Enchanted Lover (36 page)

He snorted derisively. “He forgets your tender age.
Skye, the man lusts after you. Give up this avenue of attack immediately!”

Skye paced the cell in anger. “Do you think I enjoy
pretending to be older,” she asked. “I see these grown men act like such
jackasses because of a pretty dress and demure manners.”

“You dinna know how you endanger yourself,” Jared
insisted. Skye's mahogany hair was swept back and tied up in a knot, making her
appear at least several years older than her actual age. The dress she wore was
an altered version of one of her mother's, adding to the masquerade. Her jade
eyes glimmered at him in the dim light. “I am afraid for you, Skye,” he
whispered. “I am not there to protect you if this farce goes awry.”

“I appreciate your concern, but if I have my way
you'll soon be free to pursue Asilinn. I found Liam. He was cold-cocked by
someone when he went to help Asilinn escape.” She paused, toying with her
necklace. “Jared… it may have been Morven.”

Jared gave her a wry smile. “I'm sure it was,” he
said. “I've tried to make myself look elsewhere for a traitor, but I've known
for some time it was probably him.”

Skye looked stricken. “How—why did you not warn us?”

“I was not sure. I knew Glenna was involved. She was
Morven's alibi for the night of the attack on Asilinn's father and brother.
That made him the most likely traitor. I did not want to believe it. But as time
went on, it became more evident.”

The guard came to the door. “Lady Skye, your time is
up,” he announced.

Skye hugged Jared, leaning forward to whisper in his
ear. “As soon as Liam is able, he and I have plans to free you.” She placed a
soft kiss on his cheek and left.

Jared leaned his head back against the cold stone
wall, visions of his wife floating before him. He had to be free to save her.
Already a plan formed for her defense. He trusted his friendship with Robert
the Bruce to get her a fair trial in spite of her detractors. Jared had fought
many battles at Robert’s side and felt assured of justice. All he had to do was
get the evidence he needed and he could free her.

***

Liam recovered rapidly under Skye's care and soon
they were able to put their plan in action. Skye had not dared to tell him what
Jared had said about Morven. She wanted Jared freed before they discussed it
again. Liam accompanied Skye while she made her way to the dungeon. The guard
eyed him curiously, but dismissed any hesitation when Liam explained the
lieutenant had requested he accompany Skye to see her brother.

While the guard was busy with the door, Liam struck
him from behind. It was almost too easy. Procuring the key, he unlocked the
cell. Jared looked up in surprise when he saw his visitors. Skye took the keys
and bent to unchain him.

“I told you I'd see you free,” she said. “Hurry, we
haven't much time.”

Jared didn't need her urging. He got to his feet and
helped Liam bind the guard and lock him in the cell. They ran down the long
passage toward the secret tunnels and opened the door, shutting it just in time
to avoid a roving patrol of soldiers. Jared looked at his rescuers. “Thank
you.”

“The time was ripe. We have received word Ian and
Angus will arrive by morning with three hundred troops. Our loyal followers
await you in the Dragon's Spring. Thus far, we have kept it a secret from the
soldiers. Garrick and your troops are there,” Skye explained breathlessly.

“You have done well, Skye, and now I must request you
take refuge in the tower,” Jared said tenderly.

Skye stamped her foot in anger. “I have risked much
to get you this far, and now you tell me to go and hide. I will not!”

“Do as you are told. I would not like having to
explain to Asilinn how I got you killed.”

Skye looked to Liam for support, but he nodded his
agreement with Jared. “Please, Skye,” Liam entreated. “We could never have made
it so far without you. Dinna fog our minds with worry over your safety. Go to
the tower as your brother wishes.”

To Jared's surprise, she reluctantly agreed. He
looked at Liam in wonder. Liam only shrugged. They made their way through the
secret passage until they came to where the tunnels split. Jared gave Skye a
quick kiss. “Wish me luck,” he whispered.

Jared found his men waiting in the huge chamber that
housed the larger more public Dragon's Spring. In no time, he had organized
their attack. There would be a distraction in the area between the second and
third gates. Several of the men were to pick a fight with the soldiers and another
group would create enough ruckuses to get all the troops called out. Then by
using the castle's underground maze, three groups of men would surround the
soldiers and demand their surrender. Jared decided he would seek out the
lieutenant and Osred himself. Their timing was to coincide with the arrival of
Laird Innes and his men.

