Page 52 of Tempting the Highland Captive

“Aye,” Lucas agreed. “But he is nae, and we must save him. Whether ye wish tae remain with him once he is safe can be determined after it is over.”

Father Jacob crossed himself in prayer. Amelia was not certain whether he was praying for Ron’s safety, the clan’s safety, or the maintenance of her marriage. Knowing the priest, he was probably praying for all three. Getting her thoughts together, Amelia straightened her shoulders in determination. “We must tell the lairds what has happened.”

“Aye.” Lucas nodded and turned to descend the stairs to the great hall. By the time that Amelia was ready to face them, he would have them fully updated on where they stood with the Clan Rossell.

Amelia turned her attention to Father Jacob. “Tell me everything that Ron said tae ye and dinnae deny me it by claiming the seal o’ the confessional.”

Father Jacob held her eyes for a moment, then nodded resigned. “God forgive me,” he murmured, then proceeded to betray his own oath as a priest to tell her all. By the time that he was done, Amelia was crying once more.

“He endured all o’ that?” she whispered in disbelief.

“Aye.” The priest nodded solemnly.

“Michael Rossell is lower than a beast,” she hissed in fury. “Nae child should be treated as Ron was treated. Nae woman should suffer as his maither suffered.” She would have said more, but Lucas reappeared at the top of the stairs.

“The lairds are ready.”

Amelia nodded and descended the stairs to face her guests and to ascertain whether they still stood as her allies. What she found was a series of very serious faces. “We will nae fight with ye,” the eldest among the lairds informed her, “but we will nae stop ye. If ye are called before the king tae answer for yer actions, we will stand as witnesses in yer defense.”

It was more than Amelia had dared to hope for. “I thank ye, my lairds. I may verra well call upon ye tae do so.”

The eldest of the lairds nodded his head in respect. “We will nae remain as planned. Ye have enough tae be getting on with.”

Amelia nodded and stepped forward to clasp the hand of each laird in turn. “Gratitude,” she murmured.

“May God’s blessings be upon ye, my lady.” As if they were one person, the lairds and their attendants left the great hall to ready for their departure.

“I will ready the men.” Lucas bowed to Amelia, then turned to leave the hall.

“I will go with ye tae free the lad,” Father Jacob offered his services causing Lucas to turn back around.

“There is nae place for a priest in what we are about tae do, Faither. Ye should remain here.”

“There is always a need for God’s assistance in every matter, my son,” Father Jacob gently but firmly reminded.

Amelia, knowing how much the priest had already lost to the Rossell family, nodded her head in approval. “Allow him tae go, Lucas. He needs this as much as we do.”

“I will nae have the death o’ a priest on my soul,” Lucas argued, genuine concern on his face.

Father Jacob stepped forward and made the sign of the cross on Lucas’ forehead and upon his inner wrists. “Ego te absolvo,” he intoned. “What e’er may befall me, ye shall be held blameless in the eyes o’ God.” The priest, not waiting for further argument, turned and left the hall to ready himself for battle.

Amelia followed Lucas out into the courtyard to ready the men. Knowing they would have heard about what happened in the hall, she explained to them the situation. “If any o’ ye dinnae feel that ye can fight tae free my husband, I will understand, but ye must speak now for once we have begun it will be tae late.”

Not a single man moved. They had all respected Ron, had built a warrior’s trust with him, and would not abandon him now. Lucas nodded in approval and stepped forward. He told them what he knew about the situation and the Rossell defenses. “The Rossell warriors had stopped at a small house in the wood when last I saw them to water their horses. I dinnae ken if they took His Lairdship inside or continued tae the stronghold. I can only assume that if they are taking him tae Michael Rossell, they will take him on to the stronghold. There is a large number o’ guardsmen at the ready. They will be expecting us. Each o’ ye should prepare yerselves for what we are about tae face.”

Father Jacob said a blessing of protection over the warriors. They stood tall and strong, their weapons at the ready. Amelia had never been prouder to be a McAlpine as she was in that moment. These men were her kinsmen, ready to lay their lives down to save her husband, their laird, a fellow warrior. She called for a stableboy to bring her a horse.

“My lady,” Lucas murmured low enough that the men could not hear. “Ye should allow us tae retrieve yer husband. We can bring him here tae ye if ye wish, but it will be far tae dangerous for ye tae go with us.”

“I am going, Lucas, and there is nothing that ye can do tae prohibit me. Were I a man, ye would nae hesitate tae have me at yer side? Ye have trained me well in the ways o’ the sword and bow. It is my choice.”

Lucas sighed, frustration and worry clear on his face. “A lady and a priest in a battle I dinnae ken how tae win. This will nae end well.”

“Have faith, my son,” Father Jacob reminded him, coming to stand beside Amelia. He nodded in respect to her. “We will surprise them yet, my lady. Ye will have yer husband back in yer arms afore this day is done.”