Kenneth would do something. She had to trust him. But the idea of entering one of the most heavily defended castles in the Borders took every ounce of her faith.
Sir Adam held her eyes and nodded.
“I will leave some of my men, just in case Sutherland attempts to return here,” Sir John said.
They understood his meaning: if Sir Adam thought to warn Kenneth, he wasn’t going to be able to do so.
But wherever he was, Mary knew Kenneth would find a way to get them out of this. He would not leave her to face danger alone. She only wished it hadn’t taken this to make her realize it.
Despite the urge to race through the gate to reach Mary, Kenneth forced himself to watch the appropriately named Huntlywood Castle from the safety of the surrounding forest. His atypical caution was rewarded when he saw the increased guard at the gate. Closer inspection of the arms identified at least one of the men as Felton’s.
Damn. He knew Felton couldn’t have beat him here from Berwick, so he must have already been here—which meant Kenneth had just lost whatever advantage he’d had in time.
He thought quickly. Not knowing what awaited him inside, he would have to sneak his way past the guard. He decided to employ one of the Highland Guard’s favorite tactics: diversion and speed.
After removing anything he might need from the bags tied to his saddle, he gave the trusty steed a fond stroke on his muzzle and thanked him for his faithful service. Even though he knew the stallion was spent and would be of no further help to him tonight, it was with much regret that he gave him a smack on the flank and urged him to the castle.
The horse shot off through the trees, heading for the gate. Kenneth circled around to the opposite side of the castle on foot, waiting for the cry to go up when the horse was sighted before making his move.
He had just reached his position when he heard, “Rider approaching.”
He hoped it would cause just long enough of a distraction for him to climb over the palisade wall. He was more than a little grateful for all the times MacLeod had forced him to lift himself up from a dead hang. Still, without a good grip and laden down with weapons and mail, it wasn’t easy to propel himself over in one smooth—and silent—move. He was just fortunate that Sir Adam had yet to build the much higher stone wall that he had planned.
He’d chosen a place in the wall opposite the gate, in a dark corner between the stables and armory. Slipping into the shadows, he drew his sword and waited to see whether anyone had noticed him.
But his ruse had worked. He could still hear the commotion at the gate where the riderless horse had arrived. As he slid around the armory, he could tell that something indeed was wrong. There were too many people around. Too many soldiers. He counted at least a half-dozen of Felton’s men. But interestingly, they weren’t interacting with Sir Adam’s men. Indeed, it seemed as if the two groups were eyeing one another suspiciously.
With his fear for his wife intensifying, he didn’t hesitate a minute longer. As soon as he had an opening he took it, crossing the yard and climbing the stairs to the tower.
Once inside, he took a quick scan of the Hall. Noting Mary’s absence, he headed up the stairwell in front of him. His heart pounded as he raced up the two flights. It was almost as if he sensed even before he opened the door that she wasn’t there. Still, he felt a hard jarring in his chest when only dark silence greeted him.
Where the hell was she?
Perhaps the babe’s room?
Holding out hope, he raced up the next flight of stairs, opened the door, and felt an even harder jarring than the first when he found only emptiness.
His heart was pounding even faster now, panic slipping in.
She had to be here. He would find her if he had to tear apart every inch of this castle—Felton’s men or not. The entire English army wouldn’t be enough to keep him from her.
But it would be easier with help. Those pottery jars he’d seen earlier in the trunk would work, but the trunk was gone. Which left Sir Adam. The older knight cared for Mary; Kenneth just hoped he was right about how much.
Retracing his steps down the stairs, Kenneth stopped at the level below Mary’s room. Not bothering to announce himself, he pushed open the door.
Sir Adam stood by the small window staring out into the yard below. Glancing over his shoulder toward the door, his gaze met Kenneth’s. “I wondered how long it would take you to arrive. The horse was a clever distraction.”
Kenneth strode into the room. “Where is she?”
“Felton took her a short while ago.”
Kenneth’s heart dropped. “Took her? Where?”
“To Berwick Castle.” Sir Adam’s eyes narrowed. “He came here looking for you. He has a warrant for your arrest.”
Kenneth swore.
“Aren’t you going to ask the charges?”
