Page 44 of A Laird and a Fugitive

Caroline felt buoyed by her victory. While her uncle was manifesting dark plans, she felt confident that together, she and Ryan, could defend against them and protect the innocent. On their return journey, they did not stop off for a rest, for it was imperative they returned to the Keep with this signed agreement as soon as possible.

The land was always more dangerous at night, so Caroline had to remain content with the stirrings of her thoughts to keep her warm. She and Ryan had come close to being intimate again in the glade, and soon enough they would be in their bedchamber again. This time, she wanted to hear Ryan tell her that he loved her, for she imagined it would be the sweetest thing that would ever greet her ears.

The world passed by in a blur, and thankfully they did not encounter anything dangerous. Her legs were aching, but she steeled herself against the pain, not wanting to appear weak and frail.

“We’re almost there,” Ryan called out as he spied familiar territory.

Caroline was yet to fully acquaint herself with the Knox terrain, but that was something she would have to correct soon enough.

“Oh nae,” Ryan gasped, interrupting her idle thoughts. “Come on,” he urged, and then as she raised her gaze she saw what had inspired such a guttural reaction.

Smoke billowed from the location of the Keep, and the sky was ablaze with a soft glow. Fear clutched at her heart, her thoughts turning to Nessa and Tara. If anything happened to them while she was absent, she would never forgive herself.

She clutched the reins tightly and dug her heels into the horses’ flank, spurring it on to go faster and faster, even though it had already been a long day of riding. But time was of the essence. With every moment that passed, the fire grew more intense, and the more fragile life seemed.

When they approached the Keep, they slid off the horses, for the animals were skittish when faced with such a blaze. The people of the clan were rushing about, fetching water from nearby streams and wells, bringing back bucketfuls to splash upon the blaze. The guards were controlling everything, barking orders and trying to maintain some semblance of sanity.

The flames licked the stone. Fire bellowed out of windows, and ragged tapestries flapped in the wind. The fire roared, as though it was shouting a warning to everyone who witnessed its might. Water hissed and a wave of smoke rolled out, covering the land in a mist. Caroline’s eyes filled with tears, and she felt as though she was choking. She pressed her shawl against her mouth and remained close to Ryan, finding his strong arm amid the darkness.

She blinked frantically, fighting against the itchy feeling in the hope of seeing Nessa and Tara, but it was so hard when there were so many moving bodies. Suddenly, she heard Nessa cry out. They were huddled with some servants beneath a shelter. Their faces were smudged, but they were safe and unharmed.

Caroline embraced them tightly, kissing them both on the forehead.

“What happened here?” she asked the question in unison with Ryan, whose face was set in deep pain. A nearby guard marched up to him.

“It was the Gilmour Clan, sir. They sent a party tae infiltrate the castle and set the fire. We believe they were after them,” he nodded towards Nessa and Tara, who looked self-conscious.

Caroline winced. After all this, they still weren’t safe. She thought being harbored in their enemy’s keep would have been sanctuary enough, but apparently not.

“What’s the status of the fire?” Ryan asked.

“We hae almost got it under control. It hae been contained tae a wing of the Keep. We sealed the doors shut tae prevent the fire from reaching other areas. I’m afraid tae say that there hae been a lot of damage, but we hae all been trying our best tae put it out,” the guard replied.

“And ye shall all feast well for yer efforts,” Ryan clapped the man on the shoulder, nodding to him with respect. “Carry on with ye, and gather any man who is nae needed tae help with the fire. I need tae speak with them. This attack cannae pass without vengeance,” Ryan’s voice was harsh and heavy with ire.

Caroline could sense how much this would rankle him. It was a matter of pride for him to keep enemies from invading his territory, and this brazen attack had happened directly in his home! It was an affront to the promise he had made to his people. Her uncle certainly knew how to strike at someone’s heart.

“Ryan, I’m sae sorry.”

“This is nae yer fault. It’s the work of yer uncle, and I will make him pay,” he growled.

“Are ye certain that’s nae what he wants? What if ye are walking intae a trap?”

“Then I will show him that it’s nae sae easy tae trap me. He burned my home, sae as soon as dawn light touches the land I will attack him and make him wish he hae never been born.” He turned back to the guard. “What happened tae the men who set the fire?”

“As soon as they were noticed, they ran. We were about tae send a patrol after them, but the fire took hold, and we thought all hands were needed tae put it out.”

“Aye,” Ryan nodded. “Sae it was a distraction,” he regarded Nessa and Tara with a cool look. “As soon as the fire hae been doused ye are gaeing back intae the Keep where ye are safe,” he jabbed a finger in the air. Then he turned to Caroline. “Ye tae, Caroline.”

Her heart sank. “But Ryan, I can help ye. I can⁠—”

He cut her words short by slashing his hand through the air. “This is nae a discussion. Ye need tae be safe, and I will nae allow ye tae be anywhere near a battlefield. As soon as yer uncle catches sight of ye he is liable tae shoot tae kill just as he is tae kidnap ye. The guards will keep ye safe here.”

“I am nae gaeing tae spend my life behind a locked door! Hae ye learned naething from taeday? We make a more formidable pair taegether,” Caroline insisted.

But Ryan wasn’t having any of it. His face was lined with worry, and he was pacing about. However, Caroline did not have to make the argument alone.

“They came here because of us. They hurt people because of us. That is nae right. He is our uncle and we cannae allow him tae carry out these dark deeds in our name. I can shoot a bow better than any man ye hae,” Nessa declared, the whites of her eyes stark against her smudged features.