AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Marianne could not let Amelia marry Donald. It was outright preposterous. The man was an absolute scoundrel! If she had still be alive, he’d sell his own mother if it gave him the chance to win over the lands and power of the Kinnaird. She had to do something. She crept from the room to the hook in the hallway on which hung two plaids. She donned them both for extra warmth and put on a pair of boots that Sophie had left in front of the door. The evening could be both wet and cold. She had told Sophie earlier in the evening to let Amelia know she would meet her at the church, but that she was doing something to help her prepare.
She slowly walked toward the door and pushed it open, hoping that it wouldn’t make a sound. She knew Amelia would not let her do such a task, but this had gone on long enough. It was time for Jamie and Amelia to be together, and if the two of them weren’t willing to do what was necessary, then the rest of them would have to help. She could not let someone else fall under the thumb of a power-hungry man.
She walked out into the cold, stark night, stars sparkling in the night sky. Marianne closed the door and wrapped the plaids further around her, covering her head as well. She could make the journey; it would not be a problem. If she could only find the castle lights of Kinnaird castle, then maybe she could even run towards her destination.
She began to walk briskly in the general direction of the castle. It was not a difficult path in the daytime, when the sun shone through the mists, but in the dark, it was nigh impossible. But she carried on, for there was no time to lose. Soon, Donald would have Amelia in his clutches, perhaps forever.
Marianne’s boots made soft sounds on the wet ground as she moved as quickly as she could, the stars her only light. She hoped torches would be lit around the castle to guide her way. All she needed to do was get to Jamie and explain what Amelia was about to do, and he would go dashing after her. Maybe he wouldn’t be there since he’d fled after he discovered the truth, but she had to try. Wouldn’t he want to run after Amelia? That was how it happened in romantic and heroic stories.
Marianne paused.Maybe he would not want to do so? Maybe he would still be angry and want to be rid of her forever, even send her into the hands of his evil cousin?
Marianne shook her head,No, no, Jamie would go after her.She shivered with the cold and pulled the plaids tighter around her. She heard the howling of a wolf in the cold distance, and it quickened her pace. She walked and walked. But, she realized, the shapes on the moors were only dark shadows. She could not see where her next steps lay. She endeavored to remain straight for what felt like a long time, until she saw a light flicker in the far distance. Could it be the castle?
Thank Heavens, that someone was awake at this hour and had lit the torches and the lamps! She raced forward, clutching her skirts in her hand, trying to get there as soon as possible, frustrated at the slow nearing of the castle in her vision. But it eventually appeared, her breath rasping against the silence of the evening, and she found herself against the cold metal of the outside gate.Blast!She shook it, but it would not move.Donald surely wanted to fortify his new home after he stole the lairdship.
She gave it a final tug in anger, and then smelled the faint hint of pipe smoke. “Aye, lass, and what do we have here?” She turned to see William in the glow of torchlight, smoking innocently beside her.
