Chapter 19
B rigid could barely breathe for nerves. Her heart pounded and her fingers itched. It was finally happening - they were preparing to ride out and save Finn.
Brigid had got dressed in Mary’s room, where the other woman had lent her some smaller-sized breeches and a man’s shirt. With her cloak on top, and a comfortable pair of boots on her feet, Brigid felt ready for adventure. And, of course, they all had black highwayman masks.
But when Brigid and Mary stepped into the great hall, Sandy took one look at them and shook his head.
“This is still a terrible idea, and you can’t persuade me otherwise,” he said. “The two of you should stay at home.”
Hands on her hips, Brigid faced him squarely.
“This is my rescue mission, Sandy MacLeod, and don’t you dare try to keep me away,” she said. “I’ll go alone if I have to, but I am going to rescue Finn.”
Sandy sighed and smiled sadly at her.
“I’m not trying to be cruel, I promise you,” he said. “I’m just worried about you. Both of you.”
The sincerity was obvious in his voice, but Brigid still had no intention of backing down. The words of Edmondson’s letter were burned into her brain.
“This means too much to me,” she said. “I have to come.”
“Very well then,” Sandy said, although he was clearly still reluctant. “Let’s go, then.”
Tam didn’t look any happier than his friend. As they walked to the stables, he caught Mary’s arm, pulling her against him and whispering to her urgently. Sandy didn’t seem to notice, but Brigid watched with interest. Did Tam feel the same about Mary as she did about him?
Outside the stables, Sandy helped Brigid to mount a horse. His hands skimmed her waist and thighs as he settled her in place, and she felt a strange sensation dance across her skin at every point where he touched her. She tried very hard not to think back to their wedding night. This was all about Finn. She needed to focus on him.
She set her gaze straight ahead and tried not to even look at Sandy.
They rode out into the darkness, and the Gillies Tower gate closed behind them with an ominous clang. She couldn’t believe how dark it was - so black that she could barely see the road in front of them. So, this was what a night with no streetlights was like. How did the horses even know where they were putting their hooves?
“Where’s the moon?” she whispered to Sandy.
“We missed the full moon and the clear skies,” Sandy said, his voice incredulous. And we could hardly wait for a clear night and a bright moon when you were so insistent that we had to act now .”
“Yes, of course,” Brigid said, feeling a bit foolish. “Sorry. I forgot about the moon.”
She couldn’t see Sandy’s face in the darkness, but he made a little noise that sounded exasperated.
A branch cracked. Brigid couldn’t help herself - she screamed.
“Brigid, it’s just an animal,” Sandy said in a reassuring voice as her horse danced around underneath her. She was not cut out for life in the pre-modern world.
Something else moved in the darkness, and Brigid narrowly swallowed another scream.
Sandy reached out and somehow managed to find her hand in the darkness. He held her fingers in his and stroked her palm in soft, soothing motions. Brigid let herself relax for a second, comforted by his touch. Then she pulled her hand away.
“I’m fine,” she said firmly.
They rode for a while longer. Sandy led them off the road and through the trees. This was the worst part. Brigid could not believe that the horses knew where to put their feet in the darkness, even though Sandy assured her they were fine. She clung tightly to the reins and hoped for the best.
After a while - Brigid could not tell how long - flickering lights began to show through the trees.
“This is it,” Tam whispered. “We’ve almost reached Edmondson’s camp.”
Sandy helped Brigid down from her horse. This time, he didn’t let go, but pulled her close against him.
“It’s not too late to change your mind,” he whispered in her ear. “We can still forget about all of this and go home.”
Brigid thought longingly of the flickering fire in the great hall, and the strong walls of Gillies Tower. When had it come to feel like home?
But she shook her head. The time had come. She was finally going to rescue Finn from Edmondson.