Semua Bab Satisfying Her Darkest Fantasies: Bab 711 - Bab 720

“Aye,” Alan agreed. “What then do we do?”“We steal into his keep and take Mary back.”Caleb let out a deep breath, the sound loud in the quiet of the dungeon cell. “You make it sound like a simple raiding mission, Edward. Cameron will expect such a trick as well.”“We’ll succeed. We have no other option.”Caleb, Alan, Gannon, and Cormac voiced their agreement. Silence fell once again as they waited.An hour later, a sound outside the cell stirred them to action. Caleb leaped to his feet and charged toward the iron bars as a guard shuffled down the corridor, torch in hand.“You must hurry,” the guard whispered in an urgent voice. “Your men have staged a distraction. Follow me. I’ll show you to the northern gate.”Alan helped Edward to his feet and they hurried from the cell and up the stone staircase to the first level of the castle. The guard rushed down the long corridor, past the great hall, and beyond to the kitchens.They exited the castle through the small door where rubbish was

“I’m just going into the kitchens to see Gertie,” she called as she walked by. “I won’t venture farther than that.”Gannon nodded but kept an eye on her progress. “Stay where I can see you, my lady.”She smiled and stepped inside the door but remained where Gannon could see her from where he sat.Only, Gertie wasn’t tending the fire as was her habit. Mary sniffed the air. No bread was baking either, which was unusual given that Gertie always had a loaf baking, day or night. Mary often wondered when the woman took her rest.Perhaps she’d stepped into the larder. Aye, that was likely, and if so, she’d return in a moment’s time. Gertie wouldn’t leave an unattended fire for more than a few seconds.But when Gertie didn’t return, Mary frowned. A noise that sounded like a moan coming from the larder spurred her into action. She rushed through the kitchen and stepped inside the small room, her gaze seeking Gertie.There crumpled on the floor lay Gertie, blood trickling down her temple. Mary

Alan and a dozen of the Woods soldiers rode at a steady pace throughout the day. Since they’d gained a late start, what would normally be a day’s ride would now require them to arrive on McDonald’s land the next morning.Knowing this, Alan didn’t press, and actually halted his men to make camp just after dusk. They built only one fire and kept the blaze low so it didn’t illuminate a wide area.After they’d eaten the food that Gertie had prepared for the journey, Alan divided his men into two groups and told the first of the six men to take the first watch.They stationed themselves around the encampment, providing protection for the remaining six to bed down for a few hours’ rest.Though Alan was scheduled for the second watch, he couldn’t sleep. He lay awake on the hard ground, staring up at the star-filled sky. It was a clear night and cold. The winds were picking up from the north, heralding a coming change in the weather.Married. To Rachael McDonald. He tried hard but could barel

A glance at her window had her grimacing. Dusk was upon them and it was growing chillier with each passing minute. She needed to get up to cover the window and she also needed to stoke the fire if they were to be warm the night through.There was also the matter of the warrior’s horse, if the animal hadn’t already ambled off. Few things would make a man angrier than to have his horse neglected. He’d probably sooner forgive her neglecting his injuries before forgiving insult to his horse. Men had their priorities, after all.With a sigh of regret, she set about extricating herself from the warrior’s grasp. No simple feat when he seemed just as determined that she stay.He frowned in his sleep and even mumbled a few words that pinkened her cheeks and scorched her ears. But in the end, she won out and managed to slip underneath his arm and roll free.She struggled to her feet, stretching her stiff muscles, before heading to the window to pull down the covering and secure the sides. The w

Keeley studied the laird with interest because it was evident that he’d spoken the truth. His brother and wife meant a lot to him. She could see the worry in his face, and her romantic heart took over.How sweet that the laird would spirit away a healer just so his wife would have someone when her time came.Keeley nearly groaned. How ridiculous was it to wax poetic about how romantic the laird was. He’d abducted her, for the love of all that was holy. She should be screaming the forest down, not dwelling wistfully on the laird’s obvious affection for his wife.“You are a simpleton,” she muttered.“I beg your pardon?”Gannon sounded positively affronted.“Not you. ’Tis myself I’m referring to.”She thought she heard him make reference to daft women, but she couldn’t be sure.“How long is the journey to your keep, Laird?” she called out.The laird turned in her direction. “Barely a day, but with Alan having to be carried, we can count on it taking longer. We’ll travel as far as we can