Lured to the Night (The Brotherhood 4)

Beside them, Leo and Ivana embraced and muttered endearments.

“Boyd was here with us,” Isla said as Lachlan fumbled with the length of material wrapped around her wrists. “But when the wind blew out the candle I don’t know what happened to him.”

Just hearing the steward’s name caused an intense rage to flare. “He must be in here as we did not see him leave.”

He unravelled the last layer of material. She groaned with relief but rather than rub the sore skin she turned and threw her arms around his neck. In the dark, he forgot they were not alone. The urgent kiss they shared could have quickly developed into something far more salacious.

“There’s a lantern on the floor to my right,” she said as she broke for breath. “See if you can find it. I have a tinderbox in my pocket.”

Lachlan came to his feet, blinked numerous times to focus his vision before his gaze settled on the slumped figure in the corner. Boyd. It took great strength of will not to throttle the deceitful bastard.

Moving to the steward’s side, Lachlan grabbed the lapel of his coat and shook him. “Boyd. You bloody lying toad. Get up.” The man made no sound and did not move. Lachlan patted Boyd’s chest, felt for a pulse in his neck. Perhaps the melodious singing had sent the man to sleep. Picking up the lantern near Boyd’s feet, Lachlan walked back to Isla.

“I assume he is alive?” Leo asked.

Lachlan gave a contemptuous snort. “Unfortunately, yes.”

Isla handed him the tinderbox. He crouched down and set about lighting the lantern. After a few attempts, the candle finally flickered to life. It was only then, as Isla’s relieved gaze locked with his, that he knew she could see him.

“You can see?” he said with amazement.

“Yes. My sight gradually returned after you left. That was why I asked Ivana to walk outside with me.”

A faint shuffling sound captured his attention. He ignored it at first until he heard a deep masculine voice mutter a curse. Lachlan shot to his feet and held the lantern aloft. The sight of Boyd scrambling from the chamber into the tunnel caused a sudden surge of anger.

“Bloody hell.” Lachlan put the lantern on the floor. “Wait here.”

Even if Lachlan had been fast enough to catch Boyd, when he left the tunnel the glare from the afternoon sun blinded him. He put his hands to his eyes and squinted. “Douglas. Stop him. Don’t let him leave.”

“Dinnae worry on that score,” Douglas said with a chuckle. “Yer man tripped over his own feet and hit his head. He’ll nae be going anywhere soon.”

Lachlan looked up and suppressed a chuckle when he witnessed Douglas sitting on top of Boyd’s sprawled body. “Are you comfortable?”

Douglas nodded. “Aye, it’s a bit lumpy in places. Reminds me of the time I stumbled on Malmuirie in the bath tub.” Douglas visibly shivered. “It will stay with me forever.”

“Ah, you don’t fool me, Douglas Dougan. I know you hold a torch for the woman.”

Douglas gave a sly wink but said nothing.

“Good Lord,” Leo said as he exited the tunnel with Ivana. He covered his eyes and shook his head. “I’d almost forgotten it was the middle of the day.”

Lachlan glanced behind them. “Where’s Isla?”

Leo nodded to the entrance. “She said she must return the bracelet to the lady, where it belongs. She asked if you would go down and help her seal the coffin.”

Lachlan nodded. “Will you wait with Douglas? I’ll not be long.”

“Of course.” Leo gestured to Boyd. “What do you intend to do with him?”

Lachlan contemplated the question. “Had it just be a matter of petty pilfering, I would have beaten him and sent him on his way. But he would have taken my father for everything he owned, and for what he did to Isla … well, I’ve no choice but to inform the sheriff.”

“I’ll accompany you, act as your witness. Then I must visit the Commissary Court and see if I can convince them of Nikolai’s death.”

“I shall certainly require your help and support when it comes to dealing with Boyd,” Lachlan said. “But there is no need to concern yourself with Nikolai.” He glanced back over his shoulder to the burial mound. Isla would be waiting. “I shall explain it all en route.”

Leo smiled. “Now my interest is truly piqued.”

Lachlan squeezed past the boulder and made his way down the steps and along the tunnel. He entered the chamber to find Isla standing near the stone coffin her hands pressed together in prayer.