“Directly?”
“Nay, I want ye to pair up and go in different directions. We’ll meet at the edge of Lathan territory and go on from there.”
“I’ll take first watch,” Kyle offered.
“Set the others to follow ye. I trust Madeleine kens her men, but pair them with one of ours for the watch, including Malcolm. I’ll be in the croft, staying close in case of trouble.” He rubbed a hand down his face. “Let the horses rest two hours then saddle the freshest pair. We may no’ have the time it takes to ready them all and my main concern is to get Caitrin away if there is trouble.”
“Aye, I will.”
With a nod, Jamie left Kyle to organize the watch. Inside the croft, Rabbie had a small but cheerful blaze going in the hearth. Caitrin sat at table with a mug at hand and a wooden tray of bread and cheese before her. Judging by the sounds he heard, Rabbie moved about the loft, preparing the extra sleeping space. He hoped the man planned to sleep up there, because Jamie would be down here, guarding the door all night.
Caitrin looked up at the loft and frowned.
“Is something amiss, lass?” he asked quietly.
She brought her gaze back to him and shook her head. “Ye must be hungry.”
Her words were innocent enough, but Jamie caught the undertone and smiled at the memory of the exertion she expected would have given him an appetite.
“Aye. A bite wouldna go amiss. Is there enough for the men?”
“Aye. I left a bundle of food and a jug of ale by the door.”
He took those out to Kyle then hurried back to Caitrin. “Help yerself,” she offered as he settled on the bench beside her. She pushed the tray toward him, rose to pour another mug of ale, and offered it. “I’ve had my fill for now.”
Reaching for the mug, he grazed his fingertips over hers before she released it. He canted an eyebrow, making her smile. “There’s always tomorrow,” he promised.
“’Tis my fondest wish.” Caitrin’s saucy grin made her meaning perfectly clear.
He ached for her, but he also ached to get her clear of MacGregor’s reach and safe within the Aerie. What Toran would say when they arrived was the least of Jamie’s concerns, especially now, with his beautiful Caitrin giving him a smile that promised heaven to come.
****
Jamie had expected their subterfuge to be successful long enough to grant them one night’s rest before they went on their way, but MacGregor’s men attacked just before dawn. He roused at the sound of approaching horses, certain his men did, as well. Minutes before the first rider burst out from among the trees, the thunderous rumble told him too many were on their way for their pursuers to have been scattered across the countryside, chasing their false trails. Somehow, MacGregor knew where they were.
Jamie’s men had no time to prepare to meet the charge. He itched to get outside and join the fight, but first, he made certain Caitrin was awake and ready to leave.
“I’ve got all I need in my pockets.” She stood and gave him a quick kiss, then exposed the handle of a small knife. “A gift from Madeleine.” At his nod, she replaced it and stepped away from him. “Come back to me, Jamie. I willna lose ye again.”
“Aye, my love. I willna be away from ye for long.”
Her quick and quiet compliance made him proud. She must be terrified by what they faced, but she refused to reveal it. Instead, she accepted what he must do and, rather than clinging to him, showed she was prepared to defend herself.
Before he went out, he checked the loft, concerned. He’d heard no movement up there since before the fighting started. They were alone in the croft house. Rabbie could not have gone outside to help with their defense while Jamie roused Caitrin. Normally a light sleeper, Jamie would not have missed seeing or hearing him moving in the small confines of the croft or opening the door. Nor did he think the tryst with Caitrin would have made him sleep too deeply to be aware of movement nearby. Quickly, he looked around, but found nothing. There must be another way out from the loft. Rabbie had used it to get out and alert the MacGregor, betraying them.
Why? He ground his teeth. Caitrin was his blood. Malcolm, too. What could the MacGregor have offered him, and when? Had he warned MacGregor after their first visit Jamie would bring her here? Or slipped out during the night and gotten word to MacGregor’s patrol? Jamie’s sentries had been watching for MacGregor’s men to approach, not for Rabbie to sneak away past them.
No matter. Trouble had arrived and would have to be dealt with.
“Caitrin, come up here.”
She scrambled up the ladder and joined him. Her eyes widened. “Where did he go?”
“To betray us, unless I miss my bet. There must be another way out from up here. Come back down and bar the door behind me, then search for it. Ye may need it.”
The sounds of battle filtered through the croft’s thick walls—swords clanging, men shouting, horses neighing in distress and anger.
“Ye’ll stay inside,” he repeated when they got back to the main level, “with the door barred, until ye hear me tell ye to open it. No’ before.”
