She tried to listen to the voices, but the sounds were muffled and she couldn't make out but a few words. Then she heard a woman say something about Rachel. Catherin was suddenly terrified and covered her mouth to keep from crying out. She thought she had already accepted the idea that both her daughters were dead, but in truth, she wasn't prepared at all.
It surprised her when she heard the key go in the lock and saw the door handle turn. She held her breath and watched as the door slowly opened, but it wasn't her husband as she expected. Instead, a tall woman wearing a plaid stepped inside and raised a finger to her mouth to signal she should remain quiet.
Behind the woman stood a large man wearing a matching kilt and a white shirt. He watched her for a moment and then took a step inside. He paused to make sure she wasn't going to get upset and once he was assured, he walked to her and smiled.
His interest seemed to be in the chain, Catherin realized, and when he reached out his hand, she gave him the part she held in her hand. His eyes were kind, and when he took her elbow and urged her to move closer to the bed, she went willingly. The man let go of her arm and took hold of the chain with both hands. To her amazement, he flexed the muscles in his arms and easily pulled one of the links apart. She and Anna had tried to do just that countless times and couldn't get it to budge.
Suddenly, she was free, filled with overwhelming joy, and started to speak, but the woman reminded her to be quiet. The man handed the end of the chain back to her, leaned down and scooped her up in his arms. As quiet as a mouse, they slipped down the stairs, through the sitting room and out the front door. He continued to carry her across the courtyard and she was so grateful, she wrapped her arm around him and kissed the side of his neck. Justin smiled. He carried her through the gate, around the corner and further still, before he finally stopped and put her down.
Anna's mother had tears in her eyes and she could barely see the man standing before her. It wasn't until she spotted the crown on his head that she realized it was the King of England. She tried to curtsy, but he took hold of her arm and wouldn't let her.
"Catherin, how will you ever forgive me?" The king took the chain out of her hand, knelt down and raised her skirt just enough to see her ankle. He grimaced, closed his eyes, and swore under his breath. It took him a moment to realize the woman from the Highlands was handing him a key. As quickly as he could, he opened the lock and let the chain fall away.