So she stripped off quickly, bathed as quickly as she could, and then dried herself off with one of the large, towel-like cloths the lads had left for her. Inspecting the pile of clothes they’d put on the bed, she found a dress that looked like it belonged in some period drama and a linen night-gown that buttoned all the way up to her neck.
Ugh. There was no way she was wearingthat. She would look like her grandma.
Instead, she pulled her t-shirt back on and then crossed to the door. It was locked but that didn’t reassure Abi any. Sure, she couldn’t getoutbut anyone with the key could getin.
Biting her lip, she glanced around the room. Under the window sat a heavy wooden chest. Getting her shoulder behind it, she managed to push it across the room and wedge it in front of the door.
There. Let anyone try and get in now!
Exhaustion washed through her. She’d been running on fumes all day, only keeping on her feet through pure adrenaline. Now that was ebbing and fatigue flooded her limbs making them feel as heavy as lead. She looked at the bed. It was a four-poster with thick covers piled high with pillows and, boy, did it look inviting.
Tomorrow, she told herself as she threw back the covers and crawled inside. Tomorrow I’ll get a signal and call the police. I just need to keep my sanity until then.
She lay back, clutching the covers tightly and staring at the underside of the bed’s canopy. She was sure she wouldn’t get a wink of sleep.
She was wrong. Her eyes drifted closed and she fell into dreamless slumber.
Chapter 6
Reid couldn’t sleep. Lying in his over-sized bed, staring into the darkness, slumber wouldn’t come no matter what he tried. Moonlight shone through the window, dusting his room in silver and making the darkened landscape outside seem strangely peaceful.
No such peace for him. With a growl, he threw back his covers and swung his legs around, placing his feet flat on the polished wooden floor.
His thoughts flittered to Abigail. Her room was just down the hall—a precaution he’d taken to ensure none of his men forgot his edict about staying away from her. At least, that’s what he told himself. Why else would he care where she was housed? But as he’d gone to bed, he’d had to force himself to walk straight past and not stop at her door. There had been no light beneath her door, which indicated she was likely asleep.
Images of her silky hair spilling across the pillow filled his head, along with images of the creamy skin of her neck, chest and—
Stop it,he told himself fiercely. God, he needed a woman.
Pushing thoughts of his alluring guest from his mind, he climbed to his feet and padded across to his desk. The night air was cool on his naked body as he lit a candle and then picked up the curled parchment that lay on the desk. In the dim light, he read the words for the tenth time. And for the tenth time, anger simmered in his belly.
Laird Campbell’s angular script filled the page. The note was terse and to the point, just like the man who’d penned it. His lord wasnothappy. Far from congratulating Reid on getting into Kalmack Castle and rescuing his men, he was furious that Reid had defied orders and risked more men on the rescue. No doubt he would pay for that. Laird Campbell was not a forgiving man and would not tolerate disobedience in his subordinates. So be it. Reid had accepted the risk when he’d ridden out of here and he’d do the same again in a heartbeat.
No, it wasn’t Laird Campbell’s anger that had kept Reid awake; it was the orders contained within the note.
Subdue the countryside. There are rumors of rebellion in the villages. Do whatever it takes. I want a cowed populace when I bring my army west.
