“He could have overheard talk. Cheer up, lad. And dinna take the blame unless you have to.”
Jamie picked up the board, and Niall led the way to the courtyard and pointed out the stable and gatehouse. “They should all be asleep,” Niall whispered.
“You’d best be off to bed yourself, lad. If the alarm is given, you dinna want to be found outside your own room. I just hope they won’t know I’m missing till morning.”
“I’ll no’ see you again then, will I?” Niall said regretfully.
“Nay, lad, ’tis doubtful we’ll meet again. You’re a brave one, Niall Fergusson, and no mistake. I won’t forget you.”
“And you’re a mean one, James MacKinnion,” Niall returned with a grin. “I won’t forget you, either. You wouldna have made me a good brother-in-law, but you’re a fine enemy.”
“Or perhaps a friend,” Jamie said, and tousled the boy’s dark red hair. “I meant what I said about that. But I’m off now. Truly, I hope you dinna suffer for my freedom.”
“Maybe I willna have to. As you said, The MacDonough is here and will be suspected. My sister doesna want to marry him anyway, so I’ll no’ mind if he takes the blame.”
Jamie laughed. “Always you have your sister in your thoughts. And I never even learned her name.”
“If my father didna tell you, I’ll no’ do so. Goodbye to you, and Godspeed, MacKinnion.”
Chapter 8
Sheena woke later than usual, for which she blamed her midnight search for her brother. The sun was already peeking through her tiny window as she dressed and hurried to Niall’s room. He was still abed.
It took several hard shakes to stir him, and even then he groaned but wouldn’t open his eyes. Sheena was not daunted.
“Come on now, little brother.” She shook him again.
“Och, Sheena, leave me be,” he grumbled. “I didna get much sleep.”
“I want to know why,” she said sharply, remembering her fear when she couldn’t find him in the middle of the night. “I came here last night to talk to you, but you were gone. Where were you, Niall?”
He didn’t answer. He had fallen back to sleep. Impatient, she slapped his backside, none too gently.
“Where were you, Niall?”
“I canna tell you, Sheena,” he mumbled. “Truly, you dinna want to know.”
She frowned. And then a chill raced through her. Where else would he have been that she wouldn’t want to know about but with The MacKinnion?
“Och, Niall, I pray you’re no’ found out,” she whispered, but he wasn’t listening.
She left him to his sleep. The hall was nearly empty. Only one servant was there, looking at the half-eaten breakfasts scattered over the tables. Sheena viewed the cold bannocks and barely touched bowls of porridge and cream, and her uneasy feeling deepened.
“What is going on, Alice?” she asked the servant. “Where are my father and his men?”
“’Tis what I’d like to be knowing, lass,” Alice replied testily. “There was a to-do in the courtyard, and the bailie came running in to see your father. Then everyone ran out of here.”
Sheena headed for the small courtyard, but before she reached the doors, Margaret and Elspeth stepped through them, blocking her way.
“So there you are.” Margaret took her usual disagreeable tone. “Where were you during all the fuss?”
“I only just came down,” said Sheena. “What has happened?”
“You havena heard?” Elspeth gasped. “The MacKinnion escaped. Father’s no’ said so yet, but of course The MacDonough helped him. Who else?”
“This better no’ break your betrothal, Sheena,” Margaret added coldly. “I’ll no’ stand to have my wedding delayed any longer. Nor will Gilbert.”
They left Sheena without noticing her reaction. She was standing stock-still, and her whole body tingled from a rushing of blood, as if it were flowing right out of her. Alasdair hadn’t known The MacKinnion was there, so Alasdair couldn’t have released him.Oh, Niall, Niall, what have you done? Sheena cried silently.
