Lines of strain settled across the noble’s brow. “I pray you are right.” He nodded to the guard. “Escort the captain hereimmediately.”
“Aye, my lord.” The guard hurried away.
Rónán leaned back in his chair and took a moment to collect himself as he reached for theglass of wine.
As much as he wished ’twas the reason for the pirate’s visit, he despised the chance of seeing Lathir’s hopes crushed. Many things could have guided Bran’s hasty return, including that English ships had spotted him and were giving chase. His arrival here may be naught but a frantic searchfor protection.
He longed to lay his hand over hers. With her betrothed seated beside her, not a possibility. God’s truth, he despised being unable to touch her, to hold her.
Tense silence filled the chamber, broken by the errant crackle of the firein the hearth.
“More wine, my lady?” her betrothed asked.
She shook her head. “I doubt I can drink anything until I learn Bran’s news.”
The steady tap of leather boots echoed from the corridor. Moments later, Bran entered, followedby Tighearnán.
Rónán nodded to the man, far from surprised to see the previous captain accompanying Bran. No doubt after the pirate ship had been sighted, Tighearnán had hurried to meet his friend.
Nor had Rónán missed, during their time here, how Tighearnán, and one of Lathir’s maids had shown interest in each other. Given that he’d seen the pair talking in a quiet corner of the bailey, ’twould seem that Tighearnán would find more than a wife, but a mother forÓrlaith.
Bran took another step forward.
Tighearnán halted beside his friend.
“Lord Torridan, Lord Craigshyre, Lady Lathir, Sir Rónán,” the captain said. “I come with news of import regarding Lord Sionn.”
Lathir rose to her feet. “You have found him?”
“Aye,” Bran replied, his voice gruff. “He was alive when Isaw him taken—”
At the dread in the pirate’s voice, she clenched her fists at her sides. “To where?”
Bran’s jaw tightened. “He is imprisoned at Murchadh Castle.”
Lathir gasped.
Kieran lay hishand upon hers.
She withdrew from his touch, struggling against the fear at this news of her father incarcerated within the earl of Ardgar’s stronghold. All knew of the powerful lord’s brutality. Over the years, she’d never heard of any who’d entered his dungeon emerging alive.
“Was he hurt?” she asked in a voice that trembled despite her best effortsto contain it.
The captain cleared his throat. “He had a few bruises, my lady. For the most part, he was able to walk on his own.”
For the most part? Nausea welled in her throat. No, he was alive, she would concentrate on that.
“Captain,” Lord Torridan began, “what challenges do we face in freeing Lord Sionn?”
After a look of regret at Lathir, Bran nodded to the noble. In detail, the pirate explained the defenses they’d have to overcome at Murchadh Castle, fortifications that included the arrival of a fresh contingent ofEnglish troops.
Face flushed with anger, Lord Torridan pounded his fist on the table. “Bloody upstarts. Any Irishman who joins the Sassenach is naught but a traitor! Nor will their forces joining the English help our cause.” The snap of the fire filled the silence as he scanned those within the chamber. “Given the stronghold’s cliffside location, a frontal assault could devastate our combined forces, and a siege could last months, time we dinna have. If only we knew of asecret tunnel.”
“Lord Torridan,” Rónán said, “if I can find any galloglass to speak with, as I once served within their ranks, they will inform me if any of their warriors has detailed knowledge of Murchadh Castle’s layout.”
A fresh surge of hope shot through Lathir as the room erupted into thoughtful murmurs.
“We passed an encampment of galloglass en route to Wynshire Castle,” Lord Craigshyre said.
