"I know not. 'Haps we should find out," the man said.
Thank the saints! Though her heart pounded with tension, Kristina gave a hint of a friendly smile, while also trying to hide the scarred part of her face. A chair scraped across the floor.
"Chief MacCromar, what the devil are you doing all the way out here?" 'Twas the aristocratic man's voice. He knew Blackburn? Nay!
"Chief and Lady Graham, good to see you."
Kristina's hopes fell further and further as she listened to the jovial exchange between the two men.
"Are you well, lass?" Lady Graham asked from what sounded like two feet away.
She faced the woman and shook her head.
"Are you alone? Who are you?"
"Lady Kristina MacQueen." Could she ask this woman for help? Obviously her husband was friends with Blackburn, so likely she would get no help from that quarter. Still, she had to try. She lowered her voice. "I've been taken hostage."
"What?" the woman asked from a closer distance.
"I see you've met my ward," Blackburn announced and moved in behind Kristina's bench. "My sister-in-law. She's a pitiful little thing, but sweet."
Bastard! Kristina wanted no one's pity.
"Good heavens, what happened to her face?" Lady Graham asked.
Kristina narrowed her eyes, wanting to tell her the blackguard behind her had done the deed.
"She got injured in the midst of battle a couple of years ago. Blinded, too. Poor lass," Blackburn said in a grave tone.
What a liar.
Blackburn laid a hand on her shoulder, gripping it too tightly. "We've located my wife and are going now to rescue her and bring her home."
"Oh, that is good news. Your wife disappeared some time ago, did she not?" Laird Graham asked.
"Indeed. Abducted by brigands. Thank the saints, she's fine. We shall have a happy reunion and all will be well."
Blackburn gave her shoulder one final squeeze, then the two men walked away talking. The lady said not another word to her, although Kristina couldn't tell where she'd gone. Blast! Her one and only opportunity to escape was gone.
"Here you are, m'lady," Ralston said. "Roasted venison, cheese, bread and ale. And a napkin for you. I noticed you didn't have a knife so I've already cut up the meat for you."
Her throat tightened and she almost burst into tears, but finally managed to speak. "I thank you for your kindness." He was indeed thoughtful to cut the meat and provide her a napkin, for she often dropped food or made messes.
"My pleasure." Ralston sat down on the opposite side of the table.
After they ate for a few moments, footsteps approached.
"What do you think you're doing?" Red Holme's insidious voice demanded.
A frisson of fear chilled her. Was he talking to her?
"Go eat over there, Ralston. I'm eating with the lady."
"The chief asked me to guard her," Ralston growled.
"I'm your commanding officer and I'm ordering you to eat over there!"
Bastard! Would he not even allow her to eat in peace?
