****
Uilleam talked even less on the trip to cousin Rabbie’s than he had on the trip from Fletcher. Jamie still wasn’t sure if his stony silence was habitual or due to his distrust of Jamie’s intentions. Either way, he counted himself lucky the cousin lived only a few hours’ ride from the MacGregor keep. Near enough to hide Caitrin in the confusion of an escape, but far enough to be only one of many places they could have gone. And not in a direct line of travel to Fletcher or to the Aerie, which were the directions MacGregor would likely send his men if Caitrin and her father suddenly disappeared.
Jamie liked the notion of getting Caitrin out of the MacGregor keep by sending her to the village with one of MacGregor’s women, along with Uilleam and himself as escort. If MacGregor insisted on some of his men accompanying them, so be it. A few MacGregors would hardly be an impediment to Jamie’s plans.
Another Lathan could follow with Fletcher later the same day, and the rest of his men could slip out as they found opportunity to do so during the same period. With a great deal of luck, the fact they were all out of the keep would not be noticed for hours—long enough to get Caitrin to safety and lay some false trails.
First things first, to secure a safe hideaway for Caitrin.
Fletcher’s cousin’s croft sat low against a hillside, topped by the heavily thatched roof typical of many Highland holdings against the incessant wind. The man who came out of the stout oak door to greet them bore little resemblance to his cousin. “Ho, Uilleam, what news?”
“Little has changed,” Uilleam answered succinctly, passing him the Fletcher’s letter. “Meet Jamie Lathan, who escorted Lady Fletcher to MacGregor at Fletcher’s request.”
“Lathan.” The cousin nodded affably.
Jamie dismounted. “’Tis good to meet ye, Rabbie” he told the man. Jamie judged him to be older than Fletcher by a few years, but the croft appeared well-kept—by a wife or daughter? “Do ye live here alone?”
“Alone, aye, since my wife passed a few years gone. My son rides with MacGregor’s men. Malcolm. Perhaps ye met him at the keep?”
“I have had the pleasure,” Jamie confirmed. That was a stroke of luck. Malcolm had already shown his willingness to protect Caitrin. He would, no doubt, assist in getting her away from Alasdair to his father. On the other hand, in the confusion of their absence, would the MacGregor notice Malcolm had also disappeared and put two and two together? That would bear consideration, especially if MacGregor knew of the kinship bonds between Malcolm, this man, and Fletcher.
“Come in. I’ve a bit of bread and cheese to go with a wee dram, if ye’d like.”
The interior of the croft was, thankfully, divided into a main living space, a separate sleeping area and a shallow loft. If Caitrin had to bide here for a time, she could have some measure of privacy.
After they settled, Rabbie cocked an eyebrow at Jamie. “Pleased as I am to see Uilleam so soon after his last visit, I do wonder what brought ye here.”
“We’ve come to ask sanctuary for Lady Fletcher.” Jamie watched Rabbie carefully to gauge his reaction, but he seemed genuinely concerned.
“Why would the lass need sanctuary here when she’s well guarded in the MacGregor keep?”
Jamie glanced at Uilleam, who shrugged. It was up to him to explain the situation. “Fletcher’s letter should answer most of yer questions. Caitrin is no’ safe there. I believe we will have to remove her, without the MacGregor’s permission, for temporary safekeeping.”
“What about my cousin Fletcher?”
“He’s agreed to the necessity, whether he leaves with his daughter or no’,” Jamie told him. “Caitrin has been attacked and confined. No matter Fletcher’s ambitions for that marriage, he has realized it’s no’ worth his daughter’s misery or her life.”
“Indeed? As bad as that?” Rabbie looked around the chamber.
Jamie followed his gaze to the hearth where a cook pot hung. The table where they sat and the chairs they occupied, along with a corner cabinet full of dishes, cups and other odds and ends, occupied the rest of the space.
“I’ve little to offer a lass, but if ye think she’d be safe here, then she’s welcome.”
“’Twould be for a short time, a few days at most. I plan to move her out of MacGregor’s reach as quickly as possible.”
“I hope ye ken what ye risk.” Rabbie lifted his cup in a mock toast.
“I do.” He cut his gaze to Uilleam, but the man remained as impassive as a log. “We do.”
The cousin shook his head. “I havena seen the lass since she was a babe in her mother’s arms, God rest her soul.”
“When we must, we’ll bring her the best way possible. We may arrive at any time.”
“Dinna fash. I rarely stray far from the croft these days. Likely I’ll be here or nearby.”
“Good.” Jamie tossed off the rest of his whisky and stood. “We’d best be getting back. I thank ye for yer hospitality and yer willingness to help keep Caitrin safe. With luck, the MacGregor will never ken she was here, so ye willna be disturbed when she’s gone.”
“Aye, that’ll be good.”