When the sun crested the horizon, Jared's men stood
waiting fully armed in their positions. The tradesmen were beginning to mill
around awaiting the start of the business day. Four soldiers sauntered through
the gates and Jared's men saw their opportunity. They created such a row that
more soldiers came running to see the cause of the commotion.

The second group entered the fray, enlarging its
proportions until most of the soldiers had come running to subdue the rowdies.
At that precise moment, Jared gave the signal and the three main groups moved
up to enclose the courtyard. Realizing they were completely outnumbered, the
soldiers surrendered without a single casualty.

Satisfied with his success, Jared took a few men and
went to wake the lieutenant. The man sat up startled.

“My men hold most of your troops,” Jared said. “Laird
Innes will arrive shortly with three hundred men. You have nothing to fear if
you obey my wishes. You and your men will be held in my dungeon pending the
outcome of my wife's trial, at which time you shall be released unharmed.” The
lieutenant was speechless when he was led away. “Only one left, and he is
mine,” Jared said with a grim smile.

Osred was fast asleep when Jared quietly entered his
room. He studied the sleeping form fighting the urge to bash Osred's head in.
He would await the trial for his revenge.

In one motion, Jared stripped the blankets off the
sleeping man. Osred blinked opening his eyes to stare into the fire in Jared's
eyes. He let out a scream of terror and tried to jump up and run but Jared
threw him to the floor with one sweep of his arm. The man lay there quivering
in fright.

“Dunbocan is mine and no one shall take it from me.”
Jared pointed his finger at the quaking man's beady, little eyes. “If any harm
comes to Asilinn because of what you have done, I shall have you drawn and
quartered and decorate the castle gate with your head.”

“What are you going to do with me?” Osred's voice cracked.

“You will ride with me to Edinburgh. I seek my
revenge on Asilinn's judgment day.”

Osred's tongue slid across his lips in a snake-like
motion. “If you will spare me, I'll help you set her free with my testimony,”
he offered.

Jared's eyes narrowed in disgust. “You'll tell me all
you know. Then you will repeat it for the tribunal.”

“Aye, Milord,” Osred squeaked.

They were interrupted when Angus and Ian entered the
room with a small group of MacLean clansmen. After a quick greeting, they all
stared at Osred.

“You had all the work done before we arrived,” Ian
complained.

“Let me kill this one,” Angus begged, pointing his
sword at Osred's heart. “He doesna deserve to live another moment.”

“Not until he sets Asilinn free with the truth,”
Jared said. They all stood and listened while Osred poured out his story. When
he had finished, Jared drew his breath in sharply. “Arrest every man named!”

Angus gave a short laugh. “Your dungeons are full
Laird Jared, where will you put them all?”

“We'll find room. Come, we have much to discuss.
We'll need a few more witnesses to take along to Edinburgh.” Dragging Osred out
of the room, they handed him over to Ross for safekeeping and retired to the
great hall to discuss the plan to free Asilinn.

The journey had been long and tedious and Asilinn had
seen to it that it took as much time as possible. She knew they were beginning
to recognize her stall tactics for what they were, but their commander seemed
reluctant to force her to a rapid pace. She took full advantage of her delicate
condition, insisting on stopping every few hours in the hopes by some miracle
her husband would come to save her.

They had just made camp for the evening a good two
hours before they would have liked. Asilinn had feigned illness and the
commander wouldn't deny her the rest she claimed to need.

Morven approached the man in charge. “You're coddling
her. She seeks to slow you down so Laird Jared can come to rescue her.”

“Are you so anxious to see her burn?”

“Her trial is just the beginning. There is much more
to come,” Morven confided. “I'm going to go and tell her you have made me hurry
her along.”

“Robert the Bruce ordered no harm befall her until
she is proven guilty,” the commander warned. “With any luck the English throne
will soon recognize him as King of Scotland. I wouldna dare cross him. He has
many allies.”

