Page 35 of Highland Spirit

“Somethin’ is wrong. What is it? Where is my daughter?”

Kirstine and Finn exchanged glances but didn’t say a word.

“For the love of God, Sister, please dinna tell me that somethin’ has happened to Isobel.” Fear coursed through Alana like never before.

“Nay, I’m sure she’s fine,” said Kirstine. “But she is no’ here in the castle.”

Thunder boomed overhead and lightning flashed across the arrow slit windows.

“God’s bones, dinna tell me she is out there in the storm?” Alana gripped Kirstine’s arm tightly for strength, hoping she wouldn’t fall over because she was so worried.

“I’m sure she’s safe and warm in the MacKeefe camp by now,” said Finn. “Dinna worry about her. Ethan will protect her.”

“What did ye say?” asked Alana through gritted teeth. “Bid the devil, dinna tell me that Ethan kidnapped her.”

“Nay, he didna even ken she was there,” said Kirstine.

“That’s right,” agreed Finn. “She hid away on Ethan’s boat.”

“Ye ken this for a fact?” Alana drilled the boy.

“Aye.” He nodded his head, causing a wet, blond lock of hair to fall across his face. With one swipe of his hand he pushed it away. “I helped her hide there,” he said, sounding proud of it.

“Ye did what!” Alana’s voice was louder than it should be and some of the men started looking their way.

“Keep yer voice down,” said Kirstine. “If Diarmad finds out about this he’ll string us up.”

“Finn, why in heaven’s name would ye do such a thing?” scolded Alana.

“She wanted to go,” said the boy. “She said Annabelle wasna safe here. She thought someone was followin’ her and tryin’ to steal Annabelle from her.”

“Annabelle is a doitit doll! Why did ye let her do such a foolish thing?”

“I dinna ken,” said Finn, shrugging his shoulders. “I guess it’s because I felt sorry for her. She’s never had a friend except for Sophie when she used to sneak out of the castle and play with her.”

“I canna believe what I’m hearin’.” Alana wondered how she had never known about this when it was happening.

“I made sure ye didna ken,” said Finn with a smile. “I always went with her since Sophie’s brother, Oliver, was my friend.”

“Finn, I had no idea,” said Alana, really feeling like a bad mother now. She’d been so concerned with her father and the smuggling that she hadn’t paid close enough attention to realize where her daughter was at all times.

“I didna ken either,” said Kirstine. “But Alana, ye canna blame them. What kind of life is it growin’ up in this prison of a castle, trapped on this horrid isle?”

“Ye’re right,” said Alana, releasing a deep breath. “But I didna even think Isobel liked Ethan and would want to go with him.”

“Isobel likes him,” said Finn. “She just didna like that he wanted to take her doll away. But when she heard that Sophie had been cryin’ for the doll, she wanted to comfort her friend. That is why she decided to go to Sophie and take her the doll herself.”

“That girl is far beyond her years, I swear,” said Alana shaking her head.

“What are we goin’ to do?” asked Kirstine.

“I think she’s safe,” said Finn with a nod.

“Aye, I’m sure Ethan will take guid care of her,” agreed Kirstine.

“I hope so,” said Alana, pulling Kirstine and Finn to the side so the men wouldn’t hear her. “I wish we could all go to the MacKeefe camp.”

“Let’s do it,” Finn whispered back.