Hunted (The Scottish Falconers Book 2) by Diane Wylie Read Free Book Online Page B

maneuvering, but they accomplished it.
    “Just keep going straight ahead until you reach a ladder. One of the servants told me about this tunnel in exchange for a few coins. He said his grandfather used to smuggle food from the kitchen down to a relative in the prison.” Her voice shook a little. The darkness and unknown had affected his brave lass.
    A few steps later, Derek’s boot connected with something soft that let out a small cry when he kicked it hard and away.
    “What was that, Derek?”
    “Just a rat. It’s gone.”
    They crept along slowly. Belle grabbed hold of his shirttail. The tunnel grew even smaller, and they had to walk in a crouch. Derek’s left hip burned where the wound still healed.
    “Oof.” He came to a sudden stop, and Belle ran into his back. Putting his hands out, Derek felt all around. The only opening was behind them.
    “I dinna feel a ladder, Belle.” He squatted down, ignoring the pain produced by this action, and ran his flat palms over the surface in a left-to-right sweeping motion. A rock protruded several inches from the wall. It was flat on top. Derek felt up a little to the left and higher up. Another flat rock.
    “’Tis a stone ladder, feel it.” He took her hand and guided it to the stone.
    “I’ll go up first to make sure all is well. Then I’ll come back down and help you.”
    * * *
    Somehow all of Isobel’s normal confidence had vanished in this horrid tunnel, so she didn’t argue with Derek about his plan.
    “Aye … please dinna leave me here, Derek.”
    Still holding her hand, he pulled her against him, found her mouth, and kissed her well and thoroughly.
    “Never,” he said hoarsely and released her.
    She kept a hand on his warm body as he began to climb. Finally, all she could reach was his foot, and he was gone, swallowed up by blackness.
    “Are ye all right?”
    “Aye, the going isna bad.” His voice had grown fainter as he moved away.
    Isobel decided it was best not to distract Derek lest he fall. She backed up a few steps and tried not to touch the walls, they were slimy and cold and insects may be crawling there.
    She hugged her elbows close to her body and prayed once more. He’s a good man. Please let all be well, Lord.
    From far above her, she heard him grunt. Metal clanged against something hard.
    Light filtered down to where she stood and she bent her neck to gaze up.
    A few moments later, dirt sifted down and Derek’s boots came into view. She watched him bend sideways to locate the next foothold as he slowly descended the wall.
    “Hurry now, mo leanan , the kitchen is empty for now. You go up first, and I’ll be right behind ye.”
    Isobel swallowed and nodded. Her heart pounded rapidly and her palms became damp. She dried her hands on her skirt, took a deep breath, and began to climb. A few times she had difficulty finding the stepping stone, but Derek’s hand on her foot guided her to it each time.
    The surfaces of the stones were rough, which provided good handholds, but also tore her skin painfully.
    Finally, she hoisted herself out of the hole and onto the stone floor of the squeaky, clean kitchen. Trying to catch her breath, she crawled out of the way and turned around.
    Derek’s pale face rose above the floor level. Isobel moved toward him, reached out, and grabbed the back of his shirt to help haul him out.
    He lay on his stomach panting for a bit. Isobel glanced around. The kitchen was indeed empty of the castle staff. She scrambled up and began putting food into her large skirt pockets—a loaf of bread, two potatoes, a fistful of greens, and a flask. Shaking the flask, she found it to be full of some liquid she hoped was drinkable.
    Derek had lurched to his feet and stood swaying a bit, looking at her with triumph written on his face. “What a braw lassie ye are, Belle Graham.”
    “Thank ye, Derek Sinclair, but we can talk about my virtues later.” She grabbed his sleeve. “We need to get out of here.”
    The kitchen door