The Bedeviled Heart (The Highland Heather and Hearts Scottish Romance Series) (11 page)

“Oh, I am honored, my lady!” Kate breathed in astonishment before she began to frown. “But, I have no knowledge in the ways of a maid. My father was a fisherman, and I spent my days mending nets and selling fish in the markets.”

“I have little doubt you will learn quickly.” Lady Elsa laughed in a silvery laugh. “And I am not a fine lady, but a poor one, most likely to be hastily wed in an unsuitable match if I do not have a trustworthy maid at my side to spy on my behalf and assist me in such important matters.”

“Ah, it sounds most thrilling, my lady!” Kate tingled with excitement.

“Then, let us try each other’s company this month, Kate,” Lady Elsa suggested. “Are you willing?”

“I am right willing, my lady!” Kate bowed, unable to believe her good fortune.

“Then, follow me at once,” she ordered, moving down the gravel path towards the castle.

Obediently, Kate slipped behind her, wondering if she were in a dream.

Directly below, Kate could see the castle gardens. A man stood alone there, swathed in a great black cape that billowed out behind him in the wind. His hair was dark and his shoulders broad. She shaded her eyes and looked closer. He seemed familiar. For some odd reason, he reminded her of Cameron, but she had little time to wonder as Lady Elsa had moved too far ahead, and she had to scurry to catch up.

Lady Elsa’s chamber was of moderate size, containing a curtained bed, a massive wooden chest, a red carpet in front of the fireplace, and a small table with a chair by the window.

Moving to the window, Lady Elsa took out a small purse from her sleeve and selected a coin. “I’ve need of yarrow, lovage, and pearlwort.”

Kate frowned. “’Twill be difficult to purchase them in the market this time of year, my lady.”

“Then, can you find them?” she asked, a bit nervously.

“I believe so,” Kate murmured thoughtfully. “I believe I saw the yarrow last week, whilst searching for herbs in the forest, my lady.” She had been seeking herbs to aid her father’s recovery.

“Then, go. I trust you will be as quick as you can.” Lady Elsa drew her lips in a worried line.

“Yes, my lady.” Kate bowed and turned to leave but then a thought crossed her mind. “My lady, may I have permission to see my father? He has only just recently recovered from an illness that took his sight, and still lies abed most of the day. I would see that he has enough food for the evening and hire someone to see to his needs, afore I return here to sleep at the foot of your bed.”

Lady Elsa’s face softened. “I am a charitable woman, Kate. You may tend your father, but be quick. I would see you back here afore the sun falls and with the herbs in your hand.”

“Yes, my lady, you are most
generous
!” Kate smiled brightly, and with another curtsey, bolted out the door.

Descending the spiral stairs of the castle to the courtyard below, she thought her heart would burst from her good fortune.

Aye, the thief’s shilling must have been a blessed coin. From the moment she had held it in her hand, her fortune had brightened.

The afternoon sun was bright as she hurried across the cobbled courtyard of the outer close of the castle. She had nearly reached the main gate when she heard Maura call, “Kate!”

With an excited smile, Kate whirled to greet her, holding out her hands. “Ach, Maura! I’ve been blessed with the most unexpected luck! I’m to be Lady Elsa’s maid!”

Maura tripped and stumbled to a halt. A look of pure outrage flitted across her face before her expression went stony all at once. “What nonsense are ye speaking?” she asked at last.

Hesitating, Kate replied, “Lady Elsa … I’m to be her maid.”

“Her maid?” Maura repeated, walking slowly to join her. Her blue eyes were cold. “How can ye be a
lady’s
maid? Ye know naught of it!”

“Aye, she knows that well!” Kate shrugged, wishing in vain that she had kept her lips sealed. “’Tis luck, Maura. That is all.”

“A lady’s maid?” Maura was plainly angry. “How can ye expect me to believe there is no witchery here, Kate? Ye have uncommon luck!”

“Aye but only after uncommon mischance, Maura.” Kate frowned. She and her father had struggled for months, nearly starving in the process.

“And how much is she paying ye?” Maura demanded, crossing her arms and scowling.

“Not much more than a chamberlain.” Kate evaded. “She’s not a rich lady, Maura.”

Maura tossed her hair and rolled her eyes. “Still!”

Not wanting to anger the woman further, Kate stepped back and dropped a friendly curtsey. “I must be going! I’ve errands to run, and the lady has kindly permitted me to check upon father and—”

Maura’s eyes narrowed and took on a dark gleam. “Your father? Aye, well, now that ye’ll be sleeping next to your lady, I’ll be tending to him, is that it?”

“No! Not at all, Maura.” Kate shook her head. “I would never do that to ye! I’ll have Fiona come stay in my stead, to tend to him and—”

“Then, that ‘twill be another shilling for the rent. Nay, let’s make it three shillings.” Maura lifted her chin in challenge.

Kate stared at her, open-mouthed. The entire cottage would only cost five shillings a year to rent! She knew that well. “But that is more than half the rent for the entire cottage, and we only ask for one tiny room of it! ‘Tis not honest, Maura!”

Maura gave a derisive snort. “Ye be the strange one to speak of honesty! I’ve only politely asked ye to share a love potion, and ye have refused, time and again, keeping your secrets to benefit only yourself! Well, pay the three shillings or ye’ll see your father in the street. I doubt any other will rent ye a room after I’m done telling them that he has a catching illness and they’ll go blind if they help the man!”

Kate caught her breath, astounded at the vindictive change sweeping through the woman. Aye, already she was regretting that they had moved in with her, but ‘twas too late now. Fearing for her father, she replied quickly, “I’ll pay ye the shillings, and I’ll find ye a love potion. There is no cause to spread rumors.”

