Page 73 of Healing the Highland Sinner
“They can stuff their protocols. The longer I delay, the more likely it is that the next time I see me braither, ‘tis goin’ tae be when I get his head in a basket.”
“’Tis what ye get when ye work with the fancy folk,” Ciar said with a grin.
They sat in the common room of the roadside tavern they had taken rooms in. A fire blazed in the fireplace on the far side of the half-filled common room and the air was filled with the aroma of pipe smoke, stale sweat, and roasted meats. Whispered conversations hung thick around them as they finished their meal and cups of ale.
“If ye’re goin’ tae dae this, then I need tae come with ye,” Ciar said.
She shook her head. “Nay. I need ye tae stay here with the laird and run interference fer me. I need ye tae keep them on track just in case… in case I fail.”
“I dinnae like this,” Ciar said.
“We’ve had tae dae many a thing we didnae like over the years.”
“’Tis true, but those things didnae include ye goin’ intae danger without havin’ somebody watchin’ yer back,” he said. “If nae me, then take Ellair.”
Her bark of laughter was sharp and bitter. “He made his decision and showed me where he stood. He chose his mission over me. I cannae have a man like that at me back.”
“He’s always had yer back, Rosey. He’s kept ye safe.”
“He deceived me.”
“Aye. He did,” Ciar replied. “But ye understand why he did what he did as much as I dae. And ‘twas nae tae hurt ye. Ye ken how he feels fer ye, which means ye ken he’ll always try tae protect ye. Ye can always trust that he’ll dae what’s in yer best interest.”
“Can I?”
“Aye. I think ye can.”
“I’m nae so sure.”
“Dae ye trust me?”
“Of course I dae,” she said.
“I dinnae like what he did any more than ye dae,” Ciar said. “But I trust him tae protect ye. I trust that he’d give his life tae save ye.”
Rosalind sat back in her seat and mulled over his words. If Ciar thought she could put her life in Ellair’s hands, she should trust him at his word. But the sharp ache in her heart told her she couldn’t trust him with anything.
“It will be dark soon,” she said. “I should get ready tae go.”
“Rosalind—”
“Ye’re nae goin’ tae talk me out of this, Ciar. I cannae wait fer those old men tae get a letter from their king. Blaine’s life is hangin’ in the balance.”
“I get it and I’m nae tryin’ tae talk ye out of it, lass. I just want ye tae be smart about it. Damn yer pride and take Ellair with ye.”
Rosalind drained the last of her ale and got to her feet. “I need tae go,” she said. “Make sure tae keep Laird Gunn on task. If all goes well, I’ll be back with Blaine while they’re still waitin’ fer their letter from their precious king.”
Ciar sighed. “I dinnae like this.”
“Ye dinnae have tae.”
“Be safe, Rosalind. Ye’ll dae Blaine nay good if ye get a blade in yer guts.”
She grinned at him. “Ye fill me with such confidence.”
Rosalind left Ciar at the table as she walked upstairs to gather her things. Truthfully, she was nervous about going to Sinclair’s stronghold alone. Scared, rather. But she had to do it. She had to find and rescue her brother, and she was not going to wait around for days, if not weeks, for the king to respond to Gunn’s letter. Not to mention the fact that it was entirely possible the king would not give his blessing for them to do what needed to be done. So, bollocks that and bollocks their protocols.
Slinging her pack over her shoulder, Rosalind walked out of the room and turned to head for the stairs. She needed to get on the road. As she approached Ellair’s door though, her body seemed to stop of its own accord. She turned and stared at it for a long moment, her heart thundering in her chest and her mouth growing dry. She didn’t seem to be in control of her body at all as she raised a trembling hand and hesitated.
