Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
D anielle walked alongside Graeme with Maddie holding her hand on the other side. Although she was a tough twelve-year-old, she was still a child, and Danielle was happy to have gained her trust even just a little.
Danny walked behind them with two other Guards keeping watch for trouble. They walked along the shoreline, over a few rocks, and into the forest.
“You clean up nice,” Danielle said playfully to Graeme.
“Thank you, lass,” he said, looking at her. “Thank you for everything. You are unlike any woman I have ever met.”
“And you are like no other man I have met.” Danielle smiled, feeling her cheeks heat.
“Danielle," Graeme stopped moving and pulled her to a stop next to him, "I love you. I love you with complete madness. I can’t control it.”
“You do?”
“I do, lass. You are my everything,” he said.
“I love you too, Graeme.”
He kissed her on the lips, a quick kiss.
“Yuck, ew, stop it,” Maddie said.
They turned to the child, who they’d forgotten was there as they shared their feelings and burst into laughter.
“Right. Mayhap we should be discussing this when we return to the castle, then,” Graeme said.
“Yes, let’s do that. But I’m glad you told me now because I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold it in,” Danielle said.
“I am the same, lass,” he said.
Finally, they came across a small hut. It was rundown and mostly in ruin, with only half of the roof standing. As they approached, the children scurried inside, afraid of the new arrivals.
“It’s me, Maddie. Don’t be afraid now,” Maddie said, breaking free of Danielle's hand and dashing toward the house.
Danielle looked at Graeme, happy he was at her side. Now that Maddie had gone to her friends, she could speak a bit more privately.
“I've thought about you every day since I arrived here, and I couldn't stand the thought of you down there in the dungeon. A part of me wanted to break you loose so we could run off to the mainland,” she said.
“You would do such a thing for me?” he asked.
“Yes. It is crazy, right?”
“I am honored to hear such words from you, lass,” he said with a grin.
“Now, let's see what we have here,” Danielle said as they approached the hut.
“Where have you been, Maddie? We’ve been worried! You should have been back well before now. Who are these people?” a young girl said. She had pale blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and a soft voice, definitely softer than Maddie’s.
Danielle assumed she was about ten years old, and that made her heart sink lower. Around her were five children, all dirty and very thin.
“I got caught getting into the castle. But do not worry yourself, Maeve, they are going to help us. Come get your things, all of you. We are going to the castle for a hot meal and to speak with the Laird,” Maddie announced.
The children looked apprehensively at Danielle.
“It's true. I'm Lady Danielle, and I promise no harm will come to any of you. Please, come with us, and I will make sure you are well taken care of,” she said.
A young boy of about nine walked up to Maeve and tapped her on the shoulder. He pointed at the Guards, and then at himself, and shook his head.
“This is my brother. He doesn't speak, and he doesn't trust anyone. Not since we watched our parents taken by death. It changed him good,” Maeve said.
Danielle tried not to be upset by this information, but it haunted her already. “What is his name?”
“Colin.”
Danielle walked to Colin and dropped to his level. “Hello, Colin, I'm Danielle. Those Guards over there are here to protect all of us as we walk back to the castle. They're not here to hurt you, I promise. Will you come with me to the castle?” she said, holding her hand out to him.
He looked at Maeve, who nodded. He put his hand in Danielle’s.
“Good. Graeme, will you and Danny help the children carry what they want to bring with them? Let's get out of this cold hut and back to the warmth of the castle,” Danielle said.
Graeme, Danny, and the other Guards helped the children carry the items, which were not much. Then, they made their walk back to the castle.
Along the walk, Danielle looped her free arm in Graeme’s, just wanting to feel his nearness. She held Colin's hand as they walked as well, following his sister and Maeve, who led the way with the other children. Her heart felt full. She had the man she loved on her arm, she had brought justice to the castle, and she was helping these children.
When they arrived, the news of what had happened had already spread through the Keep. How Danielle had discovered the small girl coming through the wellhead and that Graeme and Danny had been set free. The entire place was buzzing with the news.
So, when they arrived, everyone on the grounds turned to look at them. There was lots of whispering and looks of sadness and despair as they watched the malnourished children make their way through the courtyard to the castle entrance.
Eva and Finlay were waiting as they stepped through the door.
“Danielle, you found the thief,” Eva said, giving her a hug.
“Yes, and I am grateful to have Graeme and Danny out of the dungeon. I'm also glad to put my skills from my old life to use in this new one.”
“Oh, and who do we have here?” Eva said looking at the group of children.
