April Holthaus - The MacKinnon Clan 02 Read Online Free Page B

church and into the gardens. Jacqueline listened to him as he spoke of his family and his life as a militant man. In turn, Jacqueline answered his questions about her own life, but left out details of how her parents were killed and of James. Those, to Jacqueline, were far too private.
    As they walked, they passed the wall just outside the dungeon, causing Jacqueline’s eyes to drift downward at the small window opening. She wondered how many of them had survived the day’s hangings. She knew that even though a caged bird was offered food and shelter from the elements, it would give up all of its comforts for freedom. Jacqueline had only wished that she had the courage to fly.
    Listening to Lord Wessex, and how her had treated her thus far, comforted Jacqueline. She was glad that he was not the vicious man from the stories she had previously heard about him. She had no doubt that when the time came, Lord Wessex would open her heart to a lasting friendship, as that would be all she could offer him.
    “Well, My Lord, Charles. The hour is late. I thank you for your company.”
    “The pleasure has been mine, Jacqueline,” he said as he placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand.
    Once Lord Wessex opened the door to the great hall to escort her inside, Jacqueline took her leave to retire to her bedchamber for the remainder of the evening.
     
     
    Ewan saw nothing but the blackness of the night illuminated by the few torches lit on the curtain wall of the castle. He inched closer to the tree line to have a better look. Several villagers passed through the gates carrying with them what appeared to be large sacks. The men in the courtyard seemed occupied with mundane tasks of hauling supplies and moving whiskey barrels about. Ewan’s curiosity grew as he knew that something was going on. Most of the guards were away from their posts and for this time of night, far too much activity was going on.
    “We should strike now. They are nay expecting an attack,” Oliver suggested.
    “Nay, now is no’ the time. We will wait till first light,” Ewan cautioned.
    “Nay, we should get ‘em while they lie in their beds and cut their throats while they sleep.”
    “Look around, ye ol’ fool. Heavily guarded they may no’ be, but twice the guards they have. To attack now would be foolish in this darkness. We dinna have the faintest idea where the dungeon is and we would only get ‘em killed. Patience, my good friend. We will ken when we are ready.”
    Oliver spun around kicking the dirt up as he scuffled away in frustration. Ewan knew that whatever was going on down in the courtyard would only jeopardize their mission. He knew that Oliver was angered by having to wait, but running in blind would only be suicide and prove unsuccessful. Ewan turned back to the trees and helped the men set up camp for the night.
     
     
    The sun had not even risen before Jacqueline awoke. Too nervous pending the day’s events, she sat on the edge of her bed in what was to be her wedding dress. Her stomach began to flutter with uneasiness. Glancing across the room, she gazed into the mirror. Almost unrecognizable, the reflection was almost as if a stranger was staring back at her. At her brother’s request and without argument, she agreed to marry Lord Wessex. And in a few short hours, she would be.
    Jacqueline aimlessly twirled her hair around her finger, allowing her mind to drift as she stared out the window at the sky. Bright colors of red and orange lit the sky as the sun began to rise. Slowly, Jacqueline stood up from the bed and walked over to the window. And without thought or reason, she stepped up onto the ledge holding onto the sides of the window frame. Her lack of emotion made her so numb that she couldn’t even feel the cool air on her bare skin.
    Jacqueline looked down at the thorny brush below. For a moment she thought about how easy it would be to just let go; to release her hands from their grip. She felt trapped and almost welcomed