Exposing his bare feet, Hugh didn’t hesitate to follow and quickly tugged out of his shoes and socks, then walked over to his father at the water’s edge. With the pole in hand and a long string dangling from it, Jude glanced over at Hugh and smiled. “Are ye ready?”
Hugh nodded as he studied Jude intently.
“The trick is,” Jude said as he stepped into the water. Instantly, Jude wished he was back on the dry ground. The water that flowed over his feet was beyond chilling, it was icy. Chills raced up his spine. Yet he was determined to show his son what to do with the pole and spend the quality time Hugh so deserved. Standing ankle-deep in the water as it flowed violently around his legs, Jude looked to Hugh.
“Ye have to get a good stance,” Jude said, “less the river take ye away with it. The last thing I need is to go swimmin’ in this freezin’ water. I want ye to be careful when fishin’ out here, do ye understand?”
Hugh nodded his head frantically as Jude moved closer to the water and dipped his hands into the river.
“Ye have to watch which way the waters are flowin’ using the string on the end of the pole. And just when ye think they’re gonna be under yer fingertips,” Jude said as he dove his hands and pulled up his hands in a flash. Hugh’s eyes widened as he noticed his father had caught a fish by its mouth.
“How did ye?” Hugh asked as the fish floundered about in the air. Jude smiled as the fish flapped its tail about, spraying water on him. Hugh clapped his hands with joy as his face beamed with pride for his dad.
“Me turn, me turn,” Hugh said as he moved slowly towards Jude. Keeping his eyes locked on Hugh, Jude couldn’t help feeling a bit worried his son would slip. After all, the waters were rough and the current could easily catch Hugh off balance and send him floating down stream.
“Careful now, the rocks are slippery,” Jude said as he glanced over his shoulder to Aidan who was standing like a sentinel watching over them on the banks of the river.
“Should we release it, or should we have it for dinner tonight?” Jude asked as he clamped harder around the fish’s mouth and measured the size of it.
“I daenae ken, what do ye think? Do ye think Cleo would want this for dinner tonight?” Hugh asked glancing up to his father. Jude smiled and shrugged.
“I daenae even ken if she’s ever had this before,” Jude said, “it could be a delicacy for her. Who kens?”
Jude looked at the fish once more before he tossed it to the bank. It landed hard on the rocks and flopped around a bit as Hugh laughed.
“I’ll handle this,” Aidan said as he snatched the fish up before it could flop and spring back into the current of the river.
Jude watched as Aidan pulled a dagger from his side. A sharp pang shot through Jude as he watched Aidan in the corner of his eye. He tried not to think too much about the soldier who had come as their protection, yet there was an odd feeling that sprang from Jude. Trying not to pay too much attention to Aidan, Jude kept his hands on Hugh as his son tried to pluck his own fish from the water.
“Everythin’ all right there?” Jude asked as Aidan’s eyes shifted slowly to Jude.
“How much easier it would have been if ye’d just eatin’ the porridge,” Aidan mumbled. “I dinnae want to have to do it this way, but ye’ve left me nay other choice.”
“Excuse me?” Jude said as his hand was on Hugh pulling the boy closer to him. Aidan glared at the two of them as he brandished the dagger. The light of the sun shifting through the clouds caused the blade to sparkle in the light before turning dull.
“If it wasnae for that wench of yers,” Aiden said, “we wouldnae be here now. Things would have transitioned so much smoother.”
“What are ye talkin’ about, Aidan?” Jude said as he tried to step in front of Hugh to shield him from the soldier.
“Do ye ken how long it took me to make that batch? Even with that daft old man showin’ me what to do. I still couldnae get it right. Then I did and tested it. But it took days toilin’ away, only to have that wench take one sniff of the porridge to ken it was bad.”
“Hugh, stay behind me,” Jude whispered over his shoulder as he tried to keep Hugh from seeing Aidan’s face. The last thing he needed was for Hugh to get in the way or lose him in the river which flowed violently around their ankles Jude knew one false step and the current would sweep the boy away.
“Do ye have any idea how long it took toilin’ away to get the concoction just right? Of course, ye daenae have a clue. Ye daenae think about these things. Ye’ve been handed everythin’ on a silver platter as if it was yer right to have such things. But it’s nae.”
“What are ye talkin’ about!?” Jude demanded as he looked around for some kind of weapon that he could use against Aidan if he were to attack them. The only thought on Jude’s mind was to shield his son by any means necessary.
“Ye ken me maither, daenae ye?” Aidan asked as he pressed his lips into a tight line as his eyes narrowed on them.
“The scullery maid that died a few years ago. What about her?”
“Did ye ken who her heart belonged to?” Aiden hissed as he threw the fish to Jude. The creature flopped against Jude’s chest before falling back into the water and swam away.
“Honestly, I daenae care who yer faither was,” Jude said, trying to keep himself between Hugh and Aidan.
