Chapter Twenty-Three
“Icannae leave him.” Ellie stopped just out of sight of the cottage. “I cannae.”
“My lady, it’s nay safe for ye to go back. I promised Aidam I would deliver ye to safety.”
“Damon, yer a good friend, and I dae nae expect ye to take me back. I promise I’ll stay hidden, and once I ken Aidam is safe, I will make my way to the village. But I can’t leave him.”
Ellie would not allow Aidam to suffer for her lies and her sins. It wasn’t fair. They had just found each other, and now he will be made to pay because of her.
“Och, yer a stubborn, lass,” Damon said. “I can see why he likes ye. We’ll stay hidden, aye?”
“Aye,” Ellie nodded. Damon led her back toward the cottage and into a line of brush and bushes. They were hidden from view, but she could see Sinclair. He was with seven of his men, and Aidam was standing in the yard of the cottage. Thankfully, fully dressed.
“I’ve told ye, uncle, I’ve nay seen the lass all day. Perhaps ye should keep better tabs on yer prisoners.” Ellie groaned. Why did Aidam have to antagonize his uncle, wasn’t their predicament enough of an incentive to be reasonable?
“Do nay sass me, lad. Ye were her guard. Ye both have been missing all day. So tell me where the lass is.”
“Uncle, feel free to search me house. I left yer betrothed in Duncan’s care this morning after guarding her chamber door all night. Did ye not think to ask Duncan where the lass might be?”
“Och, Aidam, ye ken good and well, ye came back for the lass after ye broke yer fast. And she was looking for ye as well, in her bedclothes, no doubt,” Duncan shouted from his place behind the laird. Ellie rolled her eyes. She had once thought she could like the man, but his obvious jealousy for Aidam and his distrust made him wholly unlikeable in her opinion.
“Duncan, did ye see me return from breaking me fast?”
“Well, no, but…”
“There ye have it, uncle. I’ve nothing to do with yer runaway bride.”
For a minute, it looked as if Sinclair was satisfied with Aidam’s answer, and Ellie thought perhaps she could breathe again. But then the laird gave Aidam a grin that Ellie could only describe as murderous.
“So yer tellin’ me lad, that ye haven’t seen the lass at all since yesterday night on yer guard shift?”
“Aye, uncle.” Aidam was so brave in the face of his uncle’s scrutiny.
“Are ye sure that is the story ye want to stick with?”
“’ Tis no story, uncle.”
“Then tell me, Aidam,” Sinclair said. “Why is the lass’s horse tied in yer barn?”
Ellie threw her hand over her mouth to cover her shock. One of the clansmen came out from around the barn holding her horse's reigns. How could they have forgotten about Abel?
“Shite!” Damon cursed behind her.
“It pains me, nephew, but ye’ve betrayed me, and ye’ve betrayed our clan. I have nay choice. Duncan, take Aidam to th’ dungeon.”
“No!” Ellie could no longer remain silent.
“Och, lass, wait.” Damon tried to stop her, but she put her hand up.
“Go home to yer wife, nay one kens yer here. But I’ll not let them take Aidam.” She rushed out of the bushes and ran toward Aidam. Reaching him before Duncan, she clutched his hand.
“Aidam has done nothing wrong, my laird. I made him bring me here. He was only doing as I asked.”
“Ah, my bonny little betrothed. Or should I say, my bonny little betrayer? Ye think me a fool? I ken everything that goes on in me own keep. I ken ye and me own nephew have been plotting against me.”
“That’s nay true, uncle,” Aidam said.
“SILENCE!” Sinclair was enraged, and for the first time since the death of her father, Ellie was afraid, but she could not let Aidam take the punishment for her actions. She could not allow it.
