Page 5 of The Outlaw's Bride
Rhona favored her with a determined look. “Aye. Taran doesn’t like it, but I think it’s the only way.”
Adaira swallowed, straightening her spine. Hope kindled in her breast for the first time since her father had announced her betrothal. “My choices are few right now,” she replied. “I’d like to hear it.”
Rhona cut a glance to her husband. Taran’s face was set in stern lines, his ice-blue eyes hard. Seeing she’d get no support from him on this, Rhona turned her attention fully upon her sister. “We’re going to get ye out through that passage in the dungeon.”
Adaira’s breathing hitched. She watched Taran’s expression grow grimmer still. Until today, he likely wouldn’t have known of the keep’s secret way out. Rhona and Adaira had spoken of the passage recently, for Adaira had suggested her sister use the escape route in the summer, just days before the games when Rhona would be forced to take a husband.
“But won’t Da’s men catch me?” Adaira asked, her pulse racing. The fragile hope shattered, and fear replaced it. She didn’t fancy being hunted.
“Not if someone went with ye,” Rhona replied. “A warrior … someone who knows how to fight, how to survive out in the wild.”
Adaira’s gaze flicked to Taran.Surely not?
“Taran can't go with ye,” Rhona said sharply. She’d seen the direction of her sister’s gaze. “Da would have him flayed alive for the betrayal.”
“Who then?” Adaira whispered, meeting Rhona’s eye once more.
Rhona drew in a deep breath, folding her arms across her breasts. “Ye know Da has a new prisoner locked in the dungeon?”
Adaira frowned. “Aye … Lachlann Fraser.” All of Dunvegan knew of the capture of Morgan Fraser’s first-born son.
“I plan to free him—his freedom for yers.”
This announcement rendered Adaira speechless.
Taran was scowling. He looked at his wife like she’d just lost her wits.
Rhona was the first to break the silence. “I know it’s a bold plan, but I’ve thought it through.”
Adaira found her tongue. “And ye believe Lachlann Fraser would help me?”
“Aye, his choices are even fewer than yers. Da will never let him out of that cell. He’ll be desperate.”
“Ye should never make an alliance with a desperate man,” Taran growled. “Ye will never be able to trust him.”
Rhona cast her husband a quelling look. “We will make him swear an oath.”
“And do ye think it’s wise to let our enemies learn of a secret entrance into the keep?”
Rhona tensed, a shadow passing over her face. “We’ll make him promise never to reveal it.”
Taran snorted. “Ye would take him at his word?”
“We have no choice.” Rhona put her hands on her hips and glowered at her husband. “Without our help he’ll never see daylight again. We have to hope that the man has some honor.” She turned her attention to Adaira then. “He must escort ye out of Dunvegan and take ye to our kin in Argyle—only then is he free to return home.”
Silence fell while Adaira digested her sister’s words. She understood Taran’s concerns. It was a bold, reckless, and incredibly risky plan. Yet if Lachlann Fraser agreed, it might just work. Adaira knew she’d never make it to Argyle without help.
Still, a heavy weight settled in the pit of her belly at the risk her sister was putting herself, and Taran, at by helping her.
“I can’t let ye do this,” she whispered, tears welling as despair rose within her once more. “What if Da discovers ye helped me?”
“He won’t,” Taran replied, his voice rough. Adaira met his gaze and saw his expression had changed. His face was still stern although there was a determined light in his eyes that reminded her of Rhona. “Not if we are clever and careful.”
Chapter Three
Just Three Drops
THE CUNNING WOMAN lived on the edge of the village of Dunvegan, in a hovel surrounded by brambles and hawthorn.
