Page 38 of Highlander’s Quest of Desire

Bruce had no answer. The fact was only two people had known where he was going - him and Leo Sinclair. He had taken pains to slip out in the dead of night, dressed from head to toe in black. No one had been notified of his intentions, not even the Bishop who he had gone to see.

Laird Labert took his silence for an answer. “I still donae ken where ye were though I had my suspicions. When they told me of the Bishop of Orkney’s passing, I put two and two together. But ye must have ken the Bishop wouldnae have wanted ye to risk everything to see him before the end.” Laird Labert held up a hand to stop Bruce from interrupting. “Nae, I didnae mean any disrespect. It was a noble thing ye did. Ye honored him, and I wouldnae have expected any less from ye. But ye ran a great risk.”

“Ye still have nae proved that ye didnae have any hand in my imprisonment.”

“I cannae prove myself innocent if ye have decided that I am guilty,” Laird Labert shook his head in despair. “I can just tell ye what I ken. I warned ye of danger. Ye were betrayed and taken to prison. I was nae told ye were at Bass Rock. Nae one was told where ye were. They feared a rescue attempt so they were keen to keep that quiet. Even Domnhall didnae ken.”

“That’s nae true,” Elspeth interrupted. “Leo told Domnhall where Bruce was being kept the night he came to ask for help.”

A strange look passed over Laird Labert’s face, a look of deep hurt, but he masked it. “Then I suppose Domnhall doesnae trust me completely either. It doesnae matter. For whatever reason he hid it from me, I didnae ken where ye were kept, nor did Sinclair ask for my help. It would have been willingly given. When news of yer escape spread it didnae mention which prison ye had been kept at.”

“To keep up the reputation of Bass Rock, I suppose,” Elspeth murmured. Her eyes had that faraway look which meant she was thinking. “It is the most feared prison and is reputed to be impregnable. The English cannae risk it being said that they were found sleeping on the job.”

Bruce was still keen on placing the entirety of the blame at Laird Labert’s feet, but a small voice in his head had to admit there were cracks in his story. Only Leo had known he was going to Orkney, and Laird Labert had warned him of the English intentions on Dunnottar. Suitably confused, Bruce was still not convinced they were completely safe in Balquhidder.

On the other hand, Elspeth looked at ease with this explanation. “If Laird Labert’s intent was to have ye imprisoned he wouldnae have warned ye from the start. And he had little to gain from sending ye to prison. As the Laird of Dunnottar and his ally ye are more to him than an English garrison that is a friend to nae one but to themselves.”

“Aye. Think on it Bruce. I have naught to gain from sending ye to prison. Now,” he said, patting Elspeth’s hand. “The chambers are ready for ye to rest. I shall have them send up some refreshments. Ye look like ye haven’t had a decent meal in days.”

“I cannae stay,” Bruce interrupted. “If ye want me to trust ye had naught to do with my capture ye will let me go. Otherwise throw me in the dungeon as ye please.”

Laird Labert laughed. Bruce had not expected that reaction. “I forgot how intense ye could be. Aye, ye can leave, but nae until ye’ve recovered from yer injuries. Master Faraday shall tend to your wounds, and then when he deems ye ready ye may go. There is a perfectly good room upstairs for ye, but if ye insist on staying in the dungeon, we can arrange that for ye too. We aim to please.”

Bruce flushed. He was about to protest but allowed Master Faraday to look at his injury. He inspected the slash on his chest. “It is a shallow cut and will mend soon. My concern is for the gash on yer back, Laird Grant. It has been tended to by an excellent hand, but it has sustained more damage. If ye continue on yer journey without letting it heal completely, it will tear again and might nae heal properly again.”

“And how long will that take?” Bruce asked, frowning. “Long enough for the English troops to get here?”

Laird Labert only laughed. “Aye. That’s our plan, Bruce. Might as well get some food and medicine in ye before they come. Come, Elspeth. I have prepared yer favorite room.”

Bruce was left there with Master Faraday tending to his wounds. A prick of jealousy stung him to see Elspeth on Laird Labert’s arm. They walked away from him, but Elspeth looked back at him and he could see she was speaking with her eyes. It was an imploring look. She wanted him to have faith, to trust her instincts about Laird Labert. Bruce sighed. He owed her that much. If the English soldiers came, he would risk making a run for it.

“Shall we do this in yer room, Laird Grant?” Master Faraday asked.

“Aye,” Bruce said. “I suppose we should.”

He let Master Faraday led him to the room. Giving into Elspeth’s silent wishes was hard for him to do. It was unlike him to let others decide for him, or to give up control of a situation he was in. But Elspeth had trusted him, followed him blindly. He was going to trust her too.