Chapter 33

CHAPTER 33

L iam and Ivy found Knox still up, drinking with Magnus in his study. “This is tremendous news!” he boomed, his face lighting up. “Congratulations, me friends! This is just what I wanted tae hear. I always kent yer union would be the strongest in the circumstances.” He gave Liam a brotherly hug and kissed Ivy on both cheeks.

“Aye, congratulations tae ye both,” Magnus put in, following suit. “Effie is gonnae be over the moon when she hears about this!”

“Will ye give us yer blessin, Knox?” Liam asked, unable to keep the grin off his face as he stood holding hands with Ivy. He had never felt so buoyed up by happiness. He felt strong and capable of anything.

“Of course! I’m very happy tae give ye me blessin’. And if ye need a best man tomorrow, ye ken where tae find me.”

“Ye dinnae havetae look so happy about escapin’ yer fate, Knox,” Ivy teased him.

He laughed along with the rest of them. “This laughter of mine conceals a great heartbreak, Ivy,” he smiled mischievously. “Now, with the weddin’ goin’ ahead tomorrow, there are things we need tae discuss urgently. Evander’s on his way here now. He may have valuable insight intae what MacAlister and Hamilton may dae when they find out about it. It could mean an attack on the castle.”

As if on cue, Evander arrived a few moments later. Liam was not exactly pleased to see the man, although he knew Ivy now trusted him. She had also told him about he had helped her decide to confront him about not wanting to marry her. Nevertheless, he watched Evander’s face keenly when Ivy told him the news about their wedding but nothing told him the informant was other than sincere. The outlander was as smooth as a river rock.

“That’s is wonderful news!” he exclaimed with what appeared to be genuine warmth, “I am so very happy fer ye both. Congratulations. I wish ye all the luck in the world and many strong bairns.” He turned to Liam, who was forced to shake his hand to avoid seeming churlish.

With the congratulations out of the way, Knox asked Evander to sit down before starting the discussion in earnest. “Now, ye all ken there’s a grave risk attached tae this strategy,” he said. “Once MacAlister finds out about Ivy bein’ wed, he’s nae gonnae be pleased, and neither is Hamilton. We havetae consider what they might dae and how tae counteract any threats. They could launch an attack on the castle, so we must be ready.” He looked to the informant. “Evander, I’d like yer opinion on this.”

“Well, there’s nae doubt in me mind that Carson will be furious. He’ll want vengeance, so ye can expect a violent response.”

“Aye, that’s what we thought,” Knox said gravely. “Fortunately, Liam here has been helpin’ tae knock the men intae fightin’ shape. We’re as ready as we can be tae respond tae an attack on the castle. Plus, the lay of the land and me scouts in the field will make it impossible for them tae move without me finding out about it. That limits their approaches.”

“Aye, and a lot depends on the numbers they bring tae the fight,” Magnus said. “How long d’ye think we can keep the news of the weddin’ quiet?”

“Hang on,” Evander butted in before anyone could answer the question. He looked at Knox and asked, “Can I make a suggestion?”

“Aye, that’s what ye’re here fer,” Knox replied.

Evander nodded and spoke enthusiastically as he said, “Well, the way I see it is this. Rather than try tae hide the fact Ivy’s gotten married, ye should dae the opposite. Ye should make a public announcement of it. Dinnae wait fer Carson and Geal tae find out without kenning exactly when and then having tae defend yersel’s against their attack. Use the weddin’ as an opportunity tae draw them out and defeat them once and fer all. If we’re clever about it, we can lay a trap fer them they’ll nae be able tae escape. Ye’d be able tae finish them both fer good with nay or hardly any loss of life.”

A short silence reined while his listeners took this in. “’Tis a good plan,” Liam was the first to admit, albeit grudgingly.

“It really could work,” Magnus said, nodding.

“Aye, but what sort of trap are ye thinkin’ of, Evander?” Knox asked.

“Well, that’s the snag. The only think I reckon would work is if Ivy is willin’ tae be the bait.”

“Nay, that’s nae happenin’,” Liam said firmly with a decisive shake of his head.

Ivy put her hand on his. “Nay, wait a minute. Evander’s right. If they think they’re gonnae get me back before the weddin’, they’ll nae be able tae resist comin’. We’ll be waitin’ fer them, and they’ll fall straight intae the trap. It’ll be like shootin’ fish in a barrel. We havetae dae it.”

