“’Tis a matter of life and death.”
Both maids nodded, their faces growing even paler.
Seona covered her head with her plaidarisaid, hurried along the corridor and down the back stairs to the kitchen, trying to keep her footsteps silent.
Laird Rebbinglen waited there, holding a long black cloak. “Here, put this on and no one will recognize you.”
“Where is he?” she asked, as he pulled the deep cowl over her head.
“’Tis a secret. Come. We must be quiet but quick.” He offered his arm, then opened the door.
Because she trusted Rebbie almost as much as she trusted Keegan, she took his elbow.
At a near trot, Rebbie escorted her along the side of the castle and across the cobblestone barmkin. The only illumination came from two torches secured to the stone walls. When he didn’t take her to the stables, she truly wondered where Keegan was.
She considered telling Rebbie about her sister, but she’d rather talk to Keegan about it first. Besides, it would take a while for the maids to find Talia.
Where were the Murray guards? Seona glanced around. All the men nearby appeared to be MacKays or MacKenzies.
Rebbie opened the small iron postern gate and rushed her through. Fraser sat on his horse just outside.
Rebbie quickly lifted her up onto the pillion behind Fraser. “Have a care.”
“I thank you,” Seona said.
Fraser kneed the horse forward at a slow and silent pace. Four other men… guards… rode at a distance, two in front and two behind.
“Where are the Murray guards?” she whispered.
“We gifted them with three large jugs of whisky infused with poppy. They are all near passed out with drunkenness in the stables.” The smile was evident in Fraser’s voice. He walked the horse forward, taking his time so as to not create much noise. Less than a quarter hour later, they entered the village.
Fraser stopped in front of the tavern and someone strode from the shadows, their moonlit silhouette familiar.
“Keegan?” she whispered.
“Aye.” He reached up and helped her dismount. “Did you not bring extra clothing?”
“Nay.” She grasped onto the plaid at his chest. “I cannot run away tonight. I must bring my sister.”
“This will be our only opportunity,” he said, his voice urgent. “’Twill be impossible to slip you out again. Why did you not bring her?”
“I wanted to, but I couldn’t find her.”
“Saints,” he hissed.
“We must talk,” she said.
“Come.” Keegan led her toward the tavern door.
“I’ll wait out here,” Fraser said, then dismounted and moved into the shadows.
“I thank you,” Keegan said, opening the door.
Seona had never been into a tavern before, but she supposed it would be a sheltered location where she and Keegan could talk. She had to explain to him why it was so important that she bring her sister.
They entered the dim building, and if anyone was drinking in the tavern at this late hour, she didn’t see or hear them. A lantern or candle burned somewhere off to her right providing a bit of illumination.
They climbed the rickety old steps to the next floor. Keegan opened one of the doors and drew her inside the warm room.
