Lachlan started over toward the body moaning on the ground. “Who did I hit?”
“Chief.”
He groaned, realizing the leader of the Highland Guard was sitting with his helmed head between his hands. From the dent on the nasal guard and the blood running down his nose, it looked like the small piece of metal between his eyes had saved him from much worse injury.
“I feel like a damn church bell,” MacLeod groaned. “My head is ringing. What the hell was that?”
Lachlan grinned. It wasn’t often that he had the chance to best Tor MacLeod, but he savored it when he did. “A piece of my manacle.” He smirked pointedly. “Bàs roimh Gèill.” Death before surrender, he reminded him.
“Nice shot,” MacLeod said with another wince as he wiped some of the blood from his face. “You’ve learned a few things after all.”
Lachlan held out his hand and helped him to his feet. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
MacLeod gave him a dark look. “Forget what I said. You haven’t learned shite.”
“Couldn’t leave you here to rot, cousin,” MacSorley said from above. “Next time you might try asking for help before you go running off on your own.”
Lachlan’s jaw clenched as he looked at MacLeod. “I assume you know this mission wasn’t exactly sanctioned by the king.”
“Aye, we’ll have a little talk about your problem following orders later. But Hawk’s right. Next time don’t go off on a rogue mission without help. It took a hell of a lot of work to find you—not to mention trying to get you out of here. We had the devil of a time with the locks.” He gave him a hard look. “And don’t forget I’ve had an unsanctioned mission of my own.”
Lachlan knew he referred to the rogue mission on the castle where MacLeod’s wife was being held. A mission they’d all joined in.
Lachlan had underestimated them, and he knew it. He nodded in acknowledgment.
MacLeod turned up to MacSorley. “Hawk, throw down that bloody rope.”
While his cousin took turns lifting them out of the pit prison, Lachlan explained what had happened, and MacLeod gave him a quick summary of how they’d managed to get into the castle. It was similar to how they’d entered on the first attempt to free Bella. Boyd and Seton had snuck in earlier in the day with a supply cart and hid in the granary until nightfall. To provide as much time as possible, they’d waited for the guard at the postern sea-gate to change, and then made their move: eliminating the soldiers, donning their garb (much as Lachlan had done), and assuming their position on the wall. They’d signaled MacLeod and the rest of the Highland Guard, who were waiting on a beach nearby.
Swimming in the darkness, they’d approached the castle by sea, using a rope and grappling hook to scale the wall. MacLean, Lamont, and MacGregor had joined Boyd and Seton in their post at the sea-gate, while Gordon and MacKay prepared a distraction in case it proved necessary closer to the main gate of the castle. MacLeod and MacSorley had been charged with finding him.
Lachlan didn’t need to ask how they’d gotten past the soldiers watching him; their bodies were strewn across the floor in the guard room.
“You didn’t have any problems?” Lachlan asked.
“Sneaking into one of the most highly defended English castles on the Marches? Nothing to it,” MacLeod said sarcastically. “Hell, Viper, why don’t you get yourself imprisoned in the Tower of London next time and make it interesting.”
MacSorley was keeping watch by the door. “Speaking of, we don’t have much time. It’s the middle of the night, but there are enough soldiers out there to celebrate May Day. We need to find Lady Isabella and get out of here before someone comes to check on them.” He indicated the men on the floor.
Lachlan recalled what she’d said of her initial captivity. “They kept her in the east tower last time.” Before and after her imprisonment in the cage.
“Good,” MacLeod said. “It’s close to the sea-gate and not as heavily guarded. We want to avoid the constable’s tower and donjon near the front gate. It’s lit up like the fires of Beltane out there.”
Lachlan grimaced. MacLeod wasn’t going to like what he had planned.
The greatest swordsman in the Highlands cursed and argued, but Lachlan knew it was mostly for show. MacLeod loved the challenge just as much as he did. And what he intended certainly qualified.