“Ivy, ye’re nae serious? ’Tis too much of a risk,” Liam protested, looking pained. “I’m nae puttin’ ye in harm’s way again.”

But Ivy did not agree. “Liam, I dinnae want this threat hangin’ over me or anyone else any longer,” she argued. “I’m sick of bein’ afraid all the time. Knox and his people deserve tae be free of this danger too. I want tae start our married life without me braither or Gael breathin’ down our necks. And if this is the only way tae achieve that, then I’ll gladly act as bait. Besides, ye’ll be there tae keep me safe,” she added comfortingly.

“Ivy’s got a good point there. If we go ahead with this plan, ye’ll be tasked with protectin’ her durin’ the operation,” Knox said persuasively. “I think we havetae give it a go.”

Liam sighed in defeat. “Ach, all right. But where are we gonnae set this trap?”

“We should announce the weddin’ publicly and then let it be kent that Ivy will be at a certain place at a certain time, somewhere outside the castle gates,” Evander piped up. “Maybe she could be on her way tae the villages tae distribute alms or somethin’ like that on the eve of her weddin’.

“Let them think she’ll be travelin’ on horseback, maybe with Liam and a small guard. It’ll seem like the perfect opportunity fer Carson and Gael tae stage a kidnap. They’ll only bring a few men because they’ll nae be expectin’ a fight. That’s how ye can lure them in. But ye’ll be lyin’ in wait fer them. Like Ivy says, it’ll be like shootin’ fish in a barrel.”

“Aye, and I think I ken just the spot. There’s an isolated crossroads on the road across the moors where there’s plenty of cover. If we get there early, we can keep watch on McAllister’s men from the start and control the situation.” Knox said decisively. He turned to Magnus. “Will ye go and arrange fer the weddin’ tae be announced as soon as ye can, in all the villages and towns? Make sure everyone kens about it.”

“Wait, Magnus,” Evander said, “before ye go, let me say that I still have contacts in the enemy camp. It would be a simple thing fer me tae feed them the information. It’ll get back tae Carson almost immediately.”

“All right.” Magnus nodded.

Knox said, “That’s perfect, Evander. It’ll be a great help when we’re layin’ the trap fer tomorrow.”

“I’m glad tae be of some use,” the informant replied, smiling.

“Right, I’m off tae make arrangements fer the formal announcement of the weddin’,” Magnus told them before leaving quickly, clearly keen to start the ball rolling.

Knox stood up. “I suggest the four of us ride out at dawn tae the crossroads and work out exactly how we’re gonnae set this trap. Let’s meet a sunrise at the stables.”

The meeting broke up then, and Ivy and Liam left the study with Evander.

“I’m nervous about the plan, but I’m excited too. The thought of bein’ free of me braither and Gael at last is wonderful,” Ivy said, linking her arm through Liam’s as they walked down the hallway towards the vestibule.

“Aye, it is,” Liam agreed. “As long as it works. I wish I could say I’m happy about it.”

“I understand yer worry, Liam,” Evander said as they mounted the staircase together. “But ’tis a solid plan, and there’s nay reason why it shouldnae work. Carson and Gael are very predictable, and that will be their downfall. I’m confident it’ll work.”

“Ye’d better be right, because if anythin’ happens tae Ivy because of yer plan, ye can be sure I’ll be comin’ after ye,” Liam told him in a voice like gravel.

Evander looked taken aback, and Ivy said, “Liam, please dinnae speak tae Evander that way. He’s doin’ all he can tae help.”

“’Tis all right, Ivy, he loves ye. ’Tis natural he’s gonnae worry about safety,” Evander assured her smoothly. He bid them a good night and went off to his chamber.

As Ivy pulled him along by the arm, Liam glanced back and saw Evander doing the same. The man smiled at him and disappeared into his room, leaving Liam feeling deeply uneasy. But since everyone else seemed happy with the plan, including Ivy, and he could think of no good reason to oppose it, he knew he would have to go along with it.

But as he followed Ivy into her chamber, he silently reiterated his promise to himself that if anything went wrong and Ivy was harmed in any way, Evander would be among the first to pay for it.