Page 8 of Redemption

“Ye called, Lady MacLeod?” the older boy asked.

Lady MacLeod?Helena’s heart pounded. Gwen was—

Helena’s knees weakened.

“Laird MacLeod will be returning from the fields soon,” Gwen told the boy. “Ye and your brother fetch the tub and deliver it to his chambers.”

“Aye, my lady. Right away,” the boy replied, and disappeared back into the kitchen.

Helena could scarcely believe it. Lady MacLeod. Gwen had not only married, but had married the MacLeod laird.

How could a woman like Gwendolyn find a normal life? Helena’s heart twisted. To believe that this world would ever offer her anything so wonderful was like believing she could polish stones and turn them into gold. God only knew what Gwendolyn had done to achieve her place in Laird MacLeod’s life. She’d likely done something just as despicable as Helena was about to do.

Helena whirled and hurried across the small foyer, then up the stairs. She climbed to the third floor, then set the basket on the floor, and continued down the hallway to the far end of the wing. The distance between the small torches grew and she pulled a torch from the holder before she turned the bend. Her heart pounded. Up ahead, in the shadowed end of the hallway, a large oak door came into view. She quickened her pace. If the map was correct, this was the laird’s treasure room. She reached the door and tried the handle. As expected, locked. Laird MacLeod was no fool.

She slid the torch into the holder to the right of the door and quickly took the lock picks from the hidden pocket in the cloak. In seconds, the lock clicked open. Helena eased open the heavy door and peeked inside. As hoped, the room was vacant. She slid the lock picks back into her pocket, then grabbed the torch and slipped inside, pulling the door closed behind her.

Helena scanned the room. A large wood wardrobe stood against the left wall. Swords, axes and spears leaned against the walls. One jeweled dagger gleamed amongst a pile of furs. She put the torch in a holder near the door, then began her search. No luck with the wardrobe or the small desk in the corner. A chest sat at the far end of the room. Could it really be that simple? Kneeling beside it, Helena lifted the lid. Inside lay a single object wrapped in the MacLeod plaid and tied tightly with red satin ribbon. She lifted the tartan-wrapped object from the box and plucked at the knot until the ribbon loosened. With a deep breath, Helena unfolded the plaid and stared down at the shimmering yellow silk.

Her heart leapt. I found it.

She held in her hands the legendary MacLeod Faery Flag. Did the flag truly offer protection and hold magic as legend said? Malcolm thought so, which was why he ordered her to steal it for him. For Helena, the flag represented freedom.