The Scot's Pursuit by Keira Montclair

Author:Keira Montclair
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Highland
Published: 2020-06-23T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Alick and Dyna neared Thane Castle well after dark. “I’m glad it’s nightfall,” he said, slowing his horse. He checked the landscape for a good place to hide their horses. After his previous dealings with Arnald Denton, he had no wish to run into the man this eve. If they couldn’t learn anything from Jep, the stablemaster Branwen trusted, then they’d have to sneak inside. The wind blew across the land, giving the night an eerie feel as if thunderclouds were rolling in with the promise of rain.

He glanced up at the sky, wondering what the weather would bring, when Dyna answered his question.

“’Tis not going to rain,” she said in a tone he knew better than to question. “But we’ll have to take care, Alick. What’s your plan?”

They stopped their horses, and Alick said to the guards, “I’d like you to hold back here. See what happens. Keep your eye out for young lasses in case we go in through one entrance and she’s sent out through another. Dyna, do you have suggestions?”

“I’ll see if I can find my way in through the back entrance.”

Alick said, “Good idea. She trusts the stablemaster. I would prefer to start with him, but there’s quite a bit of activity going on at the stables so I suspect he won’t be able to tell me much. I’ll do the direct thing and ask to speak with the earl.”

Alick and Dyna didn’t move, taking in the activity around the outer stables. There were far more guards about than he’d noticed on his last visit. Some of the men had been out hunting, but not this many. And the way the men milled about, speaking in hushed tones, spoke of some clandestine activity.

Something had changed.

“Dyna, I know ’tis dark and difficult to see, but do not many of these men sound English? And they’re dressed in plain clothing, too. I see no plaids other than Thane. What say you?”

Dyna pursed her lips and said, “I say we need to move and stop talking about it. Because you’re right, and it doesn’t bode well.”

Alick glanced at her. “I agree. We move.”

“Meet back here in an hour,” Dyna said. “If anything happens, I’ll run and leave a guard to advise you.”

Alick nodded. “Godspeed. All of us.”

They separated and Alick found his way to the stables, taking his horse along so he’d have an excuse to speak with the stablemaster. Jep was there, but he gave him a quick shake of the head to indicate he couldn’t talk openly. Another guard asked him his business. “I’m here to see the Earl of Thane. I saw him a couple of days ago, and he told me to come back.” Not a direct lie, just a wee one.

The man’s companion, another guard, confirmed, “Aye, he was here. Allow him entrance.”

“Tie your horse over there and go in through the gates. The guard there will escort you to the earl’s solar.”

Alick was surprised it was that easy, but he didn’t argue.

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