CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Preston stared at them all, expression disbelieving, then raised an eyebrow at them and shook his head. “I ken ye’re having a proper spat, but I’m going tae have tae ask ye tae end it fer the moment.” He went to Blake’s door and opened it with a shake of his head. “A right proper mess ye’ve got yerself intae Blake.”
“Ye’ll get yerself intae the same mess, ye ken, if Laird Oran or Luke catches ye down here.”
“Willnae.” Preston retorted. “So far as either o’ them kens, I was out delivering notice o’ the laird’s upcoming wedding tae the surrounding clans and village leaders and had nae idea o’ yer plans. And afore I came down, I specifically asked permission tae come down here and take me satisfaction from the man who betrayed me long friendship with him.”
He pointed Blake in the direction of the downed guard. “Drag him over here, so it looks like ye lured him close and overpowered him. He owes me a favor fer setting him up with anice little kitchen wench he’s fair fond of, and as long as it looks real, he’ll swear tae the gods above that he heard arguing and came tae shut ye up, only tae discover too late that it was a trap.”
Preston stepped across the hall and opened Reyna’s cell while Blake did as he was asked. “What o’ the other guard?”
“Wasnae paying attention when I hit him. Far as he’ll ken, ye cracked his skull on the way out, rather than thinking I did on the way in.”
Blake clasped his arm in gratitude. “Ye wouldnae have tae worry about it, if ye came with us.”
There was a shadow of regret in Preston’s eyes when he shook his head. “I love ye like a braither, Blake, ye ken I dae, but I’ve more than meself and ye tae be thinking about. If I flee with ye, Kenzie and all me kinfolk would be in danger. I willnae dae that tae them.” He grimaced. “That’s also why, as soon as ye’ve a bit o’ a head start, I’ll be rousing the guards. I’m thinking tae claim I went tae Kenzie tae make sure ye’d nae done aught tae hurt her, since I was fool enough tae recommend she be yer maid, lass, afore I came down tae punish Blake. I found the doors open and ye escaped and discovered ye’d stolen horses and slipped out the postern door.”
There was clear sorrow in his usually cheerful demeanor as he clapped Blake on the shoulder. “If I could, I would dae more, but ye ken if I’m nae careful, I’ll be under even more suspicion, and I dinnae want Kenzie tae be the next occupant o’ these cells.”
Blake nodded. “I ken. And I understand. Ye’re a wiser man than I am, ‘tis sure.”
Without further ado, the four of them slipped through the darkened hallways to the hidden corridor, then up the passage to the gardens. They emerged into shadows, and Preston led them swiftly to the stables.
The two guards there were also unconscious, and Kenzie was waiting with two horses ready. Blake was pleased to see she and Preston had managed to get clothing, a blanket each, and his weapons, along with the satchel of healing herbs Reyna held so dear.
Preston took the reins and kissed his beloved’s brow. “Thank ye, love. ‘Tis best ye return tae bed now, afore there’s hue and cry raised.”
Kenzie nodded, then turned and grabbed Reyna in a brief embrace. “I hope we meet again, in batter circumstances, some day.” Before Reyna could respond, the petite young maid broke away and dashed inside, through a scullery door that Blake knew many maids used fer emptying chamber pots if they had need of using them in the night.
Preston gestured impatiently, and Blake turned to mount his horse, as Finlay did the same. Blake shifted in his saddle to offer Reyna his hand, but she gave him a pointed glare, then went to her brother’s side and clambered into the saddle with him. Blake felt a stab of regret at her obvious anger and disdain, but there was no time to address it. “We should ride fer Sinclair Castle.”
Finlay frowned. “We should be taking me sister back home tae Gregor Keep.”
“Ye shouldnae be discussing it here, where anyone might happen by tae hear ye. Get safe away, then figure that part o’ it out.” Preston’s voice had a bite of impatience. Blake and Finlay shared a look, then nodded. Blake bent to clasp hands with his friend once more in farewell, then guided his horse to the small side door. Within seconds, they were free, and riding across the moors.
They rode for an hour, on a winding, confusing path meant to obscure their trail. They even crossed the same rill water three separate times, to confuse any hounds. The half-moon was clear in the sky, giving enough light to see but also enough shadow to provide some cover as well.
Finally, they’d ridden to the very edge of Murray lands, and the farthest distance they could go without making a decision about whether to travel toward the Gregor or Sinclair lands.
Sinclair meant they’d need to cross the craggy area that bordered one side of the clan lands. It wasn’t the easiest ride, even if you knew the best pathways, but neither was it impossible, given the light they had available.
The ride to Gregor Keep would be easier, and perhaps faster, but Blake wasn’t eager to go that direction. He knew well that Oran Murray would be out for blood, and Gregor was a far smaller clan than his own.
They paused at a small stream to refresh their horses and themselves. Blake climbed down and offered a hand to Reyna, but she was still ignoring him. Once they’d each taken a drink from the stream, he broke the silence between them. “We need tae decide where we’re going.”
Finlay frowned. “’Twould be best tae go tae Gregor Keep. Likely as nae, they’ll be following ye, ye and Reyna, and they’ll think ye’re on yer way back tae yer clan.”
“Nay.” Blake shook his head. “Most clans think it was voluntary exile I went intae, but Oran Murray kens I was exiled on suspicions o’ being involved in me faither’s death. He doesnae ken me cousin sent word that I was proven innocent, and that I’ve been asked tae return tae the fold. They’ll expect me tae go tae Gregor clan because they think I’ll have naewhere else tae go. Sinclair’s a safer option.”
Reyna scowled. “But we cannae just run away tae Sinclair lands, without informing me faither o’ the situation. He’s set tae start fer Murray clan taeday or taemorrow, fer I never had a chance tae ask him tae delay.”
“That’s a fair point.” Blake considered. “Mayhap we should split up, in that case. Finlay can travel tae Gregor Keep tae alert yer braither. And I’ll start fer Clan Sinclair.”
“And Reyna can come home with me.” Finlay nodded.
Blake found himself shaking his head. “Nay, she’ll be coming with me tae Sinclair.”
“And why should she?” Finlay scowled. “Ye’ve fair vexed her enough, why should ye be the one tae tak’ her?”
