Knight Protector (Knight Chronicles) (27 page)

ʼTwould nae be as exciting a life as she’d had these weeks with Colin, but she was done with that, and Colin Marr too. She would tell him her decision tomorrow after the celebration.

• • •

Shortly after the two guardians of Scotland arrived, Colin entered the room now occupied by the Earl of Coillteach, then closed the door. The distinguished older man sat beneath the only window, reading from a stack of loose pages in the light of the afternoon sun. Colin stood waiting until the earl was ready to speak with him.

The man kept reading. Finally he set the vellum sheet on the table bearing the stack and gestured at the space beside him on the window bench. “Thank you for answering my summons so quickly, Strathnaver. You’ve housed MacBirnum in the tower room as we planned.”

Colin sat, angling himself to see Coillteach. “Aye, the man will nae escape from there.”

“Excellent. Now to your report.”

“We’ve identified two possible traitors at the stronghold but have failed to find proof that either has betrayed Scotland.”

Coillteach passed a hand over his thick, graying hair. “That is disappointing. I expected better after several weeks pretending to be your brother. His fellow traitors should have tried to contact him. Are you certain you made yourself available?”

“I spent more than a week in his room and was often alone. Anyone could have sought me out.”

“’Tis passing strange. And now you tell me he was murdered?”

“Most likely from poison given him by my stepmother, who wished to inherit Strathnaver through a boy she claimed was her son by my father.” Colin related everything they knew for certain and all they suspected about Lady Agnes’s activities and departure.

“I agree she could nae be a spy. Curse women and their greed. Brice’s death was inconvenient to say the least, for he could have revealed much, when captured.” Coillteach pounded a fist on the table, making the stacked pages jump and slide. He caught them before any could tumble away.

Colin was nae certain any longer what he felt for his brother, but Coillteach’s anger over Brice’s death seemed more than a little insensitive. “Do you expect to arrest MacBirnum soon?”

“I await but one final piece of proof, which should arrive tonight, mayhap as early as dusk.”

“Once you have that, all is in place for Clan Marr to aid your men in making the arrest.”

“Very good.” Coillteach nodded. “I think we should present our proof and make the arrest during your marriage celebration tomorrow. ʼTwill be so crowded, he can have no chance of escape. Also the crowd will serve as witnesses to the accusation, to MacBirnum’s shame, and to the swift vengeance visited on all of Scotland’s traitors.”

“Any spies lingering at Strathnaver will see the wisdom of leaving once it is recognized that I aided you in exposing MacBirnum.”

Coillteach issued a small smile, the only sign of satisfaction Colin had ever seen the man express.

“I will give orders to my men as to where and how they must guard MacBirnum,” Colin continued. “Do you have any instructions you wish me to relay?”

“Nothing other than to remind them to follow my orders as they would yours.”

“I have trained them so and anticipate no difficulty there.”

“Excellent. Scotland thanks you for your service and your sacrifice. I will see you at supper tonight.”

Colin nodded, rose and left, heading for the building where his warriors were quartered. He was confident Coillteach would achieve all of his goals. The man had sufficient power and will to rule Scotland, but unlike MacBirnum, who tried to cover his homeliness and small stature with ostentation, Coillteach needed neither regal clothes nor crown to show his love for his country. Colin passed Ranulf on his way down the stairs to the main level.

“Coillteach summoned you as well?” he asked the big man.

Ranulf nodded. “I’ll tell you all about it later. For now I’ve nae time to gab.”

“Nor I,” Colin confessed and hurried on his way. Did Coillteach also have doubts about Ranulf’s loyalty?

The following evening Sorcha entered the great hall wearing a samite robe of silver shot with royal blue and a sapphire and silver rope wound thrice about her neck. Colin had gifted her the garment and jewels, claiming she put both robe and stones to shame. She wore her braided hair coiled within a silver snood, and a belt of silver links rested on her hips.

