The Laird of Stonehaven (31 page)

Astonishment colored Graeme’s words. “So there really is a treasure. I wouldna have believed it. Did you find it?”

“Oh, aye, I found it all right. “I ‘saw’ the chest lying at the bottom of an abandoned well in the bailey. When I told him, MacKay set men to digging immediately.”

“Was MacKay disappointed with the contents?”

“Nay, the chest held a fortune in gold and jewels. When I saw what the chest held, I asked for a portion of it. We settled on an amount that satisfied MacKay.”

Graeme grinned. “Did you, now? I canna imagine MacKay agreeing to give up even a small part of his newfound wealth. What happened? Did MacKay renege on his promise?”

“Something strange happened to change my mind. When MacKay opened the chest, I heard voices crying out for justice, and knew I couldna take any of those ill-gotten gains for myself. ’Twas frightening. The voices spoke of being slain in cold blood by MacKay’s ancestors. They spoke of a curse on those who claimed the treasure. I told MacKay I didna want any part of the treasure and warned him about the curse.”

“He didna believe ye,” Graeme guessed.

“Mayhap he did, but it didna stop him from claiming the treasure. His greed overcame whatever scruples he had left. I knew he wouldna release me as he’d promised. I was right not to trust him. The treasure wasna enough for him. He wanted more, and thought I could give him everything he desired.”

“So you fled,” Graeme said.

“Aye, but I knew I couldna escape with MacKay’s men hard on my heels.”

“So you worked your magic and called down lightning from the sky.”

“Not magic. I used my powers to save myself.”

“I dinna care what you used so long as you are here with me now. Why did Niall became MacKay’s ally in this?”

“We both know the answer to that. Niall didna want to part with my dowry, and MacKay promised Niall he could keep it if I wed him. ’Tis the reason Niall convinced the king to set our marriage aside.”

“I have a plan,” Graeme said. “The king has ordered the Highland lairds to gather men and arms and join him at Hawick. He’s also demanded money to pay his ransom. He still owes most of the sixty thousand marks the English demanded for his release from captivity.”

“Aye, so I heard. MacKay planned on leaving soon to join James.”

“What you dinna know is that few lairds feel inclined to obey James. I have promised men and money if he restores our marriage.”

Excitement darkened Blair’s violet eyes. “Think you he will agree?”

“I am counting on it.”

Blair frowned. “But that means you will fight in a war. You could be hurt, or killed. Dinna go, Graeme, I beg you. I care not about the state of our marriage. I will gladly, nay, happily, become your leman.”

“Dinna say that, Blair. I want you for my wife, not my whore.”

“And I want you alive.”

“I am a warrior. I know how to protect myself.” He kissed her forehead and rose. “I must confer with Aiden and Heath. I’ll send Alyce up to help you.”

Graeme hastened down to the hall. Father Lachlan was the first to greet him.

“How is our lass?” the priest asked.

“Blair is fine,” Graeme said. “She wasna harmed.”

“My prayers have been answered,” Lachlan said fervently.

A group of kinsmen came up to join them. “Tell us what happened,” Heath said.

“I will tell you while I break my fast,” Graeme said. “But first, will someone find Alyce and send her up to Blair?”

“I’ll find her,” Stuart said, hurrying off, “but dinna start the tale until I return.”

A servant sat a plate of food before Graeme, and he ate hungrily. By the time Stuart returned, Graeme was ready to relate most of what Blair had told him. He purposely left out the parts about the lightning and the voices Blair had heard coming from within the treasure chest. His audience listened raptly, not daring to interrupt until Graeme finished speaking.

“The lass has guts, I’ll give her that,” Heath said. “What do we do now?”

“We wait to hear from the king. Meanwhile, send word to our clansmen that I will let them know when they are needed.”

“They will be most eager to fight the English,” Aiden ventured. “As you well know, the English are nae loved in the Highlands.”

“Verra good,” Graeme replied. “We’ll begin training immediately to hone our skills.”

Everyone left except Father Lachlan, who was regarding Graeme quizzically.

“What is it, Father? Is there something on your mind?”

“Aye, lad. What will ye do if the king willna deal with ye? He has the power to give Blair to anyone he chooses. Even MacKay.”

Graeme’s hands curled into fists. “I willna let that happen, Father.”

“Ye will have no choice. I dinna mean to upset ye, but there is always the chance James will have enough men without yer clansmen and deny yer request.”

