Page 96 of Hold Fast

A smile twitched at the corner of Ewan’s mouth. Not because there was anything remotely funny about the situation, but because Una had never been governable a day in her life, and, for the first time, he allowed himself to imagine their child being just as wild, just as stubborn.

They mounted their horses and turned to go back the way they’d come when Fergus grabbed Calman’s reins.

“Wait! I’m coming with you!”

“Nay,” Ewan said, taking the old man’s hand and holding it tight. “They dinnae have any idea that we ken where she is. If you disappear, someone might suspect you came to find me. We need surprise on our side. Stay put and keep an eye out, Fergus. Gather what information you can, but for God’s sake, man, be discreet.”

Fergus nodded wildly before turning and limping back from whence he’d come. Before he left the clearing, he stopped and turned to look at Ewan. “M’laird…” he croaked, his voice cracking, “I ken that I havenae been the best father to her. But I only wanted her to be taken care of. Surely you ken that. And you… you love her, m’laird.” It wasn’t a question.

“Aye,” Ewan said. “I do.” He’d never spoken the words aloud, never told her. But they were true all the same.

“Well, at least we’ve got that on our side,” Fergus said with a half-smile as he plodded away.

Ewan watched him go, his heart clenching in his chest. He jumped when David laid a hand on his shoulder. “Come, Ewan. We have quick work to do.”

As they rode, they talked quietly about how many men-at-arms Ewan could call on such short notice, what supplies they would need, and how they could get within range of the Cameron keep without causing an alarm. Two days was a long time, and a great many things could happen before he could return to stage a rescue.

But he couldn’t let himself think about those many things. He had to keep his mind focused on the plan. They would save her. He would leave the Cameron keep with her in his arms, or he would die trying. He closed his eyes and prayed for the first time since Connor’s injury. He prayed to a God that he did not really know to keep Una safe, to watch over her, and to give her the strength to survive whatever lay in store.

And for God’s sake, Una, dinnae do anything rash.

CHAPTER42

The courtyard was empty as the Cameron contingent rode in. Giffard swung down off his black destrier and, more gently than Una had expected, lifted her off. He did, however, let his hands linger overlong on her ribs. When she slapped them away, he smiled. It was a slippery, leering smile.

Tossing his reins to a groom, Giffard walked toward the steps of the keep. When Una did not follow, another of Cameron’s men—barely older than a boy—grabbed her arm and pulled her in Giffard’s wake. As they entered the keep, Una saw the housekeeper, Maddie, standing in the shadows. Her heart leapt at seeing her old friend. Maddie flew to her side.

“Una! You must be frozen solid! We must get this damp cloak off of you and get you warm!” She clucked loudly, making a very physical display of removing Una’s outer garments.

Maddie drew away from Una, her smile wide, and said brightly, “There! The laird isnae yet back, but I’ll show you to your chamber.” Her eyes were sharp and keen, locking on Una’s when she spoke. Una nodded. “I believe we can take it from here, lads,” Maddie continued, leading Una further into the keep, but the soldier did not leave. Rather, he followed them.

Maddie reached out and snatched her hand, chafing it between her own as they walked. Una savored the contact, bolstered by it. She was not completely without friends in this place. Una’s feet felt heavier as they wound their way up the keep’s tower to the chamber she had occupied for a year. Maddie opened the heavy door and ushered Una inside before turning to the soldier who made as if he would follow them in.

“I’m going to get her out of this wet gown. Surely you dinnae plan to be in the room for that?” Maddie asked with a high-quirked eyebrow. “I cannae imagine the laird appreciating that.”

The young man scowled but nodded, and Maddie slammed the door in his face. He would stand just outside the door, of this Una had no doubt, but if they were quiet, perhaps she could speak with Maddie. The housekeeper bustled about the small chamber, pulling a shift out of a trunk under the window and stoking the fire.

“Blair sent a man to tell the laird that Giffard was escorting you. I had the boys lay a fire in here so that it would be warm for you.” She held a finger to her lips before continuing to scurry from place to place in the room, chattering loudly but meaninglessly. “Verra well, lass, I see you dinnae feel like talking to me. Let’s just get you dry and warm.”

Una could barely hear Maddie’s whisper in her ear. “Saints, lass. You shouldnae have come back.”

Just as quietly, Una replied, “I didnae want to. Giffard took me.”

“Where were ye that that devil could do such a thing?” Maddie hissed.

Una swallowed. “I was—am—handfasted to Laird MacDonald. I was walking in the woods beyond his keep. Giffard was watching, it seems.”

“And he stole you away?”

“Aye.”

Maddie was quiet for a moment as she began to peel the damp layers away from Una’s body, her eyes returning time and again to Una’s rounded belly.

“Cameron is at least a day’s ride away. Perhaps your man will come? ’Tis nae so far to MacDonald land, is it?”

The tears fell in earnest now, fat, heavy drops that cascaded down Una’s cheeks. “He doesnae ken where I am.”

Maddie sighed and cocked her head to the side, biting her lips between her teeth. “Och, Una. I dinnae ken what Cameron has planned for you, but I fear for you, lass. I will do what I can to get a message out, but it will be difficult.”