She’d spent the entire day seeing to last-minute arrangements, speaking with Father Andrew—who returned to the stronghold when Lady Agnes’s man, Cuthbert, left—about the blessing, with the cook about the kitchen maid who’d gone missing more than a day ago, with the chamberlain about the comfort of their guests, with the steward about hay and oats for all the extra horses brought by Coillteach, MacBirnum, and the MacKais, with the guisers who would act out a comedy for entertainment as the clans and guests ate, with the musicians who would play for the dancing after the meal, and finally with Raeb, who earned the sharp side of her tongue for insisting she either wed Colin or allow Clan MacKai to continue living in poverty. They also argued over whether or nae she should return to Dungarob. The idiot thought she wasna safe here, even after the peace made between MacKai and Marr, even with all the extra guards and warriors. She’d told him in nae uncertain terms that she would decide her own destiny, thank you very much though privately she was relieved that returning to Dungarob was now possible.

Finally, she’d escaped to the earl’s chamber and indulged in a bath then dressed. As she left to descend to the great hall—where she was to meet Colin, who’d had his own mass of details to attend to—she noticed Ranulf entering Lord Coillteach’s room from the direction of the tower room stairs at the far end of the hall. She thought it odd and reminded herself to find a moment to tell Colin, who wanted the knight watched. Colin had confided that, if Ranulf was guilty, allowing the knight free rein of the stronghold might lead them to other traitors. If the big man was innocent, then no harm was done.

Soon she stood tense with anticipation beside Colin, MacBirnum on her other side, Coillteach just beyond Colin with Raeb, and Robert flanking Ranulf farther down the table. Marr and MacKai men circled the hall at assigned posts; everyone else stood waiting next to the benches at the trestle tables. Colin signaled for all to sit and wine and ale to be passed. When all were served, he raised his cup. “To Scotland, to all who love her, and our good King John Balliol, may he reign long and in peace.”

The toast was drunk. Then Lord Coillteach stood and called for the priest to bless the gathered host and begin the celebration. Laughter, japes, and wine flowed. Rich food was ladled generously onto trenchers that were filled and refilled until all hunger was satisfied. The guisers finished their play about the same time the platters were removed, and the diners complained of stuffed bellies.

Ready to start the dancing, Sorcha stood and signaled to the musicians. But Lord Coillteach rose and called for silence. His lips quirked in a small smile toward her. “Forgive me, lady, a serious matter must be dealt with before any revels continue.”

Would he accuse MacBirnum now? She looked to Colin, who stood, took her hand, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles, and drew her to his side. “I was nae completely certain of Coillteach’s timing, but fear naught. All will go as planned and Scotland will be rid of a viperous traitor.”

Wishing she could rest her head on his shoulder for reassurance, she slipped her hand from his. A servant approached.

“Countess, you are needed in the kitchens,” he said.

“Surely it can wait.”

“Nae, my lady. I regret that the cook insists you are needed instantly.”

“Very well. I’ll go as soon as I tell my husband.

The servant stepped away while Sorcha whispered in Colin’s ear.

“Dinna be too long,
muirnean
. I plan to dance the entire night with you.” The look in his eyes spoke of passions to come that he included as part of their dancing. ʼTwould be bittersweet, for she knew they were nae likely to do so again.

She descended from the dais. As she walked, conversation died, and she heard Coillteach’s words clearly.

“I have known and trusted Lords MacBirnum and Strathnaver for many years.”

She lifted her head and paused at the edge of the room. Why had Coillteach paired Colin’s name with the traitor MacBirnum? ʼTwas an odd way to begin an accusation of treason.

“Both have served Scotland well over the past ten years ... or so I thought.”

Murmurs began to fill the hall.

“I was dismayed and hurt to learn upon arriving here that the men I trusted, the men Scotland trusted, were the worst kind of traitors. The brave and valiant Sir Ranulf MacFearann presented me with the proof that Lord Brice Marr Earl of Strathnaver has been working with Lord MacBirnum to undermine Scotland’s safety and make easy Edward Plantagenet of England’s plans to conquer Scotland. With the aid of Strathnaver’s new wife, these traitors nearly succeeded.”

The hall erupted with shouts, accusations, and counter accusations.

“For shame.”

“Coillteach lies.”

“Kill the traitors.”

“Save Marr.”

“Aye, destroy the scum who brought this shame on us.”

A knight wearing Coillteach’s colors leapt to the dais. With dagger in hand, he struck at MacBirnum, a hand’s span from where Sorcha had recently stood. Colin drew his sword and ran the knight through before a shocked MacBirnum could be hurt.

