Chapter Twenty-One
On the horse, Elspeth sat in front of Cyrus, his strong arm wrapped tightly around her. Despite the danger, she felt safer than she ever had. She couldn't believe a man as prominent as an earl had invaded an enemy castle and rescued her, unaided. 'Twas madness. The very idea that he might care so much about her that he would risk his life astounded her. He must have fought a dozen men to get to her in the castle. His generosity and selflessness warmed her heart.
She'd recognized his deep voice the instant he'd said her name, right before the whirlwind of him tossing her over his shoulder and kicking men aside. Though his actions had been brusque, he had not hurt her in the least. Physically and emotionally, he was a hard man, yet he always touched her in a gentle manner.
As they traveled along the dark road, she heard more than just their mount's hooves striking the hard-packed ground. Thunder rumbled overhead and, from a distance, the alarming staccato of galloping horses escalated.
Heart thudding hard, she turned her head. "Horses are approaching behind us."
"Aye. They're following." Cyrus guided the horse off the road into the cover of a small wood by a stream.
Moments later, three horses galloped by.
Thankful they hadn't been spotted, she drew in a deep breath. "If that's him, his force has certainly shrunk."
"He probably sent those three men after us but kept a few with him. Wish I could've disabled more of them." Cyrus dismounted, then lifted her to the ground. He led the horse to the burn to drink. "If they catch our trail, they could follow us to Greymont. 'Tis the last thing I want. They'll likely check Darby Hall first. I need to hide you until we lose them." He glanced up toward the flash of lightning. "And we need to find shelter until this storm passes."
She thought of the cellars underneath her buildings. "I know of a place nearby."
"Where?"
"In town. We're close enough to walk."
He gathered his clothing, along with his bow and quiver full of arrows.
After leaving the borrowed horse untethered by the water and a fresh patch of grass, they slipped through the wood toward the road. When they paused to listen, she heard only thunder and wind riffling through the leaves. Once they were on the road, lightning flashed, the wind blew the cowl off her head and a few large raindrops plopped against her face.
"Let's hurry. I don't want you to get drenched." He took her hand, and they rushed past the first buildings lining the streets. "I hope the others arrived at Greymont before this gale."
"Indeed." After dragging the cowl over her head again, Elspeth led the way along the town's near-deserted back allies until they reached the cellar door underneath her dressmaking shop. Feeling in the hidden pocket in her underskirts, she found the small ring of keys. Thank the saints Henry hadn't heard them jingling and confiscated them.
"This is the cellar of my dress shop." She slid the large key into the lock and turned.
"He will surely search here next."
"'Tis true, but I have a plan." They entered the dark cellar and she locked the door. Lightning flickered through the narrow window over the door. After lighting a candle with a flint and setting it on the dusty table, she went to an old cupboard. "Help me move this."
"I'll do it." He strode forward. "You're probably weak from hunger."
"Nay, I'm well." The action had invigorated her. Plus, being with Cyrus always made her feel exhilarated. "Let's slide it to the left."
They dragged the heavy piece of furniture aside enough to expose an ancient scarred door. "This leads to the cellar of the tavern next door. I like to keep it blocked."
"I hear no revelry going on up there. Just the thunder."
"'Tis quieter during the week." After opening the door, she retrieved the candle and carried it into the neighboring cellar. "The owner, Master Brown, stores his excess wine and grain down here. He's the friendly sort and won't mind if we stay here a short while. Best of all, Henry won't have any inkling where we are if you can manage to drag that cupboard back over the doorway to conceal it."
"I will in a few minutes. I want to make sure this place is secure first."
Elspeth deposited the candle on a dusty barrel. "How long do you think we'll have to remain here?"
"Until the morn. By then, the storm should've passed and the MacKenzie reinforcements should arrive in the area. That is… if Norval can travel quickly and avoid any attacks. This storm may slow him down." Cyrus glanced away, scowling.
A pang of guilt struck her. "I regret putting you and your men in so much danger."
"Do not fash yourself over it. They've been through many battles. 'Tis what I pay them for."
She thought of MacNeil and Irving and how they'd disappeared. Were they dead in the wood somewhere? Then there was Hubert, who'd been killed in the attack at Darby. He'd had no inkling he would die this day. Did he have a wife? Children? "Hubert lost his life. Possibly MacNeil and Irving, too." Tears burned her eyes. "I'll never be able to forgive myself."
