Seona helped her sister sit and lean back against the large stone. At least she was heavily clothed with what appeared to be three layers of woolarisaids.
“Have they hurt you?” Seona asked.
Talia shook her head. “Naught but a few bruises from when they tossed me over a saddle.”
“How on earth did they capture you?” Seona whispered.
“I ran away… or tried to, but they grabbed me just outside the gate.” Tears dripped from her sister’s eyes. “They thought I was you for a while, until that one looked at me closer.” She glanced at Haldane.
“I’m so sorry you were dragged into this because of me.” Seona dried her sister’s tears with her cloak sleeve. “Don’t cry. Once they untie you, go to the village and hide. When you find Keegan or one of his friends, tell them where I am.”
Her dark eyes grew fierce. “I’m not leaving you alone with these barbarians.”
It touched Seona’s heart that her sister wanted to protect her. She blinked back the burning moisture that threatened to flood her eyes. “Haldane will not hurt me. He thinks he’s in love with me.”
Talia glared over Seona’s shoulder. “Come closer,” she whispered.
Seona leaned forward.
“He will force you.”
An icy frisson passed through Seona. She knew that was a possibility, but she had to get Talia away from them. None of the brutes cared a thing about Talia. They might kill her if she became a burden or merely annoyed them.
“I believe I can talk him out of it,” Seona whispered, not wanting her sister to worry. “I think he wishes to make me happy.”
“I want to be released, but I refuse to go back to the castle,” Talia said. “Father is going to make me marry the Comyn next week. He’s worse than these outlaws.”
Seona nodded, knowing ’twas most likely true. “When you’re released, hide and slip to the back of the tavern.”
“Why?”
“Keegan, Laird Rebbinglen, and their friends should be nearby. But so is Father. You will have to hide from him and his men. Keegan will help you. If we could’ve found you last night, we would’ve run away, and already be far from here.”
Talia’s eyes widened. “In truth? Keegan is stealing you away?”
“Aye, and he agreed to take you, too. But we have to escape these outlaws and Father’s men.”
“I’ll do it. I’ll hide behind the tavern and wait for you. If I can find Keegan or his friends, I’ll tell them who has taken you.”
Seona had pointed out Keegan to Talia from her window when she was locked in, days ago. They had watched him, Fraser, and Rebbie crossing the barmkin. Seona had described a few of the other men to her and the clothing they wore.
“How will you escape these madmen?” Talia asked.
“I’ll figure out something.” Seona wished she could give Talia her knife, but closely as Haldane and the men were watching, they’d notice. Besides, she might need it to escape them. Hopefully, Talia would be safe if she hid behind the tavern. Even if her father’s men found her, they would not harm her. The only dangers to Talia at the moment were Haldane and his men.
Seona stood and turned to Haldane. He moved closer to her. “I’ll go with you if you’ll untie Talia and leave her here alone, so that she can return to the safety of the village.”
He grimaced and shook his head. “I cannot do that, Lady Seona.”
Fury tore through her, but she tried to hide it. “Why not?”
“She’ll tell your father’s men, Keegan’s men, and the whole lot of them will be after us.”
“Nay, she won’t. You will keep this a secret, will you not, Talia?”
“Aye. Of course.”
Haldane tilted his head, giving Seona an amused look. “Come now, m’lady. Do not take me for a fool. Here is what I’ll do—I’ll leave her right where she is, tied up. Eventually, someone will find her. But we’ll be long gone by then.”
