5
“You cannae do this.”
He was on his feet, standing perfectly still, looking more like an immovable boulder than a man. “You’ll get yourself killed for nae good reason.”
Lindsey tried to explain her plan again. “It’s simple enough. I go into the castle, get this sacred stone of yours out. You take it home. Your father’s let out of the dungeon and you get Lilias to confess she made the whole thing up out of jealousy. Then and only then, I go home.”
“Why would ye take such a risk for me?”
She didn’t speak for a moment. She wasn’t sure how to word it. She couldn’t exactly say it was because when she first suggested it he had smiled and the smile had lit up his face. Getting the stone would mean seeing that smile again and she wanted to see it again. Who went on a suicide mission to make a man smile? It was insane.
“It’s because it’s an injustice that I can help to right,” she said at last. It’s as much for my mom as for you. She believed you were innocent. This will help prove it. We might even be able to change the history books. You vanished after you were sent into exile. Did you know that? You were never seen again. This could change all that. The rest of your life might yet be written.”
She also thought but didn’t say out loud, and if you happen to hide Margaret’s locket somewhere at your old house while I watch to see where it’s hidden? Well, that would be quite a nice bonus.
“I cannae let you dae it. It’s too dangerous. We should get ye back tae your time where ye belong.”
“Let me do this for you. I want to help. Just think, a couple of days and you could be reunited with your father, your name cleared. What might the history books say about you then?”
He looked at her closely, his eyes fixed on hers. All of a sudden, she felt completely naked. Then he blinked and the feeling ended leaving her confused, her arms folding across her chest.
“All right,” he said. “On your heed be it. If there’s the slightest hint of danger though, we turn back. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“Then I better hide the boat until we come this way again.”
She watched as he dragged the boat back into the undergrowth, covering it with weeds until it was completely hidden from view. “Now we head north,” he said.
“Will we get to see your house on the way?”
“Maybe. Why dae ye ask?”
“No reason. I’m just curious.”
She thought about the ruin her mom had bought, how different it might look in its prime. Would it be weed covered like in her day, the start of its long decline?
Would she be able to persuade him to hide the locket somewhere inside on the way? What if he thought that was the only reason she was doing this? For the money the locket would raise?
They spent some time in the hut before setting off. Tavish packed a knapsack with dried rabbit meat and berries, filling a leather pouch with water from the loch before tying the end with twine.
While he picked supplies, Lindsey hung her modern clothes from a rusty hook in the ceiling. They should be dry by the time she got back, ready to head home again. How long until then?
She watched Tavish gather the last few things. “Ye are sure ye wish to dae this?” he asked as he picked up the knapsack. “Once we begin, there’s nae turning back. The roads are too well guarded.”
“I want to help you clear your name.”
“Then let’s get going before the light fades.”
She had plenty of time to think while they traveled the long road north.
Whenever Tavish saw someone appear in the distance he grabbed Lindsey by the hand, pulling her into the bushes until the danger of being spotted had passed.
He never said what would happen if they were caught but she could guess. Death for the pair of them. The thought terrified her but still, she didn’t suggest turning back. Nor did she tell him not to grab her hand.
Should she have gone home? Already she was starting to regret her decision. Each mile took her further away from the loch and every step north meant one more step back when they were done.
The place was dangerous, she could tell by the few villages they risked walking through. Suspicious eyes observed them both as they passed by despite their attempts to disguise their appearance.
