Highland Scandal (22 page)

“Was she called Agnes?” He had moaned her name in sleep once.

“Aye. She was a kind, beautiful woman an’ different than her sister, the lairdess. She died when the laird was a wee lad. The auld laird sent him to foster with Laird MacLean.”

“How did she die?”

Mistress Cullen shook her head mournfully. “A sad tale. She left the laird by himself and walked into the woods. Semias found her body, torn up by a boar, he said.”

“Did ye see her?”

“Nay, she was buried quickly.”

Perhaps Semias killed her. Was that the secret Ewan discovered? “Do ye think he went because of her?”

“He did say that he saw her—though he never said her name—but she’s there. He even asked me if I saw her. Och, I swear I felt the chilled hands of death upon me. Dinna fret any more. Yer bairn should be well.” She patted her hand. “All is set here.”

Chapter Eleven

A fortnight had passed since Cameron departed. Lachlan was preparing for a battle. The weather was warming. In the strath, the snow had vanished. The buddings had yet to appear, but all preparations for spring were beginning.

He had sent out hunting parties and sought to replenish the castle’s meat supply. The castle wells were in perfect order and he did an accounting of the weapons, making the blacksmith work over his fires from dawn to gloaming.

Patrols returned. Iananta stood with his commander. “Jonty an’ his men have na been spotted.”

“I expected it. The Lairdess boasted her plan to band with Clan Murray. They must be there so they can strike once the weather warms. Both clans are evenly matched in numbers. I can call up the MacLeans, the MacKenzies, and the Drummonds—they hate the Murrays. The first annoyance is Jonty and his rebels. If I can wipe them away, then I can deal with the Murrays.”

Iananta nodded. “I have sent out men with rested eyes and fresh horses.”

“Good. What else requires my attention?”

Lachlan listened as he reported news that dealt with the garrison. Two men were hurt, broken fingers and gashes from sword play. Another one was ill. Mistress Cullen was seeing to his care. Two of the boys had tapped a barrel of ale and drunk themselves in a stupor and were now being punished, beaten, and sent to clean the privies. One of the guards assigned to the castle walls had been transferred to the gate since he’d gotten quite ill up that high. Lachlan did not think it was that high.

Iananta finished his report as Rowen appeared in the archway of the castle stairs. When he dismissed his commander, she rushed to him. There was something in her hand.

“I found this under the bed.” In the center of her palm was a flat piece of iron to ward off fairies.

Lachlan snatched it from her. “What were you doing under the bed?”

“Kenny stabbed the mattress and it went between it and the box. When I tucked in the sheets, I found it there. I am not a banshee. Who is doing this? And who is trying to protect you from me?”

He slapped it against his palm. “I will find out.”

“Nay, I will.”

“Rowen, do not be foolish. Whoever this is will not tell you.” He gave her a quick kiss even though he wanted to linger.

“Fine, but it must be someone in the castle.”

Whoever it was must have told Kenny about the fairies. That explained why he had been digging up the garden thinking to find their home.

He watched Rowen storm away, muttering to herself. Once she was a distance away, he ordered Semias brought to him. He didn’t have long to wait for the man to appear.

“What do you know of this?” He held up the piece of iron.

“Nothing, Laird.”

“It was found under Rowen’s bed.”

Semias raised his brows as understanding dawn on him. “I had tried to handle this problem myself. It seems I have failed.”

“Explain this problem.”

“All through the highlands it is known of the MacKenzie banshee. It seems someone has gossiped about her and you. People know you spend your nights with her in the chamber. That is when fairies come inside a home. They are saying that you are
air a thoirt as
.”

Taken out of himself.

“What about when she is here during the day? That would make too much sense.”

“They say she will prove your ruin as a fairy did your father and this unrest is proving it. They only seek to protect their laird and you being a man, you cannot see this. The folks wait to hear her fatal scream.”

“If Rowen learns who did this there will be a fatal scream, but not from her. Stop this nonsense.”

“I cannot, Laird. People believe. How do you stop that? Unless you send her away.”

“Never.”

“Then it is either her or the clan.”