“You have an hour,” MacLeod said. “We can’t wait any longer. When the guard at the sea-gate changes we need to be gone.”
Lachlan nodded. “We’ll be there.”
He started to leave.
“Cousin.”
Lachlan turned to see MacSorley holding up his clothing and armor. “You might want these.”
Lachlan grinned. He’d forgotten he was naked.
Bella lay huddled in her plaid on the crude straw mattress. Her tears had been spent hours ago. Though she was exhausted and drained, she couldn’t sleep or stir from the waking nightmare of what had befallen them.
Over and over she replayed what had happened. Despenser and William’s trap had been perfect. They knew she would return to the convent to see her daughter and prevent her escape from being discovered, and they’d guessed from their previous involvement that Lachlan would be with her. Ironically, love had doomed them both. The love they had for each other, and the love she had for her daughter.
It didn’t help that she knew she couldn’t have done anything differently. She just wished she hadn’t dragged Lachlan along with her.
God, how he hated her! Even in the horrible darkness of that pit, the venom in his gaze had sparked like green fire.
She couldn’t blame him. He had to be going mad down there, facing the demons of his own personal hell.
“I’m sorry,” she whimpered miserably. “I’m so sorry.”
The single candle flickered at a shift in the air. The door.
She glanced over her shoulder and gasped. Her heart slammed into her chest. Standing there, filling the doorway, Lachlan loomed in the shadows like some kind of terrifying phantom in black leather and steel. Piercing green eyes found hers from beneath the brim of his nasal helm.
Instinctively, she sat up, tucking her feet underneath her, retreating against the wall.
As if that could protect her.
“How …?” She didn’t finish the question. How he managed to escape no longer surprised her.
He held up his finger to his mouth, closed the door behind him, and crossed the room in two strides.
She held her breath, not knowing what he intended. The things he’d said, the hatred in his eyes …
He pulled her into his arms, crushing her against his chest and cupping her head with the palm of his hand. “Jesus, Bella, are you all right?”
The emotion in his voice confused her. She pushed back enough to look up at him. “I thought you hated me.”
He smiled, sending a pang right to her heart. “I was trying to protect you.” He stroked her cheek tenderly. “I hoped that if they thought I blamed you, they would not try to use you to get to me.”
Her breath caught in horror, realizing what he meant. She bit her lip, looking up at him hesitantly. “You were very convincing.”
He laughed and dropped a soft kiss on her mouth. “I’m sorry.”
Her composure crumpled. “Good gracious, Lachlan what do you have to be sorry for? This is all my fault. I told you I would never betray you, but you were right—everyone is capable of betrayal.”
He tipped her chin, forcing her gaze to his. “I was wrong. I made it seem black and white. What you did wasn’t a betrayal. They gave you an impossible choice and you chose the less terrible of the two.”
“They told me they would put her in the cage.” He muttered a vile oath, and tears streamed down her cheeks. “I couldn’t let them do that, Lachlan. I couldn’t let them put my daughter—”
“Shhh,” he stopped her, soothing her with his gentle embrace. “Of course you couldn’t. It’s over. Don’t think about it.” He comforted her f
or a few moments, but then pulled back, looking into her face. “We don’t have much time. Are you ready?”
She nodded. Though she knew it was ridiculous, and that every minute they lingered only added to the danger, she couldn’t help the irrational pang of disappointment in knowing that her daughter was so close.
But she might as well be a kingdom away. A kingdom separated by hundreds of soldiers and masses of thick stone walls.
If he guessed her thoughts, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he arched a brow. “Aren’t you going to ask how I escaped?”
She shrugged. “I figured you found a way to unlock the door.”
He shook his head. “You are a hard lass to impress. You do realize the door was more than three feet above my head—and the lock was on the outside.”
“You scaled the walls? Flew?”
He laughed. “Not quite. They came for me.”
She heard the note of pride in his voice and realized of whom he spoke. Their eyes met, and she smiled. “I’m not surprised.”
