Page 8 of The Outlaw's Bride
In the pantry, she heard Greer mutter a curse as she rummaged through the pots of jam for the elusive blackcurrant. Adaira knew their stores were getting low of that variety—which was why she’d asked for it. However, any moment now, Greer would locate her last jar.
Inhaling sharply, she moved to the second cup. She could feel sweat beading on her upper lip. Her pulse thundered in her ears.
One, two … three.
It was done.
The Lord preserve her, she hoped she’d got the measurement right.
Adaira stoppered the bottle, rose to her feet, and stepped back sharply. She’d only just hidden the bottle up her sleeve and picked up her basket of buns when Greer burst out of the pantry. The young woman held a small clay pot aloft, her expression victorious. “Here it is—just one left!”
Adaira beamed at her. “Ye are an angel. Blackcurrant is my favorite.”
“I know,” Greer said with a wink, handing her the pot and a large pat of butter wrapped in linen. “There ye go … now off with ye. I’ve got some hungry guards to feed. They’ll be wondering where their supper’s got to.”
Chapter Four
No Place for Ladies
“I’M SORRY, PUP, but I can’t take ye with me.” The wolf hound puppy, Dùnglas, wriggled in Adaira’s arms. He reached up with his front paws, trying to lick her face. Adaira’s eyes filled with tears. She’d chosen Dùnglas from a recent litter. His name, which meant ‘grey fort’, had been her choice too.
She didn’t want to leave him behind.
“Go on.” She set him down inside the stable and watched as he scampered off to join the other puppies. Their mother lay in the corner of the stall, a long-suffering expression upon her face. The pups were getting to an age where they were becoming mischievous, their needle-sharp teeth nipping at her teats when they fed.
Not wanting to draw out the moment, Adaira turned on her heel. She hastily blinked away tears and hurried from the stables.No weeping. She couldn’t crumble now, not when she was to make her escape tonight.
Rhona and Taran were risking their necks for her. She had to be brave.
The sun was going down, setting the western sky ablaze. Supper had been a tense affair. Adaira had sat in silence while Aonghus Budge threw her heated glances and whispered more filth. If her father heard any of the comments, he’d made no sign. Instead—his attention tonight had been fixed entirely upon the mutton stew and dumplings before him.
Adaira climbed the stairs that led to the upper levels of the keep. There was no one around; it was still too early for most folk to retire.
In her bower, she found Rhona waiting.
“There ye are!” Her sister hissed, gripping her arm and steering her back through the door into the empty corridor. “Where have ye been?”
“I was putting Dùnglas back down with the other pups,” Adaira whispered back. “If he stays in my bower alone overnight, he’ll howl.”
Rhona’s face relaxed. “Good thinking … come on. We need to get ye to our chamber up in the tower. The first of the guards will be taking up his post outside yer room shortly.”
“Just wait a moment.” Adaira crossed to the bed, where the satchel she’d prepared awaited. The satchel’s sides bulged. She’d packed a large water bladder and the four sweet buns, with the butter and blackcurrant jam, all tightly wrapped. Grabbing the satchel, she slung it across her front.
The thump of heavy booted feet ascending the stairs below them, made both women freeze. The guard in question was early.
“Let’s go.” Rhona’s fingertips bit into Adaira’s upper arm, but she didn’t complain. Instead, she let her sister drag her along the corridor, down a narrower stairwell, and down to the bottom level of the keep. By the time they reached the tower stairs, both of them were out of breath.
The guard would have taken up his position outside her door by now. Their father had recently instructed Adaira to retire directly after supper. The guard would take his place outside her door, assuming she was inside her bower. She would not be disturbed until her hand-maid, Liosa, visited her the following morning.
The sisters did not speak until they were safely ensconced in the tower room.
Shutting the door firmly behind her, Rhona turned to Adaira. Her cheeks were flushed and tense. “Did ye manage it?”
Adaira nodded. “I think so. I had to be careful.”
“Ye only added three drops to each cup?”
“Aye … Greer took some time looking for the food I requested. Even so, she almost caught me.”
