Page 57 of The Beast of the Highlands
His arms remained limp at his sides. “What are ye doin’ here?”
“I came to warn you,” she said, her eyes wide with sorrow. “I know you must hate me but, first, listen to what I have to say. Then, perhaps, you will not hate me so much.”
In a hurried babble, she explained everything that had occurred, filling in the missing pieces for him. She told him of Natters taking her to his chambers under duress, and what she had faced there. She explained the choice she had been forced to make, and why she had written the letter, and how she had been attacked upon the road and taken to an encampment. She spoke of Philip Johnson and Keira, and how Flynn’s marriage to that harpy had been a ruse to get Laird Dunn’s men inside the castle. Lastly, she had told him of their plot to kill her.
“And… I did not mean a word upon that letter, other than “I love you.” I did not know what else to do,” she concluded breathlessly. “You have not witnessed the worst of Keira Cranach, but I have, and I wholeheartedly believe she would have followed through with her threats if I had refused to leave.”
Flynn gaped at her. “They were going to kill you?”
It was the only part he could concentrate upon, fearing he might have lost her twice in one night; that she might have died at the hands of Keira and an English brute, while he pouted and lamented her departure in the safety of his castle.
I should’ve known there was another reason. I should’ve seen Keira’s viciousness all over the letter.
“Me, Leighton, my sister, my mother.” Autumn nodded and pulled something from the neckline of her dress. “And this is further proof, should you need it. I urge you to act quickly and find a way to get Laird Dunn’s men outside the castle. If not, there will be a battle.”
Flynn took the proffered letter and opened it uncertainly. His eyes scanned the scratchy penmanship, absorbing every wretched, underhand word. It appeared to be correspondence between Laird Dunn and this Officer Johnson, conjuring up the very scheme that Flynn had allowed to pass through his gates.
I will visit with Laird M to discuss his nuptials with my daughter. I’ll send word to ye of the day and have ye bring yer battalion as additional forces. That’s when we’ll take his castle. He willnae see it coming.
And that was only the last passage of a truly vile letter.
Fury bristled through Flynn as he crushed the paper in his fist, robbing him of the joy he should have felt at seeing Autumn again and hearing that her words had been fabrications.
“They willnae get away with this,” he seethed. “I amnae the kind to allow himself to be fooled, but we’ve to be clever or they’ll realize I ken what they’re up to.”
Autumn nodded. “What do you suggest?”
“First, I’ll send Laird Dunn’s men out beyond the castle walls, to “scout” for those English soldiers. Once they’re out, I’ll lower the portcullises and keep them closed.” He paused, thinking. “I’ll invite Laird Dunn to dine with me and Keira and have Desmond and the lads intercept the letter Laird Dunn will surely send to this Officer Johnson. In me invitation to Laird Dunn, I’ll have to urge him to come to the rear gates, so he doesnae see the front.
“Ye’ll have to stay in the library for a few days, until I send for ye, to expose these cretins. Nay soul will ken ye’re down there. I’ll bring ye food meself, since I doubt Keira will have her spies stationed there anymore. Nae if they think ye’re dead.”
Autumn smiled. “That sounds like a very excellent scheme, my love.” She peered up at him with her beautiful eyes. “But may I ask one more thing of you?”
“Anything, lass,” he replied.
Her smile broadened. “Will you kiss me now? Otherwise I shall think you truly do hate me.”
“Aye… I can manage that.” Without hesitation, he swept her up into his arms and kissed her fiercely upon the mouth. Her legs wrapped around his waist and she held tight to his face, kissing him back with equal fervor.
In that moment, he knew he had been a fool to believe that Autumn would ever leave him of her own volition. For she had been brought into his life by the heavens themselves, and they would not be cruel enough to steal her away again.
Now, she would become the tool that would rid these borderlands of their rot, and hopefully put an end to the skirmishes that Laird Dunn himself had facilitated. Maybe, thanks to her, they would finally achieve peace in this fragile part of the country.
But first, they had a devious plot to pull off.
35
In the days that followed, Flynn put on the performance of a lifetime. Sullen and somber, he moped about the castle, lamenting Autumn’s departure. Once or twice, he had seen Keira smirk, believing Autumn to be dead and buried.
Indeed, he had not even had to suggest the dinner with Laird Dunn himself.
“I suppose there’s nay reason to delay our weddin’,” he had said, on the second day since Autumn’s ‘return home’. “I daenae ken how these things are done. Do I have to speak to yer da first?”
“Of course. I will write to him immediately!” Keira had replied, with a sly glint in her eyes. “We ought to have a dinner to celebrate and to make arrangements. He’ll be very pleased.”
Flynn had snorted. “Aye, well tell him to use the back gates when he arrives. The lads are fixin’ at the front—should take them a few days, but I daenae want yer da gettin’ here, only to find he cannae enter.”
“The rear gates are far more fittin’, anyway. Those are the gates the King is supposed to enter, if I’m nae mistaken.” Keira had smiled smugly, probably already envisioning herself as Lady of this castle, with Philip Johnson at her side.
