Highland Legends 04 - Captive Highlander (26 page)

Chapter 32

Ian read the missive Jared handed
him and cursed. “Why would they endanger themselves by going to Duntaigh?”

“My wife and your bride-to-be are
of a singular mind. They only obey when they see fit.” Jared cast Ian an amused
glance. “You must get used to it, Ian. Think of how you and Katie met. Do you
really think you can stop her when her mind is set?”

“It doesna seem so.”

“Then we will make the best of it
and use it to get our benefit somehow.”

Ian shot him a doubtful look.
“And how might that be?”

Jared grinned. “I dinna ken. We
will let the plan unfold in whatever way ‘twas meant to be.”

With a groan, Ian urged his horse
forward. They were almost to Duntaigh. Soon they would enter the cave that
would take him back to Katie’s side. Blast the woman for disobeying him like
this.

A few hours later, they secured
their horses and made their way through the narrow cave that would give them
the advantage of surprise. Ian took the lead with the other following. He
jumped when Tessa rounded the corner and leaped into his arms. “Ian, you return
to save us,” she babbled as she kissed him. He set her back on the ground.

“Tessa, tell me what has
transpired.”

“Asilinn and Keith hide above.
Brianna requested father attend the wedding and Rannoch agreed.”

“For no other purpose than to
torture Brian,” Ian snorted. “The bastard wants to rub his face in it.”

“We must hurry. The wedding will
begin shortly in the great hall. You arrived just in time.” Tessa looked at the
men lined up behind Ian. “I forget myself. I thank all of you for coming to our
rescue. The Blackburn clan will ever be in your debt for your bravery.” She
turned back to Ian. “There are so many.”

“Aye, a tribute to your father.
These men respect him and would see him restored to power.” He brushed her
white-blonde hair out of her eyes. “Tessa, where is Katie?”

“Ian, I want you to be calm,” she
began.

“Where is Katie?”

“She hides near the great hall
awaiting word from you. Rannoch thinks she escaped Sorcha’s tower with Keith’s
help and that she hid here at Duntaigh Castle all this time. Katie plans to
catch them all off guard by creating a scene.” Tessa looked at him for support.
“It is a good idea. She will walk in and take them all by surprise. Rannoch
wilna dare do anything to her in front of the gathering, but it will unsettle
him. After they are all drunk, you can surround them and take the castle.”

“Out of the question,” Ian
bellowed.

“Ian, ‘tis a good plan,” Jared
said. “The unexpected always gives the advantage. We will send men to take care
of Rannoch’s guards. Most of the others are loyal to Brian. When he appears at
the ceremony, his troops will rally to support him. They only follow Rannoch
because they think ‘tis Brian’s will. We will bide our time and take them all
with little bloodshed.” He eyed Ian. “If Katie were not involved you would like
it.”

“But she is.” Ian shook his head
in frustration. “I canna lose her.”

Tessa took his hand. “You wilna
lose her, Ian,” she assured him. “I have seen it.”

With a groan, Ian held his hands
high. “I surrender, but if you are wrong, little one….”

“I am not,” Tessa said with
confidence.

Jared just grinned.

“What?” Tessa asked.

“Oh, nothing,” Jared retorted.
“The time is not right yet, Tessa.”

Tessa frowned. She led them into
the larger chamber where they could organize their attack. “Now I must go and
watch my sister marry Rannoch,” she said. “Dinna fail. I canna stay and witness
Brianna bearing his children.”

“Go,” Ian instructed. She took
off in the direction of great hall.

Brianna gazed again at the image
in the looking glass. Her happiness on her wedding night seemed to shine
through the candlelit room. Her emerald green, velvet gown hugged her curves,
dipping low at the bodice. The tight sleeves and midsection glittered with
golden beads Maura had sewn onto the fabric. Under her headband, a sheer golden
veil covered her hair and fell halfway down her back. Soon she would marry the
man she loved and be free to taste all the pleasures of their union. A quiver
of delight shot through her at the thought. What a night this would be.

There was a knock at the door.
“Lady Brianna, I have come to escort you to the great hall,” Draco called.