“Bruce will be furious.”
“Aye,” she agreed.
“I’ll probably have to work out a new agreement.”
Her heart thumped erratically—hopefully. “Does this mean you’ve decided to stay?”
He nodded, pulling her into his arms once more. “I meant what I said. I won’t leave you again. I’ll stay even if I have to fight for free.” She beamed at him, joy surging through every corner of her heart. “But don’t tell Bruce that.”
She laughed. “I won’t.”
He dropped a kiss on her nose and pulled her to her feet. “Good, then we’d better go. Someone is waiting for us.”
The dramatic turn of events could have been overwhelming, but as soon as they entered the corridor, danger and the threat of discovery became Bella’s immediate focus.
Good God, how did he do this all the time? Her heart was fluttering as frantically as the wings of a butterfly. Every noise, every flicker of light sent her into a cold panic that they would be caught.
Lachlan seemed two steps ahead of her. By the time she recognized the threat, he’d already dealt with it.
He didn’t need to ever worry about impressing her. She was in awe.
There hadn’t been an opportunity for her to question him about his plan, but she was surprised when after exiting the eastern tower, he led her around the barrack full of sleeping English soldiers to the castle church.
She tugged on his hand in question.
He shook his head, telling her silently not to worry, and pulled her through the back door of the small church. It was deathly quiet; a few candles flickered by the altar where they’d been left after prayers.
“Why are we here?” she whispered, sensing it was safe to talk.
“I’ve brought someone to see you.” Suddenly, he looked worried. “Listen to what she has to say, love. I’ll be here when you are done.”
The blood drained from her face, and her eyes widened with disbelief. My God! He hadn’t. He couldn’t. But he had.
Lachlan opened the door to the vestry, and there, standing in the middle of the room where the priest’s robes were stored, was her daughter.
Lachlan caught her from behind when her legs gave out. “Joan!” After three years, the soft cry was all she could manage.
The beautiful girl—nay, woman—looked back at her uncertainly. “Hello, Mother.”
Bella composed herself and turned to Lachlan, tears glistening in her eyes. He’d given her the greatest gift in the world. He’d given her back her daughter. Her heart squeezed. God, how she loved him! “Thank you.”
He nodded.
“Are you ready?” Bella asked excitedly, stepping forward but stopping when Joan took a step back. The subtle rejection stung. Give her time. It’s been so long. But Bella ached to take her into her arms. Covering her hurt, she asked, “Did you have time to gather what you needed?”
Joan exchanged a look with Lachlan over Bella’s head. He shook his head. “I’ll be waiting outside.”
Before Bella could construe what that meant, she was alone with her daughter.
“I’m not going,” Joan said.
Bella’s heart stopped. Her mind closed; she knew she didn’t want to hear this. “I know it’s been three years. I know you must think I left you—”
Joan shook off her attempt to explain. “I know you intended to take me with you. I don’t blame you for what happened. You did what you had to do. What you believed in. I could never blame you for that.”
Bella’s heart crumpled. Who was this quiet, self-possessed young woman? This stranger? Where was the girl who’d huddled with her in bed to hear stories, who’d run to her when she’d scratched her knee, who’d needed her?
“Then, why?” Bella choked. “Why do you not wish to come with me?”
Joan put her hand down on a small table as if to steady herself—the only outward sign that this might be difficult for her. Her expression was so composed and serene. So determined.
“My life is here in England now with my cousins and uncle.”
Bella felt her heart breaking. “But it could be dangerous for you.”
Joan lifted a wry brow, the movement so mature it cracked Bella’s heart a little more. “More dangerous than Scotland?” She shook her head. “I think not. MacRuairi told me what they threatened you with, but I assure you I’ve never been in any danger. King Edward favors me. I think …” Her voice caught a little. “I think he is ashamed of what his father did to you. Sir Hugh is fond of me as well. He’s promised to find me a husband soon. A powerful man who can help ensure my claim to the earldom.”