“These children are the reason Maddie was stealing from the castle. She's in charge of taking care of the group. It is a lot to rest on the shoulders of such a brave girl,” Danielle said, patting Maddie on the head.
A tear slid down Eva's cheek. “I will adopt the lot of them if that’s what it takes for the clan to help them.”
“Now hold on there, lass,” Findlay protested. “Let us see what the Laird has to say before you take on such a responsibility. You and your big heart.”
“Oh hush, Fin. You know you'd do it, too." She shook her head at him and smiled. "Come on, I'll help you, Danielle,” Eva said, helping to walk the children deeper inside the Keep.
Moments later, they stood before the Laird. All the children were trembling in fear except for Maddie, who had already been in this situation and was much more comfortable after they had treated her so well.
“This is all of you, then?” Cameron asked.
“It is. These are the children I look after, and you promised that no harm would come to them,” Maddie said.
“I will keep my word. Tell me how you lot have come to live in the hut and how you managed to steal from the Keep?”
“The same as most. My parents left me in the village and disappeared when I was just a wee lass. They never came back for me. I was taken in by a kind man. He was like a father. He was a thief, though. Didn't steal nothin' that would be missed, just bits and bobs here an' there that we could use. Taught me how so I wouldn't starve. But he died last year after running from a Guard. Heard he was caught in the inn's larder. He dropped dead durin' the chase. I don’t know why, though. After that, I almost starved to death. I had to move from the room we had and found the hut in the woods. Then these others showed up, havin' lost their parents. We were all hungry. I did some thieving as much as I could. But when I found the cave and found it came inside the castle straight into the larder… I was so happy, and we've been eating every day since. Sometimes, I could put on a cloak and walk right into the courtyard and into that storehouse and take some cloth so we didn’t freeze in the night.” Maddie was very expressive as she told her tale.
Everyone who had gathered in the dining hall to listen to Maddie’s stories was enthralled. Each of the children was either abandoned or their parents had been killed. They were offered no charity from the villagers or the church, and there was no hope for any of them. Maddie took it upon herself to do what she could.
Danielle watched Brody and his friends, who had cried out for Maddie to be thrown into the dungeon. Shame crossed their faces as they listened to the horrible stories. At least now, she knew the children would be treated with kindness instead of persecution as they told stories that showed they had no other choice. It was either steal or starve to death.
“These are quite the harrowing stories, indeed. Maddie, I believe you have been through more rough times than some of my warriors. I will make a deal with you,” Cameron said.
“A deal?” Maddie said confused.
“I offer you and the other children a place here in the castle. You will be given food, living quarters, and schooling, and eventually, you can work in a position where you will learn a trade. Everyone earns their keep around here. I offer this to you if you will show us the tunnel that leads into the wellhead. It is dangerous for us to be exposed, and you will be doing us a favor. What do you say to that?”
“I say I agree, but no one try to harm these children while I am showin’ you, or I will stab anyone who hurts them,” Maddie warned.
Cameron restrained a laugh, but others could not, and a wave of quiet laughter filled the hall.
“I like this one already,” Graeme whispered to Danielle.
“It is a deal, then,” Cameron said making it official by extending his hand to Maddie.
She shook it vigorously.
Afterward, the children were taken to the nursery, where there were appropriate rooms for them. They would have proper clothing and plenty of food and drink at mealtimes. They would also be able to learn to read and write along with the other children of the Keep.
Graeme walked Danielle to her room and kissed her lightly.
“Won’t you come in?” she said, rubbing her hands seductively up and down his chest.
He groaned. “You drive me mad, lass. I want to come in, yes, but I cannot.”
“Why not?” she pouted.
“I must go to Danny's room. I do not wish to leave him to sleep on his own. At least tonight. I need to make sure the others will take the Laird’s word and not enact some revenge on my brother. If I come in with you, I will not be able to take my mind off the fact that he might be in danger.”
“That makes sense. I do understand, and I don't blame you for wanting to keep him safe,” she said. “But before you go…”
Danielle pressed her body against his and kissed him deep and long, until she felt as though she would become a puddle on the floor. Then, she stopped.
“Goodnight then,” she said.
Graeme grunted. “You drive me mad, lass.”
Danielle grinned at him as he reluctantly took his leave.
She entered her room and took off her dress, taking a deep breath of salty ocean air as it came through the window. She felt such a weight lift off her shoulders, and she realized it had been there since she arrived through the door. A tension had hung over her head, waiting to see how things would play out, but now that the worst of it was finished, she could relax. She could make this place her home and be happy about it.
She laid down and slept deeper than she had in ages.