Page 52 of Highland Storm

“God’s eyes, ye bedded the girl,” said Ethan with a laugh. “Well, she is comely and I canna say I blame ye.”

“I never meant for it to go that far,” admitted Hawke. “I only meant to get her relaxed so she’d spill her secrets.”

“And instead ye spilled somethin’ of yer own,” said Logan.

“I hope ye’re no’ fallin’ for the lass,” said Caleb. “After all, she’s the enemy and if this doesna work we’ll have no choice but to trade her back to the MacNabs.”

“We still have Lennox,” Hawke reminded them. “And from what I’ve heard, he might be more valuable than the laird’s daughter right now. Even though I’d like to kill the man instead of sendin’ him back.”

“Well, what’s yer plan?” asked Ethan. “Walk right in through the front gate?”

“I dinna ken yet. Let me think.”

“Well, think fast,” said Logan. “The sun will be risin’ soon.”

* * *

Phoebe awoke with a smile on her face, having made wonderful, exciting love with Hawke last night. She turned over in bed expecting to see him. But when the bed was empty, everything came back to her. It was his plan to seduce her to learn her secrets. She hadn’t told him much, but still, he used her and left her.

“He’s goin’ to the castle,” she said to herself, darting out of bed and getting herself together. She had to stop him. He’d be killed. She wasn’t sure why she cared, but she did. Mayhap she could get back to the castle and sneak in through the postern gate before him. If she could manage to set the MacKeefes’ laird free and heal her father, mayhap no one had to die.

She noticed her throwing knives sticking out from under a cloak and picked them up, putting one in her boot and strapping the other to her leg. If there was going to be any trouble, especially from Euan, she might need these.

Slowly opening the door, she peeked out. Hearing someone coming, she hurriedly snuck into the shadows and headed for the stable. Once there, she reached for a horse for quicker travel.

“Goin’ somewhere, traitor?” came Lennox’s voice from the dark. She’d almost forgotten he was there.

“Phoebe?” Orrick lit a lantern and walked out of the stall. “I thought Hawke put the stableboy at your door to guard it.”

“So that’s who I heard comin’,” she said with a shake of her head.

“Where are you going?”

“Where did Hawke go?” she asked, instead of answering.

“They went to free their laird,” said Lennox.

“They?” she asked. “Hawke’s friends went with him?”

“Aye,” said Orrick. “Phoebe, I hope you’re not trying to escape.”

She looked over at Lennox who was motioning for her to come closer.

“Nay, I’m here to see to Lennox’s wound, that’s all,” she lied.

“I’ve already tended to it.”

“I want Phoebe to check it. I dinna trust ye,” snarled Lennox “Ye’re the enemy and ye have been makin’ it worse.”

“Hush up,” said Orrick, looking back at the door. “I don’t want anyone to hear you.”

“I’ll get him to be quiet,” said Phoebe. “Can I take a look at his wound?”

“All right, but be quick about it,” said Orrick. “And whatever you do, don’t untie him. Then you’d better get back to your room or Hawke will have my head when he returns.”

“Of course,” she assured him.

Walking over to Lennox, she figured she had to trust him. If there were two MacNabs working together, perhaps they could get back to the castle before any trouble broke out.