Page 31 of Highland Treasure (Highland Brides 9)

Rory, however, didn’t seem to care about that. He was looking amazed as he asked, “How did this Elizabeth woman ken it must be about Elysande? Who is she?”

“The draper’s wife,” Elysande explained, and he whirled on her with shock.

“Ye told the draper’s wife about de Buci when ye stopped there fer plaids?” he asked with disbelief.

“She was very kind,” Elysande said apologetically. “And very upset about my face. She assumed your men had done it, and I could not have her thinking that when you are all risking yourselves to aid me.”

“So ye told her everything?” he asked, his voice raising.

“Elizabeth is a faithful subject to our king,” Elysande said firmly, aware that Mildrede was nodding in agreement beside her. “She has a portrait of him in her shop for all to see. And,” she added firmly when he opened his mouth as if to respond, “she has proven she is loyal by coming to warn us, has she not?”

Rory blinked at that, and then scowled, tossed the rolled-up fur to Simon and stomped into his horse’s stall to quickly saddle his horse. As he then hooked her bags to his pommel, he asked, “Did she mention if they kept the portcullis up, or closed it again, Mildrede?”

“She said they left it up,” Mildrede said at once. “She said the snow has melted enough that the roads are clear and they expect a lot of people coming and going so didn’t bother closing it.”

“Good,” Rory said grimly as he finished saddling his mount.

“Why is that good?” Elysande asked as she watched him.

“Because with the soldier out in front of the alehouse, we are going to have to charge out of here at speed and straight out the gates.” He grimaced and then added, “And pray to God they’ve been riding all night, have exhausted their horses and our well-rested horses can outrun them and leave them behind quickly.”

“But Robbie should be along any minute to lead you out the back gate so you needn’t risk the front,” Mildrede said with a frown.

Rory froze at those words and turned narrowed eyes on Mildrede. “Who’s Robbie?”

Mildrede took a nervous step back from the fury in his gaze, but said, “The blacksmith.”

Rory nodded slowly, repeatedly, and then whirled on Elysande and snapped, “Is there anyone in this godforsaken city that ye’ve no’ told about de Buci?”

When Elysande’s jaw dropped at his show of temper, it was Conn who stepped forward and pointed out quietly, “She could not have told the blacksmith. We have not gone to the blacksmith’s since reaching Carlisle, and she has not been out of my sight since we arrived.”

When Rory merely closed his eyes and dropped his head briefly, muttering, “Right,” Elysande snapped her mouth closed and glared at him.

It was Mildrede who stepped forward and said, “I’m the one who told the blacksmith. In fact, I told several shop owners that I considered trustworthy about Lady Elysande’s situation.” She emphasized Lady Elysande as if to say he had no right to be angry about it. Chin lifting, she added, “And I did so because I was worried about just such a situation as this. I thought it might be best to have some people watching out for any English soldiers who might arrive looking for her, and it appears I was right to be worried. Thank goodness Elizabeth spotted them and came to warn me. Had the soldiers arrived first and not been able to rouse us from our beds, they would not have simply come inside and shaken me awake as Elizabeth did. I’m sure they would have simply walked around back to check the stables for horses ere moving on to the next alehouse or inn. And had they done that, they’d have caught you all sleeping.”

Rory stood silent for a moment, and then nodded and raised his head. “Ye’re right, o’ course. I beg yer pardon fer snapping.” His gaze slid to Elysande as if to include her in the apology. When she continued to glare at him unappeased, he shifted uncomfortably, and then turned back to Mildrede with a sigh. “Ye mentioned this Robbie coming to fetch us to take us out the back gate?” he asked. “Is it behind the stables?”

When Mildrede appeared confused by the question, Rory suggested, “If so, mayhap we should wait fer him there. Just in case the soldiers decide to bring their horses back here and stable them while they search on foot,” he added.

“Nay.” Mildrede shook her head and said, “I mean, aye, there is a gate to the alley behind the stables. But Robbie is to lead ye to the gate at the back o’ the city using the back streets. ’Tis just before the castle.”

Elysande noted the way Rory glanced to Conn, who frowned briefly before admitting, “I’ve ne’er heard o’ such a gate.”

“Well, ’tis hardly information we bandy about,” Mildrede said dryly. “And we’d certainly not be telling Scots, when ’tis there for the women and children to slip out through should the Scots invade. In fact, Robbie and the others were reluctant to let you know about it now, but I convinced them ’twas for the greater good if it saved the king. And I assured him that Lady Elysande would not let you reveal it to anyone else,” she added, and then clutching Elysande’s hand she asked anxiously, “You’ll make sure they don’t tell anyone, won’t you?”

Before Elysande could respond, Rory said, “We vow on our lives that none o’ us here today will reveal the presence of a back gate to Carlisle.”

When Mildrede nodded, but still looked anxious, Elysande suggested, “If ’twould make you more comfortable, we could always have Rory and his men go out the front while Robbie leads Tom, Simon and I out the back. De Buci’s men should not be interested in a group of Scots on their own. ’Tis me they are looking for,” she pointed out. “And once outside the wall we could wait for them in the woods and go from there.”

“Oh.” Mildrede brightened at the suggestion. “That would be perfect.”

“Nay,” Rory said at once, scowling at Elysande for the suggestion. “How can I guard ye if I’m no’ with ye?”

Elysande scowled right back, but did say, “Fine, then the others can leave Carlisle through the front gate, and you can come with us. Blindfolded.”

Rory’s mouth opened, closed, and then he growled, “I canno’ guard ye blind either.”

Elysande nodded easily, but asked, “Are there hidden gates or secret passages into Buchanan castle?”

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