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A laugh that was abruptly cut off by a sudden and incessant knock at the door.

Chapter 17

“I would rather sink my dirk into his black heart than cower before him.”

Aidan paced in Graeme’s solar, back and forth, as he’d been doing since his brother had come to fetch him from Clarissa’s chamber.

“I can go in your stead—”

“No.”

The message had just arrived for a representative from Clan Scott to appear at Theffield Castle at once. Presumably Douglas was already on his way, and whether it was the warden or the earl who had requested their presence, it hardly mattered.

They could not deny Douglas.

If it were the earl . . . it meant he knew.

“Gillian is not as far along as—”

“No,” Aidan said again, this time as firmly as if his brother were not his chief. “I met with him before and will do so again. Gillian needs you here.”

Graeme watched him as he continued to pace back and forth. “If Theffield suspects . . . you will not admit to having her.”

“Nay, I will not. Clarissa is convinced he will never accept me. But if Douglas hears the merest suggestion of it, he’ll ask questions.”

“We will not lie to the warden.”

“Neither will I give her back.”

He stopped, waiting for his brother’s reaction. But Graeme simply frowned. “Of course you will not. Your stance is mine, though do not expect Douglas to acquiesce if it comes to that.”

“Thank you, brother.”

The words hardly seemed adequate, but he could think of no others. Graeme had no allegiance to her, but his support had been unwavering.

“Do not thank me until the meeting ends in success. If all goes well and Theffield delivers on his promise to remove Caxton, we will devise a plan then.”

“A few more days . . .”

“A few more days, and the fate of the borderlands will be decided.”

He should let her go—and well he knew it. If he simply let her go, she would be safe. Their clan would be safe. But as he walked from Graeme’s chamber, he remembered the empty feeling of sitting outside the gates of Dunburg Abbey, thinking Clarissa had but moments left with him.

He could never do it.

He could not let her go.

Aidan found Malcolm in the hall playing dice. Graeme had insisted he take an escort from Highgate End to Bowden Castle, even though the ride was short. He smiled in anticipation of how Lawrence would react to being awoken for yet another journey across the border, his presence having been specifically requested by Douglas.

“We leave for Theffield Castle,” he said to Malcolm as he and his dice partners stood to greet him.

“Theffield?” Malcolm nodded toward the others in parting and followed him out of the hall. “At this hour?”

“Aye,” he said, making his way toward the kitchens. “Douglas himself requested my presence.”

Malcolm stopped and it took Aidan a moment to realize his man was no longer following him.

“Is it wise to go there, given the circumstances?” Malcolm asked when Aidan turned back to him.