A satisfied gleam entered Maura’s blue eyes, and she gave a nod of satisfaction. “’Tis a good thing ye have finally come to your senses, Kate. Well, be off with ye then. Ye canna have the lady upset with ye! Go!”

Taking a few steps back from the woman, Kate whirled and almost ran through the main gates of the castle.

Aye, Maura was proving to be more spiteful than she had first thought.

She would have to find someone who knew something of love potions.

Perhaps, then, the woman would leave her and her father alone.

Chapter Five - The Passionate Blood of the Stewarts

Pacing the wind-ravaged castle ramparts, Cameron lifted his eyes to the highlands spreading across the horizon. Above his head, great hawks soared lazily in the bright blue sky.

Resting his chin on the palm of his hand, he leaned against the cold, stone walls and wished he were on the back of his favorite charger, racing across the heath with the scent of damp heather in the air. And if Kate were with him, her arms clasping him firmly from behind, laughing, and wrinkling her nose in that delightful manner he found captivating … ‘twould be paradise.

Thoughts of Kate summoned memories of her fiery kisses that made him ache with longing, but the usual twinge of conscience quickly followed. He was growing far too fond of her company. He should walk away before his touch robbed her of life.

Wincing, his gaze dropped to the gardens below, and his stomach turned sour all at once.

The king strolled along the gravel paths on his customary afternoon walk. Thomas staunchly trailed him like a dog.

Cameron shook his head in disgust.

How had the commoner gained such control over the king?

As he watched, the king bent over to whisper in Thomas’ ear. After a moment, both men laughed and continued down the garden path with the king’s arm circling Thomas’ shoulders in an intimate gesture.

Cameron expelled a pent breath.

By failing to understand the complex webs of loyalty among the nobles of the court, both Thomas and the king were inviting disaster. A shadow was falling over Scotland. The king had never been popular, but his behavior of late only threatened to make matters worse, for himself and for Scotland as a whole.

In a rare break of the wind, the sound of hooves clattering in the courtyard below caught Cameron’s attention. Turning, he spied Julian dismounting a red roan. Raising his arm in greeting, the young Lord Gray sprinted toward the nearest tower with the obvious intent to join him.

Julian clearly had discovered something of value. The man truly was a spy unmatched. With a nod of satisfaction, Cameron folded his hands behind his back and resumed walking the ramparts.

After a moment, Julian’s deep voice hailed, “’Tis as ye thought. The man does indeed have backing of nobles.” He fell into step beside him.

Cameron thinned his lips. Years of habit kept the rest of his facial expressions in check as he waited patiently for Julian to continue.

“The golden chain he sports on his neck is not the king’s gift, and he will not tell from whose hands he received it,” Julian informed him with a disgusted shake of the head. “The king was sore angry upon discovering it, just a fortnight ago. From what I’ve been told, I’m fair sorry to have missed witnessing the event. Some say ‘twas a lover’s quarrel.”

A gust of wind tore through the battlements, ripping further words from his lips and rendering conversation impossible.

They walked in silence for a time.

From what Cameron could recall of the chain, the artistry had been notable. It was clearly worth a substantial sum. These unknown supporters were wealthy. What had they desired from Thomas in return?

The wind died down at last, and Cameron said, “Then we must find from where this golden chain comes.”

At his side, Julian paused and stared off into the distance, absently fingering his dirk.

Cameron followed his gaze to where Thomas still walked the gardens with the king.

“I would welcome better days for Scotland.” Julian growled. “And for a king who is a warrior, not a perfumed courtier. Scotland needs a king, not a woman skulking in the garden, reading books, and consulting the black arts for clues to the future! Aye, and any fool can see ‘tis not a long walk afore Thomas is granted a title. Take a look at how the man simpers and fawns over your cousin!” He pointed to where Thomas was bowing over the king’s hand, covering it with kisses.

Both Cameron and Julian arched a brow and exchanged a long look.

“Aye, but Thomas is a rash, overbold fellow, and prone to error.” Cameron’s lips formed a scathing smile. “He will undo himself in the end.”

“Aye,” Julian agreed. A concerned glint entered his gray eyes. “I grant that is true, but we both know he can wreak havoc along the way.”

“There is that,” Cameron conceded.

They watched as the king left the garden to hurry across the courtyard and into his apartments with Thomas still in tow.

Folding his arms, Julian said, “I’ve word out amongst the goldsmiths. We’ll find who paid for the thing to be wrought and have our answer soon.”

Cameron nodded.

Then Julian’s countenance shifted and his tone turned light and teasing. “I spied a bonny, brown-haired lass quitting the castle as I entered. She was quite fetching, with the most astonishing brown eyes. Aye, a high-spirited beauty that I just might have to know better, if she’s not yet entangled with another man …”

Cameron eyed him in amusement. Even the thought of seeing Kate brought an unbidden smile to his lips.

“Be gone with ye, man!” Julian laughed, rolling his eyes. “I’ve often wondered if ye were meant to be a monk, but for the first time I can see that ye aren’t!”

Cameron’s face clouded, and he looked away. “I care for the lass too much to see her again,” he said grimly.

Julian snorted. “The hordes of other lasses ye’ve kissed still walk this fine Earth.” With a chuckle, he strode away.

For a time, Cameron resumed his stroll on the wall, but Kate’s dancing eyes and sweet, promising lips grew more distracting by the moment until he finally followed Julian’s suggestion and, against his better judgment, strode through the castle gate and into the town of Stirling.