Ria Cantrell - Celtic Storm 03 (29 page)

As Devina was allowed entrance, she seemed giddy, almost overly so. She laughed almost like a person who had lost all sense of reason. Her hands were on Aaron’s portly body before he could get her to privacy. He pushed the harlot off of him and he said, “First tell me news of du Montefort.”

“Well,” she laughed insidiously. “It seems that there is to be a wedding feast in the coming week.”

“Wedding? For who?”

Aaron’s face began to redden with this news.

“Well, it seems that the lord of the keep has returned with a widow and they are going to wed.”

“Yes, I knew he had returned. I had already been told that.”

Clapping her hands with glee, Devina bounced up and down on her feet and said, “And the haughty sister is also to wed. Oh and a handsome man she is taking to husband is she.”

At that news, Aaron’s face went from ruddy to purple in rage. The livid scar down his cheek turned a hideous white in stark contrast. Devina actually took a step back but it was too late. Aaron’s meaty fist slammed into her jaw and sent her sprawling into the filthy rushes at her feet. She looked up at him, anger of her own brimming to the surface and she said, “Why abuse me? T’is not my fault the little cur is marrying. I would have thought this was news you wanted, for the defenses are down at the keep with the wedding preparations going on.”

She stood up and picked some fetid straw from her soiled bodice. She worked her jaw and ire burbled up inside her. She was tired of pretending to like this monster just for a few coins. Turning her back to leave, she was not prepared for him to grab her by the neck of her garment. He dragged her back to face him and he said, “You will leave when I bid you to do so.”

She spat in his face and began to scurry toward the entrance. For all his bulk, he moved rapidly and he pulled her arm so forcefully, she thought it would snap from her shoulder. She knew, then, that he had the power and ability to do just that so she ceased struggling.

He growled into her face and he said, “If you ever do that again, you will not live to see the morn.”

She met his gaze levelly because no man could make her cry; in fact there was nothing in the world that could make her cry. Her tears had dried up long ago under the mistreatment by her father. Her heart had been blackened through time so that no fear or sadness, or compassion, for that matter, ever got in. Her black eyes never showed signs of light in them. It was as if her soul had gone all those years ago, as well. Instead, she harbored a deep hatred for most people that were better than her. She was equal to this one though; perhaps not in station, but in spirit. Both came from the same type of evil; the evil that was fostered through envy and greed. Looking into his one eye and trying not to focus on the patch that bore a gruesome painted eye which also seemed to stare at her, she snarled, “Do not think to frighten me, Aaron Jasper. I know who you are. We are one in the same, you and me. I do not know why you want to harm du Montefort, nor do I care. I am glad to see their fall as well. While they have used my wares and I have made a pretty wage from their patronage, I loathe them and their high and mighty ways. I have more news to tell, but I will not speak another word if you break my arm.”

Aaron wanted to fling the bitch from the window at her insolence. She dared much when she elevated herself to his status by calling them one in the same. Still, she had her uses and she was as hungry for a tossed coin at the expense of anyone else, that he knew she would speak with little coaxing.

“Speak,” he barked into her ugly face.

“I have sent my daughter to work in the kitchens. She will be able to gain any news you need.”

“I already have the news I need. What need do I have of your simpering slut now?”

“She will find out all sorts of things, the least not being passageways that are unguarded. Why, I am sure she can lead any of your men right to the heart of the castle. She is not without smarts, that girl of mine. I care not what you want to do or why.”

Devina was not certain what Aaron had in mind but she was pretty sure it was not to wish the new couples well. That suited her just fine, and if she could make a decent wage from it, so be it. When the news of her daughter being planted in the keep registered and his expression changed, Devina knew she had done a profitable day’s work. Yes, he would pay her well for this, she was certain.

“Very well. Have your spawn look for any unguarded door or passage. Have her learn who will be the invited guests and who will not be granted entrance for the celebration. I will reward both of you if you can help me to
attend
the wedding feast.”

Aaron thought to give Devina something to lace one of the casks with so that abducting the one he sought to warm his bed would be much easier. He liked that idea. Perhaps he could poison them all, or at the very least sicken them so that their defenses were greatly weakened. Flinging her away from him, he said, “Go. Tell your daughter I want news in the next few days. I will have a lovely wedding gift for them, to be sure.”

Devina stood her ground and held out her hand. “My payment, m’lord.”

He smiled with vicious malice and he said, “When you have news that is worthy of payment I will pay you. Now get out of my sight, you filthy whore. You disgust me.”

That was the second time in a day that a man had rejected her. Well, he was going to pay. They were all going to pay. If Devina could have her way, she would see them all fall, one by one.

~Chapter Thirty-four~

Sir Drew Brandham made his rounds throughout the keep, ever alert for that horrible woman to make an appearance again. His two dearest friends were going to be wed within the week and he could not have been happier. He had grown so fond of the mate chosen for his best friend and there was no doubt that he would do anything for her. Plus, he now realized he shared a common thing with Lady Rhianna. He loved her like a sister and he would do anything to protect her. He kept a watchful eye for anyone that wanted to cause trouble, but as there seemed to be peaceful joy spreading far and wide over the nuptials of the two couples; the threat of danger seemed less viable. Drew was not a fool to think that things were always as they seemed. In fact, he still felt the taint of evil just on the perimeter of all the celebratory preparations.

