Page 79 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

He pressed forward against the guard’s spirited resistance, their swords ringing like bells in the confined space as they parried and thrust in a deadly dance. As they fought, a hoarse, deep voice came from inside the cell whence the guard had come, taking Tadhg by surprise. “Who’s out there?” it asked.

“John? Is that ye?” Knox called, coming up behind Tadhg, having left the other guard lying on the floor groaning and clutching at the hole in his chest.

“Aye! ’Tis me, Knox, in here!” the answer came back, the voice booming with renewed strength now.

“Hold on, me laird, we’re comin’,” Knox shouted back.

But the stubborn guard, though outnumbered, did not seem eager to cease fighting. He stood on the threshold, stopping them from entering, putting up a determined fight. Tadhg was growing impatient and suddenly paused his attack. The guard appeared taken aback and stopped as well, staring at him, panting and red-faced.

“Does Blaine pay ye enough tae die fer him?” Tadhg asked. “Because it daesnae matter how hard ye fight, sooner or later, I’m gonnae kill ye.”

The guard’s eyes flicked to the now still body of his companion and the crimson pool surrounding him. He seemed to make a decision.

“I dinnae get paid enough fer this,” the man said, letting his sword clatter to the floor followed by his dirk. He stood aside.

“Sensible man,” Tadhg muttered as he entered the cell.

“Are ye here tae stop Blaine?” the guard asked, his expression changing to one of alarm as Knox backed him up against the open cell door, holding the tip of his blade to his throat.

“Just in case ye change yer mind and decide tae fight us again,” Knox explained.

“Nay, I’m out,” the guard protested, holding up his palms.

“All right, then,” Knox replied. “Get in that cell.” The guard obeyed, backing into the cell where Tadhg was already untying the badly beaten Laird MacIver from the chair.

“Help me,” Tadhg commanded the guard, who rushed to assist him with freeing Laird MacIver. Within a few minutes, they had John on his feet.

“Knox, how did ye find me? And who’s this man?” He clapped Tadhg on the back with gratitude.

“I’m Tadhg MacTavish, me laird,” Tadhg supplied. “I’m a friend of yer daughter’s.”

Laird MacIver looked him up and down through his swollen eyes, then put a hand on his arm. “Then ye’d better hurry up and come with me, lad. Blaine’s got her captive, and he’s forcin’ her tae marry him so he can take over the lairdship. The ceremony’s probably started by now. Come on, follow me, there’s nay time tae waste.”

Tadhg’s blood turned to ice as he followed the laird from the cell. “I knew this was what he planned all along, the bastard! He’s been after her from the very first. I didnae bargain on it happenin’ quite so soon though,” he muttered, pausing while the laird snatched up the guard’s dropped weapons. Then, they ran straight out into the passageway. “Bring some torches, lads, we might need them,” the laird shouted over his shoulder, moving rapidly down the passage with a purposeful vigor that belied his pitiful physical condition.

Full of admiration for the man, Tadhg snatched a torch from a wall sconce as he passed, as did Knox and a couple of his men.

“There’s a short cut from here that’ll take us right to the great hall,” Laird John said as he led them hastily along the passage to the winding staircase. “Just follow me.”

Tadhg mounted the steps behind him, staying close, praying silently they would be in time to save Alana from being wed to Blaine. Knox and his men brought up the rear as they all hurried up after Laird MacIver, who was surprisingly fast for his bad state.

The climb felt interminable to Tadhg, who had to curb the urge to push past MacIver and race ahead. However, as they began to make their way down another long, dark passageway interspersed with doors, a strident male voice could be heard pompously intoning, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”

“Hurry, the ceremony’s already begun,” Tadgh whispered urgently, starting to feel panic rising in him.

“Dinnae fash, lad, that’s only the beginnin’,” the old laird assured him, showing no sign of slowing down himself.

The voice of the minister grew steadily louder, and eventually, they came to a door where it sounded to Tadhg as if the man was standing a few feet away from them. There, the laird halted them, whispering to them to keep quiet. Then, he eased open the door a crack.

Tadgh peered over his head to see that the hidden doorway was partially concealed by a tapestry and looked out from behind the makeshift altar into the body of the great hall. His heart leaped into his throat to see Alana dressed in a pale gown, standing next to Blaine in front of the black-clad minister.

Her face looked greenish, as though she was about to vomit, and her eyes were red with tears. She wavered on her feet, her wrist tied to Blaine’s by the strips of fabric used to unite the bride and groom in the traditional handfasting part of the ceremony.

Please, Lord, I’ve never asked much of ye, but just let me get tae her in time.