Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander (11 page)

“Tessa!”

“I peeked and Rannoch had his
healer up against the wall with his hands all over her. I simply ran through
the passageway and bumped into him. He was so startled ‘twas easy to snatch the
key.”

“If he suspects you, your life is
in danger.” Katie grabbed her wrist. “Tess, he is an evil man. This is not a
game.”

Tessa’s face lit and she rolled
her eyes. “He wilna suspect me. He will just think he lost it, or perchance
that Sorcha took it. She didna seem too pleased about this plans.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I have not seen him coming after
me. I am safe.”

“Your visions, what if you are
wrong? What if you just didna have the vision which will warn you of the
danger?”

“I am not wrong. I have seen
myself happy and safe far into the future. Brianna has more to fear from him
than I do.”

“Brianna….” Katie knew this was
true. A voice at the door interrupted them.

“Time’s up,” the guard called.

Tessa gave her a quick kiss on
the cheek. “I have provided the tools, now you must free yourself from this
chamber and deal with the guard at Ian’s cell. Dinna worry about me.” With
that, she hurried out the door and began a cheerful conversation with the guard
thanking him profusely for allowing her to visit her big sister.

Katie shook her head in disbelief
then turned her attention to finding a way to escape her chamber. Although
there were several secret passages in Duntaigh Castle, she could not access any
of them from her chamber. Suddenly it came to her. There was a way out if she
was brave enough to take it. Hopping off the bed, she went into the bathing
chamber. Katie moved over to the wooden cover by the wench and pulled it open.
She could hear the water moving far below. For years, this had allowed her to
pull fresh water from the underground river that ran through the caverns below
the castle. If the rope would hold her, she might be able to lower herself to a
level where she could escape.

She rushed over and bolted her
door from the inside, then shoved a heavy chest in front of it. Walking back to
the opening, she peered down the shaft. She could squeeze through. Would the
rope hold her? It looked sturdy enough. Ian needed her help.

Katie slipped the keys Tessa gave
her into a purse and stuffed it in her bodice. Gathering up some rags to clean
and bind Ian’s wounds, she tied them into a bundle and slipped it around her
shoulder. Katie looked at the wench. She must drop the bucket down into the
river and then climb down the rope. Not an easy task, but the natural cave
which gave access to the water would help. Going back to her chest of drawers,
she found her riding gloves and slipped them on. The soft leather offered some
protection from the rough rope.

Unlocking the wench, she watched
the bucket drop into the darkness. It hit the river with a splash. “God, help
me,” she whispered as she locked it in place. Grabbing the rope, she began her
descent.

Katie pressed her back against
the sides of the cave as she moved ever downward. Close to the bottom, it
opened up. This allowed her to swing the rope to the water’s edge without
falling into the frigid, rushing water. Safely on the rocky ledge above the
river, Katie pulled a bucket of water up. She picked up the bucket and took one
final look up the shaft. From the bottom, it seemed impossible she made a
successful descent. “Thank you, God,” she said aloud.

She found herself in a sizable
cavern carved out by the rushing water of the river. The rocks and boulders
that formed the cave were worn slick by the years of polishing. Everything felt
slippery and damp. Air moved through the passage from some unknown source.
Getting her bearing, Katie decided which direction she should go. She gathered
her meager supplies and began walking silently through the natural cave she
hoped connected to the dungeon.

In a short while, she rounded a
bend and could see Ian’s cell not far ahead. Katie stopped just short of the
antechamber when she heard voices from within. Peering around the corner, she
saw a guard with his back to her. He watched the open door of Ian’s cell.
Moving cautiously behind him, she slipped into one of the empty cells across
from the one Ian occupied and ducked into the corner. From this spot, she could
see what transpired in relative safety.

Rannoch and Draco stood studying
Ian’s battered body. They had lowered him enough to let his feet touch the
ground. “No serious damage,” Rannoch commented.

“Nay, Milord. Hurt, but not
killed just as you ordered.”

“Aye, so. We need to find out
what happened at the gathering of clans before Ian Innes takes his last breath.
Jared MacLean and his allies support Robert at all costs. They are planning
something and my position will be assured if I am the one who warns Edward.”

Katie suppressed a gasp. Not only
did Rannoch hatch a plan to steal Blackburn lands, he sought to help the
English king defeat Robert the Bruce and garner the Scottish throne. Rannoch
was a spy, a killer, and a thief. The murder of her father had not yet
occurred, but she knew Rannoch’s intent.

“Wake him,” Rannoch ordered.
Draco picked up a bucket of water and threw it on Ian. Coughing, Ian tossed his
head and opened his eyes.

Katie’s heart fluttered. Her
lover lived.

