“Eiloch is a long way from here,” Marguerite was saying. “Come and refresh yourselves. I’ll see to it that you have food and drink.” She smiled warmly and gave orders to a servant while Callum led them inside.
The fortress had changed a great deal, having been rebuilt from the ground up. Although Cairnross was not large, the stone walls were thick, lending a good deal of protection. The main house was made of wood, and the comforting smell of a peat fire lingered in the air.
A three-year-old girl ran over to Callum and grabbed his knees. “Hello, my lass,” he greeted her. He swung Nicole into the air, and the girl squealed with delight, chattering to her father and laughing. Then she nestled against him, staring at Dougal.
“She adores her father,” Marguerite said, bemused by the pair. “He gives her anything she wants.”
An unexpected vision ripped through Dougal, of a daughter with Celeste’s blue eyes. From the wistful look on her face, he could see that she did long to be a mother. Perhaps it was wrong of him, but he was glad that Edmon de Laurent had never given her a child.
“Have some wine, and we’ll talk,” Callum offered, leading them inside to sit down. But his brother’s expression held wariness. While Marguerite poured them cups of wine, he added, “My men saw a dozen soldiers approaching from the west. Searching for her, I suspect.”
“Aye.” Dougal noticed the way his brother held his daughter tighter, in a silent reminder that he would protect his children and his wife. “But you have archers. They won’t get close.”
“But more men will come,” his brother predicted. "Why do they want her?"
"They want my widow's portion," Celeste answered. "If I am dead, then they inherit everything."
“How long until they arrive?” Dougal asked.
“A few hours,” Callum answered. “Maybe less.” He took a sip from his own goblet, setting his daughter down and sending her off to play. “You should keep Lady Eiloch hidden when they arrive. We’ll let them search here, to avoid suspicion. When they are satisfied that she’s gone, they’ll leave and continue searching. We’ll take them along a different path.”
Celeste paled at his words. “I didn’t realize they had caught up to us.” She pushed her own goblet away, looking up at Dougal with fear. “I don’t want to bring enemies among you. That was never my intent.” Taking a deep breath, she added, “Perhaps we should go now, before they arrive.”
“No, my brother is right. If we run, we’ll be seen.” Dougal took her hand, wanting to reassure her. Callum would not have suggested hiding her if he did not have a place where she could not be found. “We’ll leave in the middle of the night when they cannot track us.”
Celeste squeezed his fingers, but he didn’t miss the fear.
“There’s a hidden chamber belowground, for storage,” Marguerite said. “Lord Cairnross used to keep prisoners there years ago. No one will find you . . . but I fear it’s very cold.”
Celeste looked at him, and though she tried to put on a brave face, he saw her fear of being alone.
“It will be all right,” he reassured her. “I’ll stay with you.”
She took a deep breath and ventured, “What about our tracks? They won’t believe we’re gone if the tracks end here.”
He let out a slow breath, understanding what she wanted him to do.
“Take Ivory and lead them deeper into the hills,” she continued. “I’ll . . . stay belowground in hiding as long as I must.” She squared her shoulders, her face appearing calm.
But he saw the truth in her eyes. She had reason to fear, for they had already fired arrows at her. If a single soldier found her, she might die.
“She’s right,” Callum agreed. “They've already tracked you this far.”
Dougal stared at Celeste, wondering if he dared to leave her behind. Though she nodded, he didn’t miss the slight tremble at her lips. There was nothing he could do to ease her fear.
Callum reached for his bow, leaning down to kiss his wife. “We won’t be gone long. Hide her until our return.” Marguerite nodded and touched his face, her hands lingering upon his cheek.
Color rose in Celeste’s face. She was trying to remain calm, but when she met Dougal's gaze, he saw the worry lurking.
“I’ll return for you. I promise.” He rested his hand upon her spine in reassurance.
Marguerite led them toward the back of the Hall, where she lifted an iron ring, revealing a ladder that led belowground. “It’s down here,” she said, picking up a torch from an iron sconce on one wall.
“You can go with your brother,” Celeste told him. “I’ll be fine.” But even as she said the words, her eyes looked down into the darkness with undisguised fear.
“I won’t be gone long,” he promised. “We’ll lead them to a false trail.” But although she braved a smile, he saw through it. She took another breath to steady herself and then suddenly threw herself into his arms, gripping him hard.
He understood her need for comfort and security. The warmth of human touch soothed in a way words could not.