He had not seen hide nor hideous hair of that cooper woman, although he was ever at the ready for the time when he would have to approach her. The entire demesne was whirring with activity as guests arrived and the day of the wedding drew near. It was difficult to keep track of all the people coming and going from the place. Part of the problem was that Drew did not know everyone yet, but he made a valiant effort to familiarize himself with all of the regular inhabitants and visitors. Drew worked closely with Tristan and allowed the older gentleman to help him discern who was friend and who was foe. He liked the old man, as well. Hell, he liked just about everyone in this place. That was a testament to the two responsible for running it. They were well loved by the masses, it seemed. Still, Drew could not shake the feeling of danger, even when everything appeared to be going so well.

While checking some of the less used corridors, Drew spied a young woman skulking down the hall. He had not seen her before, but that did not matter, really. There were many new faces arriving daily. The maids and servants needed for the wedding had been increased as well, so even familiar faces were fewer as a good number had been hired to make the wedding celebration preparations run smoothly and without incident. From what Drew could tell, most everyone he met was so happy for the Lord and Lady of du Montefort, that he doubted anyone would wish them harm. Nevertheless, he followed the young woman to see what she was about. Finally, he stepped out of the shadows and he could see the woman was rattled by his presence.

“Oh, sir, you startled me.”

“I apologize for frightening you, miss, but I need to know where you are going? You are dressed as someone helping in the kitchens and you are a long way from there, now.”

“I…I got lost and was hoping to find someone to direct me back.”

Drew was pretty certain he did not believe one word, but he said, “I can show you the way, if you desire.”

“That would be quite kind of you, sir,” she purred.

She looked familiar but he could not put his finger on it. He would remember, he was certain, when he had time to think about those people he had met especially in the last days. For now, he did not know how he knew her.
Where had he seen her before
, he wondered.

As he escorted the woman back to the kitchens, he made a mental note to ask Cook who this woman was and where and whence she came. Once again the sense of evil assailed Drew’s instinct and he knew this woman had lied to him. What was she up to? She plied him with a false smile and he felt bitter gall rising in the back of his throat. He could not abide a liar and he knew that she had been up to no good. He wanted her dismissed, but he could not just request it based on not liking the looks of the girl.

After she was deposited into the kitchens, Drew inquired about the girl. The maids were quick to talk about her, saying she was lazy and did not pull her weight. Cook had only hired her two days hence and she was quite fed up with her slothful behavior already. No one seemed to know where she had come from and none seemed to want to learn more about her. Drew would keep an eye on her; that was certain.

As he was winding his way out of the main hall, Drew spied the lovely lady of the keep approaching. She certainly looked different than when their envoy had first arrived. Clearly, this was a woman in love, Drew surmised, and love of his best friend suited her. She just beamed with joy. If Drew had not thought Rhianna was beautiful before, he was certain she was even more striking now without the constant wary visage and guarded toughness that she had presented when first they came to du Montefort. He smiled at her in earnest and took her hand to his lips. “My Lady. T’is always happiness that fills me in your presence.”

“You, Sir Drew, are an incorrigible flirt.”

He feigned being wounded and said, “I only speak the truth, my lady. Might I have a word with you?”

“Of course, is anything amiss?”

“I don’t think so. Everything is progressing beautifully for the wedding. I have been in constant council with Sir Tristan and we have secured the place with an ever watchful eye. I am on my post always and make my rounds through the keep at regular intervals. I want you to know that both Erik and I, and for that matter, Sir Tristan, have the security of the place well in hand. I don’t want you to worry about anything. This is a happy time, now.”

“Yes, you are right. I had not thought it would be so, but I am truly happy.”

He grinned knowingly and said, “See, I knew you and Erik would be well matched.”

Rhianna smiled at this man who she had grown to love and respect as a cherished friend. “Perhaps we can find a lovely mate for you, Drew.”

Shaking his head he smiled, albeit a little sadly, “Nay, my lady. I am not the marrying kind, I’m afraid. I am not my father’s heir and there is the matter of
that gift
we talked about.”

Rhianna looked into his eyes and she said, “Hmmm, yes that. Well, you do need to find a special person who will not be daunted by it. I believe that she is not far on the horizon, Drew. I feel her just waiting to find you.”

With a heavy sigh, Drew replied, “I did not come to seek my fortune, my lady. I did, however, want to ask you about the new girl working in the kitchens. Do you know who I mean?”

“I’m afraid I do not. Cook has hired many new people to aid in the preparations for the wedding feast. I trust her to use her knowledge to know who will best aid her in the kitchens.”

“If you would not mind just walking with me a bit, I just left the girl there as I found her wandering near the western corridor. She claimed she had gotten lost and I set her straight, but I….”

Rhianna’s eyes looked deeply into Drew’s gaze and she said, “You suspect she is up to no good.” It was clearly not a question.

Not wanting to worry Rhianna unnecessarily, Drew said, “I do not know. I think she was lying about being lost, but perhaps she was just curious and wanted to explore. Still, I would feel better if you saw her.”

Rhianna linked her arm into Drew’s and she walked with him toward the kitchens. There, Cook was chastising the very girl Drew had talked about. Drew gave a slight nod of his head in the direction of Cook’s scolding voice. Rhianna’s brows drew together and she shook her head as if to say she did not recognize the girl. Drew led her away and then he said, “Alright, then I shall keep my eye on her and I will talk to Cook when she is through disciplining the girl.”

“Drew, do you feel…I mean.…”

While Rhianna did not get a warm feeling at seeing the girl, she did not sense the sinister malaise upon viewing her.

“You are not to worry about that. I only thought to see if you knew her. Go on and do what it is that brides do,” he said with an infectious smile.

Rhianna laughed and said, “I do not really know what brides do. I have never been one before. I am expected shortly to be fitted for my wedding dress with Janelle, but other than that, I want to aid in overseeing the plans.”

“The plans are going well. Randall and Erik have some things planned, I am certain, now go and worry not. We have all things in hand.”