Free Sarah Gabriel by Keeping Kate

name, so they cannot send word to anyone. It’s possibleone of my cousins knows, and he will tell Rob. If the red soldiers learned my name, they would go after the MacCarran and arrest him. The officers believe my kinsmen sent me to spy.”
    “Did they?”
    She lifted her chin. “They did.”
    Ian dropped a shoulder toward her. “Listen to me, lass. You’re right to keep quiet. Whatever you know about Rob’s business, let it remain secret. Do not tell me anything more. If they torture me, I would tell.” His tone grew wry and teasing.
    “You never would,” she said, her tone lighter. She felt suddenly glad to have found a friend in this dismal place.
    “ Ach , I might. I do not have your strong will, to survive what they did to you in there.” His expression darkened. “I heard it all. Making you stand for hours—brutal. I’d kill them for you if I had the chance.”
    “I’m fine. An officer decided it was enough punishment and put an end to it.”
    “Ah, the tall captain? I saw him. Good man.”
    “I owe him for it…though he was the one who arrested me.”
    Ian cocked a brow, an almost comical sight with his eye swollen shut. “But he relented? Ah, the fairy charm of the MacCarrans is at work in you, hey?”
    She looked at him in surprise. “You know about that?”
    “Your brother has mentioned his sisters, and he spoke of the clan legends.” Ian leaned close again,waved a hand. “Can you get us out of here, lass? Spirit us away to a fairy hill?”
    She shook her head. “It’s a useless gift if it exists at all. Here we sit, and I cannot help either of us.”
    “Pity.” He grunted thoughtfully. “Well, if it’s real, it will serve its purpose one day, or so your legend claims. Now get some sleep, lass. Do not fret about that one there,” he added, indicating the Lowlander. “I’m your guardian here.”
    “And I am forever in your debt.”
    He smiled crookedly through the scruff of his black beard. “ Ach , you’re like a bit of sunshine in this wretched place. Hush, now. The guards are coming back.”
    Kate closed her eyes and tried to rest, but she heard heavy footsteps and male voices, with a new voice in their midst. She opened her eyes suddenly, all her senses alert.
    She knew that deep, calm voice. Looking toward the door, she saw Alexander Fraser standing beyond the iron bars. She felt the shock as his piercing gaze caught hers. For a moment, he was all she saw, despite the other men in the corridor with him.
    Colonel Grant emerged from the shadows followed by four dragoons in red and white. One of the soldiers produced a set of heavy keys and unlocked the cell door to pull it open. Fraser stepped back, and the dragoons came inside, crowding the cell. One of them held stout iron chains and a set of manacles.
    She gasped and pressed her back to the wall. Beside her, Ian sat up, and the man in the corner did, too.
    “Ian Cameron,” one soldier announced. “You’ll come with us.”
    Kate looked at Ian in alarm. He regarded the men calmly. “Where is it I am going?”
    “Edinburgh Castle,” Grant answered, stepping forward. “Your trial date will be set soon. Likely you’ll be executed.”
    “A bit hasty, Colonel.” Fraser leaned against the doorframe. “Mr. Cameron, you’re to be interviewed by the Lord Justice Clerk and perhaps tried before the bar in the Court of Justiciary. You will have a chance to speak on your behalf. Execution is not guaranteed,” he added grimly. “You could be sent to the Tower of London and held for a length of time.”
    “Thank you, sir.” Ian stood to his full height. Kate stood up with him, feeling small and insignificant in the crowd of tall and robust men. Her heart pounded with dread for her friend.
    “Come with us, Mr. Cameron,” Fraser said, then sent Kate a quick, somber glance.
    Two dragoons took Ian’s arms and placed manacles on his wrists, though he already had fetters on his ankles. He resisted the additional bonds, twisting