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“Then why should I do it?”
“Because if you don’t, I’ll call MacDuff and he’ll find a way to make your life very uncomfortable here. And I’ll let Palik know that I don’t want you near me and won’t permit you on the property to do what he sent you here to do.”
“I can see that happening.” He was studying her. “Yet I’m not sure you’d do it. I think it would have to be very important for you to go to those lengths.”
Very perceptive, she thought. And as sharp as she’d first estimated. “It couldn’t be more important to me.”
“I believe you,” he said slowly. “Does that mean I might have to kill someone?”
“Of course not,” she said impatiently. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Just asking. I’d judge you to be very intense. What do you have in mind?”
“Only what you promised Palik you’d do. I’ve decided I need to leave MacDuff’s Run for a few hours. You’ll take me where I want to go. Do what I tell you. Keep me safe.” She paused. “And don’t talk to anyone about what you’re doing.”
“That last order is the one that could maybe get me seriously injured,” Rodland said. “The others are strictly in line with Palik’s directives. Would you care to tell me where I’m supposed to take you? I assume nowhere near Hugh Bohdan?”
“Nothing to do with Bohdan.”
“And what would you really do if I said no? Besides get me thrown into MacDuff’s dungeon.”
“Find a way to go by myself. It would just be easier if MacDuff thinks you’re with me.” She took a step closer to him. “Either way, it’s going to happen, Rodland. Ithasto happen.”
He was silent a moment. Then he shrugged. “I guess I’d better make certain it’s done right. When and where are we going? You said it involves blowing this magnificent family home of MacDuff’s for a time?”
She nodded. “But not right away. We’ll spend the afternoon over at the courtyard stables and you can help me look through some storage rooms for a few of MacDuff’s ancestral treasures. We’ll let MacDuff’s guards and stablemen see us working there.” Her lips twisted. “And that will also give me a chance to keep an eye on you and decide whether or not I’m making a mistake in trusting you. I’m not usually this impulsive.”
“That won’t give you enough time,” he said lightly. “I have hidden depths. Evidently so have you.” He gestured toward the door. “But we can both make the attempt. It should prove interesting…”
Chapter
6
Stable Courtyard
4:40P.M.
When do I get to be a food taster?” Rodland asked her as he handed Jane another volume to add to the ones they’d already put in the box at the foot of the steps. “I’m getting bored. I need a little pizzazz in my life. I’m sure MacDuff would prefer me to risk my life imbibing cyanide rather than go blind going through all these moldy books. I think I’m developing an allergy.”
“Don’t be disrespectful.” She grinned. “MacDuff would be upset. I’ve told you the whole story about Fiona, and MacDuff’s belief that someday he’ll find some kind of proof that I’m one of his kin.” She took the book and leafed through it. “Or at least find that Fiona wasn’t thrown down a deep well by Papa dearest.”
“The MacDuffs don’t appear to be kind to their women. I don’t blame you for not wanting to claim them. You’re much better off sticking with me.”
“You can hardly blame MacDuff for my being a prisoner here. He’s doing everything he can to help keep me safe.”
“Well, I refuse to blame Seth Caleb,” he said dryly. “It’s not nearly as safe.”
“Then blame me. I’ve always been the captain of my fate. I make my own choices.” She shrugged. “Or stay out of it. It’s none of your business anyway.”
“But it is, since I agreed to go along with you into the great beyond.” He angled his head. “And I think I like you. Ordinarily I wouldn’t tolerate any form of blackmail, and you came close.” His eyes were gleaming slyly. “But I might forgive you if you tell me where the hell we’re going.”
“So you can decide whether you should change your mind?”
“No, I’ve already given my word. But I’d like to know if I need to make preparations. Particularly since MacDuff might decide I took a bribe from Bohdan and intend to kidnap you. Is that too much to ask?”
She slowly shook her head. “But I told you Bohdan has nothing to do with this.” She hesitated and then said, “I want you to take me to Kilgoray, a small village about ten miles down the coast from here. There’s something I want to do there, and it shouldn’t take more than an hour. Then we’ll be back on our way to MacDuff’s Run.” She added mockingly, “No villains waiting in the shadows. Just farmers and merchants and a friendly pub where I can park you while I go about my business.”
“You never mentioned going off and leaving me. We should talk about that.”
