“Kill it,” Randolph ordered as it flew overhead, but Iain had no bow, only his sword. He withdrew it, swinging wildly, but the bird was too high. Over their heads, it dropped the piece of fabric to fall down the wall away from them. Jamie ran for it while Randolph cursed, watching the bird fly away.

Randolph grabbed it from Jamie. “A love note?” He held it in two hands, and Ella could see the piece of rose-colored silk, a scrap from the extra fabric of the gown. Randolph slid his thin fingers along it, stopping at a single knot tied in the middle.

The colors mean different things. The knot tells them not to act unless absolutely necessary to save their lives.

Cain didn’t want her to act. Did he know that Randolph was forcing her to wed and wanted her not to do it? But Cain didn’t understand what was at stake, the lethal retribution Randolph would bring down on Jamie, the pastor, and herself. She must say the vows. And I will keep them.

“What is this?” Randolph stared at it. “A bit of your gown.” He stared at Ella. “What does this mean? Tell me!” he yelled, spittle flying.

“Just…that he wants me back. ’Tis my dress.” Ella pressed Jamie behind her again.

“He is not even here for ye,” Randolph said. He threw it over the low wall. “Like I said before, Arabella Sutherland, he wants Dunrobin and your clan, not ye, unless it is to ride ye like his beasts.” He grabbed between his own legs as if to see if he was hard. He smiled. “Aye, while Sinclairs are blasting away at our gates, we will be consummating our vows in the great hall where the good pastor can witness.” He flipped his hand. “Or perhaps right here on the wall walk for Clan Sinclair to witness.”

“We would talk with Ella Sutherland.” It was Bàs’s voice from below.

Randolph extended his hand toward her. “Speak to her here.”

Some words passed between Bàs and Gideon, but they were too far for her to hear them. Gideon raised his gaze to her. “Ella Sutherland,” he called. “Did ye plan to poison Cain Sinclair, our chief and the man that ye were about to swear to love before God?”

All the air in Ella’s chest turned to stone, her body frozen. Cain had found the vial. She hadn’t had time to dispose of it before the ceremony. Was that why he wasn’t there himself? Had he given the chore to his brothers and ridden with Joshua to bring slaughter to Dunrobin? He had not turned against her when Gideon exposed her secret, but now he thought she was planning to kill him. The condemnation on Gideon’s face showed that they all felt that way.