Malcolm snorted. “If ye are willing tae never go up against the strongest clans in Scotland. His sword skills are sloppy at best, and he is too deep in the cups in the evenings. His mind is permanently addled against making quick decisions.”
The laird frowned. “I cannae have mah second unable tae protect his laird.”
“Aye, ye cannae,” Malcolm agreed, glad that it was just the two of them and not the brother tonight. Whenever Declan was around, he seemed to attempt to interject in his brother’s decisions, making it near impossible for Neacal to agree to anything that Malcolm said.
He didn’t know why the brother wasn’t present, but it mattered not. This was playing nicely into the plans regardless.
“I will speak tae him,” Neacal decided, looking at Malcolm. “Ye have followed through on yer plans tae get Edna tae marry me. She told me today that she enjoys mah company.”
“Aye, she said the same tae me,” Malcolm lied. “I believe a marriage will be soon.”
The laird smirked. “Aye, I informed her today that the wedding will take place at the end of the week. She seemed agreeable tae the fact.”
That was news to Malcolm. Now it was far more important that he get Edna out quickly. “That is good news then.”
Neacal nodded before draining his glass. “I’ve already set mah clan on making preparations and will send a missive tae her da tomorrow at first light. I trust that ye will stand for her in case he doesnae wish tae come?”
“Aye,” Malcolm said, rising from the chair. “I will go inform her of the plan.”
Neacal tapped his long finger against the glass in his hand. “Bring her tae mah chambers. I wish tae give her mah mum’s ring.”
Malcolm strode from the great hall and up the stairs, his mind racing. Clearly, the laird trusted him enough to bring Edna to him, but that wasn’t going to be the plan at all. He was going to get her out tonight.
After stopping by his chamber and retrieving the pack there, he moved to her chamber, glad to see that Neacal had stopped putting the guards at the door. Now was the perfect time, especially since he had been summoned to bring her to the laird’s chambers. If they were stopped, his reasoning would be easily confirmed by the guards.
The problem was, he nor Edna would be anywhere to be found.
Edna rose from the bed as he entered, her eyes widening as she saw the pack. “Now?”
He nodded. “Do ye have a cloak, something that will conceal the pack?”
Hurrying to the chest, she dug through the clothing until she found a thick woolen cloak, long enough to conceal the small pack underneath. “Dinnae put it on,” he instructed her, handing over his pack. “Ye can drape it over yer arm instead. If ye are asked, the laird wants tae see ye, and ye fancy a moonlit stroll.”
She arched a brow. “Is that the truth?”
“He does want tae see ye,” Malcolm replied, glancing into the hallway. “He wants tae make yer engagement official.”
She visibly shuddered. “Then let’s depart this place before I do find mahself shackled to him.”
Malcolm couldn’t agree more. “Keep yer head down, lass,” he told her as she moved to the door. “And let me do all the talking.”
Edna’s eyes were wide with fright, but she nodded, and they moved into the hallway, their steps hurried but silent. Malcolm was glad that he wore his sword all the time so that it would be less suspicious for him to have it strapped to his back like it was now, though he really wished to pull it out of its scabbard and hold it aloft just in case.
It wasn’t until they reached the empty great hall that they encountered their first guard. “Och, where are ye taking her?” he asked, his gaze distrusting.
“The laird wants tae meet her in the courtyard,” Malcolm replied smoothly, gripping Edna’s upper arm tightly until she winced. “He’s going tae propose marriage tonight.”
The guard scratched his chin, his eyes going to the cloak draped over her arm. For a moment, Malcolm thought that he could see the outline of the pack she was concealing, but the guard shrugged. “Alright. As long as she doesnae run.”
“She has nary intentions tae run,” Malcolm replied, forcing Edna to move forward in an attempt to show that he was still in charge. She put up a show of trying to escape, and the guard snickered before moving on, falling for their ruse.
“I’m vera sorry, lass,” Malcolm murmured as they moved toward the door. “I hope I didnae hurt ye.”
“I’m fine,” she whispered as he let up his grip but kept his hand wrapped around her upper arm. They moved outside, and Malcolm was glad to see the courtyard was deserted. The stables were in the distance, and he knew that his horse was still inside.
That and the stable was not guarded. His walks with the laird, asking about the warriors, had given him the added opportunity to look at the stables and see a clear plan of escape.
Urging Edna to walk toward the stable, they reached it without being caught. “Hurry now,” he stated as he found the saddle and threw it over his horse, letting Edna help in getting the buckles latched.