“But you should care. Just because we share different features does nae mean we donae have the same blood coursing through our veins,” Aidan asked as his lips twitched. Jude watched as Aidan shifted his head to the right to show off his profile. “The late Laird was me faither,” Aiden said as he twisted the blade in front of Jude, daring him to make a move or to step out of the river.
“I daenae believe ye,” Jude said as he studied Aidan’s profile and noticed the same straight jawline and crooked nose his father once had.
“Oh really? Daenae ye think it’s odd how faither favored me over the other lads in the house? How he always made certain I was well cared for? Nae in all the years did ye noticed how better off I was compared to the others? Aye, it’s because I am his that I had the privilege to rise in the ranks as I did.”
“Aidan, I suggest ye choose yer next words wisely,” Jude warned as he lifted his head higher. He knew that he was not in a position to fight, but he would do everything he could to salvage his honor and save his son.
“Or what?” Aidan said, “I’m the one with the high ground, daenae even try to move. I wanted to do this clean but I will take what is mine one way or another.”
“What is yers? And what exactly is that?” Jude asked glaring at him.
“Isnae it obvious? I should be the Laird of this realm! Nae Hugh, seein’ as how me maither bore me first.”
“Me faither may have been many things in his lifetime,” Jude said, “and he occasionally had a mistress to take care of his needs. That’s nay lie, everyone kenned it. But the Lairdship belongs to those of noble blood and birth, both of which ye do nae have.”
“If ye were out of the way, who else will the clan look to for guidance and stability? Surely, they would turn to me. And as the first born, I would have a rightful claim on the Lairdship and I would be the leader of this clan.”
“And just exactly what is it that ye propose to do?’ Jude asked as he stepped back, forcing Hugh to step back with him.
As Jude felt Hugh’s fingers digging into his legs, he knew his son was scared. The boy shook and for a moment, Jude wasn’t certain if it was due to the icy waters or Aidan.
Jude realized there was only one way out of this, he would have to fight to get back to the castle, but by being on the low ground and without a weapon, he knew it was going to be dangerous.
“Ye tried poisons, dinnae ye? But it failed,” Jude said as Aidan gave a sharp, cold laugh that seemed to fill the valley and drifted over the moors.
“Once I dispose of ye and go back to the castle, claimin’ there was a terrible accident, I’ll say we lost the both of ye to the river and the clan wi
ll see me as their new leader.”
“The clan will never accept ye as their leader. If anythin’, it will be Ian who will step in to take me place.”
“Do ye honestly think that I was able to do this by meself?” Aidan laughed as he shook his head. “Who do ye think helped me collect the ingredients that I needed to make the poison? Ye think a soldier like meself ever kenned of such things?”
Jude’s heart tightened as he heard the words spilling from Aidan’s lips. In all his years, Jude had never suspected either one of them to betray him or his family. Yet it seemed that both of them were willing to do so for power and titles.
“Ye daenae have to do this, Aidan,” Jude said inching closer to the shore.
“Faither, look out!” Hugh cried as Aidan threw the dagger at Jude.
Refusing to let the blade go past him, Jude stepped forward, catching the blade as it sliced through the air. Jude’s face tightened as pain coursed through his hand and arm. Hugh screamed and stumbled back into the rushing water.
“Nay!” Jude cried as he twisted around, trying catch Hugh from falling, but it was too late. The boy had slipped into the running stream and was pulled by the current.
“Hugh!” Jude shouted as he reached for his son. In the corner of his eye, he noticed Aidan rushing toward him with his broadsword, ready to strike. Jude pulled the blade from his hand and used it as a shield against Aidan’s relentless blows.
“One down, one to go,” Aidan said as he pushed with all his might into Jude, forcing him deeper into the river. Jude knew that it only took one wrong step and he too would be swept away. For a moment he thought of going down the river to search for Hugh, but Aidan had snatched his shirt and pulled him back.
“Ye think I’ll let ye go that easily, do ye?” Aidan said as his lips twisted with rage. “Just so ye ken, that blade was dipped in the same poison I put in yer food. Tis only a matter of time now before the effects start to show.”
Aidan laughed as Jude glanced at his bloodied hand. He found his throat closing on him as Aidan pulled him to the shore and threw him on the ground.
“Ye’re nae goin’ to get away with this,” Jude said as Aidan bore down on him. Struggling against Aidan’s weight, Jude tried to keep his wits about him. With each passing moment he noticed his vision starting to blur.
“I already have,” Aidan said with a crooked grin.
Jude knew he was running out of time. As Hugh’s screams faded from his ears, Jude prayed for a miracle. Instantly, his mind shifted to Cleo.
I love ye. I will always love ye. Take care of me boy.
23
Cleo’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched the bow snap back into place and the arrow spring forth and whizzed through the air.
It seemed as if is the whole world stopped for a moment as she waited and hoped that her aim was true. To her dismay, the arrow did not strike Aidan in the back but plunged deep into his thigh causing him to scream out pain. It was all that she could do to give Jude a brief moment to get out from Aidan’s grasp.
