Page 186 of Claimed Highland Brides

INFILTRATION

The publican had more than a location for Gilroy MacFarland. He had a note from the man. Barclay snatched it and read it aloud.

“If ye’ve gotten this far, then there’s no much further to go. Meet me at old lady Fraser’s cottage. Leave the laird behind if ye wish to see yer wife again.”

Barclay looked up at Daividh. “He was most definitely watching us.”

“Aye, he was, but we thought so. I shall stay here, wait for Simon, and then come and find ye.”

“Ye ken he probably wilnae have Aileen at this location? ’Tis more likely a meeting spot from which he can grab me.”

Daividh nodded. “’Tis likely. But we have good trackers. I feel confident that we will be able to find you.”

Barclay nodded. “Vera weel. I shalnae rely on it, though. Either way, I mun’ get her back.”

Daividh clapped him on the shoulder. “Godspeed. We shall see each other soon.”

With a last nod of acknowledgment, Barclay set out.

* * *

Aileen opened her eyes to find herself lying on a cold stone floor, her hands tied to something above her. She tried to look up but winced as she registered the pain in her neck from lying so uncomfortably. Taking a deep breath, she prepared to call out but was sidetracked by a coughing fit. The room was very dusty, and once she was done blinking, she noticed that all the furniture in the room was broken and extremely old.

She tugged at her hands, realizing she was bound with rope and the rope anchored to something above her head. The room was shrouded with shadows, and it was difficult to see what exactly was holding her hands up. She scrabbled her feet along the floor, trying to find an anchor so she could get to her feet. The floor was slippery with dust, and it was difficult to find a purchase.

She tried wriggling her back against the wall to see if she could ease upwards slowly. Using her hands as a counterweight, she struggled to get to her feet. Her head throbbed with pain, and she had a blank spot where the memory of how she came to be here would have been.

“What happened to me?”

Whatever it was, she knew it was bad. Someone had clearly abducted her as she went about her business and if she was to venture a guess, she would say it was probably Gilroy since she had no other known enemies.

What does he mean to do?

Her stomach rumbled loudly, and she realized she was quite hungry. Even as she thought it, a wave of nausea swept through her, and she swallowed bitter bile.

How long have I been here?

Her foot slipped out from under her, and she ended up on her bottom again. She groaned in pain while feeling glad that no one had been around to see her ignominious fall. Taking a deep breath, she decided to call for help.

“Help! Help me! I’m trapped! Please, somebody? Help!”

“Haud yer whisht ye wee besom,” a voice growled as someone banged their way into the room. The light was behind them, so she could not see their face, but from the breadth of his shoulders and his height, she knew it wasn’t Gilroy. He was much smaller than this man.

“Who are ye?”

“Tha’s none o’ yer business. Now stop yer screeching. Ye’re scarin’ the goats.” With that, the man stepped back out and slammed the door behind him. Aileen blinked, wondering at this turn of events.

What if it’s not Gilroy that has me locked up in here? What if it’s somebody else…? But who?

“Sir! Please, sir! Where am I? Why am I here?” she shouted and then waited, but there was no response. She began to shout again and scream for help, but the man didn’t return. Finally giving up, she began to struggle again to get to her feet. Perhaps if she could get her hands loose, she might just walk out.

Her stomach rumbled again, reminding her that it was empty.

“Will you not at least feed me?” she called and waited hopefully.

There was no response.

* * *