Page 8 of The Return of the Heir

“Because tonight you are going to haunt this place and scare that bastard, Alastair MacLeod, and his men right into my trap.”

Now was not the time to be meek. She had to stand up to Garrick even though she felt small, nervous, and completely inadequate to meet this sudden challenge. “What do you mean?”

He waved the pistol at Arabella again. “Put the damn dress on.”

Gwendolyn hurriedly slipped the dress over her head. The hem pooled at her feet. Janet had obviously been several inches taller than she was. The bodice gaped at the bust, and the waist settled around her hips. Her healthy figure had vanished when she only ate enough to keep herself alive. She gave everything extra to her siblings to allow them both to grow and thrive.

“Turn around,” Garrick demanded.

“Why should I—”

He waved his pistol more forcefully at Arabella. “I was raised never to strike a woman, but over the years you’ve aroused a great violence in me that I’m finding hard to ignore right now. If you think I won’t shoot her, you’re wrong.”

Gwendolyn raised her chin in defiance. “The sound of gunfire will alert everyone in the castle that something is happening in the tower. They will come to investigate.”

“And find all of you dead. Now, turn around.”

“Why haven’t you killed us before now?”

“Because I needed you alive and cooperative when the MacLeod returned home. I want to hurt him as much as he and his clan hurt me. The three of you were obviously important to him for him to rescue you all those years ago and then to agree to marry you, Gwendolyn.”

She wanted to argue that Alastair’s attachment to the three of them was not that strong, but to do so might threaten their lives just as the hope of rescue had presented itself. With no real choice, she did as Garrick demanded. The chain at her ankle rattled against the floor with her movements. The sound of the chains had never been loud enough to bring anyone to their aid.

He was behind her in a lightning-swift motion. He grasped her arms and tied them behind her back.

“Untie me or I’ll scream.” Panic rose as she felt the rope tighten, rendering her helpless.

He turned her to face him. “You’ve screamed before, and everyone merely assumed it was the Grey Lady haunting the tower.” His tone was silky with menace.

“Please untie me. I’ll cooperate with whatever it is you want me to do.”

“You’ll cooperate all right.” He shifted down to her feet and pulled an iron key that was tied to a loop on his belt. He inserted it into the shackle at her ankle and it came free, rattling against the floorboards.

Gwendolyn drew a sharp breath at the unexpected action. Instantly, her leg lifted and hovered above the floor without her doing anything. Free from the heavy shackle and chain, it felt as light as air. She forced it back to the ground and shifted her weight upon it. Tingles of sensation shot up her leg as she took one uneven step and then another. “Why after all this time are you releasing me now?”

He gave her a wicked smile as he draped a sheer and billowing cloak about her shoulders, then fastened the clasp in the front. “Because you are going as Lady Janet to the new keep to haunt those who have just returned to the castle. I want them so scared they will leave once more. Keep yourself from being recognised or your siblings will pay the price.”

“How am I supposed to move about the castle without anyone seeing me?”

He grasped a piece of parchment and unrolled it before her. “This is a map of the castle and all the secret passageways I’ve discovered over the years. You’ll be able to move about with ease. Quickly, memorise the details.”

“If that is what you wish, then I will do it.” She could barely force the words out through the tightness in her throat. He didn’t leave her much of a choice. But once she was out of the tower, she would think of some way to free her brother and sister as well. “Untie me.”

“Nay.”

Gwendolyn frowned. “Will I not need my hands to open doors?”

“You’re a clever girl. You’ll overcome the challenge.”

“You promise not to hurt Arabella or Samuel?” She wished she could stop shaking. She’d been dreaming of leaving this tower for years. . .but not under these circumstances.

“Only if you force me to do so.” He opened the tower door, and she peered out into the half-light of the spiral stairs leading up to their prison. The air was lighter outside the tower room, fresher, with a hint of a tang that brought back memories of wading through the tide along the shores of Loch Dunvegan.

Gwendolyn paused as a thought struck her and she turned back to her captor. “What if the Grey Lady disapproves of me haunting the castle in her place?”

“Then you’ll have more than just your siblings to worry about.” He shut the door.

Gwendolyn drew herself up. She mustn’t be a coward now. This might be her one chance to gain their freedom. Taking her first tentative steps on legs that were weak and unsteady, she began her descent.

She had no idea how to free her family, and she had no idea how to haunt a castle even though she’d been watching the Grey Lady do just that for the past five years. In either case, she had better devise a plan, or the situation she’d thought couldn’t get any worse, would become even more perilous.