Page 120 of The Speed of Lightning
“FREYA!”
“AOIFE!”
Coarse rope bit into her wrists. Freya heard Aoife’s muffled struggle, her ragged breaths, then a violent yank wrenched Freya upright. Something slammed into her middle—an elbow, a knee—driving the air from her lungs.
They were dragged across the house. Hoisted. Then running.
Chapter 34
GARMORAN, SCOTLAND - MARCH 9, 1387
Calum was unable to wipe the smile from his face as he followed the team down to the boat slip. He felt as though he’d just discovered a sea cave filled with gold. As if what had happened between them the night before was stitched together by God like Freya’s needlework, a grand and perfect design. Every moment of waiting, every ache of restraint, had been worth it. Now he knew, beyond doubt, that all would be well.
There would be hardship still, as there had been these past four months. But with her at his side, he could face anything, just as he had known when he was sixteen.
Murdoch dropped Aoife’s trunk with a grunt, grinning wide. “Things are settled between you and Freya then?”
Emotion surged through Calum’s chest at the memory of his beautiful lass in his arms, the silk of her hair, the way she had held him close whispering how much she loved him as they slipped to sleep.
He nodded once, firm. “Aye. Permanently.”
David trudged by with their trunk, his scowl souring the morning. “Feels as though I’m the only married man among us no’ paired off like beasts for Noah’s ark.”
Iain snorted. “Och, looks like ah’m nae fit tae keep a lassie company. Skye, Garmoran… they jist gie me the laugh an’ gang awa’.”
Eoghan twirled a pink ribbon between his fingers, his grin sly. “Don’t take it too hard, mate. I’d wager the poor girls couldn’t make sense of that tongue of yours. More riddles than words.”
Murdoch’s gaze drifted to the shore. “I’ve already asked Aoife’s father for her hand. Only a matter of asking her next.”
Hector leaned on the rail, arms folded. “And you, Angus? Any love on the horizon?”
Angus shrugged. “Might get a hound after this.”
The men roared with laughter.
Murdoch tightened rope over the trunk. “Speaking of women—where’s Aoife?”
Hector tipped his chin toward Léo and Aileen. “Coming now.”
Calum stowed his pack, his contentment brimming over, then turned to Hector. “What did you want to discuss with me?”
Hector looked toward the shore. “It can wait till we cast off.”
A shadow flickered over his features—faint, but Calum caught it.
“What is it?”
Hector uncrossed his arms, holding a hand out to steady Cara as she boarded. “Just a small matter.”
It didn’t sound small. The man had one of the deepest voices he’d ever heard, but even laying that aside, it sounded serious.
Cara climbed aboard, wringing her hands. “Are we ready to go then? I’m missing my boys.”
The look on her face unsettled him further. “Have you seen Aoife or Freya?”
She swallowed. “Aye. Freya left your note behind. She went back to fetch it.”
Aileen’s brow tightened.They will only be a moment.
