Free Fraser 02 - Highland Quest by B. J. Scott Page A

Donald behind.
    “I also heard mention of an inn, The Skull and Bucket. Apparently the innkeeper knows how to find the Bruce. Seek him out and be careful, lass.” Donald pressed a kiss to her forehead and before she could protest any further, called out to the guard. “See my niece out. Thank you for giving us a moment of privacy to say goodbye.”
    “I canna leave you. Please.” Fallon sobbed. “There must be something we can do to stop this injustice. You canna just give up and allow Dungal to win.”
    The guard lumbered forward and grasped Fallon’s upper arm. “You must be on your way, m’lady. There is no telling when Dungal might come by. Should he find you here, he’ll stretch both our necks.”
    “Release her, and she’ll leave peacefully,” Donald demanded. “Be a brave lass and do as he says.” He gently grasped her shoulders and tried to push her away.
    Fallon refused to budge. “You canna die, Uncle. I won’t—”
    “You gave me your word, m’lady. You must leave now.” The guard’s tone hardened, but she held tighter.
    “Fallon, listen to me.” Donald slid his finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look at him. “The guard is right. If you wish to honor me, grant my last request. Go, before Dungal finds you. Please do as I ask and dinna come back. Promise me.”
    Fallon unfurled her fingers and bobbed her head.
    “It’s time, m’lady.” The guard grasped her elbow and led her toward the door.
    “Wait!” Fallon dug her heels in and wrenched her arm free of the man’s grasp. She rushed back toward Donald and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you. Thank you for everything you have done for me.”
    “I love you too, lass,” he whispered as the sentry yanked them apart.
    The guard towed Fallon across the room and when they reached the door, he opened it a crack and peered out. “No sign of Dungal. Be off with you now and dinna return.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and shoved her out the door, just as a man rounded the corner.
    “What in damnation do you think you are doing here?”
    Fallon’s heart lodged in her throat. Dungal.

Chapter 6
    “What is this woman doing here?” Dungal pointed at Fallon. “I thought I made myself clear when I told you the prisoner is to have no visitors.” His words were sharp, his face threatening.
    The sentry averted his eyes and studied the ground. “Um . . . well . . . well, you see—”
    “He dinna let me see my uncle,” Fallon cut him off, before his stammering gave them away. “I begged him to grant my request, but he wouldn’t budge.” She twisted the edge of her brat around her finger and glanced at her feet.
    “Is that so?” Dungal snapped.
    “Aye.” The guard shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I was telling the lass to be off when you came along.”
    Dungal stepped forward, glared at the guard for a moment, then dismissed him with a curt wave of his hand. “That will be all for now. We will discuss this later.” He waited for the man to slam the outer door before confronting Fallon.
    “You’re a disobedient little chit, aren’t you?” Dungal moved to within inches of where she stood.
    His menacing form towered over her, hovering so close she could feel his ale-tainted breath on her cheek. His words sent a shudder of trepidation skittering along her spine and her heart hammered in her chest, but she refused to show him any fear. When he positioned his hands on the doorframe, trapping her against the wall, Fallon stared straight ahead. “I dinna know what you mean.”
    He leaned in closer, his lips brushing her ear. “You know very well what I’m referring to. Your uncle told you to stay home, yet you showed up in the village despite his orders.”
    “I love my uncle and dinna want him to be alone during his last hours on earth. If that is a crime, so be it.”
    “You make it sound so noble. But it tells me one thing.”
    “And what would that be?” Fallon asked.
    “Your refusal to