember me, lad. Glad to hear my brother kept my memory alive.”
“I do. Now, I need to find the lass I was with and take her home. This was all a mistake. Just let us go.”
“Can’t do that, Finlay. Have a seat and I’ll explain how things have changed. Before you start searching, I’ll tell you right away that I’ve removed all your weapons.”
“Why? You’re my uncle. I’ve done naught to you.”
“Business, lad. I needed coin, and Buchan offered gold coins to anyone who joined him. Plus, he offered me extra. Simple as that.”
“Offered you extra coins for what?” Finlay had a sickening feeling deep in his gut, one he didn’t like at all.
“To help you accept your place here. ‘Tis simple—they set you up. ‘Twasn’t my idea, but I have to admit ‘twas a good one. I saw you the last time you were here, lad, and I could tell you’d be a mighty fine warrior. The Buchan’s men have had little training. He needs someone like you to train his men for the upcoming battle…and he also needs a hostage. He had that note sent to your little lassie to lure both of you back here. Now you’ll do as we tell you.”
Finlay exploded. He reached across the table and grabbed his uncle by the throat and pinned him up against the wall. “You’re right—‘tis simple. You’ll get me out of here, or I’ll kill you.”
The door flew open and three other guards came in, yanking Finlay away from his uncle and beating him until he couldn’t move. He fought with every ounce of strength he had, but he was only one man. He couldn’t fight three guards.
Once they had him contained, another man stepped into his line of sight. “Allow me to explain everything to you, fool,” the man said. Something told him this was Simon de La Port. “I paid to have that note written and sent. I knew you’d come with her, and you did, solving two of my problems.” He spat into the corner disdainfully. “Davina is fine, and now Kyla is mine to do with as I wish. When we’re ready to attack, we’ll bring her beaten body along for Alex Grant to see so he’ll surrender his castle to us. ‘Twill be his choice: his castle or his daughter. Since we have you to thank for bringing her along, we’ve decided to use you.
“Your uncle tells me anyone trained directly by Grant and his brothers is mighty with a sword, so you’ll train some of our men since they’re mostly useless.”
Finlay spat the blood accumulating in his mouth off to the side. “The hell I will. I’ll not do aught for you. Free Kyla and I’ll take her home. Otherwise you’ll have all five hundred Grant warriors along with three hundred Ramsay warriors here in two days. Alex Grant will call the Camerons, the Menzies, the Drummonds, and more. You have no chance.”
“Do I not? If I place his daughter on a platform above my gate with an archer on either side of her, arrows aimed at her heart, do you truly think he’ll bring eight hundred men down on me? Nay. He’s not that foolish. He’ll do his best to think of something, but it will take him time to plan, and time is something he does not have. We practice for two days, and then we move. All my mercenaries will be here by then.
“Now, you’re going to train our guards in the lists, and if you don’t, I’ll beat Kyla in front of you. Or I’ll let you watch me ruin her, unless…” A twisted grin broke out across his face. “Have you already taken her maidenhead, lad? Hmmm. Mayhap I’ll have to find out.” De La Porte’s laugh was cruel and cold.
Finlay’s mind spun in so many directions, he knew not what to do first. “Touch her and I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”
“Sure you will. My thanks for being foolish enough to come alone.” He started to move toward the door. “She certainly is a beauty. I can see why she moved your cock. She’s soon to be known as Simon de La Porte’s woman.”
Finlay did his best to focus on the errors in the bastard’s statements. They hadn’t come alone. There were five of the best Grant and Ramsay men in the area with more guards not far away, and if the lads didn’t arrive in Edinburgh soon, mayhap Micheil and David Drummond would come looking for them… At least he knew the group had not been discovered.
“Leave her be! Do what you will to me, but leave her be, you slimy bastard.” He fought against the holds on him, but to no avail.
His uncle left soon after de La Porte left. “Sorry, nephew. Each man for himself.”
He couldn’t take his mind off the horrifying thought of Kyla in the hands of Simon de La Porte. He would have to believe in her strength. She was Alex Grant’s daughter, and while she couldn’t wield a sword, she’d said something about daggers. If he ever got out of this, Alex Grant and Logan Ramsay would kill him and hang him in front of the whole clan. And what would Jamie think of him? The thought of how horribly he’d let Jamie down made him wish to heave. He’d hardly acted like the laird’s second.
The three men yanked him to his feet and led him into the courtyard to jeers and guffaws of all those around him. The leader stood in front of him and said, “You are to defend yourself against one of our warriors, one-on-one. They’ll learn from you, and if you have any foolish ideas, you heard what de La Porte intends to do.”
“Just give me my sword.” Finlay spat a stream of blood again, wiping his mouth on his tunic. He’d find his way out of this, but first he’d have to watch and plan. He did his best planning with a sword in his hands. And he’d kill every one of the fools who dared come close to him.
He’d kill them all just to get back to Kyla.