* * * *

Sheena stepped from the shadow of the archway and into Semias’s path. She risked much including her bairn’s life, but she knew Semias was guilty. She would not pay for his crime.

“Spying on a private exchange?”

Her guard grabbed her by the arm. Sheena shook it off.

“The laird shares much with his father, but na all.”

Semias motioned with his chin for the guard to release her and give them privacy. “You may have shared Ewan’s bed however, you do not know everything. You do not fool me.”

“Nor ye I. I ken aboot yer secret.”

He let out a hollow chuckle. “You foolish girl. This is not your business.”

“’Tis. Ye wanna kill me. I ken ye killed Ewan.”

The hazy glossiness of his eyes hardened. “You dare. I should beat you.”

She crowded him. “I’ll have to tell the laird why? Aye, Ewan spoke of it. Most believed he uttered nonsense an’ he might have been most of the time. There were moments though when he was verra clear.”

“A whore. What is your price?” His spit landed on her cheek.

She clamped down her back teeth. “I’m na whore. The laird saved me from ye and I na betray that. But now, I ken yer secret.”

“My secret,” he repeated, a chill in his tone.

“Tell the laird or I shall.”

“What secret must I tell?” He looked down his thin, long nose at her. “Ah, you know nothing. You make empty threats,” he continued when she stayed silent. He pushed by her.

“Agnes,” she said. Her need for revenge added a chill to her tone.

He spun toward her and pushed her against the wall. “What did you say?”

She rose up on her toes and put her nose in his face. “Agnes.”

“Never speak that name again. You do not know what you are risking.”

“My life is in danger, so what else can I lose?”

He shoved her and she fell to her knees. The guard rushed to her side and helped her up. “Ye should see Mistress Cullen. Come along, lass.”

“Nay, I must talk to Rowen.” She peered around as if she would appear.

“After ye are cared for. I’ll na take nay for an answer.” He cupped her elbow and applied pressure for her to follow him.

“Verra weel,” she said. She let him escort her to the kitchen. She perched on the bench, away from the whirlwind of the meal preparations. Mistress Cullen bustled over to her, clucking like a proper mother hen.

“Ye must be careful, lass. Ye canna be so strong on yer feet wit’ that girth.”

The guard opened his mouth to explain, but Sheena cut in, “Aye, ye right. I’ll be more careful from this moment on.”

She nodded, pleased at the vow. “Ye’re fine, but ye should go rest. Yer time is coming soon.”

Sheena thanked her and departed from the kitchen. She limped, as a sharp pain shot from her hip to her leg. Her knees throbbed.

“I’m na returning to my chamber. I must see Rowen.”

“I think ye should rest, but verra weel.” The guard helped her up the stairs, supporting her from the back. “People say she’s a fairy.”

“Do ye think so?”

“Nay, but if she marries the laird, then other clans would be scared. Be careful, ye dinna wanna harm yeself.”

What she had told Semias was true—she had nothing to lose. This was her chance to change her life and the selfish way she lived it. She yearned for her auld life. She hadn’t ken it at the time, but she had been content and blessed.

Sheena entered the chamber at Rowen’s bidding and left the guard outside.

“Is all well?” She asked. Kenny lifted his head from the bed, and then climbed to his hands and knees.

“I must speak with ye.”

Her icy eyes locked on her face. “Please sit.” She let her son off the bed. “You have been given a reprieve, play quietly.”

Kenny padded toward the horse by the window.

“If I tell ye, ye can be in danger.”

“I must know.”

“I ken why Semias killed Ewan.” She leaned close to Rowen.

“Why?”

“The laird’s mother, Agnes. Semias must have killed her; after all, he was the one who found her an’ Ewan discovered the truth.” She went on to explain all she had learned and her ideas on it.

“If what you say is true, you have put yourself in danger. Why?”

Sheena looked down at her folded hands in her lap. She had been alone, keeping her secrets to herself and playing at surviving. “I na be liking the life I’ve been living. I wanna be a good person. I’m na alone in the world anymore. My bairn needs me to be a good mother. This is the beginning.”

“You will not have an easy life here.”

“Ye either.” She shared the tales the guard shared with her.

