He nodded to the guards and descended the stairs, his mind working on a plan that would reunite Ailis with her kin. And with him. The most important thing in his mind was being able to hold her close once again.
*
Lachlan faced hisbrothers, Alisdair and Brodie, in the courtyard. “We must inform Duncan of our findings. Each moment wasted is another with Ailis still captive.”
Brodie nodded. “We must act swiftly.” He glanced up toward the tower as if trying to see through the walls.
Inside the McAfee keep, Duncan awaited their news. “Ailis remains unharmed but weary,” Lachlan reported. “She complained I should have brought her a distraction for her boredom.”
Duncan smiled. “Me daughters are the bravest lasses in all of Scotland!”
Lachlan nodded. “They are. But I do worry that she will try something dangerous if she is not rescued soon.” He sighed.“She asked me to bring her a knife so she could work on throwing them more accurately.”
“Ailis would ask for a knife. I expect nothing less from her. Patience must be our ally as we devise a cunning plan to restore her,” Duncan replied.
“Laird,” he began, “We should muster our forces and strike at Sinclair’s borders. Our combined might could create confusion to mask our true intent—liberating Ailis while their men are engaged. They have lost a great many soldiers to our swords. They would be afraid of losing more.”
Duncan considered the proposal, the weight of responsibility apparent on his face. Finally, he nodded. “Yer courage is commendable, but such an endeavor demands precision. Give us a day or two to marshal resources and devise a scheme that ensures Ailis’s return and our honor intact.”
Lachlan’s shoulders relaxed slightly as he acknowledged the laird’s decision—the promise of action pacifying his restless spirit. He stepped back, resolved for the trials ahead. “Should we call upon the McClain allies?” he asked.
Duncan shook his head. “We can handle this ourselves. Their army was never what I would call good, and they have dwindled recently in their attempts to attack us.”
*
Once again, Ianinterrupted Ailis’s thoughts as he joined her in the tower. “Have ye changed yer mind? Are ye ready to marry me and leave this tower?”
“Have ye changed yer mind? Are ye ready to let me go so more blood is not spilled? Have ye thought of how many men ye’ve already lost in this endeavor?” she countered.
“Ye are a ridiculous lass, expecting me to give up. Ye realize, all the fighting between our clans would be over if ye just would agree to this marriage.”
“Ye realize letting me go is the only way ye will get out of this predicament alive? It won’t be yer father the McAfee men go after. Twill be ye. They know ye are the one to take me. They know ye are a truly evil person. They will kill ye. Mayhap, they will even torture ye before.” She grinned. “Mayhap they will allow me to be the one to torture ye. Have ye seen me skills with a knife? I’ve never flayed a man alive, but ye make me think it would be a fun way to alleviate me boredom here.”
Ian shook his head. “Yer as stubborn as an old goat!”
She chuckled. “Mayhap I am. But ye are as stupid as one.”
She was relieved when he left the tower without another word, closing the door behind him. She smiled. She could best him in words and with a knife. And she would be rescued by the combined forces of the McClains and McAfees. Soon, she had no doubt.
*
Lachlan studied thegrand table covered in maps and missives, fingers tracing routes toward the Sinclair stronghold. Wax and wood smoke filled the air, evidence of countless strategic hours spent here.
“Here,” he muttered, touching the tower imprisoning Ailis. An involuntary smirk emerged as duty aligned with personal desire—rescuing her meant strategy and heartfelt purpose.
“Brother,” Brodie broke the silence, “we cannot delay. Striking at dawn brings surprise.”
Lachlan agreed. “Brute force won’t suffice. I’ll lead. They’ll watch for me. They’ll know we are there to rescue Ailis if I am not with the army. Well, they’ll know if we come that we’resetting about rescuing Ailis, but I think there is less chance of being recognized immediately if Brodie is the one to fetch her from the tower.”
“I’ll take to shadows,” Brodie resolved. “Retrieve Ailis unseen.”
The decision settled within Lachlan’s heart. “Yer talent for invisibility is crucial. I would prefer to rescue her meself, but it just is not possible this time.”
“Then it’s decided.” The brothers stood united in determination.
“I am glad she didn’t seem lost. She hasn’t lost any hope. That hope shall save us both,” Lachlan whispered.
Memorizing every map detail, Lachlan steeled himself for action with thoughts of rescuing Ailis from her cold prison. He would face any devil for her.
“Prepare yerself, brother,” he urged, approaching the door. “We ride at first light.”
