The stairs were grimy and steep, and Alistair guided Jane down them. The smell was even worse here. It was almost completely dark and it took a while for Jane to focus on the light coming in from one tiny window. Douglas led them to an open cell with rusted iron bars. It was tiny and seemed designed to cause anyone who lived in it a great deal of discomfort. A man was seated on a chair, a small tray next to him. He was eating bread and drinking water with the gusto of one starved.
Upon seeing them, he stopped. Jane assessed him. He looked very much like Alistair. She could not tell the color of his eyes for the dimness of the light, but the resemblance was plain to see. His bare chest had a network of purpling bruises. His body was covered in sweat. Alistair rushed to him, and Jane could tell that he stopped just short of embracing him because of his bruises. But Ramsay dropped his food and stood up. He threw his arms around Alistair and cried out his name in relief.
Alistair clung to his brother. When he finally let go, he looked at Ramsay’s body, his eyes shining with anger. “Those bastard Englishmen.”
“I have been better, but I will be fine. It’s a little better than it looks.” He looked beyond Alistair and stared at Jane. “And who is this, braither?”
“My name is Jane Marsh,” Jane said before Alistair could say anything.
“Marsh,” Ramsay said, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “I ken that surname.”
“I am sure you do,” Jane said. “I am Eleonor’s sister.”
Ramsay’s eyes widened. He pushed past Alistair so that he stood in front of Jane. “How is Eleonor? Where is she? I need to get to her at once.”
“Why?” Jane said, her eyes firmly on him. Jane needed to confirm his true intentions. Yes, he had been captured by Commander Pierce, but had he really been willing to take responsibility for the child in the first place? Did he really love Eleonor?
“Because” Ramsay said, “she is the love of me life. And she is carrying our child. The real torture during me captivity was kenning that she had nay idea what had become of me. She must be suffering so, thinking that I abandoned her and me child. I need tae see her. Take me tae her. Please.”
“She is fine,” I assure you,” Jane said in a soothing voice. “I promise you. Look.” She brought Eleonor’s letter out of the pocket of her dress and pressed it into Ramsay’s hands. “This is a letter she to wrote me about you. She adores you and still has hopes about you. She will be over the moon to be reunited with you.”
Ramsay opened the letter, but Jane could tell that it was hard to read it, as the cell was almost dark. Ramsay persevered, however, moving closer to the ray of light from the window outside so he could use it. His eyes seemed to come more and more alive as he read. When he was done, he kissed it and held it to his chest. “I am coming fer ye, me love,” he murmured. He then turned to Alistair. “I am sorry fer nae telling ye about Eleonor, braither. I was worried that ye would disapprove on account of her being an Englishwoman.”
“All is forgiven,” Alistair said, and pulled Jane to his side. “As you can see, I have been ensnared by one myself.”
Jane blushed. Ramsay chuckled. “How did ye two meet?” he asked.
“I am afraid, Ramsay,” Jane said, “that it is a long, long story.”
Douglas, who had left them as soon as he had brought them there, returned. “The warriors are still searching for the commander,” he said.
“What? Did he not die? Where did he go?” Jane said tremulously. With the commander still at large, there was still the possibility of a loss for them.
“Before he fled,” Alistair said, deep in thought, “he told me that he would kill me and then ruin the thing that is most precious to you in revenge.”
Jane’s eyes widened in comprehension. “He means my sister, he is after my sister! We must go after him now!”
“Let us make haste,” Ramsay said, rearing to go.
“You must recover, braither,” Alistair said. “Jane and I will go and finish what we started with the Commander. We will rescue Eleonor and bring her back tae ye. Ye cannae travel like this.”
“I would rather die than let you go without me,” Ramsay said with a strong tone of finality. “I shall get ready to leave.”
Jane looked at Alistair. “We must get ready as well,” she said.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
They quickly packed supplies. Jane rode with Alistair while Ramsay rode on his own horse. Keith and Douglas had been put in charge of the situation at Loch Lomond. The trio raced through the Scottish landscape. They had found Commander Pierce’s horse’s tracks in the earth and were following it. They rode for hours, until their bodies could no longer take it and their horses groaned under them. “We need tae stop,” Alistair said finally, “tae feed the horses, rest them and sleep, nay matter how little. At this rate we will be worn out and nae achieve our purpose.”
He and Ramsay set up two tents in the wilderness, and Alistair started a fire. Jane offered to help, but the brothers refused. When they had had dinner, a modest affair of dried meat and bread, Ramsay went to take a bath in the river nearby. He winked at Alistair before going, leaving no doubt that intended to give the lovers privacy. As soon as he disappeared round a bush, Alistair took Jane in his arms. She relaxed against him and let out a deep sigh. “I am worried about Eleonor, Alistair. She is in much danger. Every second counts.” Alistair caressed her back reassuringly. “We will save her, sweetling,” he said.
For several moments, no word passed between them. Jane pressed into Alistair, who caressed her waist. “Dae ye seek a distraction, Jane?” he whispered into her ear.
“There is only ever one thing on your mind, constantly,” Jane said with a small laugh. “I presume the distraction you mean involves taking off our clothes.”
“We can leave them on, if ye’d prefer it,” he teased. I could just…” He reached under her skirts, and she squirmed.
“You are terrible,” she giggled.
