*
Rachel wanted her arrows back, but she didn't want to have to jump in the moat to get them. She walked along the outside edge searching and searching, but couldn't find a one. Before she realized it, Connor was standing right in front of her. If Connor was a handsome man, Rachel was going to be the last woman on earth to notice. His ability to sneak up on her unheard was getting on her nerves, and she put her hands on her hips.
He found her fury rewarding. "How did you get back inside the wall last night?"
"I walked across the bridge."
"I did not hear it put down."
"That is very sad. I fear your hearing will completely go before you are twenty."
"I am twenty now."
"Indeed? I thought you were much, much younger -- a little boy even. You are in my way, move!"
"Kevin wants you back inside, it is not safe."
"Oh, all right." She huffed and started back toward the bridge. Then she suddenly stopped, turned around and threw her arms around his neck, "We are being watched."
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "I know. Do you want me to kiss you? It might help convince them we have not noticed."
"I would rather die."
"If we do not get back inside soon, you may get your wish."
"Pretend to chase me." She threw her head back and laughed. Then she pulled away and started running. She kept laughing, he kept smiling and as soon as they were across the bridge, the guards started to raise it. Connor and Rachel didn't stop running until they were up the steps and on the landing of the Keep where Kevin was waiting.
"Did you see them?" Kevin asked.
Connor answered, "They wear Ferguson plaids."
"How many?"
"Ten," said Connor.
"Fifteen," Rachel countered. "There were some behind us as well."
When they heard a long, soft whistle, they followed Kevin inside and up the stairs, to a nearly empty bedchamber on the opposite end of the balcony from the one he shared with Anna. It once belonged to his parents and he rarely ever entered it, but this room had the only window that faced the front of the village. With Connor and Rachel right behind him, Kevin walked to the window, pulled the curtain aside and spotted someone walking up the road toward them.
"It is a lass," Rachel muttered, "And she walks alone."
"Aye and she wears a Ferguson plaid," said Kevin. He watched the woman come to the end of the road and stop in front of the moat. He watched her for a moment more, and then searched the woods behind her with his eyes. The Ferguson men were well hidden.