Once MacFadden had his legal document and his gold and silver coins, Claybourne motioned for him to return to the castle, but MacFadden didn't budge. He'd best bring Calla out or he would pay with his life.
"I-I can lure her out to the orchard in back, but n-not outside the walls. I can let you into the orchard through the postern gate."
Claybourne narrowed his eyes. Damn the man. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
"I-I just now realized, but I have a plan."
Claybourne certainly wasn't going in there. He named three of his men standing nearby. "All of you go and bring the lady to me unharmed. Bind her hands and tie a gag in her mouth, if you must, so she doesn't scream and alert the guards. If she won't come peacefully, tell her… we have her son."
***
MacFadden unlocked the postern gate, allowedClaybourne'sthree men into the garden behind him, then closed it. He would lock it once the men left with their baggage.
After cutting a red rose from the thorny vine against the stone wall, MacFadden said, "T-two of you hide and w-wait here. And one of you come with me and wait in the kitchen," he whispered.
"You said you would bring her out here," the tall, brawny man growled and pulled his dagger.
MacFadden'sstomach dropped at the sight of the blade glinting in the moonlight. "T-t-the kitchen is empty at this hour. I-I know I can get her into the kitchen, but she may be afraid to come out here."
"Get her out here or I'll kill you," the man seethed, looking about in a wary manner.
"V-very well. W-wait here by the door, then." Damn, how MacFadden hated his stutter. If only he could calm his nerves, it wouldn't be so bad. He hastened through the warm, empty kitchen and up the stairs to the floor above and paused in the dark corridor. He allowed his breathing and heart rate to slow.
He wished to be calmer when he talked to Lady Stanbury… and gave her this rose. She was so beautiful she made him stutter, anyway. If only he could be more easy-going around women, like Laird Rebbinglen was when he'd given her the rose in the garden and kissed her.
MacFadden scraped the thorns off with his thumbnail, then sniffed the flower's heavenly scent.This is my rose, just as this is my castle.
He ground his teeth. Damn Rebbinglen and his princely attitude. Aye, his name might be on the deed as owner of the castle, but he could never love and appreciate it the way MacFadden did. He ran his hand over the ancient stone wall at his back. How helovedthis place. His ancestors had lived here for centuries. It should be his! And it would be. Excitement shot through him. He couldn't believe the opportunity which had been handed to him just as he'd feared all was lost.
In his hand, he weighed the heavy sack of coins he'd attached to his belt. Not nearly enough to buy this castle, but a start. While he didn't entirely trust Claybourne, he couldn't deny the man drove a hard bargain. Ten-thousand pounds! Aye, 'twouldsurely be enough to buy this castle from Rebbinglen, or from his father once Rebbinglen was dead byClaybourne'shand. Though 'twas a dangerous risk, MacFadden could not pass up the generous offer. Just to get the lady into their hands? 'Twouldbe an easy task.
Grinning with anticipation, he headed up the narrow spiral stairs toward the lady's chamber, stopping every few moments to listen. He sure as the devil didn't want to be caught.
Though it hadn't been easy, he'd escaped the guards Rebbinglen had set to watch him earlier during supper in the great hall. Once they'd had several tankards of ale, and were deep into telling their stories of war andwenching, MacFadden had easily slipped away using a small hidden doorway in an alcove that few knew about. He doubted even Rebbinglen kenned of it. Then he'd stolen out the postern gate using a key he'd had hidden. He'd meant to quit this place entirely and return much later, but then Claybourne and his men had captured him in the wood.
Now, to hold up his end of the bargain, he would lure the lovely lady down to the kitchen door. He didn't care what became of her. He simply wanted Tummel Castle by any means, fair or foul.
***
Calla sat by the fire, unbraiding her hair. SinceRebbie'sfriends and the other men had arrived this afternoon, she'd hardly seen Rebbie at all. Though she knew 'twas foolhardy, she wished he would come to her room tonight after everyone was asleep. She could think of little beyond their lovemaking. He was so passionate, so beautifully male and virile. His muscles, the way his powerful body moved as he was stretched over her, kissing her, driving himself to her depths. Her body heating at the memory, she blew out a sharp breath.
She buried her face in her hands. How terribly wanton she was. But she had good reason. No man had touched her for six long years, and Rebbie was the only man she'd ever wanted to touch her, anyway. He wasn't like her late husband.Rebbie'shands were warm and strong, but gentle.'Twasas if, with his fathomless eyes, he peered into her soul. Could he see how much she loved him? She hoped not.
When a soft knock sounded at her door, the rhythm of her heartbeat kicked up. It had to be Rebbie. Wearing only her smock, she rushed to the door and opened it.
MacFadden stood there.
"Oh." Alarmed, she pushed the door almost closed again and peered at him through the crack. What could he possibly want? "A good eve to you, MacFadden."
"G-good eve, m-m'lady," he stammered and gave an awkward bow. Even in the dim light of the candle he held, his deep blush was evident. "Laird R-Rebbinglen sent me."
"He did?" Why would Rebbie do that? He could hardly tolerate the man. But she did remember seeing the two talking the afternoon before, outside where the tower was being constructed.
"Aye. Y-you're probably wondering why he sent me instead of coming himself. H-he's considering hiring me as his steward. A-anyway, he requests that y-you meet him in the kitchen so that you two might take a walk in the moonlit orchard."
Frowning, she glanced at the narrow window and the darkness beyond. But she could also see the bright orb of the moon. Did Rebbie have some romantic notion of kissing her in the moonlight?
"Why?" she asked.
