Chapter Twenty-Seven
The tunnel was much longer than Ellie remembered. Perhaps because she had been smaller and times less urgent than last she used it. But the further into the dark she and Aidam ventured, the more she began to worry that perhaps he had been right and they would not emerge on the other end.
She slumped against the cool, dark stone of the tunnel. The last of her fight seemed to be leaving her. Even if they did emerge, would it be too late? At this moment, was her little brother already preparing for a battle he was sure to lose against Sinclair? And what of her mother? Has her mother finally been forced to face how her poor choices affected them all?
“Ellie, we’ll find them,” Aidam whispered as if he could read her thoughts. “All is nay lost.”
“I haven’t told ye everything,” she replied. “There may be nay way to fix any of this. I’ve tried.”
“What is it, lass?” he replied. She loved the gentle way he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, supporting not only her body but her soul. “Tell me.”
She wanted to tell him about Sinclair’s relationship with her mother and how that was what fueled the older laird, but she was confused, and there wasn’t time. “We have to get to yer uncle. Trust me, Aidam, I’ll tell you everything, soon I promise. But first, we have to try and fix this.”
At that moment, a crack of light came through the tunnel. Aidam put himself between Ellie and the end of the tunnel. Someone was coming.
“Who goes there?” Aidam said, keeping his tone even and low.
“Ellie? Ellie, are ye there?” Ellie’s heart leaped in her chest.
“Van? Van, is that ye?” She broke free from Aidam’s embrace and ran forward. Sure enough, as her eyes adjusted to the light, she saw Van. He was standing at the door to the tunnel, in his nightclothes, and he wasn’t alone.
“Bloody hell, Jemina, I thought ye said ye would stay with the horses?” Aidam was at Ellie’s side. Ellie’s eyes began to focus better in the dim light and sure enough, standing in the larder with her younger brother was Jemina.
“Ye took too long, cousin,” she said. “I was worried ye ran into trouble.”
“Jemina,” Ellie said, embracing her friend before turning to her brother. “Van, how did ye ken to find us here?”
“When Jemina told me what was happening, I kent the tunnels would be where to find ye.” Ellie roughed up Van’s hair, even though he was too old for such affection, she found herself relieved to see him.
“How did ye find the lad without being detected?” Aidam asked. It was a good question. Ellie wondered herself how Jemina managed to enter the keep when they were doing their best to sneak in.
“I walked right in. Since me Da had already gone through the gates, the guards figured it was a family visit and gave me no trouble. I immediately found Van in his chambers. I remembered vaguely from a visit when we were younger.”
“And yer Da?” Ellie asked? If Sinclair knew Jemina was helping them, it might do more harm than good. While she was glad for her friend’s support, Ellie did not want to sacrifice their good fortune on Sinclair’s temper.
“He’s in the study with mam,” Van said. “I saw them enter as we were heading to the kitchens to find ye. Dae nae worry, they didnae see us. Jemina is great at hiding.” Ellie smiled as her young brother beamed up at the older lass.
“How long ago did ye say ye saw me uncle go into the study with yer mam?” Aidam looked directly at Van, turning back to the matter at hand.
“Oh…um, it could nay have been more than ten minutes ago,” Van said, looking at Jemina for confirmation.
“Aye, once the coast was clear, we headed straight for the kitchens,” Jemina confirmed. “Not more than a quarter of an hour has passed.”
“Great, that means we may still have time,” Aidam replied, taking Ellie’s hand. “Lass, we need to hurry.”
“Aye,” she agreed before turning to Van and Jemina. “Ye two need to disappear. Ye cannae be seen or heard around the keep. Go to where the horses are, and Aidam and I will come to fetch ye once this is over.”
“I cannae leave my keep,” Evander argued. “If there is to be a battle, I must lead my men.”
“Van…” Aidam put an arm on Ellie, cutting her off. This was precisely Ellie’s worst fear. Her brother had honor, but it was a fool’s honor, misplaced and could end up with him on the wrong side of a blade.
“Van,” Aidam said. “Ye are a brave lad, and ye’re a fine laird, but it is important for the leader of men to be safe. I promise ye if there is to be a battle, I will come and fetch ye meself and fight by yer side. But for this moment, a battle is exactly what yer sister and I are goin’ to try and stop. Can ye lead and go with me cousin to the wood. If and when the time comes ye have my word, I’ll come for ye.”
Van dropped his head and appeared deep in thought. Ellie shifted nervously from foot to foot. If Van refused Aidam’s request, it would complicate things.
“Aye, Aidam, yer right. I’ll take Jemina to th’ wood. But yer word is yer bond, and I expect ye will nay let me down,” he said. Ellie released the breath she had been holding. Van may be young, but he showed great wisdom in his thoughtful response to Aidam. Ellie was proud of him.
“Ye have me word,” Aidam said, extending his hand to Van, who took it and, with a solid shake, gave Aidam a beaming smile. “Now get ye gone, both of ye.”
