Jamie straightened from his crouched position. “I think I’d like to see the lass who warrants such devotion.”
“Nay!” Niall panicked and held on to Jamie’s arm for dear life. “She’ll scream if she sees you. She’ll give you away ’afore you even reach the courtyard. You’ll be trapped down here, and without a weapon.”
“I suppose,” Jamie relented. “And now that you mention a weapon, I’ll be needing one.”
“I’ll no’ help you there, MacKinnion. ’Twould be helping you kill my kin. That I canna do.”
“Aye, you’ve done enough. I’ll make do.” Jamie had seen a board he could make use of once the way was clear to mount the stairs.
But the light on the stairs was still there. The girl didn’t call again, however, and after several moments, the light dimmed, but only a little. Then there was another voice at the top of the stairs, and Jamie steeled himself.
“What do you here at this hour?”
Jamie heard Niall groan.
“And who is that?”
“My cousin William.”
“Will he come down here?”
“I dinna know. Shh!”
“Well, cousin?” The man spoke again.
“I was…’tis none of your affair, Willie!” the girl snapped.
“Gone down for a peek at your future husband, eh?” William chuckled.
“I’d no’ go near him, and you know it well.”
“No,” William conceded, but added spitefully, “you’ll be seeing him soon enough—when you wed him.”
“You’re a bastard, and no mistake, William MacAfee!” the girl hissed. “Let me pass.”
“You still didna answer. What were you doing out here?” William’s tone was sharp.
“I couldna sleep. I went for a walk.”
“Sure you werena trysting with MacDonough ’afore the betrothal’s broken?”
“If I was, that is none of your affair! Many things are none of your affair!”
The light moved away, but it was several minutes before the man’s footsteps moved away, as well. “Your sister doesna like her cousin, eh?”
“Nor do I,” Niall replied bitterly. “’Twas his idea she be given to you, and forspite. He wanted her for himself, you see, but she wouldna have him. The arrangement with you was only for spite.”
“And The MacDonough’s here? Your cousin said she might be trysting with him. Would she?”
“She wouldna do that!” Niall replied indignantly. “She doesna even know her betrothed. But aye, he’s here. He came this evening.”
“You know I have a treaty with Sir Alasdair,” Jamie chuckled. “If he’s here, he’ll no doubt be blamed for setting me free.”
“You think so?” Niall asked, hopeful for the first time.
“Aye. Your father would naturally suspect a MacDonough ’afore a Fergusson.”
“But The MacDonough doesna know you’re here.”
