Free The Outcast Highlander by R.L. Syme Page B

rounded the table at a quick step.
    Slightly out of breath, the old steward leaned against a column near the door. Once Kensey reached him, he tried to speak, but it still came out in puffs. “Kendrick was on patrol… just the other side of Ben More Assynt… a huge camp of English soldiers… flying a Buckingham banner… the Lord is among them.”
    Kensey’s heart nearly stopped. They must have been right behind Malcolm the whole time. Either they waited for the dead of night to be upon them, or the first light for safe travel. Either way, it gave them almost no time to respond.
    “How many men do we have here?”
    Reyf shook his head. “No, miss. That will not do. They are one hundred strong at least. Even if we could reach all through the MacLeod lands before they are upon us, we would have less than thirty men of fighting age. Too many too old or too young still, or untrained.”
    Malcolm suddenly put his hand under Kensey’s elbow and she jumped. She hadn’t realized he would follow her.
    “What has happened?” Malcolm asked. When Reyf recounted in a more steady delivery, Malcolm stroked his beard and considered. “They must have been on my heels since I left Berwick.”
    “Can you ride to Duncan and raise warriors?” Kensey felt some rise of hope at the thought, until Malcolm’s somber face told the story.
    “I’m afraid I couldn’t return in time. They will likely try to strike at night, when your defenses are down.” He looked back at the table and lowered his voice. “Buckingham is no fool. He has extensive lands in the south and in England. He knows that Scots will fight.”
    Kensey paced between the end of the table and the column, trying to think of their next move. So much, she wished her father were here, but it was past time for girlish dreams. The Highland outcast wasn’t coming to save her, the Sinclairs weren’t coming to save her, her father wasn’t coming to save her. She was alone, responsible, and had no time to second-guess herself.
    “Buckingham won’t hurt the people,” she said. Both men raised eyebrows at her as though she spoke madness. She repeated herself, then continued. “He can’t afford to. He’s not actually going to take up residence here. He’ll install some underling with a garrison and he’ll need our people to work.”
    Malcolm inclined his head. “You may be right.”
    “But he will want you.” Reyf stomped in the path of her pacing and took her by the shoulders. He smelled of sweat and horse and Kensey was immediately on edge. “You and your brother, and perhaps even your mother.”
    “But if we could slip out during the night, quietly.” Kensey leaned forward hopefully, trying to bait them.
    “No.” Reyf released her but stayed in her pathway. “I will hide you.”
    “Until what?” Kensey’s voice drew into a louder tone than she would have liked and everyone at the table perked up, including her brother. She lowered her voice. “My father may never return. My mother is ill. What would you have me do?”
    Both men considered this. The chatter in the hall picked back up when no more loud voices came from their group. Kensey turned on Malcolm.
    “You can lead us to Castle St. Claire. There, we will surely be safe until my father returns.” Kensey touched his shoulder, hoping the act would solidify her seriousness.
    “It would be very dangerous, in the night. But if we move slowly, I think we can make it. We’ll have to stick to the easy road, which will likely lead us within sight of their camp, at least for a short way to cross the river.”
    Reyf took Kensey’s arm and hauled her toward the stairs. She had every intention of shoving him off and crying foul, but she needed his assent, or their plan would never work. He reached the stairs and continued to pull her along. They reached the laird’s solar and he knocked on the door.
    Gabrielle’s weak voice called out to admit them and Kensey shook her head as Reyf put his hand on the door.