Drawing a deep breath, Brianna
allowed him to enter. “I am ready,” she said.

She had not ever seen such an
expression on Draco’s face before. “Milady, your beauty leaves me breathless.”
He bowed. “Rowan Rannoch is a lucky man.”

“Thank you, Draco,” she said,
feeling a blush color her face. “Let us go. I am eager to be wed.”

Draco smiled and offered her his
arm. “And Rannoch is eager to have you for his wife,” he added.

Clutching Draco’s arm, Brianna
allowed him to lead her down the dimly lit passage towards the great hall. In
the distance, Brianna could hear the lyrical sounds of a flute then a lone
singer began an old Scottish ballad. In a short time, she would be Rowan’s
wife. The thought made her heart flutter.

Two guards stood outside the
doors. “Announce Lady Brianna,” Draco directed.

The guards flung open the heavy,
oak doors. The massive chamber overflowed with all the warriors and their
wives. Brianna saw a wide variety of plaids about the room. She let go of
Draco’s arm. The crowd grew silent when one of the guards stepped forward. “May
I present, Lady Brianna Blackburn,” he cried.

All eyes were on Brianna as she
walked into their midst. In the distance, she saw her family sitting at the
great table on the elevated platform at the far end of the hall. He father sat
propped between Tessa and Jamie. He smiled at her when she entered with Draco
following behind her.

Her betrothed stood in the middle
of the chamber with the bishop who came to perform the ceremony. She felt
Rowan’s hungry gaze sweep over her. When she reached his side, Rowan bowed
before her. “Milady, your beauty takes my breath away,” he murmured.

“Rise,” she entreated. “Let us
begin.”

Laughter rumbled through the
crowd. Brianna heard some whisper comments at her eagerness. She didn’t care.

The bishop smiled and began. He
took Brianna’s hand. “Lady Brianna Blackburn, do you agree to marry Laird Rowan
Rannoch and keep yourself only unto him till death do you part?”

“I do,” Brianna said.

“And do you, Laird Rowan Rannoch,
agree take Lady Brianna Blackburn for your wife and vow to be her protector as
long as you both shall live?”

“I so swear,” Rowan said, kissing
her hand. “I am yours alone,” he whispered. Brianna’s heart skipped a beat. He
gave his promise to give up Sorcha. The Red Witch stood in the shadows near the
dais watching, but Brianna had no time to dwell on the past.

“By the power of the Holy
Catholic Church, I declare you husband and wife,” the bishop finished.

Rannoch swept her into his arms
and kissed her long and lingering to the cheers of the crowd. The melodic
strains of the harp began. Brianna leaned on him heavily to keep from stumbling
as he led her to the dais to greet her father and her siblings. Jamie and Tessa
hugged Brianna and wished her well. Her father sat stone-still. She leaned down
and kissed his cheek. He smiled at her. It moved Brianna to tears to have their
support in the happiest moment of her life.

Rannoch took up a goblet and held
it high. “Let us begin the wedding feast,” he shouted. More cheers rose up as
the servants brought the food forth. When they sank into their seats at the
middle of the table, Rannoch again found her lips with his. It was the perfect
dream coming true.

The spirits flowed: wine, ale,
and mead. Servants served roasted venison, chicken, and beef from a spit hung
over the fire. Rannoch filled her glass and urged her to drink. She smiled and
took his hand. “Milord, I dinna wish to be too deep in my cups. I want to feel
everything when you take me,” she whispered in his ear.

“I promise you will,” he said,
grabbing her hand and leading it under the table to touch the hardness between
his legs. “You make me ready with your words,” he told her. “We wilna stay much
longer. I am eager to make you mine.”

She smiled and kissed him.

Suddenly the doors of the massive
chamber flew open and Katie walked into the midst of the celebration. Brianna
dropped her knife and stared at Katie as she approached them. The hall grew
quiet as they awaited the exchange between Katie and the happy couple.

Rannoch stood. “Lady Katherine,
you have seen fit to attend our wedding feast,” he said with a slight bow.

