Chapter 24
B rigid slipped out of her room in the early hours of the morning. Dawn had broken, and the birds sang outside. It was still a little early for breakfast, but Brigid doubted anyone would be lazing in bed today.
Sure enough, she ran into Sandy on the staircase. His hair was rumpled and unwashed, and there were bags under his eyes. He still managed to look devastatingly handsome, damn him, but Brigid suspected he hadn’t slept at all.
“Is there any news?” she asked him.
He shook his head heavily. “We’ve heard nothing at all,” he said. “But I’m not sure that’s good news. I can’t stop worrying that Edmondson will attack us.”
“Well, then, we need to attack Edmondson first,” Brigid insisted. “If I can get Finn out of there and go home, there will be no reason for Edmondson to come after you and your people any more. Besides, without his special equipment, he’ll be much weaker.”
It sounded like a well-thought-out argument to her, even if she couldn’t explain the purpose of this special equipment. But Sandy shook his head.
“It’s still far too risky,” he said. “You were so close to being captured by Edmondson, Brigid. What if, next time, I was a moment slower, and couldn’t get you away? How could I live with myself? Besides, surprise was our strongest element. We’ve clearly lost that - if we ever had it.”
“You’re wrong,” Brigid argued. “He won’t expect another attempt so soon. This might be our perfect moment.”
Sandy just shook his head again. He squeezed past her to continue on down the stairs.
Brigid clenched her fists in frustration as his broad, stubborn back disappeared around the curve of the tower. Why would he not listen to her? He never listened to her!
She ran after him, trying not to lose her footing on the narrow spiral staircase. She was going to make him listen to her, if it was the last thing she did.
Sandy was almost at the breakfast room when she finally caught up with him. She grabbed at his sleeve, determined to catch his attention, as they both squeezed through the door. At exactly the same time, one of Sandy’s tenants burst in through the opposite door.
For a second, Sandy and Brigid both froze, their argument forgotten.
“My lord!” the tenant rushed out. “News of the men you told us to watch out for. A group of them were spotting camping out overnight, just a few miles from Gillies Tower. It looks like they’re headed this way, my lord.”
Sandy’s eyes lit up.
“Perfect,” he breathed, a slow grin spreading across his face.
Brigid stared at him in confusion. “Perfect?” she asked. “Didn’t we want Edmondson not to come to Gillies Tower?”
“Well, yes,” Sandy said. “But it’s still early. They might yet be asleep. Tam and I can take a few men and surprise Edmondson’s crew before they properly wake up and get moving. If we can weaken Edmondson’s forces, it might give us the edge we need to take back Finn.”
Brigid gaped at him. Sandy winked, then turned to rush back up the stairs, shouting for Tam. Brigid sank slowly into one of the chairs, her hand pressed to her heart.
Was Sandy right? Might this be the moment when the tide finally turned, and they started winning against Edmondson? Brigid was fed up of this endless losing, of Edmondson always being a step ahead.
A slight smile crept across her face as her shock and confusion were replaced by hope. If anyone could pull this off, it was Sandy and Tam. She had faith in them.
The two men clattered down the stairs just a moment later.
“We’re going to gather some men and ride out at once,” Sandy said, his tired eyes bright with excitement. “We can’t risk losing this advantage.”
Brigid nodded. Even though she wasn’t riding out with them, excitement tingled through her own veins.
“Can you wake up Mary?” Sandy asked. “The two of you will need to secure the castle, just in case. Be ready for anything.”
Brigid nodded. “I will. Don’t worry about us.”
Sandy smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “I know I don’t have to worry about you,” he said. “But I do all the same.”
He and Tam strode out. Brigid watched them go, feeling as if she should have said a proper farewell. But what else was there to say?
She swallowed hard, suddenly feeling nervous. She was safe here in Gillies Tower, she knew - but what if something went wrong? What if this plan didn’t go as Sandy expected?
Brigid couldn’t bear it if anything happened to the people of Gillies Tower. Especially if it was all her fault. She would have to do her best - along with Mary - to keep this place, and all its inhabitants, safe from Edmondson’s vicious men.