Page 10 of The Outlaw's Bride
Adaira swallowed the lump in her throat. “Ye are a good man, Taran MacKinnon. My sister is very lucky.”
“Come.” Did she imagine it, or did his cheeks color slightly at her praise? Turning from her, he helped himself to a ring of keys hanging on the wall and lifted the torch off its brace. Taran carried the torch over to where another hung at the entrance to the passageway. He lit it and passed it to Adaira. “Let’s go find Lachlann Fraser.”
Adaira followed Taran down the passageway. A few yards on, they came to another set of stairs that led down even farther underground. Adaira hadn't visited the dungeon in years. It was forever night time down here, a smothering darkness that made it difficult to breathe. Not that she wanted to take many deep breaths. The air smelled putrid: mold, stale urine, sweat, and worse. It made her eyes water.
“This isn’t a place for ladies,” Taran grumbled. “I can’t believe ye and yer sisters used to play down here.”
Adaira responded with a soft snort. She was wondering the same thing herself.
Moments later they stepped out onto a wide passage. A row of iron grates lined the stone floor.
Adaira stepped close to Taran. “Do ye know where he is?”
Taran nodded. “The second last one. All the rest are empty at present.”
They made their way to the cell in question. Halting before the grate, Taran passed Adaira his torch and crouched down. He selected a key and unlocked the grate before lifting it free.
“Lachlann Fraser.” Taran’s voice, although low, rang in the stillness. “Are ye awake?”
Chapter Five
Upon Yer Life
A RASPY VOICE broke the silence. “Aye … what’s it to ye?”
The male voice had a harsh edge to it. Adaira’s spine stiffened. She hadn't given any thought as to the character of the man imprisoned down here. She hoped Rhona was right, and that he would agree to help her.
“I have someone here who’d like a word with ye,” Taran continued. He then inclined his head to Adaira, indicating that it was her turn to speak.
Adaira handed Taran back his torch and moved forward. She then bent her head and peered into the darkness below. Dear Lord, the stench coming from down there was awful. Didn’t he have a privy he could use?
“Lachlann Fraser,” Adaira began, swallowing bile. “I come bearing an offer. Are ye interested?”
A beat of silence followed, before the prisoner spoke once more. This time, his voice was gentler, edged with curiosity. “A lady? What's this?”
“Just answer her, Fraser,” Taran growled. “Are ye interested?”
Another pause. “I might be.”
Adaira leaned forward, squinting. She couldn’t see anything in the gloom. “My freedom for yers,” she said quietly, reciting the words she’d practiced with Rhona earlier. “If I set ye free, ye must agree to escort me out of this dungeon to freedom. Ye must protect me with yer life.”
A soft, bitter laugh followed. “I agree readily, he drawled. “But I also point out that we stand in the dungeon, with a curtain wall and a portcullis preventing my escape.”
“I know a way—a secret way—out of this dungeon,” Adaira countered, her voice low, urgent. “If ye will swear upon yer life to protect me, I will show ye it.”
Another silence fell, this one heavy. The prisoner was pondering her words.
“And where do ye wish me to take ye?” he asked finally, an edge of wariness to his voice.
“I must leave this isle,” she replied. “We shall travel to Kiltaraglen on the eastern coast and find a boat that will take us to the mainland. Ye must escort me to Gylen Castle in Argyle. Once I am safely delivered to my kin there, ye are discharged of any responsibility. Ye are then free to return to yer own kin.” Adaira drew in a long, steadying breath. “Do ye still agree?”
Another beat of silence passed, before he answered. “Aye.”
Relief swamped Adaira. However, when she glanced up and looked at Taran, she saw he was scowling. He wasn't happy about this. “Let’s hear ye swear it then,” he growled. “Upon yer life, upon everything ye hold dear, ye will protect this woman and see her safely delivered to her destination. Ye shall also promise never to tell a soul how ye escaped this place.”
“I swear it.” The prisoner’s voice was low and steady. “Lady … I shall take ye wherever ye desire. I will protect ye with my last breath.” He paused here. “And I will tell no one how we got out … although I suggest we stop talking and start moving.”
That was good enough for Adaira. She was keen to leave as soon as possible. However, she saw that Taran still hesitated. With a jolt she realized he didn't trust the prisoner. In truth she didn't either. But what choice did she have? He’d made an oath, and she would need to trust him to uphold it.
