Page 71 of Tempting the Highland Devil
They began discussing their journey in hushed tones, and Yvaine stood there watching them argue about their hiding point and strategy in case they were ambushed.
Her heart leapt into her throat as she thought of either of them getting hurt one more time. “Nay!” she panicked, and her sudden outburst made them all turn to look at her.
“Yvaine?” Arran called, his brows squinting together to show his worry. “Are ye all right?”
“Nay,” she continued, shaking her head to show her objection. “Nay, I cannae let either of ye get hurt because of me, please. Ye cannae do this. Ye cannae ride out without kenin’ what ye might meet. Instead, let us tighten security around the castle and…”
“They got in the last time, Yvaine. Whoever is behind this has allies in my castle, and I cannae point out the men betrayin’ me if I dinnae go on this hunt.”
Arran walked over to her and took her hands in his, but Yvaine’s fear overcame every reasonable thought in her mind, making her cry out in desperation again. “What if one of ye gets hurt? What do I do then?”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pleaded with him. “Please…I would give anythin’ to make sure ye never get hurt. How do I live with meself if anythin’ happens to either of ye? How do I forgive meself?”
“How do I live with meself if anythin’ happens to ye,” Arran replied in a shrill tone that made her stiffen. Her teary gaze latched onto his, and she stifled another sob when his expression contorted to show his fear.
“I cannae lose ye, Yvaine. I willnae survive, and I must do everythin’ that I can to protect ye. I am nay just doin’ this for ye. I am doin’ it for meself and for all of us in this room who care about ye. Do ye understand? If ye get hurt under my watch, or worse, how can I live with meself?”
Yvaine had no other words as she stared deep into his eyes and allowed his conviction to soften her resolve. “It is me duty to protect ye, and I will give me life to do so.”
Yvaine broke into another sob before she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Arran comforted her with his arms around her waist, and he finally lifted one hand to pat her hair down before he kissed the side of her neck.
Yvaine finally pulled back and wiped her cheeks with both her hands.
“Then I must do somethin’ while ye are away. I cannae just sit still while ye do everythin’ to protect me. I have to do somethin’ to help.”
“There is somethin’ ye can do,” Lily spoke up, and everyone in the study turned to face her.
Yvaine hiccupped as Lily walked over to her and continued with a smile. “When I worked as a servant in England and also here, I learnt one thin’ about the people in a household… They like to gossip. It is a means to keep themselves busy and make the tediousness of their lives even more bearable. There is gossip amongst the servants here, and if any of yer guards are absent tonight without yer knowledge, we can find out about it by being friendly with the servants.”
“The servants here already adore, Yvaine,” Arran said with a nod. “The villagers also think she is their good fortune sent by the gods. I ken this because James reports what happens in the villages to me.”
“Then me plan will work. When ye three ride for the Golden Lock, Yvaine and I will remain here with Amelia and Elspeth. We shall indulge in as much gossip as we can and spread rumors about the lady’s safety.
“We will say the laird has captured the ones responsible and will punish them for treason. It will scare the conspirators and cause them to act quickly. They might try to flee from the castle, and we will need help to capture them.”
“I think it is a brilliant idea,” James voiced his opinion. Killian and Duncan also agreed with Lily’s plan, and Killian walked over to her to kiss her forehead.
Lily blushed for a moment then she cleared her throat and focused on the discussion again.
“Killian, Duncan, and I will ride out. James and Lily will stay back and carry out the second part of our plan. We will return with news, and we will return safely. Ye have naythin’ to worry about.”
The plan was set in stone, and now all they had to do was make sure they returned alive.
* * *
Yvaine sighed in her sleep when Arran kissed her early the next morning then smoothed a hand down the side of her cheek.
She murmured and opened her eyes. “I have to go,” Arran whispered before he kissed her again. “I will return safely, I promise ye, Yvaine.”
Yvaine sat up on the bed and licked her lips. She could only nod because the tears in her eyes would not let her speak properly. Yvaine had a bad feeling about this plan. The prick in her heart and the knots gnawing at her insides were all proof that something terrible would happen soon.
“Arran,” she called in a faint voice after he made it to the door. He paused and turned to look at her. “If somethin’ goes wrong, I need ye to think about being the hero and save yerself. I cannae live without ye either, and I love ye.”
He stayed rooted to one spot, and Yvaine murmured her last plea before he gave her one nod, turned, and walked out of the chamber.
She sat there for a long time then wiped her cheeks and got out of the bedding. Yvaine put on a robe over her night dress then walked outside of Arran’s chamber to speak to the first guard she saw.
“Send for my maid and Isabella immediately,” she said to him.