“Aye, Laird MacLean is one of them.” Morven paused,
looking at the man. “Lady Asilinn is not to be tortured for a confession?”

“No, Robert protects her by his belief in her
innocence. He is also friendly with her father and supports the peace treaty.
He'll strive to protect her at every turn.”

“Damn,” Morven muttered.

***

Asilinn looked up to see Morven advancing towards
her. She smiled at him. “I'm holding up rather well,” she said.

“Lady Asilinn, they recognize you seek to delay them
with your pretense of illness,” Morven warned. “I fear they'll become rough
with you if you dinna leave off this dallying and let them be on their way.”

Asilinn was crestfallen. “I thought you would support
my efforts.”

“I would if they did not endanger you. Please be more
cooperative. I wilna have you harmed because of your obstinacy. The sooner we
get to Edinburgh, the sooner I may lobby with those in power for your release.
Will you listen to me and become more agreeable?” Asilinn nodded. “Good,” he
said. He turned and walked away.

“I dinna trust him,” Wynne murmured. “He's
shifty-eyed. I think Laird Jared would approve of yer delaying these bastards.
If there is a way, he'll come after you.”

Asilinn sighed. “I pray you are right,” she said.
“But for now I will not delay them too much just in case Morven does know what
he's talking about.”

Wynne shook her head in disgust. “Look how he laughs
and talks with them. Dinna trust him too far.”

Asilinn gazed across to where Morven sat laughing
with some of the soldiers. Wynne could be right. She closed her eyes as her
heart called out for Jared.

***

It had been over a week. Asilinn was road-weary, but
there was an excitement among the men and she knew something was up. The
commander rode back to her and Wynne. “Lady Asilinn,” he said. “We'll be in Edinburgh by nightfall.” Asilinn shuddered at the announcement. Was she destined to die
there or was her vision a true prediction of her future?

When they rounded the bend in the road, she was
treated to her first view of Edinburgh Castle. It perched high above the
cluster of houses which formed a town at its base. The castle sat on a sheer
volcanic rock face. It dominated the surrounding landscape in its splendor. Had
the circumstances been different, she might have enjoyed the sight before her.
As it was, she trembled in anticipation of her fate.

They rode through the peasants and tradesmen
conducting their business in the streets and headed up the hill towards the
mighty fortress. Noticing Asilinn's bound hands, one of the peasants cried out.
“What crime has this lovely creature committed?”

The commander turned to look into Asilinn's eyes.
“She is a witch,” he said with conviction. “This is Lady Asilinn Innes MacLean.
She is accused of witchcraft for bringing the dead to life, and enchanting her
husband, the infamous Laird of Dunbocan Castle. Dinna look at her or she may
enchant you with her beauty as well.”

A shocked cry rippled across the people. Some stared
and pointed while others heeded the commander's advice and turned their heads
away so Asilinn's beauty would not enchant them.

Asilinn tried to hold her head high and ignore the
flurry of attention she was receiving, but she couldn't stop a single tear from
rolling down her cheek. Wynne reached over and wiped it away.

“Laird Jared will come and save you,” she whispered
to Asilinn. “As I live and breathe, I know he wilna fail you.” Asilinn looked
across and gave the woman a tremulous smile.

Asilinn held up well until they arrived inside the
final gate of Edinburgh Castle. Two guardsmen came forward and took her into
custody, but stopped Wynne when she tried to accompany Asilinn. “She must go
alone,” the guard said, pushing Wynne away. “There is room for you in the
servant's quarters.” He pointed in the general direction Wynne was to take.

“I wish to accompany Lady Asilinn,” Wynne insisted.

“If you're crazy enough to want to sleep in the
dungeon, you'll have to get permission,” the man replied, roughly shoving Wynne
away.

Asilinn could hold back no longer. The tears she had
held in so long burst forth—her sobs rent the air. Wynne began crying too. Soon
the soldiers pried the two women apart. Asilinn wiped her face with her hands.
She tried to compose herself as Wynne walked away.

“Come on,” the guard said. He grabbed Asilinn's arm
and led her into the blackness of the dungeon. Her heart raced. She was all too
familiar with the horrors of being locked up.