He closed the study door behind them as they stepped into the passageway, the sound of their footsteps echoing across the floor.
The council awaited, and so did his uncle.
And whether Thomas liked it or not, he would provide the answers Alasdair needed.
Conall leaned forward, his voice sharp. “Can ye make the horses go faster?”
The driver snapped the reins. “Aye, me Laird.”
The carriage jolted, and much to Lily’s surprise, the horses picked up speed. She gripped the cushions and looked back out the window.
No one was chasing them anymore. A chill settled into the air between the three of them. Her eyes remained fixed on the road behind them. It was empty and quiet. She turned forward again, her heart rate slowing for only a moment.
Brigid’s voice shattered the brief, eerie calm, and she turned to her sister, nothing but pure confusion on her face. “I feel like I already ken the answer to this, but… what if we left?”
Lily exhaled sharply. “What?”
Brigid shrugged. “What if we fled altogether? We could cut across the woods before the sun reaches its peak. Nay more danger or any of these fights.” Her gaze was somber. “I may hate Alasdair at the moment, but maybe he was right.”
Lily turned away from her sister and studied Conall. His jaw was locked, and his hand tightly gripped the hilt of his sword even inside the carriage. He was right to be on alert, after all.
She watched as his eyes continuously scanned the road, alert for shadows, then she turned back to Brigid. “A woman is in labor, Brigid. I cannae leave her to fend for herself.”
“Ye’re nae leaving to roam a field of daisies, Lily. We are being pursued by people who will stop at nothing to see ye dead. That is worth considering, is it nae?” Brigid shot back, her voice sharp with fear.
Lily leaned back, pressing into the cushions. “Ye heard Sorcha. There is nay midwife nearby. I promised Timothy I’d deliver his child, and that is what I’ll do.”
Brigid exhaled, the frustration in her voice growing with each word. “I am certain Timothy—whoever he is—would understand.”
Lily shook her head. “Nay. This is me duty.”
Conall spoke without looking at them, “It is all clear, for now. But daenae think we’re safe. They’ll come again, maybe from behind.”
“Then I’ll hide meself in Timothy’s house until the heat dies down,” Lily murmured. “‘Tis the only way.”
Brigid’s hand clenched over her skirt. “Hopefully,” she whispered.
Lily studied her sister. She noted the fear in Brigid’s eyes and suddenly grew concerned for her safety. She was the big sister here. She should be the one trying to protect her, not the other way round.
“Ye can leave if ye want. Ye daenae have to stay for this.”
Brigid turned to her, blinking in disbelief. “What?”
Lily looked down at her hands. “Let me off the carriage, and ye two can ride through the woods. There’s a creek that leads out of the village. I’ll meet ye there when the bairn is delivered.”
“Ye want us to abandon ye?” Brigid’s voice hardened.
“Do ye see any other way?” Lily asked quietly. “Because I daenae.”
Conall opened his mouth to speak when the driver’s voice rang out, tight with fear. “Me Laird… there are more of them.”
Lily’s heart sank, and she turned her head. “Where?”
“Right ahead.”
The carriage slowed down, and Lily’s breath caught when she saw them.
There were three men, all standing boldly in the middle of the road. Each of them was wielding a dagger, their blades glistening in the pale sunlight. They had the most murderous expressions on their faces, as if they were daring the carriage to move closer.