“I dinna want to think about it,” Graeme said. “If James denies me, I have another plan. Blair told me something about the MacKay that the king would appreciate knowing.”

“Will ye tell me?”

“Nay, not yet. You will all know if and when I am forced to use my information.”

Blair entered the hall and slid into the chair beside Graeme. “Have you eaten?”

“Aye, I was about to leave, but I am sure Father Lachlan will keep you company.”

“Oh, aye,” Lachlan said, waving Graeme off. “I will keep the lass company.”

“Will you stay at Stonehaven with us, Father?” Blair asked after Graeme had departed. “We are in desperate need of a resident priest.”

“Aye, mayhap I will bide a wee time with ye, since I am no longer welcome at Gairloch.”

“You will have a place with us for as long as you care to stay.”

Before Lachlan could reply, Maeve bustled in from the kitchen and enfolded Blair in her arms, nearly smothering her against her pillowy bosom. “Ah, lass, ’tis happy I am to see ye. I knew our laird wouldna let MacKay have ye. Listen to me go on,” she chuckled. “I’ll fix ye something to eat straightaway.”

“I will leave ye to yer breakfast, lass,” Lachlan said. “If I’m to stay, the chapel needs the kind of attention that only I can provide. Eat hearty, lass.”

Blair’s appetite fled when she saw Glenda prancing into the hall with her food. She banged the plate on the table, then stepped back, hands resting on her generous hips.

“Now who’s the whore?” she goaded. “Ye are nae longer wed to the laird. Ye are naught but his leman. Graeme can put ye to work in the kitchen if it pleases him. Or give ye to his men when he tires of ye.”

“That would please you, wouldn’t it?” Blair charged.

“Oh, aye. Now that Graeme’s commitment to ye is ended, he will turn to me.”

Blair waved her away. “Your prattle is giving me a headache. I wish to eat my breakfast in peace.”

“Enjoy it while ye can. Soon ye will be eating in the kitchen with the rest of the servants. Or mayhap,” Glenda said slyly, “Graeme will send ye back to the MacKay.” She shot Blair a triumphant smile. “I shared the laird’s bed while ye were gone.”

After that parting barb, Glenda tossed her head and flounced off.

Blair picked at her food while she considered Glenda’s warning. Graeme would never send her away, would he? Blair didn’t want to believe that Glenda had shared Graeme’s bed during her absence, but it could have happened. After all, she had seen just such a vision.

Blair was glad when Alyce joined her, for she knew her tiring woman wouldn’t lie to her. “I’m going to ask you a question, Alyce, and I want the truth.”

Alyce’s brows shot upward. “When have I ever lied to ye?”

“Forgive me for doubting your loyalty. I just spoke to Glenda and—”

“Glenda,” Alyce spat. “That whore! Dinna believe anything she says.”

“I canna help it. Graeme and I are no longer wed. He can bed anyone he pleases now.”

“Is that what Glanda told ye? She lies, lass. Yer husband was beside himself with grief. He didna even look at another woman while he planned yer rescue. ’Tis true that Glenda flitted around him like a mare in heat, but it did her nae good. The laird paid her nae heed.”

Blair squeezed Alyce’s hand. “Thank you. You have greatly eased my mind. I should have known better than to believe anything that comes from Glenda’s mouth. I know Graeme loves me.”

“Aye. Ye still have yer powers, dinna ye? There’s yer proof.”

Blair sighed wistfully. “Just once, I’d like to hear him say the words.”

“Ye have more than most women,” Alyce scolded.

“What if the king denies Graeme’s request to restore our marriage?”

“What do yer spirits tell ye?”

“Naught. They havena spoken to me since I fled the MacKay stronghold.”

“Mayhap ye should ask them.”

Blair rose so fast, the chair behind her wobbled. “Come to the stillroom with me, Alyce.”

Alyce followed Blair down the flight of stairs to the stillroom. The door opened at Blair’s touch and she stepped inside, breathing in the comforting scent of dried herbs. The pungent aroma had always soothed her, and it was no different today. The tension left her body as she walked around the table where her herbs lay drying, inspecting those that were ready to be rendered into various remedies.

“Get the candles, Alyce.”

Alyce set the candles in a circle and sprinkled herbs inside. Once Blair had positioned herself within the circle, Alyce lit the candles and moved away.

Facing the open window, Blair spun around three times and raised her arms. Then she began to chant, beseeching the spirits to grant her a vision. Heat suffused her body as a breeze stirred the trees outside the window and brushed her cheek.

