Page 72 of The Lady of Her Highland Clan

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"I'll go in first. Remember, Fraser still thinks I'm going tae be his bride!"

It was two days later.

Fiona had summoned the might of the Duncan clan fighters to accompany her as far as the Greenock castle tower. Right behind, the best men that Laird Anderson had to offer were waiting to help.

But first, they had to get past the entrance to the keep! Motioning to the troops to keep well back, the amassed Duncan and Anderson clans stayed hidden behind the castle walls.

"It's dangerous, miss," said the young commander—a lad, really—as he fixed Fiona with an uncertain stare. His light-blue eyes met hers sincerely. "I would rather take yer place, an' go ahead. Ye'll need us there."

"Aye." Fiona nodded. "But ye will follow...they'll nae let ye through the gates wi'out a plan!"

She smiled, although the earnest blond lad behind her was not so sure. All the same, he nodded. "Aye, miss."

Fiona braced herself, glancing nervously at the large gray castle ahead. She tried to calm herself with the knowledge of how badly protected it was. Hopefully, it would not take too much to unseat the usurper laird!

Breezily, Fiona pushed out in front, heading to the sentry box. The young lad smiled at her, and for half a moment, Fiona felt a twinge of guilt.

Reminding herself this was the only way to free Clyde, Fiona persevered. Besides, there was no need to hurt the Greenock guards if they cooperated.

Once the gates had been opened, Fiona trotted in. Now for the next part of her plan.

"Och, laddie," said Fiona apologetically. "Could ye come here an' assist me?"

She feigned a swoon, flopping dramatically across the front of Lizzie May. For her part, the startled mare gave a whinny, making the whole ruse more convincing.

Fiona saw the surprise in the young knave's face. His eyes widened, and his mouth almost dropped.

"Miss!" He sprang to his feet, helping her. Warily, Fiona glanced around. With a sly look, she saw the men behind the gates shuffle closer. "Are ye alright?"

The pale young man looked at her in concern. Again, Fiona felt a rush of guilt. "Aye, thank ye, lad."

He walked with her to "steady" her. As he did, the first of the troops trickled silently forward. Fiona kept up the act, ensuring the lad led her away from the gates and nearer to the door.

The coast clear, she watched as the combined Duncan and Anderson troops snuck into the training ground. Their horses were still some way off, tethered to the castle walls to silence their approach.

"Thank ye," said Fiona again, nodding courteously to the lad. It would not be until after she was well within the castle that he would notice a thing. By then, she would be gone.

"Fiona?"

Clyde looked up from the dried bread he was eating. He shot a look of complete disbelief to Fiona.

"Aye, Clyde, ye can put doon that tasty morsel," said Fiona. She kept a cool stare, but a lighthearted note came into her voice. "Ye’re needed back by yer clan."

Perhaps it was nerves, but her hands were shaking as she helped to untie him. The rusted chains were hard to get off, and it took the guards several attempts with the ax to release him.

Frantic, Clyde looked about. "Fiona, what's going on?"

Excitement prickling her cheeks, Fiona tried her best to compose herself. "I'll tell ye on the way, but ye have tae hurry. We need tae get ye out o' here first, an'..."

She grasped his hand. Tenderly, she squeezed him. Maybe it was only days, but it felt like the first time in years she had held him.

"Anderson, he sends his troops tae help us," said Fiona, her words tripping over each other. "He kens he was wrong tae trust Fraser."

But there was no time to explain it all to Clyde right now. Despairing, Fiona tugged his hand. With the small band of guards behind them, she pressed Clyde forward.

From above, the sounds of fighting were already audible. The advancing soldiers could be heard, with footsteps streaming through the halls.