“I am sorry I missed the
ceremony, but I offer both of you my best wishes,” Katie said. She dropped her
gaze then looked Rannoch in the eye. “I hope you will forgive my foolishness.
For a time, I was not myself.”

“Of course,” he said.

Katie came around the table,
hugged Brianna, and planted herself on the other side of Jamie. The feast
resumed. A short time later, Rannoch took Brianna’s hand and pulled her to her
feet. “My lady and I are going to retire,” he announced, nodding to Sorcha. The
crowd cheered dutifully as Rannoch led Brianna from the room.

“Now,” Katie whispered.

Jamie nodded, rose, and went in
search of their rescuers. When he reached the hallway, Ian and Jared had
already dispatched the guards.

“The men wait at every entrance
to the great hall,” he assured Jamie. “When we burst in the door, they will all
show themselves.”

“Thank you,” Jamie said. “You
save us all.”

“Let us hope,” Ian replied. He
nodded to Jared and they shoved the doors open so hard they hit the inside
walls with a resounding crash. The stunned revelers fell to shocked silence,
not sure what occurred.

Heavily armed Scottish warriors
appeared in all corners of the room. The men that circled the balcony drew back
their bows and prepared to rain arrows down on the assembly. “Throw down your
arms!” Ian shouted. “We take back the castle for Laird Brian Blackburn.”

Screams rent the air as many of
the women tried to hide from the invading troops. The men were deep in their
cups and struggled to stand and face their opponents. The clash of sword
against sword rang through the great chamber as those true to Rannoch realized
what was happening and attacked.

Brian Blackburn rose and slammed
the table with his cup. The hall fell silent. “Rowan Rannoch and his Irish
healer poisoned me in a plot to steal Duntaigh Castle and the Blackburn lands.
The men who now surround you have restored my place. Lay down your weapons, or
be taken to the dungeon.”

Despite Brian’s warning,
skirmishes broke out around the great hall. The Blackburn clan now rallied
around Katie’s father and this gave them a heavy advantage. Ian reached Katie’s
side and shoved her under the huge table on the dais. “Stay put,” he warned.
“We are not done yet.”

“My sister,” she cried.

“In time,” he said moving off.

Ian saw a warrior clad in
Rannoch’s colors coming up behind Jared as he battled two others in front of
him. Jumping into the fray, Ian sliced off the man’s hand, sword and all, with
one skillful slash. The man screamed and fell to the floor as Jared finished
off the other two. Chairs clattered to the floor and tables overturned as
Rannoch’s forces attacked. Ian motioned to the archers, who sent a flurry of
arrows down upon them. Screams rang out as they hit some of Rannoch’s men. The
people below hid under tables as another onslaught rained down on them thudding
into the heavy wood. Ian signaled for the archers to stop. Only twenty or so of
Rannoch’s men continued to fight.

Katie peered out from her hiding
place. Scanning the great hall, she looked for Draco. If he escaped, he would
warn Rannoch. Ian led the warriors who captured Rannoch’s men. She could not
wait for him to help her. She would go herself to see what became of Draco.

Slipping into the dark, adjoining
hallway, she headed toward Rannoch’s chamber. The hairs on the back of her
neck prickled. Some evil lurked nearby. Turning, she felt Draco’s steel grip as
he grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth with his hand. Teasing her
throat with his dirk, he smiled. “Dinna make a sound, lass, or ‘twill surely be
your last. Do you understand?”

Katie nodded. He removed his
hand. “Your quest is lost,” she advised. “Flee while you still can.”

“As long as you are my captive I
dinna think any of them will risk stopping me. Not even your newly resurrected
lover.” He pushed her in front of him down the shadowy hallway. “Let’s check on
Rannoch and your sister before we leave. Perchance they would care to accompany
us.”

Inside the great hall the chaos
subsided. The MacLean, Innes, and Blackburn clans surrounded the remnants of
Rannoch’s troops. Throwing down their weapons, the rabble surrendered to the
superior numbers. Draco was not among them. Ian began a frantic search of the
huge chamber, turning over felled warriors to check their faces.