“That’s not what happened!” she said. “Deryn offered to take me back to the arch, that’s all. But it didn’t work. The arch wouldn’t take us back to our time.”
“Of course it didnae! Do ye think I would be stupid enough to leave it open?”
“How was I to know that? I had just learned I’d traveled through time! Wouldn’t you have been a little freaked out if that had happened to you? Do you think you would be thinking perfectly rationally? And besides, none of this would have happened if you hadn’t kidnapped Rory in the first place!”
“I wouldnae have had to do that ifyehad replied to my letters and agreed to meet me!”
She held out her hands placatingly. “Look, I think we have both got off on the wrong foot here. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just want what’s best for Rory. Don’t you?”
“Of course,” he said smoothly. “The welfare of my son is my first priority.”
He sounded so sincere that anyone who didn’t know him would have believed every word. He was every inch the concerned father, wanting to protect his child. But Maddy knew better. He didn’t care about Rory. He just wanted to use him.
She forced an apologetic smile. “So we agree on one thing at least. Maybe we can build on that and learn to trust each other?”
The words made her squirm inside, but she let none of her discomfort show on her face. She faced him squarely, hoping her act was convincing. He had wanted to marry her, hadn’t he? She had to hope some of that sentiment remained.
He narrowed his eyes. “Perhaps.” Raising his chin, he bellowed for a guard. The door opened and a guard stuck his head in.
“Aye, my lord?”
“Bring the boy.”
The guard nodded and left.
“Perhaps in time, I will learn to trust ye, Madeleine,” Rodric continued. “But until then, ye willnae leave yer room. Is that clear?”
She nodded. Well, it was better than being thrown into the dungeon.
The door banged open and a familiar voice cried, “Mama! Mama!”
She spun as Rory came hurtling towards her. With a cry, she swept him up into a tight embrace.
“Rory! Thank God! Let me look at you.” She pushed him to arm’s length and looked him up and down. He was wearing expensive-looking clothes trimmed with fur and the MacKay plaid over the top. His hair had been freshly brushed and his cheeks were rosy. He looked none the worse for his ordeal.
“Are you all right, sweetie?” Maddy asked. “You’re not hurt?”
Rory shook his head. “Papa has some puppies!” he cried. “And he says I can have one if I’m a good boy.”
“Aye,” Rodric said, standing. “And I’ll even show ye how to train it. It’s past time the lad learned how to hunt.”
Learn how to hunt?Maddy thought.He’s not learning anything from you. If all goes to plan, this time tomorrow, he’ll be out of your reach.
But she just nodded and squeezed Rory again, despite his protests.
MADDY SAT BY THE WINDOWand stared out. She was back in the same room she’d been put in on her first visit to Torryn Keep, the only difference being that Rory was no longer sharing the room with her. Instead, he had a room on the same corridor as Rodric.
After being allowed to spend little more than ten minutes with her son, he’d been bundled off by some serving woman and Rodric had instructed his guards to bring her here. They had promptly locked the door, only opening it again to bring in a tray of food which lay untouched on the table.
Outside, dark was falling and she couldn’t stop her thoughts straying to Deryn and the others. Were they in position? Would their plan work? Would they be able to find the drain? Would she be able to sneak through the kitchen to let them in? Would, would, would...
Ah, heck.
From her window she could see the little garden with the standing stones where Deryn had found them when he’d come to help them escape. There was an unusual amount of activity going on inside. A group of people were milling around, fixing long poles into the ground.
Maddy frowned. What were they doing? And why now, when it was getting dark?
She began chewing her thumbnail and tapping her foot impatiently. She must not move too soon. She had to be sure that the castle’s inhabitants would be asleep when she did.
