Page 34 of Highlander's Escaped Prisoner
“You said so before,” Roy answered tiredly, “and I will give you the same reply. He is a murderer, and as soon as it is convenient, he will go straight back to jail.”
Just then, there was a furious knocking on the door, and the laird opened it to find Logan on the other side, out of breath and furious.
“Blair has escaped!” he cried. “The guards fell asleep, and somehow he got out.”
Nessa stood up. “Do not blame the guards,” she told him. “I drugged them and set him free. I told you when he came here, and I am telling you again that he is not a murderer.”
Logan came and stood over her. “How did you both get out?” he demanded. “Someone must have seen you.”
“You do not need to know that.” Nessa’s voice was scornful. “Now go away. I wish to speak to my father alone.”
Logan glanced at the laird, who nodded sideways toward the door, dismissing him. Logan turned on his heel and left, and Roy Guthrie sat back and sighed.
“You know what you have done, Nessa? You have let a dangerous criminal loose on our estate. Why? Has he convinced you that you are in love with him? Men can be very devious, and you are still so innocent. Tell me where he is, and I promise he will be well treated.”
“Let me tell you about our bargain first, Father, then you may change your mind.” Nessa looked straight into her father’s eyes, and he melted.
Roy knew that Nessa could always twist him around her little finger, and she was doing so now, but he resolved to listen. After all, she was a grown woman.
“Tell me, then.” He leaned forward to listen to her.
“I made a bargain with Bryce,” she began. “When I first met him, I was as skeptical as you are, Father. But since then, I have seen what a good man he is. We made a deal that I would help him prove his innocence, and he would help us solve our border dispute. We went to visit Andrew Henderson, Uncle’s friend and counselor, and he told us his ‘sources’ had informed him that you killed Uncle Gerald. I did not believe that, of course, and I still do not.”
“This is outrageous!” the laird cried, standing up and knocking his chair over. “Who are Andrew’s sources?”
“He was too scared to tell us,” Nessa said, shrugging. “But Bryce does not believe that you murdered him, and he is not a killer either. You have always told me I am a good judge of character, Father, and you told me that animals are too. Jo loves him and greets Bryce every time he sees him.”
“I will take Jo’s word for it, then!” her father laughed, then he became serious again. “Nessa, our border dispute has been going on for years. It is time it was ended before any more lives are lost. If you think Bryce can help us, then tell me where he is, and I promise that no harm will come to him. In the meantime, I will send a message to Gregor Blair and request a meeting with him and the Blair clan leaders and ours. This feud ends now.”
Nessa had never seen her father looking so grim before or so hurt. This had touched him on a deeply personal level since he had never before been accused of any crime, least of all the killing of one of the most beloved people in his life. Her heart ached for him.
Presently, he turned and smiled at her. “Nessa, you are the light of my life, and I do not know how I would have lived if anything had happened to you.” Once more, he wrapped his arms aroundher. “I am so proud of you for having the courage of your convictions. If you believe that Bryce is not a killer, then I will try to see things through your eyes. I am not saying that I am wholly convinced, but I am trying to understand.”
“Thank you, Father.” Nessa kissed him.
“Did you use the tunnels?” Roy asked suspiciously.
“I did,” Nessa confessed, somewhat guiltily. “The one that comes out under the dungeon.”
“And you did not get lost,” he said admiringly. “Then I know exactly where Bryce is. Go and get him tomorrow morning. Will he survive the night?”
“He has lived for seven years in one of the worst prisons in Scotland!” she pointed out. “A night in a hollow tree will not scare him in the slightest!”
Back in his study, Roy took out his parchment and quill and thought for a moment before beginning to write.
Dear Laird Blair,
I would like to invite you and your clan elders to a meeting in Drumblane Castle on the 1st of May, to discuss a matter of mutual interest. I am sure you know what I refer to. Please reply and let me know if you will be attending,
Sincerely,
Laird Roy Guthrie
He sealed the envelope, ready to be sent in the morning, then thought about what Nessa had said for a long time. He resolved that Bryce Blair would not come back to Drumblane in chains.
19
Nessa packed a bag of food to take to Bryce the next morning, judging that he would be famished. As he had once told her: “There is a lot of me to fill!” Fortunately, she was able to walk to her destination this time and was greeted by a ravenously hungry Bryce whose stomach was growling like an angry dog.
