Might Alex turn them both away, Bryan for defying him, and Katherine simply because he could not risk war with Angus for granting asylum to his wayward daughter?
Neither of them knew.
However, as they neared the gates, a strange sound was carried to them over the evening breeze. It perplexed them for a few moments before they came to realize what it was.
Clapping.
The closer they came to the castle, the easier it was for them to see the sentries atop the ramparts, gathering above the gates to applaud the travelers’ return.
Bryan broke into a wide grin as he saw that Kirk was with the guardsmen, who were now hooting and cheering. The gates swung open, and when the horses came to a stop in the courtyard, the sounds of merriment and relief echoed from all sides.
Alex and Isla scurried into the courtyard, looking confused by all the noise at first, then shocked and delighted by the reason for it.
“Bryan!” Isla exclaimed, embracing him warmly as he dismounted. “When we saw that ye were gone, we didnae know if we would ever see ye again.”
“Aye, and before we discuss such matters further where others may be in earshot,” Alex interjected quickly, his brow furrowed. “Mayhap we ought tae go inside, so that ye may enlighten me on what has transpired here.”
They followed the laird to his study, after Isla gave Katherine a welcoming, and reassuring hug, and once they were seated before him, Bryan related everything that occurred from the moment Romilly found him in the woods up to their escape.
Alex stood at the window for a while in silence, stroking his chin pensively. After a few minutes, he said, “Well, it sounds to me as though the captain of my guard chose to take a couple of days to himself riding the outskirts of our lands, and forgot to inform anyone of his plans. Which was careless of him, certainly, but no reason for undue ire or punishment.”
“As that happened,” he went on, pacing the room, “it appears as though Laird Angus McGregor suffered some sort of nightmare that his younger daughter escaped from her cell in his dungeons. A product of his overwrought and rather fragile mind of late, no doubt. His wife and older daughter put him tae bed before his mad ravings caught the attention of his people and showed him unfit tae lead them. Even so, a strange coincidence, for it seems that Lady Katherinehad, in fact, freed herself from captivity and was wandering the woods at the far edges of the McGregor territories.”
Bryan began to see what Alex was playing at, and nodded eagerly. “At which point, of course, I found her and brought her here.”
“Where I pleaded for asylum,” Katherine chimed in, “and it was granted tae me, most graciously. Unless ye believe that would be enough for my father tae wage war after all?”
“If he is choleric enough tae choose such a conflict under these circumstances,” Alex replied, “then as far as I am concerned, we needn’t dance around the prospect of it any longer. Ye would know better than most, though, since ye are his kin. Do ye believe it will come tae that?”
Katherine searched her heart, but could provide no honest answer. Her own father was a stranger to her now.
Alex saw her uncertainty and shrugged. “So be it, then. There is nothing for us tae do but wait and see. In the meantime, I suggest ye return tae the chamber ye inhabited prior tae yer departure. Isla will be happy tae see tae any other needs ye may have, no doubt. And Captain?” he added, raising an eyebrow at Bryan. “Though I am quite sure ye are relieved tae have Lady Katherine back in our company, might I suggest that ye make yer visits with her public ones? She is still a lady, after all, and one would not wish for rumors tae spread about her propriety. Or yers, for that matter.”
“Ye are right, of course, Laird Alex,” Bryan agreed immediately. “And thank ye.”
Bryan led Katherine to her room, and though both of them wanted nothing more than to fall into each other’s arms out of sheer relief, they knew the wisdom of Alex’s warning.
When they reached her door, Bryan kissed her hand gently. “Get some rest, my lady. After all ye have been through, I imagine ye need it.”
She did, and once he had left her to herself, Katherine collapsed on the bed and slept all through the night and the following morning. It was nearly noon when she roused herself, and the servant girl who brought her a late breakfast told her that Bryan was in the courtyard waiting for her when she was finished. The servant also brought a riding outfit, courtesy of Isla.
Katherine donned the outfit and met Bryan in the courtyard. He had a pair of horses with him. “I thought perhaps ye might appreciate another ride tae the village,” he said with a grin. “Tae take yer mind off things while we wait tae hear from yer clan.”
“That would be a most welcome distraction, thank ye,” she answered with a curtsy. “Thank ye.”
He took her to the same village they had visited twice before, and they took tea with Fiona once more. The old woman listened to all that had happened, by turns amused and horrified. As they told her, several of the younger lasses gathered at the window of the cottage, eavesdropping and hoping that Katherine might teach them more sewing patterns. They wondered among each other whether she would return to her own people, or if she was here to stay this time.
These simple activities allowed Katherine to relax, for she was still extremely anxious about all that had gone before, and all that might still occur as a result of her escape. Would her mother and sister be punished by the insane laird? Would he declare war on the Oliphants the moment he saw her cell empty?
Just as Katherine was helping Fiona clear the table, there was a knock at the door of the cottage. Katherine looked up, and saw a familiar face; a man called Declan, who had often delivered messages for her clan in the past.
He held one for her now.
“Beggin’ yer pardon, my lady,” he said, stepping in timidly. “But ‘tis a great joy tae see ye, if ye dinnae mind me saying so! None of us were happy tae learn yer father had imprisoned ye upon yer return, and when word spread that ye had fled.” He beamed at her through his great bushy red beard. “Well, agreatjoy indeed, my lady, I should say!”
“Many thanks, Declan,” she replied. “May I see the letter ye bear?”
“Of course!” He handed it over, and she recognized her sister’s seal upon it. She broke the wax and read it to herself.
