Page 63 of Bride of the Sinful Laird
The footsteps came to a halt, and Elder Gaufried’s deep voice rang out.
“Why lass, what are ye daeing here? ‘Tis almost dark.”
Then came Annora’s response, “Oh, Elder Gaufried, I am so pleased tae see ye.”
The old man grunted. “Are ye lost?”
They heard Annora’s voice, all breathy and winsome. “I am such a foolish lass. I’ve quite forgotten where me chamber is.” She giggled. “Without me dear Edmund as me guide, I dae have trouble finding me way around this vast castle.”
Edmund huffed to himself, a grin quirking his lips at Annora’s sweet, helpless, tone.
“Me dear,” Gaufried said, “Allow me tae escort ye tae yer chamber.”
“Oh, thank ye, sir,” came Annora’s voice.
In a matter of seconds, the two pairs of footsteps had disappeared along the passageway.
Edmund looked at Lionel, his heart finally slowing to something akin to its usual rate. “Come, we’ve seen all we need tae.”
They hastily tiptoed toward the door. Edmund opened the it a crack, but all was silent outside.
He opened the door and slipped out into the darkness, Lionel followed, lighting their way with the dim light of their lantern.
They found a pale Annora waiting in the bedchamber. She breathed a huge sigh of relief when they sauntered through the door.
“Well done, lass,” Edmund said, grinning. “Ye did a fine job in diverting old Gaufried from MacDonald’s room.”
She huffed. “I had tae pretend to be an empty-headed lass tae dae so.”
“Ne’er.” Edmund said, hiding his grin, “Nay one could mistake ye fer a brainless, mop-headed lass.”
She landed a slap on his shoulder.
“What did ye discover. D’ye ken who may be in contact wi’ MacDonald.”
Lionel responded, his face drawn in deep, anxious, lines. “Nay. We’re none the wiser who he’s conspiring with. But we ken he’s got his heart set on the lairdship. It seems the rogue has a fortune riding on it.”
Frowning, Edmund took Annora’s hand. There was no point in delaying the news he had for her.
Her eyes widened. “What is it? What have ye discovered?”
“I dinnae wish tae alarm ye, lass, but there was a missive among his parchments from yer faither, enquiring after yer whereabouts.”
The color fled from her face, and she made a quiet gurling sound in her throat. It might have been a moan but could just as easily have been a strangled curse.
“So, he kens I am here at Scorrybreac?”
“I cannae say, lass. I think MacDonald has figured out who ye are after reading the information in the missive but I dinnae ken if he has sent yer faither a reply.” Edmund folded her into his arms feeling the fast beating of her heart against his chest and the soft panting of her breath. “Dinnae fash. Ye’re safe. I’ll nae allow aught tae harm ye, Laird Munro or nae.”
She clung to him as if his very presence was reassurance that she was safe from her father’s clutches.
With every fiber of his being, he wished it were so.
Lionel interrupted. “Come now, let us take our supper before we arouse suspicion wi’ our absence.”
“Aye. There is much tae think on. We must set more men tae guard the gate.”
Annora shivered and reached for her cloak despite the warmth from the fire. “What will ye tell Tormod of what ye discovered?”
