Page 38 of Never Kiss a Highlander

“The morning ride is out because every day we watched them he was with her. It would have to be a reason that she ignores his orders.”

The laird thought for a moment. “The lass is verra independent and stubborn her da said when we were there for the failed wedding.” He glared at Archie.

“The Mackay said Archie would need to take her in hand. So we need to come up with a reason she would leave by herself.”

“From what the serving lass we met in the ale house said, Lady Mackay is one of those who is the first to help,” Miles said.

David leaned forward. “She is quite fond of this lad, Eli, who works in the kitchen. If she thought he was hurt or in danger, I’m sure she would no’ wait for an escort to help.”

“And how do ye plan to snatch both the lad and the lass? Mayhap ye can grab the laird while yer there, too.” Gilbert said with disgust.

“If we give Finn Mackay reason to leave the castle when they generally take their ride, I’m sure Lady Mackay would go anyway,” Archie said.

“Aye. For once ye have a good idea. The four of ye ride to Castle Varrich, create some sort of ruckus that would cause Finn to forget the ride and leave before then.”

“Once ye grab her, get her back here as quickly as possible. Finn Mackay could probably knock all four of ye to the ground. Whether he cares for the lass or no’, he would consider her his property.”

“Where will we keep her when we return? We doona want to give her a chance to escape because, as independent as she is, I’m sure she would no’ sit in a room, wailing about her fate,” David said.

“We decided on a locked bedchamber, with one of ye outside the door at all times. She’s a clever one,” Gilbert said.

“She is a bonnie lass as well as strong and clever,” Miles said.

Archie stretched in his chair. “Aye. Mayhap I should have bedded the lass the night before the wedding instead of letting Mackay get a taste of her.”

Gilbert glared at his son. “If ye weren’t so stupid as to bring yer whore with ye to the wedding, this entire thing might have turned out differently. The Mackay lass needed wooing, not watching ye parading yer lemman around the room.”

Archie said nothing, but slumped in his chair, a scowl on his face.

Gilbert stood. “We fetch the lass as soon as possible. Be ready to ride at first light.”

Alison’s plans for the day were to do a complete inventory of what the keep had in the way of stores for the coming winter.

She decided to just grab some bread and perhaps a boiled egg if Maude had any from the kitchen and get to work. ‘Twas strange that before she married Finn she had little interest in the keep and left all the management to Gilly, who had been with them for years and did both kitchen duty along with Maude, and supervised the maids.

Now she felt as though this was her home, and not somewhere she lived until a man came along, married her and took her away. She had a husband and with the activity they did on a daily basis, there would one day be a bairn, hopefully, soon.

Then she would have a family, where things would be much like tthey were when she and her brothers were children, racing around the keep, going off on ‘adventures’ and coming home dirty and happy.

Just as she reached the bottom step, Finn came striding by, looking, if not angry, at least concerned. “Good morn, husband. Is something amiss?”

He nodded and continued to walk as he said, “A problem with one of the horses.”

She walked alongside him, almost running to keep up. “What sort of problem?”

“A mare is giving birth, and she is having a difficult time. Old Kilmead sent for me because he kens I’ve dealt with this before at Dun Ugadale.”

Now she was skipping and running out of breath. “I have dealt with this before, too. I’d like to come along and see if I can help.”

He stopped so fast, she walked into him. “Ye have experience in this?”

“Aye. A few years ago we had the same situation. Ask Old Kilmead, he was there too.”

“Come along. I’m sure I need all the help I can get.”

They entered the dark stable and the sound of the poor horse’s deep breathing and groaning. Old Kilmead knelt next to her, speaking softly.

As they grew closer, Alison could see the animal covered in sweat.