Bella looked at her daughter in shock. It wasn’t uncommon, of course, but … “You wish to marry? But you are only fourteen!”
“Not right away, perhaps, but soon. I merely wish to explain to you why I cannot go. Why I will not go. You chose your path, Mother; now I must choose mine.”
Something wasn’t right. Or maybe she just wanted to tell herself that. “But—”
The door opened behind her.
It was Lachlan. “I’m sorry, Bella, we have to go. They’ll be changing the guard soon.”
But her legs wouldn’t move. After all these years, the one thing that had kept her going was the moment she would be reunited with her daughter. She’d never imagined Joan would not want to go with her.
“My life is here, Mother,” her daughter repeated quietly.
Bella felt her shoulders shake, felt herself begin to crumble. But Lachlan was behind her. Steadying her. Holding her up.
She let herself lean on him. God knew she needed his strength.
“If that is what you wish,” she said, her voice trembling.
Joan nodded solemnly. “It is.” She was not as unaffected as she seemed. Bella could see the stiffness in her arms and shoulders. She was holding herself very tightly.
“May I write to you?”
Joan looked down, refusing to meet her gaze. For the first time, she resembled the child Bella remembered.
“It would be better for me if you didn’t.”
Bella tried to swallow, but the lump stuck in her throat. “I understand.” It would be safer for her daughter if everyone believed them estranged.
Sensing her anguish, Joan offered, “Perhaps when the war is over.”
Bella nodded, forcing a smile to her face. “Then I will pray for a swift end.”
Joan smiled tentatively back at her. “As will I.”
They shared a moment of silence, a shared prayer for tomorrow.
“I’m sorry, Bel,” Lachlan urged softly from behind. “We have to go.”
“But—” Bella stopped herself, trying to get her emotions under control. She took a deep, ragged breath, fighting the burning in her chest. “Goodbye, Jo.”
It was what she’d called her as a child.
Joan lifted her eyes to hers. It seemed to take her some effort to respond. “Goodbye, Mother.”
There was somethi
ng in her voice. Something in the depths of her eyes that told her Joan was not the stranger she seemed. That her daughter was still there. Hidden by years of separation, but still there.
Bella couldn’t stop herself. She closed the distance between them and pulled the stiff girl into her arms, hugging her tight. For a moment, Joan sagged in her arms. But then she stiffened and pulled away.
Bella took her by the shoulders. “Swear to me if you are ever in danger you will send for me.”
Joan nodded. “I will. I promise.”
She unfastened the brooch on her cloak and handed it to her daughter. “I want you to have this.”
Joan’s eyes widened when she realized it was the MacDuff brooch. “I couldn’t—”
She tried to hand it back, but Bella shook her off. “Please. I want you to have it. It’s part of who you are.”
Joan nodded, her eyes conspicuously shimmery. She looked to Lachlan helplessly.
He gently pulled Bella away. For the second time, Bella slipped into the darkness, leaving her daughter behind.
It was a long time before she had a chance to speak with Lachlan, but his solid presence at her side as they escaped the castle with the rest of his brethren helped keep her on her feet, helped steady her when she wobbled, and helped soothe the pain of her daughter’s choosing a future that didn’t include her.
Hours later, wrapped in the comforting warmth of his arms so she could try to sleep while they rode, she let her tears finally fall, mourning the loss not of her daughter but of their life together. It was a day every mother knew would come, but hers had come too soon. Sons were forced from their mother’s arms as boys to be fostered or squired to a knight. But daughters … her daughter should have been hers until she married.
“I’m sorry, love,” Lachlan said gently.
Bella nodded. Seeing how worried he was, she managed a small smile. “Better not let your cousin hear you say that.”
He frowned. “Hawk can go bugger—” He stopped, giving her an apologetic wince. “I don’t care what he thinks.”
“Really? From those looks you were giving him a while back, I thought he seemed to be bothering you quite a bit. What did he say?”