“Since you have helped Lachlan, I can help you. Would you like to make a life on MacKenzie lands? I can talk to my brother and find you a place. Perhaps even find a husband who will not hold your past sins against you.”

“A new life…aye, I like that.”

* * * *

Through the thick oak doors, the wild barking of the castle dogs blared in the hall. Kenny, finding much delight in the noise, started barking. He sprinted toward the door. Rowen raced after him, swinging him into her arms before he reached it.

Was it Laird Murray to demand her son? Or her brother to bring her home? Perhaps even Jonty attacking the castle?

“Ma, you hurtin’ me.” He squirmed against her gripping hold clapping him tightly to her chest.

She loosened her clenching fingers and kissed the top of his head. Her long stride carried her toward the stairs in a minimal of steps.

Where was Lachlan? She hadn’t seen him since this morn when he took Kenny to the stables. That had become their morning routine. She had never gone, leaving the lads to enjoy their time. Truth was, she was too fearful to witness it. She had loved Lachlan, but the sensation that sparked within her, was more powerful than she had ever known. It was all encompassing and she feared letting another see the side of her hidden behind the façade she erected.

She had fled into her chamber. She opened the shutters and pushed back the skin. The view looked over the strath. The courtyard was on the other side, but she searched for a hint as to who had ridden in here.

“Rowen.”

She spun around at Lachlan’s voice. “Come to the hall. It is a message from your brother.”

She gasped at the sudden cold that whirled about her. Without releasing Kenny, she moved toward him.

“Leave him with the servant.”

She noticed a lass behind him. She looked down at her child. He stared up at her, trust and safety reflecting brightly in his eyes. Slowly, she set him down, and then knelt before him. “I will return. Be a good boy.”

He nodded, not really listening to her. She braced her hand on the wall for support. Her eyes were open, but she did not see the stairs. She felt the stone, cold and hard beneath her feet. If her mouth weren’t parched, she would have swallowed back her hesitation even as she struggled to control the jumpiness growing within in as she neared the hall.

Once there, she saw her brother’s messenger. She couldn’t tell if she felt relief or not.

“The laird orders you, Mistress Murray, to remain here with Laird Gordon until he has finished with the King’s business. Ten MacKenzie men are here for your protection. If you cannot remain here in the safety of Laird Gordon’s protection, we are to escort you to Laird MacLean and once the paths have cleared, you are to return to MacKenzie lands.”

“What?” Rowen blurted.

“Aye, Rowen, MacKenzie said it was to be so.”

“If MacKenzie says so,” Lachlan added.

Rowen shot him a sharp look. He gave her his innocent face.

“Did Caelen say anything about the Murrays?”

“He shall deal with it once he meets with Laird Gordon.”

She pulled in a deep breath, and then let it out with a sigh. She lifted her chin. “It seems I have no say in what happens to me and my son.”

Lachlan sent the MacKenzie messenger to the kitchen.

“You seem pleased,” she said.

“Aye. Do you understand what your brother did?”

“He ordered me to stay put.”

Lachlan shook his head in humor. “Nay, he gave us his blessing.”

She felt weakened. She rested her hand on his chest. His strong heart sped beneath her palm.

His Adam’s apple bobbed in his corded neck. “We shall be wed.”

“Wed? You and I?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. He took her hands and turned them over so they laid palm to palm. “Aye. The sacrament does happen between a man and woman. You have belonged to me since I first saw you and you have come back to me. I refuse to let you go again. I shall claim you before God, King, and Scotland.”

“I will gladly walk the earth and heavens with you.” She drew her touch away. “If we are to wed, that shall only cause more difficulty for you. I cannot harm you. I love you too much.”

He grabbed her hand as if he refused for her to draw away from him. “What? You love me too much to marry me? You will be my wife.”

“Lachlan, you are laird and nothing, not even I, must come between you and your clan.”

“Me being laird is the reason we can be wed now. Your brother can’t have any objections. I may be a bastard still, but I’m a bastard with power and standing.”

“That is why I cannot marry you. The clan fears me. With Jonty and my dear father-in-law, the danger to you is too great.”

“You are afraid.”

“To marry you? Nay.” She sounded hysterical.