Part 44 (1/2)

Skelley too had frozen. ”Jesus wept,” he murmured, then sprang to life. ”Go on, la.s.s!”

Fayth tried to reverse directions and climb back down. ”Biddy's hurt, we must go see-” Her wrists were grasped from above and she was hauled through the opening. Alex set her on her feet and immediately turned away, facing Skelley as he climbed into the larder.

”What happened?”

Skelley shook his head, the skin above his thick brown beard pale. ”I know not. Something, or someone, is down there. They got Wolf.”

Alex hopped into the hole. Fayth grabbed a taper from the candelabra and stepped forward, offering it to Alex. He took it and their eyes locked briefly. There was anger and determination in the set of his firm mouth, but the eyes that burned her heart were worried. He disappeared, leaping from the ladder to the ground below. Fayth was shaken, her stomach fluttering, a clammy sweat coating her forehead and neck. If Alex was worried, what could that mean? She'd come to think of him as a pillar of strength, always knowing how to act, and possessing the strength and resolve to accomplish it.

”Maybe you should go with him,” Fayth said, staring at the black hole anxiously.

Skelley looked from Fayth to the hole. His decision was made when Wynda and her husband appeared. He jerked his head at Fayth to indicate they were to watch her. Wynda came to stand beside Fayth, a small frown marring her tanned brow, and watched Skelley climb down into the caves.

”Whot happened?” the older woman asked, her hand coming to rest comfortingly on Fayth's shoulder.

Fayth shook her head. ”I don't know. Biddy-er, Wolf-saw or heard something and attacked it.”

No more was said as they waited. Fayth's heart still raced. Both Alex and Skelley were absent-the significance of this jolted her. She hadn't had such an opportunity in days. She could pretend to be ill and say she wanted to go to her room and lie down. Then she would steal a horse and escape. Arguments against this course of action quickly presented themselves. Men guarded the gate, they wouldn't just let her ride away-and even if she did get away, Alex would be notified immediately and set out after her. In the past, Fayth would have tried anyway, but of late, she found herself reluctant to rush into the unknown. She told herself that it was her newfound thoughtful, cautious nature. But sometimes, when she lay in bed, unable to sleep, she acknowledged that she wasn't finished with Alexander Maxwell. Not yet.

And now, faced with an unexpected and wholly unwelcome fear for his safety, she was forced to admit that she might not be finished with him for a while. She chewed her nail, images of the unimaginable flitting through her head. A dragon, living in the bowels of Gealach, ripping all trespa.s.sers to shreds. The pirates, returned to reclaim their treasure, set on murdering anyone in their way. The ghost of the fair maiden who threw herself from the walls of Gealach, guarding her treasure. Or worse, something else, something she couldn't fathom.

The moments ticked by. The apprehension and fear built in Fayth's chest until she could no longer bear it. She grabbed the top of the ladder, prepared to go after them.

”Just whot do ye think ye're doing?” Wynda asked, rustling forward.

”Someone has to go after them. What if they're hurt?”

”Stop her,” Wynda said.

Her husband caught Fayth around the waist and plucked her off the ladder.

”They be just fine, la.s.sie.” He set her on her feet and placed himself between Fayth and the ladder. ”Dinna fash on Red Alex, he can take care of himself.”

Fayth was about to argue when she heard men's voices below. Alex and Skelley joined them in the larder, tight-lipped and somber.

”Well?” Fayth said, when they weren't forthcoming with information.

”I don't want you down there anymore,” Alex said, as he pushed two casks over the closed trapdoor. He straightened, surveying his work with dissatisfaction. ”We need something heavier to block it, but something we can move quickly if necessary.”

”Block it?” Fayth circled Alex's tall form, enormous in the close confines of the larder. ”What are you trying to keep out? Where's Biddy?”

Alex looked at her for the first time since he'd gone below. He took her elbow, leading her into the kitchens. ”I don't know.” He called over his shoulder, to Skelley, ”Gather up as many men as you can and take them below. Search every room and corridor you discover, all the way to the cove. I'll join you directly.”

When they were through the kitchen Fayth said, ”You don't know...?”

He led her into the hall and up the stairs. When she realized where they were going she halted stubbornly halfway up the staircase. ”I don't want to go to my chambers.”

”I'd feel... better, knowing where you are.”

”Then I'll simply tell you-”