“It willna. And with the number of clans already signed to Toran’s treaty, Lathan is a formidable foe. MacGregor will go to war at his own peril.”
“Ye have thought this through, then.”
“Aye, many times, since I first saw Caitrin again at Fletcher. We cared for each other as children. That hasna changed. Ye must ken I will take good care of her.”
“I will think on it,” he said, his fingers steepled before him. “While I do, ye’ll meet Uilleam in the great hall in the morning and go with him.”
“I will.” Jamie could barely keep the elation out of his voice. He must appear calm and reasonable, not like a jubilant lad. “My men will continue to watch over Caitrin while I am out of the keep.” He turned to go, then turned back. “Ye should ken one other thing. The man who killed my sister may be here. I saw a lass wearing her hair comb today.”
Fletcher’s eyes widened. “Ye must be mistaken. That happened…five years ago.”
“I carved it. I am no’ mistaken. The lass claims to have gotten it from another lass, who may have gotten it from her husband. With the number of men killed at Flodden, the murderer may be dead. But it’s another reason to get Caitrin away from here, just as the Lathan did when he sent her home five years ago.”
Fletcher nodded. “That’s worrisome news, but as ye say, likely the perpetrator died in ’13. Let me finish this letter to my cousin so Uilleam can carry it tomorrow.” He seemed unconcerned, even ungrateful, that Lathans had guarded his daughter and were determined to keep her safe.
A sudden fear chased the elation out of Jamie and chilled him to the bone. What did Fletcher really want? Had Jamie overplayed his hand by declaring his intent to marry Caitrin? The news about his sister’s hair comb had surprised Fletcher, but Jamie had expected it to convince him to call off the betrothal and begin preparations to leave. Yet he seemed unruffled.
Could Fletcher intend to get him out of the keep in order to let the betrothal proceed without his interference? He wished he hadn’t agreed to go with Will. Though, truth be told, arranging a safe haven made sense, as did making sure he knew the way there. Just so long as Fletcher didn’t do anything foolish while he was gone.
Jamie cursed his lack of certainty. He risked Caitrin if he left her subject to the MacGregor for too long. Dare he call Fletcher on it? If he was wrong, if Fletcher was sincere, Jamie’s suspicions would insult the man. Torn, he decided he’d better not disturb the accord they’d reached. His men would keep her from harm until he returned. He nodded and took his leave.
But on the way to his chamber, he told Kyle what Fletcher had asked him to do and ordered him to have Ewan ready to ride in the morning with a message for the Lathan. It was time to let Toran know his plans were coming to naught.
Chapter Sixteen
Jamie made his way to Caitrin’s door. He intended, as he and the other Lathans had been doing, to simply walk past, as though on his way elsewhere, but someone new stood guard. The man hailed him.
“Ye’re Jamie Lathan, aye?”
“I am.”
“I’m Malcolm. Lady Caitrin has been asking for ye.”
Jamie kept his surprise off his face. “Are ye no’ meant to keep visitors out?”
“Others, aye, but no’ ye. I’m on the lady’s side in this. I saw what the laird did, too late to stop him.” Malcolm opened the door. “I ken what he’s done to other lasses. Go on in. I’ll let ye know if he approaches.”
“Jamie!”
The sound of Caitrin’s voice convinced him to take Malcolm up on his offer, if only for a moment. He couldn’t think why MacGregor would want to set him and Caitrin up in this fashion, so he chose to trust Malcolm’s discretion. Once he’d talked to her, Jamie should get the information from Malcolm. It might finally convince Fletcher to end this farce. But Caitrin awaited. With a nod to the man, he entered her chamber and closed the door behind him. She was in his arms as soon as it latched.
“I got what ye need,” she murmured into his chest.
“Are ye well?” Then he realized what she’d said. “What do ye mean, ye got what I need?” He tightened his arms around her then released her and led her to a seat by the hearth.
“I’m well,” she told him as she settled herself. “But ye must find a way into Alasdair’s solar. I hid the documents I copied behind the upper tapestry, in the loops of the lower one.”
“What documents? What are ye talking about?”
“War plans. One lists the wealth of the neighboring clans. The other is a map showing the disposition of MacGregor forces against his neighbors. It’s all there.” She shook her head then fixed him with a bold stare. “He never meant to sign the Lathan treaty. As I told ye.”
Jamie dropped into the chair opposite hers, flummoxed. “Ye say ye made copies?”
“Aye. If I took his, he’d miss them.” She sat forward, expression intent. “It’s why I stayed there so late. I lost track of time. The moon was so bright I didn’t realize when dawn approached until it was too late. I’d barely secreted my copies and gone to the door to leave when MacGregor came in.”
“Caitrin.” Jamie sat back, aghast, yet overcome with admiration. “Ye amaze me. What a risk ye took. I never meant for ye to try such a foolish thing.”
“I didna think he would lock me up. I thought he’d believe my story about wanting to watch the moon set. Even Da backed me up, though he didna ken what I was doing there. After the last timewetalked, I wanted to find proof ye and Da would believe.”
