Part 25 (1/2)

She nodded. He was right, but she still felt the need to scream out in relief that Kestrel's trick had worked. Oh if the man were here, she'd kiss him for it.

They continued their uncomfortable perches until her legs had gone numb. It'd been a while since she'd last heard her father's voice. Even so, they didn't want to take the chance on being discovered when they were this close to being gone.

Suddenly, she could feel the s.h.i.+p pulling away from the dock before the door opened again.

It wasn't Kestrel.

Her heart stopped at the sight of a stranger in their haven. He appeared to be an older sailor who walked with a p.r.o.nounced limp. He hobbled his way toward them before he righted several of the barrels. Then, he looked up at them and grinned.

”Next time I tell you something, you'll be listening to me, eh?”

She was aghast at the disguise. ”Kestrel?”

He winked at her before he stood up on the barrel to cut her down. ”And now you know how I came by my name. I used to hide in the trees like a bird until it was safe for me to take flight.”

She laughed out loud. ”And grateful for that are we. Thank you.”

”Anytime, my lady.” He helped her down before he moved to cut the netting from Lochlan.

”Is the king gone?” he asked as he lowered himself to the floor.

Kestrel nodded. ”They weren't happy either. I pity whatever informant they had. I'm sure the man will pay well for that loose tongue. If it wasn't for the fact it would have ended our lives”--he indicated himself and Lochlan--”had we been caught, I'd feel sorry for him. As it is, I hope they cut out his tongue and hang the b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”

Cat wished she were more charitable, but honestly, she couldn't agree more. Whoever it was, they'd never done anything to him to warrant such hostility. So why that person would try to ruin their lives for nothing more than pure meanness made no sense to her whatsoever. Her mother had always said such treachery only harmed the one carrying it. And she was right.

So like Kestrel, she hoped they hanged the man.

Lochlan straightened up the netting before he addressed Kestrel. ”Did Stryder and Simon make it?”

”The sailing? Nay. But they won't be far behind us and Bracken and his family are in the care of Simon's wife. All should be well.”

She let out a relieved breath. ”Good. I would never want someone hurt because of me.”

Kestrel snorted. ”And I concur most wholeheartedly. I would never want to be hurt because of you either.”

Cat laughed. Kestrel had an infectious sense of humor at times.

”By the way, your uncle bade me pa.s.s this note on to you.” He pulled a small piece of folded vellum from his pocket and handed it to her.

Cat unfolded it to read what Bavel had to say.

I'm so glad we had the chance to see you, kitten. You've no idea how much we've missed your presence. Viktor can't cook at all. Why does he think well-done means charred? Or that brus.h.i.+ng the dirt off is the same as cleaning?

She laughed at a truth she knew well.

But seriously, one word to you, kitten. Your father does love you, but he doesn't see you. He has an ideal of you and though you are ideal, you're not the woman he thinks of. Stay hidden for us. I couldn't bear the thought of your being trapped with these people. You would never survive it.

Stay safe and we will meet you soon.

Tears welled in her eyes. And she didn't miss the fact that he'd been careful not to mention where she and Lochlan were going or the fact that Lochlan was with her. Bavel was ever quick that way.

”Is everything all right?” Lochlan asked in a concerned tone.

”Aye. I just miss him terribly.”

Lochlan gave her a tender smile before he looked at Kestrel. ”How long to England?”

”We'll be in Portsmouth in a couple of hours. Then it's two to three hours more to reach the Scot's home. We could be there by midnight.”

Cat was delighted for Lochlan. But as she met his gaze, she saw his reservation. They could journey all this way only to find out a truth he might not want to hear.

”Would we be better to wait until morning?” she asked Kestrel. ”I would hate to disturb his household in the middle of the night.”

Kestrel shook his head. ”Many of the Brotherhood are nocturnal. They prefer to sleep in the day and stay up all night.”

That made little sense to her. ”Why?”

Lochlan let out a long breath before he answered. ”Because people...and bad memories attack best at night. It's when someone is most vulnerable.”

Kestrel nodded.

Lochlan met Kestrel's gaze and gave him a subtle tilt of his head to let him know that he understood why the man slept with a lit candle near and a dagger in his hand. He'd been there himself more times than he wanted to remember.

To Catarina's credit she appeared to understand that as well.

”Should we go topside?” she asked.

Kestrel shook his head. ”Call me restless and worried, but I think it best we wait here. Once the s.h.i.+p docks, I'll go get horses and come back for you. I think the fewer people who see us, the better.”

”I hate it myself,” she agreed. ”But understand.”

So the three of them made themselves comfortable for the trip ahead. Kestrel by perching on top of a barrel so that he could see out a slit in the side of the s.h.i.+p and she by leaning against Lochlan's side while they sat on the floor.

There was something unbelievably soothing about being this close to Lochlan while the s.h.i.+p rolled beneath her. Never in her life had she felt so safe. His presence soothed her even though her life had been torn apart and she was running from a future that would like as not catch up to her.

Amazed by the peace she felt, she took his hand into hers. ”Have you thought about what you'll say to your brother?”

”Aye. h.e.l.lo seems like a good start.”

She laughed. ”I'm serious, Lochlan.”

”As am I.” His eyes twinkled before they turned deadly earnest. ”It depends on if he's Kieran or another. I fear if it's Kieran I may choke the life from him before either of us speaks over what he's put our family through.”

She tsked at him and his groundless threat. ”I know you better than that. Most likely you will embrace him and welcome him back.”

He scoffed a bit. ”Aye, but the urge to strangle will be great.”

”But you will restrain yourself.”

He picked her hand up from his arm to toy idly with her fingers. The sensation of his touch on her skin made chills spread throughout her body.