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The rebels could talk amongst each other in one of their houses, but they could not talk to Keira. However, they all understood why. She had become the cornerstone of their operation and was in exactly the right place to carry information to them.
However, now that she had been uncovered, it was impossible for her to meet them, even in their secret place. She could not ride into the village since she knew that she would be watched, and she could not send letters since none of them could read with the exception of Moira. However, since she went in and out of the village to see her family two or three times a week, there would be no suspicion, so Moira became their only means of communication.
As well as the letters, Keira gave her the soap bars in their linen wrapping.
“These are key molds,” she told Moira. “I will not tell you to which part of the castle they belong to in case you are intercepted. If you are, throw them away, or better still, crush them. I am sure one of the men knows someone who can make them into keys for me. They will be well rewarded.”
Moira looked at the soap bars. “Such a clever lass,” she said, smiling warmly and patting Keira’s cheek. “Nay need tae ask the men, Mistress. My son Alec will dae it for ye. He is a clever boy.”
* * *
The next day, Moira met one of the rebels and arranged a quick meeting. She read the letter to them and came back with an answer.
“The lads are restless,” she said apprehensively. “They want tae know when they can go on the mission, an’ they want tae know more about it. They are startin’ tae think yer father is goin’ tae win.”
“Over my dead body!” Keira snarled. “No, overhisdead body! I do not care if the earl is as ugly as sin. My father has no right to hold him hostage to extort money from him and his family. The earl must not reach the village.”
Keira was beginning to doubt her own ability to stop the laird. He seemed to be omnipotent, and it would only take one word from Murdoch to topple any plans she had made like a house of cards.
She saw Murdoch occasionally in the corridors, but he would turn his head away or look at the floor, and occasionally he would be conveniently involved in a deep conversation.
Keira could no longer stand the suspense, and one day when she had a blinding headache and had drunk about a gallon of willow bark tea, she decided to go outside for a walk around the castle. Usually she would have taken Moira or Adaira with her, but today she wanted solitude, to be completely alone in the middle of the trees, birds, and flowers. She wanted to empty her mind of all thoughts and lie in the grass on what had turned out to be one of the most beautiful days of the year so far.
Keira donned her oldest dress, the same one she had been wearing when Murdoch had found her in the woods practicing archery. In fact, she was heading for the same place but without her bow. She had taken a flask of ale, one of the new and rare fruits that was called an orange, and a bannock with cheese. She made her way over the bridge out of the castle, then proceeded into the shade of the trees. She was so absorbed in enjoying the dappled sunshine that she did not notice the man coming toward her until she almost bumped into him.
Her eyes opened wide with fright. “Captain,” she said as calmly as she could.
She forgot her resolution to challenge him as her courage fled, and she felt a desperate need to be away from him.
Murdoch could not believe his luck. He had wanted to speak to Keira but privately, so he had made for the little glade where she practiced her archery, hoping to find her there. However, he was disappointed to find that she was nowhere to be found. Then, as he rounded a bend in the path, he saw her. His heart skipped a beat as he watched her approaching, and the animal part of him responded at once, stiffening as he saw her.
She was walking with her usual graceful, swaying gait, but her gaze was on the ground, and she was absently kicking at leaves and pine needles as she walked, looking as though she was in a daydream. Her face looked peaceful, and he wondered what she was thinking about. Was she as troubled as he was? All at once, she looked up.
Keira had been walking along, trying to think happy thoughts, when she looked up and suddenly found herself face-to-face with Murdoch. She jumped back with a startled cry, and he took a step forward with his arms outstretched to steady her.
Then, remembering what had happened last time, he stood back and watched her regain her balance before opening his mouth to speak again.
Abruptly, Keira turned away as her courage completely deserted her, but she found her arm suddenly gripped by a large, strong hand. Its grasp was so powerful that no matter how hard she pulled, she could not free herself.
She met Murdoch’s eyes furiously.
“What do you want?” she demanded, her eyes blazing with rage.
