Evan’s eyes did a sweep of the room. He would have no problem taking the mon down, but if he held a gun, he could harm the lad with one shot. He dropped the curtain and stealthily walked around the cottage. The front door was the only entrance, and as he’d noted, Armstrong sat facing that direction.
Evan went back to the window and looked inside once more. The mon seemed to be playing some sort of card game with himself. There was a plate of cheese and oatcakes sitting in front of him, as well as a glass of a dark liquid, most likely whisky, that he took a sip of in between his card moves.
Two candles sat in front of him on the table. A roaring fire, the smoke of which he’d spotted from the woods, burned brightly, giving the room more light than the candles alone would have. Although dried tears tracked down Gavin’s cheeks, he otherwise appeared unharmed. No doubt Gavin would do a whole lot of screaming if the man tried to force his attentions on him. Armstrong was probably wisely waiting until he had the lad at his manor, where he could do as he wished without anyone disturbing him. Well-paid servants traditionally turned their eyes and ears from such things.
Evan shuddered at the mon’s intentions, and a rage rose up in him that he had to control in order to get the lad out without anyone getting hurt. Armstrong should be beaten to a pulp, since Evan doubted he would give up his disgusting inclinations once they took Gavin from him. He would most likely turn his sick attentions to another innocent victim.
Since there was no hurry to get the lad, he trotted back to where he’d left Katie. Once they stormed the place, she could comfort the lad while he took care of Armstrong. They might not be able to keep him from finding another youngster, but Evan intended to bring him to the magistrate to be held for kidnapping. Hopefully, for a long time.
“Is he there?” Katie asked as he reached her.
“Aye.” He held up his hand. “He is not harmed but tied up. There are only the two of them there in the cottage.”
“We must hurry to get him out.”
“Nay.” Evan shook his head. “I dinnae think the mon will do anything to Gavin while they’re here. My concern is he might have a gun. If we burst into the place, one shot could kill someone.”
“So what will we do?”
“The cottage is verra small, with only one door and one window. Armstrong is sitting at a table that faces the door, entertaining himself with drink and cards. Gavin is sitting on the ground in the corner across from the window.”
“At least I can take a deep breath now that we ken where he is. But I’m still anxious to get my brother away from that mon and back home. I won’t feel easy until then.”
Evan touched her cheek. “We will, mo ghràdh. The lad has not been harmed and sits less than a quarter of a mile from us.” He pulled her against his chest and ran his hands up and down her back in comfort. “We must discuss how to do this without someone getting shot.”
Katie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Aye. We need a plan.”
“We have to draw Armstrong away from Gavin. The best way would be to lure him out of the cottage.”
“I should do it,” Katie said.
“Nay.”
“Listen to me.” Katie fisted her hands at her side. “Ye naysay me even before ye hear my idea. ’Tis quite annoying and something I dinnae plan to live with.”
Evan backed up as she poked him in the chest. “Ye are not always right. Yer way is not always the best way.” As she worked herself up into a dither, he held in his smile, feeling like a lion being attacked by a wee hissing kitten.
“My ideas are good too. I have taken care of my household, brother, and clan for years.” She placed her hands on her hips. “I willnae be treated like a bairn.”
Once her tirade ended, he rubbed his hands over his face. “Are ye done now, lass?”
She gave him a curt nod. “Aye.”
“Fine, then tell me yer plan.”
She thought for a minute, then drew herself up. “I will go to the cottage and tell Richard I will go with him. Then, when I am certain he is unarmed, I will signal ye, and ye can come in.” She watched him closely for a minute, then, her shoulders slumping, said, “Nay. That’s not a good idea.”
He smiled and bent to kiss the tip of her nose. “Not a bad one, lass, just not the best.”
“And I suppose ye have the best,” she mumbled. Suddenly, Katie was jerked backward, arms wrapped around her middle from behind, and a knife appeared at her throat.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Katie opened her mouth to scream, but a large, sweaty hand covered the bottom half of her face as her head was slammed against a broad chest. Her eyes grew wide as Evan lurched for her.
The man backed up, dragging her with him. “Stop! Or I’ll kill the lass.” The deep voice brought Evan to a stop. He pressed the point of the knife deeper, and a trickle of blood ran down her neck.
Evan’s mouth dried up, and his heart pounded at the sight of his wife in the man’s arms. “Dinnae hurt the lass.”