Read Online Beneath a Highland Moon (The Highland Moon Series 1) by Gwyn Brodie - Free Book Online

dubh from beneath her pillow, she dropped the gate key into the sheath and attached it to the belt. She fastened her cloak around her and slipped the bundle over her head and across one shoulder. She used the light of the fire to locate the latch, and Jillian breathed a sigh of relief when it opened on the first try. Once she'd stepped through, she quickly closed the panel tightly behind her, and disappeared into the darkness.

Chapter Four
     
    The tunnel was cold, damp and smelled of rodents. Jillian wrinkled her nose. Without the light of a candle, she was in total darkness. She'd never particularly cared for dark, closed-in places, especially when uncertain of what lay just ahead. Taking a deep, unsteady breath, she carefully walked forward, counting each step she took. Mice, or perchance rats, squeaked and scurried around her. Jillian hoped that none of them took a notion to give her a closer look. She held onto the cold, stone wall, encountering cobweb after cobweb, praying all the while that there were no spiders crawling on her person. Slowly she edged her way along the tunnel toward Ian's bedchamber.
    Something large scurried across her foot. She quickly capped a hand over her mouth to smother a scream. That had been no mouse, but most likely one of the big rats she sometimes spotted darting around the edge of the castle. Thankful for the boots, she continued on her way, forcing herself to ignore the various noises around her.
    Once she reached step number forty-five, she ran her hands along the wall until she found the smooth wood of the panel. Jillian prayed 'twould open easily, and when she tried the latch, it did. She breathed a sigh of relief and stepped into the room.
    Light from the fireplace illuminated the nursery enough for her to see Winnie sitting beside Ian's bed.
    She jumped up from the chair. "M'lady, I've picked out the lad's heaviest woolens," she whispered. "They should keep him warm aplenty."
    " Much thanks, Winnie. I see you were able to unfasten the latch."
    "Aye, it took me a while, but I did."
    " Good." Jillian looked down at Ian, his body curled into a tiny ball in the center of the bed. "I almost regret having to wake him from such a fitful sleep, but 'tis for his own sake." She gently shook him. "Ian," she whispered close to his ear. "Wake up. 'Tis me, Jilly."
    Ian sleepily sat up and rubbed his eyes, then threw his arms around her neck. "Oh, Jilly, I've missed you so. That man wouldn't let me see you. He's not a good man, is he?"
    " Nay, he certainly isn't, and that's why you and I must leave Lochstorm castle for a while. Do you remember the secret tunnels that I told you about in a story once?"
    " Is that how you got into my room?" he asked, surprise clear in his young voice.
    " Aye, of course. How clever you are. And that is how we're going to get out. It'll be quite dark, but I need you to be brave, and not yell or cry out. I'll be by your side the whole time and will not let anything happen to you."
    " I'll be very brave, Jilly," he promised her, his eyes wide in the dim light. "Papa said I was brave because I didn't cry when I fell down the stairs."
    Jillian felt a tug at her heart at the mention of their father. "'Tis true, and now 'tis time for us to leave. We need to get you into this warm clothing. 'Tis a rainy night and I don't wish for you to catch your death of cold."
    He suddenly noticed the way she was dressed and giggled. "Jilly, you look funny in those clothes."
    She smiled. "Aye, I guess I do at that."
    After getting him dressed, Jillian took the wool blanket from his bed. Before we go, I think Winnie deserves a hug for all the help she's been to the both of us."
    Winnie smiled, holding out her arms, and Ian ran to her. "G'bye, Winnie. I'll miss you."
    The old woman sniffled. "I'll miss ye too, lad. Ye behave ye'self and mind what ye sister tells ye."
    " Aye, I will."
    " Good lad." Winnie gently kissed him on the top of the head and ruffled his hair with her fingers.
    " For