“Because I care about you.” And he really did care about her. More than he’d cared about anyone else in his life. Of course, he loved Jenna and Chester, but Maggie was different. His relationship with her was going to be life changing. He could feel it.
Walking back to the horses, Dylan kept Maggie close by his side, not wanting to give up that connection he’d been experiencing and enjoying. He helped her mount her horse, knowing she was perfectly capable of doing it herself, but that gentlemanly instinct took over and left him no choice. For her part, Maggie looked ready to tell him she could do it herself, but at the last minute, she seemed to think better of it and allowed his help.
As they nudged their horses in the direction of the castle, Dylan noticed that Maggie grew obviously concerned over something. “Is everything okay, Maggie?”
“No. I dinnae think so. Something’s wrong back at Breaghacraig. We’d better hurry.” Without waiting for Dylan, Maggie spurred her horse into a gallop and headed off through the trees.
***
“Maggie,” Angus said, sounding confused. “I thought you were out with Dylan.”
“I was Uncle, but I’m back now. I was looking for ye, as I have need of yer help.” Brielle had disguised herself as Maggie yet again. She had scanned the immediate area with her mind and was aware that Maggie was not nearby. She used that fact to her advantage. It hadn’t taken much to get that besotted Latharnto open the door to her cell and thus facilitate her escape. Men were so weak when it came to the women they loved. It was guaranteed to work in her favor, every time. Now in order to continue with her plans, she was going to need Angus and she made sure to mimic Maggie better than she ever had before. She’d need to, in order to convince Angus to go with her. Brielle needed to get him out of the courtyard and away from the others.
“Just what exactly do ye need my help with?” Angus asked.
“Come with me, Uncle. I have something I must show ye.”
“Is it something to do with Brielle?” Angus sounded as if his curiosity had been piqued.
“Yes. I believe ye will find it most interesting.” Brielle took Angus by the arm and led him out through the postern gate, nodding at the guard as they passed. “It’s just this way.” She led him along the outer wall of the castle, far away from prying eyes. Stopping without warning, Angus was just about to speak when Brielle cast a sleeping spell on him and he collapsed in a heap at her feet. She laughed quietly at the sight of the huge highlander, lying helplessly in front of her. Brielle whirled continually on the spot, picking up speed and then disappearing, taking Angus along with her.
Chapter 12
The smell of baking bread and the happy expression on Mary’s face had Jenna feeling triumphant with her accomplishments in the kitchen. This was probably the first day since she’d been at Breaghacraig, when Mary had not scolded her for one thing or another. Jenna had come to love Mary and herset-in-her-wayshandling of anything to do with food or the kitchen. It had taken some time, but Jenna had eventually won her over and that made her happy. She wanted so much to fit in here at Breaghacraig. She had everything she could possibly want—the man of her dreams, her best friend and now sister-in-law, and a new family who let her know in so many ways, how loved she was. Life at Breaghacraig had been perfect. Sure, she missed all the modern conveniences of the twenty first century, but she had gladly given it all up for her man. Cormac was more than she’d ever hoped for. He was kind, loving and he knew how to make her laugh. She realized now, after being here and being his wife for a while, that she had really been quite awful to him when they first met and she was happy he hadn’t let thatget in the way of winning her over. Lost in her own thoughts, Jenna almost missed the arrival of Latharn and Sophia as they practically fell into the kitchen. It appeared as if Sophia couldn’t go another step further, so Latharn picked her up and carried her to a nearby chair.
Latharn was alarmed about something; Jenna had never seen him so frazzled before. He was normally a very levelheaded man, but Sophia was special to him and he was obviously very upset about something that had happened.
“What’s wrong?” Jenna asked, glancing across to Mary, hoping for some hint of what had happened.
“The witch, Brielle, has escaped! She tried to kill Sophia!” Latharn appeared terribly embarrassed about something.
“Oh, my, Sophia, are you okay?” Jenna asked.
“Here, lass, drink this.” Mary handed Sophia a cup of whiskey and held her hand as she brought it to her lips and took a big gulp, coughing and sputtering as it went down.
Latharn seemed unable to move and he couldn’t take his eyes off Sophia. Jenna could see how concerned he was about her and wanted to put him at ease.
“Latharn, you go and get help. Mary and I will make sure no further harm comes to Sophia.” Latharn hesitated for only a moment, before he turned and ran down the passageway, calling for Cailin and Cormac.
Sophia was gasping for breath and Mary tried to get her to drink some more whiskey. “Just a small sip, lass. Ye took a wee bit much the last time.”
Sophia did as Mary suggested, and with Mary’s soft motherly voice soothing her, Sophia was finally able to speak. “I couldn’t breathe. She made it so I couldn’t breathe! I must have passed out and the next thing I knew, Latharn was helping me into the kitchen. I was so scared! I thought I was going to die, but now she’s escaped and who knows what she’ll do!” Sophia seemed asif she might be about to start crying. “Latharn had no choice. He unlocked the door for her. She would have killed me, if he hadn’t.”
“It’s okay, Sophia. They’ll find Brielle and deal with her before she can cause any more trouble.” Jenna hoped she sounded convincing, because she was anything but confident they could stop that witch. Worry for Cormac and the others began to seep into her brain, filling her with dread.Please, don’t let any harm come to Cormac,she prayed. He had become her world and it would kill her if anything happened to him. “I’m going to find Ashley and Irene. I’ll be right back. Stay here.”
“Dinnae ye fash, Jenna. I’ll take care of Sophia and if the witch is unlucky enough to find herself here in my kitchen, she’ll be verra sorry.” Mary waved a large piece of firewood in the air. Jenna couldn’t help but smile despite her concerns, as she left the kitchen in search of her friends.
***
“Cailin! Cormac!” Latharn stumbled out of the castle and into the bright afternoon sun.
“Aye, Latharn,” Cormac answered. “What’s wrong? Ye look terrible.” And then as if realizing the problem, Cormac continued. “Who’s watching Brielle?”
“That’s what I’ve come to tell ye. She’s escaped!” Latharn was doubled over, hands on knees as he tried to catch his breath.
“Explain,” Cormac demanded.
Cailin and Robert came running towards them from the practice field. “What’s all the commotion?” Robert asked.
