“Tell me,” Caitlyn whispered.
“I-I had to do as he said,” she whispered tearfully. “I had to lie with him so that my children would be safe. I got with child but God must have been listening to my prayers, because I miscarried. He beat me for that, but I feel so ashamed, Milady.”
“Why?” Caitlyn was astonished. “None of this was your fault. None of it. He was bigger and stronger than you and he took advantage of you. Do not blame yourself.” She took Morag in her arms and hugged her tightly. “We are going to get rid of this scourge once and for all—this I swear to you.”
“I believe you, Milady,” Morag smiled. “Please do not tell the Laird what I have just told you.”
“I swear that I will not, but he is a good man, Mistress McColl. He would never condemn you for something that was not your fault. Now rest, eat, and do not worry. This gang’s days are numbered.”
“You are so kind, Milady,” Morag said. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you,” Caitlyn replied, “for showing me what a brave woman looks like.”
When she stalked off down the corridor, she was boiling with rage.
20
The Raid
Ava welcomed her with open arms, running across her bedroom to hug her friend tightly. Caitlyn laughed happily, then they sat on the bed to chat. She tucked a strand of Ava’s hair behind her ear and looked at her friend earnestly.
“Alastair tells me you have not been well,” she observed. “You look so pale, Ava.”
Ava gave a sigh that was almost a growl. “I have not been able to sleep,” she said angrily. “Alastair brought me some valerian tea last night, and although it helps a little, I still sleep only half as well as I used to. The nightmares...” She shuddered. “I dream that the bandits are chasing me, getting closer and closer all the time. I usually wake up just before they catch me, but I can never get back to sleep after that. I am constantly exhausted.”
Caitlyn had decided not to tell Ava about her own encounter until later, reasoning that it might upset her more. Now she felt even angrier than she had before, if that were possible. “Is there anything I can do?” she asked sympathetically. “You look so tired, and you have lost weight.” She looked at Ava’s gaunt figure. “You must eat, Ava.”
Ava sighed again. “I have no appetite,” she declared, then she paused and looked up hopefully. “Caitlyn, my bed is big. Can you not share it with me tonight? I feel that I could sleep if you were with me.”
Caitlyn considered for a moment. In the middle of the night, when the raiders would be about to set off, Ava would be under the influence of the valerian tea and she could slip out unnoticed. Caitlyn smiled at her friend. “If it will help you, of course I will,” she answered.
Ava beamed at her. “Thank you,” she said gratefully. “Now tell me all that has happened since I last saw you.”
When Alastair came in two hours later they had munched their way through a whole venison pie and a pile of fresh fruit and vegetables washed down with two tankards of ale.
“Still working miracles, I see?” he asked, smiling at Caitlyn. “Shall we tell her, Caitie?”
Caitlyn nodded. “I think it is time,” she answered, smiling.
“We are betrothed,” Alastair told her, smiling from ear to ear.
“I knew it!” Ava laughed and jumped up to hug them both. “I am so happy for you—and for myself! Now that my Caitie will always be here I will never have to worry again!”
“I can see that you two have plans to make!” Alastair laughed before he left them to design a wedding dress.
Caitlyn looked at Ava’s sleeping face. She drank two cups of valerian tea under protest, however, neither Alastair nor Caitlyn had told her about their plans for the night hours, so Caitlyn waited for a while till she was sure Ava was sound asleep, then tiptoed out. She had left her weapons and shield in her own bedroom and she donned them quickly just in case she would be needing them, before hiding in the stables to wait for the raiding party.
She waited an hour before she saw Alastair, his breastplate and shield glowing in the light from the torches in the courtyard. He entered the stable and mounted his horse, followed by his men. Caitlyn counted fourteen, and she knew that the number of outlaws was ten, so she reasoned that the odds were in Alastair’s favor, especially since the bandits were usually drunk in the darkest hours of the morning.
Fortunately there was a moon that night so it was not too difficult for the raiders to pick their way down the path. The horses’ hooves had all been covered with cloth to soundproof them, so it was an almost noiseless company who stole into the outlaws’ camp.
The hideout was in an abandoned farmhouse that was too rundown to salvage. There was a man, obviously the guard, slumped outside with a guttering lantern, his sword lying on the ground beside him. He was fast asleep and snoring, and Alastair quickly dispatched one of his men to tie him up.
He cautiously held up a lantern, to see that every one of the bandits was fast asleep on the floor, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Alastair had no wish for a fight: all he wanted was to arrest the thugs and take them back to Mullagh Castle as quickly and quietly as possible.
The guard stank of whisky; nevertheless, he was alert enough to try screaming till he saw Alastair’s sword touching his chest. He looked up at him fearfully as Alastair felt all over his body to find the key for the door. It would probably have opened with a hard kick, but that would have defeated his strategy of stealth.
When he found it, Alastair opened the door and crept inside, beckoning his men in after him.
