“Aye,”he agreed. “‘Tis always good to present yourself as best ye can.”
WithNeil’s help, Sorcha found a sheltered spot to clear off the dust of travel. Shechanged into a clean gown and tidied her hair as best as she could withoutwashing it. After a moment’s hesitation she donned her weapons. It might wellimpress the English if she rode in unarmed, as most women would be, but it wasalso dangerous to ride into the heart of the enemy’s camp without someprotection. She took a long steadying drink of the hearty cider Neil offeredher.
“Wecan wait a moment or two more, lass, if ye feel ye need it,” Neil said.
“Nay.”Sorcha glanced up at the darkening sky. “Now that fall is here, the days growshorter. I wish us to be several miles away from the English when night falls.”
“Wiseindeed. Most of these ransom exchanges proceed smoothly, honor upheld on bothsides, but one must ever be prepared for treachery.”
Treacherywas the first word that came to mind when they rode into the English camp ahalf hour later and Sorcha espied Sir Simon Treacher. She had forgotten howreptilian the man looked. When he nudged his way through the gatheredEnglishmen to grasp her reins, she inwardly shivered. He held out his hand tohelp her dismount, and she reluctantly accepted. Now was not the time todeliver an insult. Although, she thought with a hint of pique, no one wouldhave noticed as all eyes were on Neil.
Atall gray-haired man dragged Dougal forward. Sorcha studied her brother, whowas five years her senior but too often acted like a beardless youth. He was talland slender, almost pretty with his finely drawn features, smooth skin, andreddish-blond hair. She wondered idly if that was why he was always so eager totake up his sword. It was one way to indisputably prove his manhood. There wasa slightly beseeching look in his golden brown eyes, but she was in no mood tobend to it.
“Didyou bring the sum agreed upon, m’lady?” the tall man asked.
“Aye.”She held up the sack of coins. “Who am I delivering it to?” she asked and waspleased to see the man flush slightly at the reminder that he had lacked themanners to introduce himself.
Hebowed slightly before taking the bag of money. “Lord Matthew Selkirk, at yourservice, Lady Hay. As you can see, your brother is hale.”
“Aye.”Although his fine clothes were badly tattered, she mused. “His arms?”
“Myman has just delivered them to your...” he hesitated as he glanced at Neil.
“Myaunt, Neil Hay.” She had to bite back a smile when she saw how hard hestruggled not to say anything that could be construed as an insult.
“Youare welcome to quench your thirst and rest your horse,” he added finally as hehanded the ransom to a thin, balding man to count.
“Nay,m’lord, but I thank ye for your hospitality. ‘Tis a long, hard ride back toDunweare, and we must make the best use of what little there is left of theday.”
Itwas several more minutes before Dougal was given his horse. Sorcha intended tolet him know just how dearly it cost them to get not only him back, but alsohis horse and arms. Feeling the chill of Simon Treacher’s unblinking stareboring into her back, Sorcha quickly mounted. With a brief word of farewell tohis lordship, she led her small group out of the English camp. She felt she haddimmed a little of their scorn, but was heartily glad to get away from them.
“Wheredid ye get all that money?” asked Dougal as he rode up beside her.
Sorchafound some satisfaction in the shocked look on his face when she told himexactly how she had gotten the funds needed to rescue him. It was probably afaint chance, but he might just be shocked into some semblance ofresponsibility. No woman should be forced into such a situation. That was theprovince of the laird. She knew her brother was not completely without a senseof duty, and perhaps this incident might finally shame him into doing what hewas supposed to.
“Howmuch of Sir Kerr’s ransom do ye have left?” he asked.
“None.I asked only what was needed to buy your freedom.”
“Themon has heavy pockets. Ye could have gained us a small fortune.” He leaned awaya little when she glared at him.
“Aye,we may well have if we had not had to ransom your worthless hide.”
“‘Tisall right, Sorcha. Ye did weel. I meant no insult.”
“Yewere right, m’lady,” said Ronald as he rode up beside them. “That mon followsus.”
“Howmany men?”
“Iwas unable to see. More than we have, however.”
Dougalpulled his sword. “So, there is treachery afoot. Weel, we shall make them paydearly for it.”
“Willye put that away?” Sorcha snapped and was a little surprised when her wide-eyedbrother quickly obeyed her.
“Wouldye have us run from the Sassenachs with our tails tucked between our legs?”
“Aye,if we must. Dougal, we are but five men and two women. Ronald says there aremore English than us, and I dinnae think they plan to sweetly escort us back toDunweare. I didnae do all of this just to have ye killed but moments after yehave been freed.”
