“Aye,” Iain agreed, stress alreadyvibrating through his veins. “I do believe Edward was correct about de Lacy andFroste, and I dunnae have a doubt the man will still demand we fight for himbefore he will release David.”
“Are we going back to speak toDavid?” Rory Mac asked. His tone didn’t display the misery the idea broughthim, but his grimace did.
Iain laughed. “Nay. David told meto go home and speak to Gowan about raising money if the marriage did naeproceed.”
Rory Mac blew out a sigh. “That’sgood to hear. Are ye glad that ye’ll nae have to marry?”
“Aye,” Iain admitted. “And I feelterrible about it. I would never wish ill on anyone, nor death.”
Rory Mac nodded. “Still, ye likelywould have had to kill de Lacy in the future, and then yer wife would havehated ye.”
“Perhaps,” Iain said, wondering forthe first time what sort of woman Marion de Lacy had been. Having met her coldfather, he suspected she was a quiet sort that started at her own shadow. Ormaybe she leaped to her own death to avoid marrying Froste. Either way, he feltsorry for her.
Without a cloak, the cold night air cut throughMarion’s gown and chilled her to the bone. As she shifted from foot to foot—asmuch from impatience to leave Newcastle as from the cold—Marion wrapped herarms around her middle and watched warily as Neil bickered with the captain ofthe birlinn. It seemed the man had changed his mind about leaving tonight asthe air felt damp, and he thought a storm was brewing. Yet, while a storm maybe coming at sea, she’d chance the voyage rather than stay so close, where shecould easily be dragged back to her father if her deceit was discovered.
“Ye listen to me,” Neil shouted atthe captain. The Scot had obviously lost his temper, and Marion had lost hers,as well. She was finished with waiting around for Neil to solve the problem.She could solve her own problems. This needed the soft touch of a woman, ormoney at the very least. She strode toward them, not caring that Neil hadcommanded she stay put. She was done with men commanding her. As she nearedNeil and the captain, both men turned to look at her.
She straightened her spine,preparing for battle. It was dark and quiet on Pilgrim Street. She’d seen nosign of anyone other than the guard that had let her into Newcastle, yet hernerves tingled as if something bad was coming—or more like someone was comingto get her. Surely it was her imagination, but the feeling was there all thesame, stirring the sense of urgency she felt to stormy proportions.
“Gentlemen,” she said in a sweet voice.
Neil raised his red eyebrows as ascowl turned down his lips.
The captain was less subtle. “Whatdo ye want?” he demanded, in a tone that told her what he thought of a womaninterrupting.
She looked the captain straight inhis dark, narrowed eyes. “I will pay you more to depart tonight.”
A greedy grin lit the captain’sface. “How much?”
Marion opened the bag of coinsAngus had left for her and withdrew eight of them. She dropped them one by oneinto the captain’s outstretched hand. Each time a coin clinked against another,her gut clenched tighter. She was giving away the only money she had.
The captain nodded. “We’ll leavedirectly. Let’s go down to the birlinn. It won’t take long to—”
Marion frowned as the captain’sspeech came to an abrupt halt. He looked past her, his eyes searching thedarkness. Her heart suddenly shuddered, as the ground beneath her feet vibratedwith the familiar sensation of horses approaching. Without thought, shewithdrew the dagger Angus had given her, even as she saw Neil unsheathe hissword.
She turned to face the directionthe captain was looking. At first, she saw nothing, only shadows dancing, butthen the flickering of torches appeared as dots in the distance.
“Let’s go!”shedemanded,unreasonable fear racing through her veins. It could not be someone coming forher. It was impossible. Her plan had been solid. And yet… She tugged on Neil’sarm. “Please. Let’s go down to the birlinn.”
Neil nodded as the sound ofgalloping horses grew louder. She turned, nearly slamming into the captain, whostood motionless. “Lead the way,”she ordered.
His eyes narrowed on Neil and thenon her. “Why are you acting so fearful? As if you’ve done something wrong. Yourhusband”—he motioned to Neil—“told me you wanted to leave tonight to get backhome to your dying father. But seems to me like you’re running from something.I don’t want trouble. I have a wife and children to see to.”
“Here.” She thrust the bag of coinsat him as the sound of men’s voices filled the night. Their laughter floatedtowardher. She peeked over her shoulder, her breath catching as she counted five menapproaching, their cloaks billowing behind them in the wind. If they hadsurcoats on, she could not make them out. She swiveled around to the captain.She didn’t have time to convince him with just words. “Take all my money. I vowto you I’ve done nothing wrong.”
He took the money, and as he did,he grabbed her wrist and pulled her near. She whipped her dagger toward histhroat as he pointed one at hers, the coins he’d been holding clattering to theground. They stood, each with a weapon at the other’s throat. Marion’s bloodpounded in her ears. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Neil creepingtoward them.
The captain tightened his grip onher wrist, increasing the pressure tenfold, and she winced in pain. He didn’ttake his eyes from her as he spoke to Neil. “I would not try it, if I were you.You might wound me before I can wound your wife. You might not. All I want todo is verify that you are telling the truth. If you are, then we will be on ourway.”
Directly behind her, Marion heardthe neighing of horses as the hoofbeats slowed. The voices of the men died, andshe caught another glimpse of Neil, whose gaze moved from her to the captain tothe men.
“What have we here?” a cruel voicedemanded.
Marion’s knees went weak. She wouldknow that voice anywhere.
The hiss of swords being unsheathedpierced the air. No! She refused to simply go willingly.
“You!” Froste bellowed. “Let thewoman go and come here.”
