Page 34 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

10

Gemma couldn’t sleep. The old woman’s words had been stuck in her head ever since she returned home. In fact, she’d been in a sort of haze. The woman’s directions had been both oddly specific and yet still quite vague. Surely there were plenty of glens down by rivers in the Highlands. Which could she be talking about? It was no use sleeping when her mind was running so. Her father was away on yet another trip, so she knew his study would be unattended. She hadn’t been there in a long time. He always kept it unlocked, but she also knew that everything in it was precious. After she and Ian accidentally broke a vase of particularly high value whilst playing in there, their father had tanned their hides while giving them a tongue lashing about respecting others’ personal belongings. And so, she’d never gone in there again. Now, she did feel a prick of guilt, breaking into a completely unguarded study, but…she needed answers.

She slipped out of her bed and drew her shawl around her shoulders, careful not to make any noise as she made her way down the dark hallway towards her father’s study.

The door creaked open, and she entered the room, taking a deep breath of the musty air. The flicker of a single candle flame illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows across the walls. Books lined the shelves, their spines cracked and frayed with age, and papers littered the desk. But it was the maps that drew her in, their edges worn and tattered, the colors faded with time.

Gemma’s fingers traced the lines of Scotland, her eyes scanning the intricate details of the land. She knew Colin was out there somewhere, hiding from the laird. The thought of him being alone and afraid made her heart ache. She needed to find him, to help him, to be with him, but also to find answers.

She picked up a quill and traced a line on the map, trying to piece together the information she had gathered over the past few weeks along with what the old woman had said. Her heart raced as she found what she was looking for. A small village nestled in the hills, far from any main roads or cities. It was a place that would be difficult to find, but not impossible. It was close to a river, and the map indicated a glen nearby. She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She had found him. She knew where he was — or at least had an approximation of it.

But then reality hit her. How was she going to get to him? She couldn't just leave, especially not now. No, this would require careful planning, as she would likely have to travel some. Good Lord, her mother would be so unhappy with her, but…this was a noble cause, was it not?

She searched through the drawers of the desk, her fingers digging through piles of papers and books until she found what she was looking for. A key. It was small, brass, and looked as if it had not been used in years. She turned it over in her hand, studying it closely. It had to be the key to the secret passage she had heard rumors about. Yes, as the daughter of a merchant, Gemma understood that sometimes merchants shipped things that other people dearly wanted, and were willing to do anything to get their hands on them. Thankfully, no pirates had been spotted in the North Sea in years, but there were always Royal Navy ships, or privateers. She’d heard whispers of such a passage under her home, leading to the castle and into the interior of Aberdeen. Perhaps…this was that particular key.

With shaking hands, she approached the bookshelf, looking for any sign of a hidden door. And then she found it. A small indentation in the wood, barely visible to the naked eye. She pressed the key into the hole, and with a soft click, the bookshelf swung open, revealing a dark passageway.

Gemma hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before stepping into the darkness. She felt her way along the damp walls, the musty smell of old stone filling her nostrils. The passage was short, and she had to stoop a little, but it was wide enough to transport bulky items such as crates and barrels. She pressed on, determined to reach the end of the tunnel. Even if she did not leave tonight, it was good to know where this would take her.

Finally, after what felt like a couple hours, she emerged into the open air. She found herself in a small clearing, surrounded by trees and bushes. The moon was high in the sky, casting a pale glow over everything. The towers of the castle were visible, but clearly a good distance away. Her house was nowhere to be seen — so she really had walked quite a distance. The passage had spit her out into the woods beyond.

“Alright,” she said to herself, wiping her dirty hands on her nightgown. She wished she’d brought a lantern, or a warmer shawl, but she had not known where this would take her. What if she could not find this again? Her heart leapt into her throat as she realized she might very well be stuck in that passage.

And then, as if by some divine miracle, the moon shone bright on a patch of purplish crocuses. Gemma liked the flowers, but…these were distinctive enough that they’d be easier to see in the dark than blades of grass, or crumbs. Hastily, she stooped and picked as many as she could, then scurried back into the tunnel. Upon her journey home, she dropped the crocuses at strategic points, as a way to point her back.

After a while, she found herself back in the study. As she looked through the window, she realized the night had turned from darkest dark to a sort of hazy gray. There were perhaps only a couple hours until dawn, when she would have to wake up and pretend nothing had happened. Sticking her head out of the study, she was relieved to see the hallway was empty. No one else was up yet. She tiptoed down to her room, kicking off her muddy slippers and hiding them under the bed. Then she placed the key in her pillowcase. She’d intended to think of a plan, but sleep overtook her.

No sooner had her head hit the pillow than Muriel's voice sounded beyond the door.

“Gemma! Gemma, ‘tis time tae get up!”

Gemma groaned, ready to ignore her and fall asleep, until she realized it was sunny out — the sun was far higher in the sky than she’d anticipated.

Christ, so she’d slept a good long while after her mini adventure!

“Sorry, erm…” her voice was still thick with sleep, “Just a moment!”

She looked down at her nightgown, and realized the hem was muddy. Oh Christ, that would not do. Muriel had eyes like a hawk. Although they were friends, she was still a maid, and still paid by her father’s purse. She had to be careful. With a flourish, she threw off her nightgown and scurried over to the chest at the foot of her bed, locating a new shift. Once she’d pulled that over her head, and balled up the dirty nightgown, shoving it under other clothes, she spoke again.

“Alright, I’m ready!”

Muriel pushed open the door with a flourish. Gemma feigned a yawn — although that was not difficult — as she sat at her vanity table.

“Ye look a fright,” Muriel commented.

“I’m tired. Can’t I go back tae sleep?”

“Nay. Yer mother wants ye at the castle taeday. Help wi’ chores an’ show the laird and Bryce how good a wife ye’ll be.”

Gemma tried to keep from smiling mischievously as Muriel attacked her hair with the bristly brush.

Little did they know…she’d be gone before anything could happen.

Colin stood at the anvil,his eyes fixed on the glowing metal before him. He swung the hammer with all his might, his thoughts consumed by the revelation that had rocked his world. He couldn't believe that Bryce was his brother, that he had a sibling he never knew about. Of course everyone commented on how alike the two of them looked, and such comments had wormed their way into Colin’s mind, but he refused to believe it for years.

However, it wasn't just the shock of the discovery that was weighing on Colin's mind. He couldn't shake the guilt and shame that came with the knowledge that he and Bryce shared the same sinful bloodline. How could Bryce knowingly marry Gemma, when he was part of the same sin that brought Colin into the world?

He needed to talk to Bryce, to tell him the truth and see if he was aware of his illegitimate birth. It was unforgivable; hypocritical, even, for Bryce to send away Colin and his father if he knew of this. It did not just affect them, it affected the entire clan, but mostly…Colin thought of Gemma. It would be her reputation at stake, too. All this time, her family would be so happy to think she was marrying the son of the laird, only to realize later that he had no claim to the lairdship. She’d be disgraced.