“But —” she started to say, but a voice behind her interrupted.
“Ye dinna have to worry. I’ll make sure the uncivilized lad returns to ye.”
Reade stepped next to Adaira and set his hand on her shoulder.
Sawny shifted upright, puffing out his chest at the broad MacDonald man. “Ye dinna have to do anything. I’ll return.”
Reade snorted. “Ye keep using that word, but I dinna think ye know what the word means, given what happened last time. I’ll no’ see my sister devastated like that again. If it takes me dragging ye out of the mouth of hell to see ye safe in her arms again, I’ll make sure that happens.”
“Och, Reade!” Adaira gushed and wrapped her arm around his waist in a side-hug.
Reade grumbled under his breath.
Sawny lifted an eyebrow at Adaira’s brother. “I thought ye did no’ like me. I thought ye believed me to be a lecher or the like.”
“Ye may well be,” Reade agreed, “but my sister seems to love ye. And if it means her happiness, then so be it.”
His tone was begrudging, but Sawny accepted the peace offering, as poor of a reflection on Sawny’s personal character as it was.
Reade’s words must have mollified her, because the fire in Adaira’s eyes burned out, and she joined her mother and sisters-by-law in preparing a midday meal.
The entire tower was on edge for the day, anticipation over the letter and bringing Kelso MacIntosh a measure of recompense weighing on everyone’s mind. Conversation was subdued and most of the men spoke in low tones as they prepared for their sunset departure. Sawny and Adaira remained close, in the hall with family, but separate, as if in a world of their own. This time together was essential for the two of them as if it would be their last. Though Sawny had assurances he would return, even he longed to stay close to Adaira. He feared even being a breath away from her for a moment might to deprive him of life.
The sun began to nestle into the trees on the horizon, and Reade and Conall approached Sawny. Conall had also gifted Sawny with a finer pair of boots, a belt, and a sword. Sawny’s gaze fell to Reade’s belt where a flintlock pistol was tucked in his belt.
Reade meant business — he had promised to return with Sawny, and the letter was at stake. Sawny would be more shocked if Seamus and Maddock did not carry pistols as well.
Sawny turned to Adaira who was blanched pale, which made the shadows in her cheeks and under her eyes darken.
“I love ye with the force of a tempest at sea, and I shall return,” he said and kissed her forehead. Then with a final hard, intense gaze, he spun and joined Reade and Conall as they walked toward the main doors.
Fiona reached Adaira as the men departed, their kilts swinging as they stepped into the gloaming. She took Adaira’s hand and sighed. Blair moved to stand on Adaira’s other side, buttressing her with their presence.
Adaira rather believed they were. It was welcome support.
“Do ye think they will retrieve the letter?” Adaira asked out loud, more to herself than to either Fiona or Blair.
Blair scoffed before resting her hand on Adaira’s upper back. “’Twould take a miracle.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
TheMacDonaldscreptthroughthe night like thieves toward Kelso MacIntosh’s keep. These furtive, covert motions were familiar and almost comforting to Sawny, especially since the last thing he wanted to do was go back into the place that had held him captive.
Leaving the horses tethered in the woods near the gate, the men slid off their steeds and vanished into the misty shadows.
They were fortunate as most of the soldiers were still reveling and drinking as night blanketed the land, and only one, poor lone MacIntosh guarded the hidden door off the kitchens. The fool stood his ground, however, even as Seamus, Reade, and Sawny approached him.
“Let us pass to the door,” Seamus demanded.
The pinch-faced soldier glared at him. “I’ll do no such thing.” He made to grab for his sword at his side.
“Reade, pull his arms off,” Seamus said without an ounce of humor.
“Och, ye mean this door?” The man swept to the side.
Reade did not pull his arms off, but he did strike the man on his head hard enough to render him senseless and unable to call for aid.
Seamus grabbed the man’s arms. “I’ll drag him away and hide him. The other men will cover ye in the keep. Sawny, find that letter.”
