Page 35 of The Beast of the Highlands
“Aye, Desmond.” Flynn moved toward Seashell and lifted his arms to help Autumn down from the saddle.
Desmond shot a pointed look at his fellow escorts. “Ye heard His Lairdship. I want ye to swear on yer mas that ye’ll nae breathe a word about Miss Montgomery. As far as anyone will be concerned, she stayed at her manor.” He jabbed a finger at them. “If I hear anythin’ elsespreadin’ through the castle, I’ll ken there are only two people responsible.”
Willis put up his hands in surrender. “I willnae say aught!”
“Nor will I.” Natters bowed his head to Autumn and took hold of Seashell’s reins as she slid into Flynn’s arms.
That done, the three soldiers ventured onward to the portcullis, leaving Flynn and Autumn alone on the edge of the forest. She had hoped to see relief and excitement upon his face, but there was nothing but a blank, resigned sadness. Even being held in his arms like this did not feel safe, as it had done before, as though he might be forced to drop her.
“What is happening, Flynn?” Autumn urged, feeling like the only one who was missing vital information.
Flynn swallowed loudly. “I’ll explain it all to ye later, but I’ve to get ye to yer chambers without anyone seein’ ye first.” He set her down and took hold of her hand. “Come on, lass. There isnae time to lose.”
* * *
Filthy and sopping wet after following Flynn through a network of underground tunnels, reached through a concealed hatch at the base of the outer castle walls, Autumn had given up trying to get her beloved to speak. Many of the tunnels had been half filled with collected rainwater, and goodness knows what else, and now she was shivering and cold and dirty and miserable. Moreover, she had no idea why she was being put through such an unpleasant ordeal.
Her shoes squelched and slipped as she headed up a seemingly endless stairwell, which coiled around and around to an unknown destination. At first, she had wondered if the enemy were surrounding the castle, but Desmond and his men had gone straight through the portcullis, so that could not be it.
“Please, Flynn,” she tried one last time. “What is happening?”
Flynn glanced back at her. “I’ll tell ye soon, lass.” His eyes shimmered with misery. “Nae much longer.”
Sinking back into confused silence, Autumn continued to follow him up the stairwell, leaving a trail of water in her wake.
Has there been a complaint? Does his clan want me gone? Am I to be cast out, after I have only just committed myself to him?
Finally, they reached a doorway in the cold stone. Flynn opened it with a key around his neck and poked his head out, scouring whatever lay beyond. Apparently satisfied that the way was clear, he led Autumn out into a familiar hallway. Her bedchamber was only a few doors away, and she could not wait to be within its sanctuary. Not least because she needed to get out of her wet garments.
Perhaps you will aid me, my love?She allowed herself to smile at the prospect.
At her bedchamber door, Flynn ushered her ahead of him while he glanced nervously up and down the hallway. Taking the lead, Autumn turned the iron ring that served as a handle and stepped inside.
“Oh!” she cried out in alarm, coming to a dead halt. Indeed, she stopped so suddenly that Flynn almost crashed into her back.
Someone had invaded her private domain. And that someone was perched on the edge of Autumn’s bed, twirling a strand of brittle brown hair around her forefinger, and scowling up at Autumn with fierce, furious brown eyes.
“I thought ye might find yer way here. As ye can see, I’ve been waitin’, though it’s terribly rude to keep yer betters waitin’,” the young woman spat, as another figure emerged from the corner of the room.
“Mary?” Autumn said, not understanding. But the old woman would not meet her eyes.
The young, angry woman stood sharply. “Nay, that isnae my name—but I think ye already ken who I am, don’t ye?”
“I… I am afraid I d-do not,” Autumn stammered, looking back at Flynn for help. All the color had drained from his face and, in that moment, she knew precisely who had invaded her bedchamber: Keira Cranach, the daughter of Laird Dunn… and Flynn’s betrothed.
23
Recovering from the shock of seeing the uninvited young woman sitting upon Autumn’s bed, Flynn stepped out from behind his true beloved, and put himself between her and Keira.
“What are ye doin’, Keira?” he barked. “Ye’ve nae right to be in this chamber. Ye’re a guest in this castle, and ye’ll behave accordingly.”
Keira smirked. “A guest? Come now, that isnae true. I am far more than that, and I thought it wise to survey my new residence. Soon enough, this castle will be my home. What is the harm in makin’ sure there are nae rats burrowin’ into the walls?”
Fury sparked through Flynn’s chest, but he had to be diplomatic for Autumn’s sake. If he aggravated Keira further, there was no telling what she might do to the woman he loved. This spiky shrew would not accept anyone threatening her position as the future Lady MacLennan.
“Ye ought to be in the feastin’ hall,” he said, instead of the torrent of vitriol he would have preferred. “Me cooks have gone to great efforts at short notice. If ye’d informed me of yer arrival sooner, I could’ve had them prepare somethin’ more resplendent.”
Nae that ye deserve a scrap of it.
