Page 64 of Married to her Kilted Enemy

On the third night, Maddison was about to change for bed, alone once more. She knew Odhrán would likely be working in his study with Liam and Angus until late, so she was very surprised when a maid she had not met before knocked on the door.

“Good evenin’, me lady. I apologize fer disturbin’ ye at this time of night, but the laird sent me with an urgent message fer ye,” the young girl said after dropping Maddison a respectful curtsey.

“Oh? What is it?” Maddison asked a little uncertainly, hoping it was good news.

The maid smiled. “He told me tae tell ye that he has a surprise fer ye. He wants ye tae meet him as soon as ye can at the far end of the garden.”

“Aye,” Maddison replied with a nod, knowing he must mean the same place where they had burned the book a few nights ago. “Anything else?”

“Aye, me lady. He said tae remind ye tae take a couple of guards with ye as an escort. He would worry about ye wanderin’ around alone at night otherwise. He’ll be there tae meet ye, so then the guards can be dismissed.”

“All right. Thank ye… I’m sorry, I dinnae ken yer name.”

“I’m Thea, me lady,” the maid told her.

“Thank ye, Thea. Are ye new here?”

“Aye, me lady. I just started workin’ here these last few days.”

“And is Jessica, all right?”

“Och, aye, but she was resting, and I was still on duty, so I volunteered tae bring ye the message.”

“That was kind of ye. All right, ye can go now, Thea. Good night,” Maddison said with a happy smile, hurrying to get ready. She was thrilled at the prospect of spending time with Odhrán and that he loved her so much that, even though he was so busy, he would take the trouble to arrange a surprise for her.

She paused to tidy her hair before the mirror, then threw on a cloak and stuck her feet into her shoes. Not bothering to take a lamp with her, for the sun was still setting and there was still plenty of light outside to see by, she hurried from the room. Her excitement mounted as she left the keep and made her way through the twilight to the gatehouse in search of Liam, to ask him to supply her with a couple of guards as an escort.

I wonder what the surprise is. Och, I’m so lucky! Odhrán is so thoughtful and sweet!

She had just reached the guardhouse when the door open and, to her surprise, Tadgh came out.

“Tadgh! ’Tis good tae se ye up and about. Are ye fully recovered now and back tae yer duties?” she greeted him warmly.

“Aye, me lady. I’ve nae long got back from seein’ Alana, and she’s given me a clean bill of health, as long as I take it a bit easy fer a while,” the captain told her with a pleased look. “’Tis good tae be back tae work. I hated bein’ confined tae me bed, especially with Rollo still on the loose. Now, what brings ye out here at this time of the early night? Should ye nae be in yer rooms?”

“Please, Tadgh, dinnae call me me lady. We’re friends, so just call me Maddison, will ye?” she begged him, hating the formality of the title in the circumstances.

“All right, Maddison. If ye say so,” he told her with a big smile. She next explained to him about the message Odhrán had sent and the pending surprise.

“So, could ye arrange fer me tae have two guards escort me?” she asked.

“Of course, give me a few minutes. I must say, I’m impressed that Odhrán’s found the time tae arrange somethin’ nice fer ye. He’s been goin’ flat out these last few days.” He disappeared back into the guard house, and within a few minutes, two men were assigned to protect her and escort her on her way to meet with Odhrán.

She told them where she was heading, and they led the way. She felt totally safe with them there and her excitement grew at the prospect of soon seeing Odhrán and finding out what the surprise was. She was certain she would love it!

But when they reached the spot at the end of the garden, he was not anywhere to be found.

“I’m sure this is the right place,” she said, looking around into the fading light, puzzled. The two guards searched around too, but he was not there.

Then, to her shock, several men leapt from the surrounding bushes and attacked the guards. The guards, taken by complete surprise and outnumbered, were quickly overcome. Their death cries had Maddison picking up her skirts and running back towards the castle, realizing it was a trap. But before she could get far, a hand grabbed her arm in an iron grip and pulled her back.

“Let go of me, ye bastard!” she screamed, lashing out at her captor. Using all the tricks Odhrán had taught her, she tried her hardest to fight the man off, but she had no weapon, and he was too strong, soon overcoming her efforts.

“Ye’re comin’ with us,” he told her gruffly, and before she knew what was happening, a sack was thrust over her head, and she was thrown bodily over the man’s shoulder. The last thing she saw before the sack shut out the light were the slain bodies of the guards.

“Let go, I tell ye! Where d’ye think ye’re takin’ me?!” she screamed, pummeling the man’s back. But he merely laughed.

“That’s fer me tae ken, and ye tae find out,” he told her, moving fast. She could hear the other men laughing and saying it was a good trick they had played on her. With the sack scratching her face and dust filling her nose, she continued to scream and protest at the top of her voice, praying she would be heard, and someone would come to save her.