Sorcha watched horrified as Marr sword met Marr blade, and MacBirnum knight fought Coillteach guard. Even the MacKai warriors joined the fray.

“Psst.” She felt a tug on her skirt and, turning about, found Henry crouching at her feet. “Lady Sorcha, come with me.”

“But ... ” She looked to where Colin and MacBirnum stood back to back fighting for their lives against a dozen men. Nearby, Raeb and a Marr guard battled with Ranulf, but of Robert she saw no sign. She stepped toward the hall.

“Nae.” Henry, standing now, pulled on her arm. “Go there, and you’ll be killed. I’m to take you to Sir Robert. He said to tell you he needs your help to reveal the truth.”

Truth? What was the truth? Would the lies Coillteach spouted be believed? Why did he make such false accusations?

“All right.” She nodded. “But hurry.”

Henry headed for the main stairs.

“There she is,” shouted some Coillteach men coming down the stairs. “Catch the bitch so she can hang with her dog of a husband.”

“Quickly.” She held out her hand to Henry and ran with him down the hall toward the accounting room.

A door opened opposite the accounting room, and the chamberlain stuck out his head. “This way, my lady.”

She had little choice if she was to avoid the trap laid for her. She dashed within, Henry on her heels. They were in the earl’s book room. Sir MacClaren shut the door then hurried over to a tapestry near the hearth. But instead of lifting the tapestry, he shoved at a nearby tall, narrow shelf of books to reveal an entrance to the secret stair.

“Sir Robert awaits you in the tower room. I will distract your pursuers.”

“Thank you.” She had no time for more.

He handed her a lit candle then closed the bookcase after she and Henry squeezed through the opening.

Between the panic that stole her breath and a sudden spate of fearful tears from Henry, the climb took much longer than she wished.

Light spilled out from the top, slightly blocked by Sir Robert, who stood holding open a door hidden beneath tapestry.

“Thank the heavens, you made it,” Robert uttered. “If you’d been captured, Henry and I might not have managed this on our own.”

“What do you mean? And why are you nae below fighting with the other men?” She turned from where she was settling Henry on a stool near the hearth. She gave the boy a kerchief to dry his tears and blow his nose.

“I’m trying to find the proof needed to show Coillteach,” he paused, “and Ranulf for the lying traitors they are.”

“What did you find?”

He picked up some sheets of vellum from atop a chest. “I know Colin wished our suspicions were unfounded. But the proof is undeniable. Read it for yourself.”

She took the sheet from Robert’s hand. One glance told her she had nae need to read the spidery writing. “This is the false letter the chamberlain tried to hide from me when I spoke with him in the accounting room.”

“So you recognize it.”

“Certainly. ʼTwas this that convinced Colin and I that the chamberlain might be a traitor. But he helped me get to you, so I’m confused.”

“I do not blame you. The chamberlain had the letter because Ranulf placed it in the accounting room hoping you or Colin would find it first.”

“Are you certain he did this?”

“He’s the only person who had reason or opportunity.”

“Aye.”

“Ranulf was present when Colin told us that the letter had been returned in hopes that the chamberlain would come forward with it and prove himself innocent. Ranulf then stole the letter back. He placed it in Lady Agnes’s locked box when Colin asked him to discover if the box contained any evidence she was a traitor.”

Sorcha’s eyes widened. “So this is the letter Henry saw when he tried to fix the box after the cat broke it.”

“Aye my lady.” A dry-eyed Henry came to stand beside her.

 “I wonder why Lady Agnes didna take the letter with her?”

“She would not want to be found with such a thing in her possession,” Robert explained. “Leaving it behind made it easy for Ranulf to retrieve it and use it a third time to make Lord MacBirnum look guilty when his rooms were searched after Coillteach accused him.”

She shook her head. “Who would think such a small thing could cause grief to so many? I wonder where the real letter is?”

“Here.” Robert withdrew a roll of vellum from within his jerkin.

“You’ve had this all along?”

“No. I began to suspect Ranulf when he tried to set you and Colin at odds. I knew he was up to something and decided to search his things when he was busy elsewhere. My first opportunity was early this morning, and there has been no time to be private with Colin to let him know of my discovery. I thought only to find Ranulf’s reasons for fomenting anger between two people who clearly love each other.”