Chapter 15

Ian’s vision blurred as he
attempted to focus on Draco and Rannoch.

“Need a bit more,” Draco said
with a grin. He tossed another bucket of water over Ian, grabbed him by the
hair, and forced him to look up.

“Ah, you wake.”

Ian moaned. He sucked in a deep
breath and tried to speak. His voice came out raspy and muddled.

“Give him some water,” Rannoch
ordered. “Let’s see what the sot is trying to say.”

Draco poured water down Ian’s
throat until he choked and spit out a mouthful of bloody liquid. It struck
Draco’s boot and he moved to strike Ian, but Rannoch stopped him. “We have to
question him,” he said.

“What have you done with Katie?”
Ian asked.

“I haven’t taken her yet, if
that’s what you’re wondering,” Rannoch said. “I’m going to make sure she isna
carrying your bastard first.”

How did Rannoch find out Katie
was no longer a virgin? Had she told him? Rannoch seemed to discern Ian’s
question just by looking at him.

“When I went to her chamber to
chain her up, her virgin’s blood stained the sheeting. She didna deny you took
her. How could she?”

“So you dinna want to play father
to my bastard child. As I recall your own lineage came into question more than
once.” For this, Rannoch struck him.

Rannoch came close and glared at
Ian, his face blood red. “I am a true Rannoch, not the product of my mother’s
indiscretions.”

“If you say so.”

“Perchance I’ll make sure you
canna join with Katie again,” Rannoch threatened, exposing Ian’s member.

“Is this what you came for?” Ian
asked. “You want to punish me for taking the woman you sought to marry. Were
your motives so pure? Did you love her and a desire for a family? I dinna think
so.”

“And what of you? Did you take
her as a punishment for her betrayal? Or did you fall for your headstrong
captor?”

Ian smiled. “She is perfection
with her red-gold hair and soft, white skin. For a virgin, she went at it with
wild abandon. She couldna get enough of me and I savored every moment.”

“You care for her,” Rannoch
accused.

“I used her well and hope to do
so again before I leave this earth.”

”Your first words were to
question what I had done with her. You offered yourself for punishment in her
stead.”

“I am a gentleman no matter what
the circumstance. Ask any of my paramours.” Ian drew a deep breath. “And fair
Katie is well worth another tumble. I wouldna have her killed before I get to
sample her sweetness again.”

“I have heard about your special
gift with the ladies. At least I offered marriage in order to use her to my own
ends.” He poked his finger hard into Ian’s chest. “You used her for sport
because of what she did to you.”

“Aye, so, but I pleasured her in
the bargain. I dinna think the memory of her deflowering is something that will
make her cringe. She enjoyed all I gave her.” Ian rolled his head,
straightening as much as his chains would allow, and gazed at Rannoch. “What
did you hope to gain by marrying her?”

“I want what should be mine. My
family built this castle.”

“A hundred years ago, and then
betrayed the Scottish king and had their lands taken.”

“The Blackburns have no right to
Duntaigh Castle. It is mine!”

“Not yet, but marrying a
Blackburn would put you a step closer to reclaiming it.”

The ticking pulse in Rannoch’s
jaw betrayed his lack of control. He struggled to get it back. As Ian watched,
Rannoch paced the cell. When he turned back, his eyes were cold. “If you answer
my questions, I will not cut you.”

“You will geld me either way. I
just may escape that fate a bit longer if I cooperate.” Ian gave him a slow
grin. “Are you the traitor Robert seeks?”

Rannoch drew his dirk and placed
it between Ian’s legs. “Tell me what transpired at the gathering of clans or by
God I will cut it off.”

A musical voice floated out of
the air behind Rannoch. He whirled to stare agog at a striking woman with
deep-set, dark eyes, jet black hair, and a blazing red dress. Her creamy
breasts almost popped out of her bodice as she drew close. “Sorcha, why are you
here?”

Stunned, Ian gazed at the Irish
healer. The stark contrast between her midnight hair and fair skin made her
extraordinary. Katie failed to mention the healer’s spellbinding appearance.

Sorcha took Rannoch’s hand and
relieved him of his dirk. “If you want the truth, Milord, let me use my
potions.” Reaching into her tight bodice, she drew out a small vial and waved
it in Rannoch’s face. “I will give him this and you will be assured everything
he tells you is true.” She covered Ian. “Besides, I thought you planned to make
him watch you take Katie, and then do the deed in front of her.”

“He took her. She is no longer
pure. There is no reason to wait. I will marry Brianna instead.”

Sorcha gave him a slow smile.
“Still, you want to make Katie suffer. Take her and her sister, make him watch,
and then….”

Rannoch studied the container
then looked back at Ian. “Are you sure this will work?”

