Page 33 of The Beast of the Highlands
What if there’s a traitor among us, and this is a diversion to kill two birds with one stone?
Or worse, what if someone used this as an unexpected opportunity to get rid of Autumn. With Flynn distracted, it would be the perfect chance to deal with a perceived English thorn in MacLennan Castle’s side. That is, if they knew where Autumn’s home was.
Flynn’s expression hardened. “Are yer men saddled?”
“Aye,” Desmond confirmed.
“How many?”
“Two, but there’ll be five, includin’ me, if I gather the two others ye suggested,” Desmond answered, his gaze straying back to the westbound road.
Flynn shook his head. “Forget the other two. Go now. When ye come back, ride to the edge of the forest closest to the southern entrance and light a torch. I’ll be watchin’ for ye. If it’s safe, I’ll light a torch in reply. If nae, there’ll be darkness, and ye’re to take Autumn to one of the huntin’ huts. A scout will come to fetch ye when all’s secure.”
“Aye, M’Laird.” Desmond bowed before hurrying away, his fingers wrapped around the hilt of his broadsword.
Instinctively, his own hand went to his hilt. There was only one reason an army would approach without flying their banners, wearing their colors, or bearing their crests. An enemy was coming, and MacLennan Castle would soon be under attack.
21
The cold droplets of rain that had begun to spit from moody skies could not dampen Autumn’s excitement as she left the manor. After all, she had a husband to go home to. Official or not, her heart knew the truth of their commitment. And she had enjoyed a rather pleasant visit with her family, reveling in the sight of their healthier figures and the roses that had returned to Laurel’s youthful cheeks.
I wonder if I would have enjoyed myself as thoroughly if my father had been at home?
The Baron of Doxford had been graciously absent, having taken up residence at the small cottage by the manor’s nearby lake. Mrs. Holbeck took his meals to him, and the plates returned empty, so at least Autumn knew her father was not starving, either. She might have harbored some resentment toward him, but he was still her father. In many ways, she pitied him more than she begrudged him.
It cannot be easy to have dug such a vast hole of misery and find yourself unable to claw your way out without help.
“I’m sorry for leavin’ the last load of provisions, Miss Montgomery,” Desmond said in a low voice, as he drew level with her on the winding country road. “It were daft of me. I willnae make the mistake again.”
Autumn waved his apology away. “You have no reason to be sorry. They have plenty to see them through another week, and I owe their restored health to you.” she flashed him a winning smile. “Aside from Laird MacLennan and Leighton, you have become my favorite.”
“I’m just doin’ me duty,” he replied shyly.
If it had been a different week, she might have worried a bit more. But, after checking Seashell’s saddlebags upon her arrival at the manor, she had found the generous gift that Leighton had slipped in there: a small, but fat, coin purse, to add to the income that she had gained. Within, there was enough money to see her family through a fortnight of provisions, at least.
“My sister has taken a shine to you,” Autumn teased. “She told me she waits for you at the gates and follows you to the kitchen door.”
Desmond smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. “Aye, Miss Montgomery. Truth be told, I look forward to it. She talks almost as much as ye, and I dinnae mind havin’ the silence filled after a lonely ride.”
“Are you inferring that I speak too much? Outrageous!” Autumn laughed, but he did not seem to hear. He was frowning at the road ahead and toying with his ginger braid: a gesture of anxiety if she had ever seen one. “Desmond?”
“Huh?” He blinked rapidly.
“Is something the matter? You accuse me—most unfairly, I might add—of being a chattering imp, which appears to be a sisterly trait, and yet you have been uncharacteristically quiet since we left the manor.” Her voice came out soft and soothing. “I have known you long enough to know when your mind is otherwise occupied.”
He grimaced. “I daenae ken if I should tell ye.”
“Why-ever not?”
“Ye might want us to turn around, and I’m eager to get back to the castle,” he admitted.
She sat up straighter in Seashell’s saddle. “Why would I want to turn around?”
“There was an… incident before I came to fetch ye.” He chewed on his bottom lip, as if he was still unsure if he should be telling her. “A small army was approachin’ the castle from the west. His Lairdship sounded the bells and lowered the ‘cullis. If there’s a fight ragin’ when we get there, I’m to hide ye away in one of the huntin’ huts and wait ‘til it’s safe.”
One of the other two escorting soldiers, named Willis, chimed in. “Aye, and they were nae wearin’ colors or flyin’ banners or showin’ crests. We daenae ken who they are, but ye can bet they’re…” He trailed off.
“English,” Autumn filled in the unspoken word.
