Chapter Three
Maddie sets her plan.
She wasn’t surprised to see Ashlyn and Gracie already at the bottom of the hill.
The first thing they did was fuss over Kyla, so Maddie set her down in the snow in her leather boots, smiling at her bulky appearance.
Alice had bundled her in several thick furs, and she looked round, like a wee snowman. Kyla didn’t seem to mind.
Of course, Kyla had broken into a smile on seeing the two lasses. “Shwee, Wacie. Pway.”
Maddie knew Kyla was more advanced than most children her age.
She spoke many words that the lads hadn’t mastered until nearly their second year.
Alice said it was because lasses were such talkers.
But Maddie was certain it was because Kyla would prove to be an extremely bright and clever woman when she grew up.
She would prove to be a gentle lady, just like her mother.
Maddie smiled and bussed Kyla’s cheek before releasing her into the care of her cousins.
Then she set off to her task. Logan could be leaving as soon as the morrow, so she needed to plan her trip carefully.
If she had to leave on her own, she would need two others to travel with her since they’d have to ride three horses, one adult rider and one bairn per horse.
Her most logical and first choice would be Mac and Alice.
She didn’t think they’d have any trouble on the first day because Grant land was so deep into the Highlands.
Alex kept speaking of reivers, but everyone knew they moved out in the cold of winter and headed back to the Lowlands.
Besides, anyone in the area, including reivers, would be afraid of the powerful warriors of Clan Grant.
Most who hoped to steal stayed far away from Grant land.
Maddie’s party would be off Grant land in a couple of hours, then would head south.
If Logan chose to wait for her, then they’d have the protection of the Ramsay warriors for the rest of the journey.
And, of course, she also predicted that half a day after they left, Alex would be directly behind them, raging mad.
She’d worry about his temper later—what mattered was that he’d come with warriors to chase after them.
And, if she had her way, they’d be closer to Ramsay land than Grant land by then, so the safest plan would be to head to Clan Ramsay.
If he didn’t speak to her for the entire time they were there, she’d have many others to chat with, and the two of them would make up eventually. His anger would soften as soon as he saw his two sisters.
Besides, she’d learned soon enough in their marriage that if she got Alex alone and dropped her gown, shift, and plaid to the floor, he would do nearly anything she asked. True, it hadn’t worked last eve, but he’d yet to refuse her completely.
She rounded a corner in the stables and nearly ran into Mac.
“Oh, your pardon, Mac. I was too preoccupied with my thoughts.”
She smiled, trying to gauge Mac’s mood.
At first he gave her a wide smile, his usual, but then his eyes narrowed. “What have you planned, young lady?”
She nearly snorted, not all that shocked that he knew her so well. “Whatever do you mean, Mac? Can I not just come for a visit?”
“Out with your request.”
She glanced over her shoulder to see if they were alone, then pulled him down the passageway to the end of the stalls. “I’m asking a favor. You will be the only one who knows, so if he finds out, I’ll know you’re the one who betrayed me. And I’ll never forgive you.”
“I don’t like the sound of this at all.” His usual jovial demeanor changed quickly to a serious tone.
“I know not when we will be interrupted, so listen carefully. Logan invited us to spend Christmas with the Ramsays. Alex denied him. I’ve asked Alex to reconsider, and he is thinking on it, but I know my husband. He’s just delaying his denial, searching for another good reason not to go.”
“Ah, is this a request to argue your case? Gathering allies, Maddie? I’ll see if I can reason with him. ’Tis not a difficult task at all, not with the number of warriors he has at his disposal. There would be more than enough to take with him and leave some behind.”
“’Tis not what I’m asking.”
Mac sent her a look of confusion. “What are you asking, then?”
“Alex will not be reasoned with when he is determined to deny a request. I have given him the sound reasoning, but I’ll wait and see how he will reply. I’m waiting for him to admit to me that he’ll not allow us to go.”
“Then . . .” Mac trailed off, clearly uncertain what to say to that.
“I am here because once Logan leaves, I will follow him. I hope to catch up with him before Alex finds out and follows.”
Mac’s face was the picture of shock. “Maddie, with all due respect, you are not thinking this through carefully. You cannot do that. He’ll be furious.”
“I’ll not be dissuaded, Mac. I only tell you as I want you to go with us. You and Alice. I cannot take three bairns safely on my own, so I need assistance. You are the only two I trust to keep your word. And if you tell Alex, neither I nor your wife will forgive you. What say you?”
Mac found his tongue and finally said, “Maddie, why? Why would you anger your husband so and take such a risk?”
“Because there’s no reason we cannot go safely. He’s not listening to reason. I’ll not be dictated to as I was with Kenneth.”
Mac should understand. He was there when the man she thought to be her brother had mistreated her, confined her to her chamber, refused to allow her to do anything without his approval.
He was the worst form of dictator there could be.
While she knew in her heart that Alex was not like Kenneth, a small inkling warned her to be careful, to not allow another to control her as Kenneth had.
“Alex is not like that, Maddie. You know that well.”
“I know that to be true,” she said, tears dotting her lashes.
“But you know better than anyone how I was controlled. I need him to see that he cannot do the same, Mac.”
A fire had started deep in her belly that wouldn’t be easily extinguished.
Her last statement came out in a whisper.
“It was not that long ago and I have not forgotten any of it. Please.”
Mac sighed heavily. “All right. I do not agree with this, Maddie, but I know you’re a stubborn woman. I’ll go along with you, but only until we meet up with Logan. For the safety of the bairns.”
“’Tis all I need of you. That and three horses hidden in the forest just outside the gates when I give you notice. I know not exactly how this will play out, so we must be ready for any situation. Hide the animals in a place where they’ll not be seen in the dark. Remember,
I’ll know if you tell Alex.”
“He’ll have me beaten when he learns I did not inform him,” Mac replied.
“What Alice will do to you would be worse.”
“Why won’t you see reason, lass? Speak to Alex. Do not sneak off as you plan.”
“I have spoken to him, Mac, but it’s no use. You’ll see that he intends to deny us.”
Maddie paused. “Alice will be going with me, whether you go or not. She gave my mother her word that she’d always watch over me. I thought your loyalty was to your wife. Or have you become more loyal to Alex? If so, I’ll make sure Alice knows where she ranks in importance to you.”
Mac paled. “Maddie, when did you gain this cruel streak?”
“It is not cruelty. It is determination.” She spun on her heel before Mac could say more. When she was far enough away from him, she mumbled to herself, “It is determination and survival.”
She was going to Ramsay land, and nothing was going to stand in her way.
Not even Alex Grant.