“Aye, Milord, this and some
encouragement.”

With a curt nod, Rannoch gave his
consent and stepped away from Ian. “Use your magic.”

Sorcha dragged one of the stools
over to Ian. She stepped up on it and let her body hover so close he could
smell the scent of lavender on her skin. She rubbed his chest as she opened her
potion and brought it to his lips. Suddenly her husky voice sounded in his
ear. “Drink it all,” she said. When he did not open his mouth, she looked at
Draco, who came over and forced Ian’s jaw open.

Ian choked on the first swig of
the bitter liquid. The taste burned through his chest. His beguiling tormentor
continued to touch him, stroke him, and rub her cheek against his as she fed
him her poison. It snaked through him and he began to feel warm all over.

“Swallow it all,” she told him,
pouring the entire contents down his throat. The room spun. Draco and Rannoch
stepped back and watched from a safe distance as if being closer might make her
magic affect them. Smiling into his face, Sorcha kissed him long and lingering.
Then once again, her voice filled his ear. This time it came as a whisper he
strained to hear. “Tell them something believable and I will save you. Send
them in the wrong direction if you choose.”

“Sorcha, what are you doing?”
Rannoch rasped. “What are you saying to him?”

She turned to Rannoch with a
scornful gaze. “Has my magic not served you well, Milord?” she asked. “I
prepare him for you with some incantations. If you heard them, it may affect
you as well, even without my potion.”

Rannoch paled. “I have seen your
magic before. Continue.”

“Nod, if you understand,” she
whispered to Ian. “I will lead you. The potion I gave you canna make you tell
the truth.” Ian nodded. “Good,” she said a little louder. Standing taller on
her stool, she moved back from him and looked at Rannoch and Draco. “He is
ready. He wilna be able to lie while he is under my spell.”

“How did you get into the
castle?” Rannoch asked.

Ian let his head roll back and forth.
“I dinna ken. I was blindfolded and bound.”

“How did Katie capture you?”

Ian’s eyes met his. “She played
the part of whore for hire at the inn. Before I could take her, her companion
hit me over the head. When I woke, I was locked in this cell.”

“Who was with Katie when she
captured you?”

Ian closed his eyes. Rannoch
already knew about Keith. If he lied, it would spoil the ruse. “Keith Blackburn
helped her. The bastard took pleasure in punishing me for the sin of touching
her, but she invited it.”

“Who attended the gathering of
clans?”

“Heads of all the houses, I went
in my father’s stead.”

“Are they all loyal to Robert?”

Ian shook his head negatively.
“There is a smaller group whose loyalty is not questioned. Jared sought to
bring more of them into the fold, but there is much treachery afoot.”

“And you are in the smaller
group.”

“Aye.”

“Tell me their names.”

“I canna betray them to an
English spy.”

Rannoch moved to strike him.
Sorcha interceded. “My methods are more effective,” she reminded him. Again,
she whispered in Ian’s ear. “I am going to touch you. Pretend you are in great
pain. Give him these names….” With that, she placed her hands on his chest in
quick pulsating motions. Ian cried out as if she reached inside him and tore
out his innards. “Speak,” she cried.

Feigning anguish, he gave out the
names of the men she had named. Rannoch smiled. “Excellent. And now you will
tell me what Robert is planning.”

When Ian was mute, Sorcha
repeated her hand motions. He acted tortured by her light touch, shrieking and
moaning until she commanded that he tell Rannoch everything.

Twisting his face, Ian delivered
his lie. “He seeks to lure Edward into Scotland with an attack on Carraig
Castle. The Earl of Ravenwood has some English leanings of late and Robert believes
Edward will come to the Earl’s defense if fighting breaks out there. They plan
to ambush him just after he crosses the border.” Ian let his head slump as if
he passed out from Sorcha’s magic.

“You have your answers, Milord.”

“Aye, so, Sorcha. You have done
well.”

Katie leaned back against the
cold, stone wall of the cell. Could this be true? Had Ian Innes used his
experience with women to lull her into his arms? She had given him all and
gladly, eagerly inviting him inside her. Just the thought of what they had done
spurred a burst of feeling between her legs. It caused her body to quiver with
deep desire. Ian asked for permission he knew she would give and made it her
idea to give him her innocence. Was he as treacherous as Rannoch?

The thought cut her deep. She
trusted Ian. Could her trust be misplaced? More hung in the balance than her
lost innocence. Despite her wanton desire for a man who may very well have
taken her as punishment for her deception, she had to find a way to tell her
king of Rannoch’s treacherous intent.

Rannoch was a traitor to
Scotland. He sought to hand over Robert the Bruce to the English king and
accept Duntaigh Castle as his reward. What did she do now?