A vision began to form behind her eyelids. She saw herself with Graeme in a beautiful place that gave her a sense of calm and peacefulness. They were lying on the grass and gazing up at the sky. An instant later Graeme was sprawled upon the ground, lying in a pool of blood. She screamed.

“Nay!”

Voices echoed in her head. “He will die if you don’t save him.”

“Tell me what I must do.”

“You have the power. You will know what to do. The bairn growing inside you will need his father.”

Blair’s hand flew to her stomach. “I suspected but wasna sure.”

“Danger still stalks you.”

“Who wishes me harm?”

“Soon you will be tested again. Fire, water, stone. You have yet to conquer stone. Beware of false accusations.”

“Wait! You didna answer my question. Who wishes me harm?”

Suddenly the candles flared, then went out in a puff of smoke. Alyce rushed to support Blair as she stumbled from the circle. Blair was so drained of energy, she was barely able to make it to the nearest bench.

“Are ye well, lass?” Alyce asked anxiously. “What happened? I heard naught but yer voice.”

Blair summoned a smile. “I am carrying Graeme’s bairn.”

“Ha! Tell me something I didna know.”

“You knew? I was just beginning to suspect, myself.”

“Did ye tell yer husband?”

“Nay. I wanted to be sure first.”

“What else did the spirits tell ye?”

“I am still in danger.”

“From whom?”

“I dinna know. The spirits warned me to beware of stone. ’Tis the last ordeal. I’ve already survived fire and water.”

“Did the spirits say naught of yer marriage? Will the king let Laird Graeme remain wed to ye?”

“They said naught about it.”

“Do ye feel strong enough to leave the stillroom?”

“Aye. I have much to think about. If I amna wed, my bairn will be illegitimate and in need of protection.”

“Laird Graeme will claim his bairn,” Alyce maintained. “Ye must tell him.”

“I will, when the time is right. I dinna want to worry Graeme when he has so much on his mind.”

Graeme saw her enter the hall and hailed her.

“I decided to return to the keep for the noon meal,” he explained. “The men deserve rest and a hot meal after a full morning of training in the rain.”

“I thought I’d take my meal in my chamber,” Blair said.

He searched her face. “You look tired, lass. Did I do that to you?”

She sent him a rueful smile. “Nay, Graeme. Dinna fret, I’ll be fine after a short nap.”

He lifted her chin and kissed her mouth. “Verra well. I’ll check on you later.”

Blair climbed the stairs to the solar. She had just reached the top landing when Glenda stepped out of the shadows. Surprise caused Blair to teeter back on her heels; she clutched the wall to keep from falling.

“I heard ye and Alyce talking,” Glenda taunted. “Mayhap ye willna survive the last ordeal. Fire, water and stone,” she chanted.

“Have you been spying on me? Listening at doors is a punishable offense.”

“I followed ye to the stillroom,” Glenda admitted. “I couldna see what was going on inside, but I heard enough to brand ye a witch and see ye burn.”

“You have a vivid imagination,” Blair charged. “Stand aside.”

“Are these not stone stairs?” Glenda said with sly innuendo. “Ye survived fire and water; mayhap stone will be yer downfall.”

Stunned, Blair stared at Glenda. “What do you know about the Prophecy?”

“Think ye I am stupid? Everyone hereabouts has heard about the MacArthur Prophecy.”

Menacingly she pressed forward. Blair moved backward as far as she could without tumbling down the stairs. When she tried to sidle around Glenda, the jealous woman blocked her path.

“Dinna try it, lady,” Glenda warned. “I am bigger and stronger than ye.”

Blair knew she had to do something to prevent Glenda from acting upon her jealousy and hatred. Blair’s lips began to move in silent entreaty, asking the spirits to save her and her child.

“What are ye doing?” Glenda screeched.

Blair smiled. “Try to harm me and you’ll find out.”

Glenda recoiled, a look of horror on her face. “Dinna work yer evil spells on me, witch.”

“You have it wrong, Glenda. You are the evil one. If you harm me, I promise you will live to regret it.”

Glenda retreated farther into the shadows. Blair added to the dramatics by pointing a finger at her and chanting garbled words, hoping to frighten her into leaving.

“Nay!” Glenda cried as she raised her skirts, pushed past Blair and fled down the stairs.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Blair hurried to her chamber and slammed the door behind her. If she were still mistress here, she would dismiss Glenda at once. Unfortunately, she was no longer Graeme’s wife, and might never be if her enemies had their way.