Page 46 of Highland Storm

“How do ye plan on gettin’ in and out without bein’ seen?” asked Logan. “We dinna ken anythin’ about Crookston Castle.”

“Mayhap no’,” said Hawke, looking at the door to his room. “But I ken someone who does.”

“Ye think Phoebe is goin’ to tell ye how to sneak into her castle?” asked Ethan.

“No’ willingly. But I think I can get her to spill their secrets, like where to find their hidden postern gate.”

“Be careful, Hawke,” said Ethan. “Ye dinna want to play that game. No’ if ye care about the lass at all.”

“We’re enemies,” Hawke reminded him. “Whatever I feel doesna matter because when I’m through, we’ll have our chieftain back and Phoebe will be back where she belongs.”

“And what about Lennox?” asked Caleb. “What are ye plannin’ to do with him?”

“We’ll keep him as a backup plan for now. But honestly, I dinna care if the man lives or dies after what he’s done.”

* * *

Phoebe pressed her ear to door, having heard every word of Hawke’s ill-conceived plan. How dare he think he could use her to get information to work against her clan? Well, two could play this game. She’d let Hawke think he was winning but, in reality, she would be the victor in the end.

The door latch moved and she hurried back to the other side of the room. Hawke walked in with a bottle of wine in one hand and two wooden goblets in the other.

“Phoebe,” he said. “I thought ye’d be sleepin’ by now.”

“Nay,” she said, staring out the open window. “I dinna plan on sleepin’ at all tonight.”

“Why no’?” He closed and locked the door, and headed across the room.

“Because,” she said, holding her tongue and trying not to spill her secret that she knew his plan.

“Ye look upset. Is somethin’ botherin’ ye?”

She eyed the vines climbing up to the second floor room wondering if they’d hold her weight. Either way, she supposed it didn’t matter. She’d never be able to sneak out if Hawke was there. She’d have to wait until he fell asleep, or mayhap she’d have to pretend to sleep and wait until he left the room first.

“Nay, no’ at all,” she said, faking a smile.

“Well, let’s have some wine and relax.” He reached over and closed the shutter, leaving her trapped in the room alone with him. If she hadn’t overheard his plan, she might like sharing some wine and perhaps a few kisses. But now, she trusted him even less than she had before. She needed to be careful not to tell him any real information that he could use to his advantage.

“All right,” she said, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Come, and sit down,” he told her, putting the wine on the table and sitting on the bed.

She hesitated, but then did as he asked. He poured out two cups of wine and handed one to her. “Tell me about your clan.”

“There’s nothin’ to tell. Ye and I are enemies.” She took a sip of wine.

“Well, it doesna have to stay that way.” He reached over and put his arm around her. She stiffened. And when he leaned over to kiss her, she turned her head. She’d meant to lead him on, but she just couldn’t do it. “Have some more wine, Phoebe.”

She downed the white wine and got up and paced the floor. “Hawke, I’m no’ goin’ to tell ye anythin’ so dinna bother tryin’.”

“I see.” He looked into his cup swirling the contents. “I think I need somethin’ stronger than wine.” He got up and walked across the room, tapping the floor with his foot. The candlelight lit the room dimly, but she could tell he was looking for something.

“What are ye doin’?” she asked.

“I ken my great-grandda always has a little Mountain Magic stashed away in each of these rooms. He hides it everywhere, never wanting to run out.” He bent down and yanked away a loose board. “Ah, here it is.” Reaching down into the floor, he pulled out a bottle. Then getting up, he brought it over to the bed. Using his teeth, he uncorked the bottle, poured some into her cup, and held it out to her, resting his hand on her shoulder.

“I dinna care for any.” She pushed his hand off of her and looked the other way.

“Phoebe, I dinna like to see ye so tense. Just have a sip to relax. Ye’re actin’ like a frigid nun.”