“Cleo,” Jude shouted. “Get Hugh!” Cleo’s eyes shifted as Jude pointed down the river.
Cleo whipped her head to the side and noticed a small head bobbing up and down in the torrential waters. Without hesitation, Cleopatra raced to the river and stood at a cliff. There was no way for her to get down but to jump. Cleo dropped the bow and quiver of arrows and took a step back. She pulled in a deep breath and lunged off the cliff into the water.
The raging ice cold river stole her breath as she forced her head to remain above the roaring waters. Gasping for air she searched frantically. Water filled her eyes and mouth until finally the black-haired child popped up within feet of her.
“Hugh,” she screamed as she began swimming with all of her strength against the current. She made it to Hugh and curled her arm around the boy’s body, forcing his face up to the sky. Her leg seared with pain as it shot through her entire being, but she had no time to think about such things. She knew that if she didn’t get Hugh and herself out of the river, they were doomed.
“Hold on, hold on.” She kept saying as she paddled with one arm and dragged Hugh with her. Slowly she made it to the banks of the river and latched onto a branch using all her effort. She carefully pulled Hugh up to the river’s edge. The boy’s face was white as a sheet and as the moments ticked on, she knew the boy was slipping away.
“Come on, you need to breathe,” she said, slapping the boy hard on the face and pounding on his chest. Each moment that ticked by she found herself struggling to remain conscious. She knew she was losing blood, but she was Hugh’s only hope. Clenching her teeth, she forced herself to remain focused on Hugh. She wouldn’t let her mind drift to Jude or anyone else.
Slowly the boy started coughing as water poured out of his mouth. Relief washed over Cleo as she exhaled. “Oh, thank the heavens.”
Carefully, she cradled Hugh’s head and scooted closer to him so that he could rest in her lap. Little by little Hugh’s eyes began to flutter until they finally opened. Dazed and a bit confused, Hugh stared at her.
“Faither?” With his voice was scratchy and rough, he forced the word out of his lips.
Cleo’s eyes shifted to the moors. Her heart ached for Jude as she hoped he was still alive. She leaned down and pressed her lips to Hugh’s forehead. He was ice cold. Yet with him awake and conscious, she knew that he would be able to pull through.
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “Hugh, you have to hold on for me. I need you to be strong, can you do that?”
The boy nodded his head.
“Your father needs my help. Can you make it back to the castle alone?”
Once more Hugh bobbed his head. For a moment, Cleo was torn between staying with Hugh and helping Jude. She knew that she had to have faith the boy would make it back without passing out. In the distance, she could hear the racket of metal striking metal and knew Jude was still in the battle for his life.
“Hugh, can you stand up for me? I need you on your feet before I go help your father,” Cleo said, “you have to make it back to the castle and send more men. I cannot handle Aidan alone and I don’t know how well your father is fairing. Can you do that? Can you get help?”
The boy trembled and shook uncontrollably. She knew that he needed to get up and move if he was going to be able to make it. Hugh nodded as his teeth chattered from the cold.
“Go quickly, get help,” Cleo ordered as Hugh struggled to his feet. She watched a moment as the boy fumbled like a drunkard down the tracks. Slowly but steadily, Hugh found his footing and moved as fast as he could back to the castle.
As she tried to get to her feet, she winced in pain. Immediately her eyes shifted to her leg. It was covered in black splotches and red flowed out from the gash on her calf. Biting on her lip, she pulled a strip of cloth from her tattered skirt and wrapped it tightly around her leg to stop the bleeding. Pulling in a deep breath, she tried once more to get on her feet. The pain shot through her and she wanted to collapse, but wouldn’t let herself do it.
I must keep going. Jude needs me.
Slowly she made it to the top of the hill and found her bow and quiver of arrows right where she had dropped them. Her heart went out to Jude as she spied Aidan climbing on him with a dagger in hand trying to run Jude through.
No!
Quickly, she pulled an arrow from the quiver and placed it into the bow. Without hesitation, she let her instincts take over.
You have this, you can do this, just like he said. Just breathe.
Pulling the string back, she took in a deep breath before releasing it. The arrow flew through the air and crashed directly into Aidan’s back. A loud cry caused the birds hiding in the tall grass to take flight, but Cleo paid no attention to them.
All she saw was Aidan crumbling next to Jude.
She could feel the hot tears in her eyes as she tried to find a way to get down to the riverbank.
“Jude!” she cried out. “My love
. Where are you?”
“Cleo?”
The sound of her name coming in Jude’s voice sent her body into a frenzy. The pain that had plagued her seemed to disappear as she hobbled toward the river’s edge. There she found Jude kicking Aidan off of him and pushed the soldier’s body into the river. She crumbled next to Jude and showered him and kisses.
“How did ye?” Jude said as he cupped his hands to her face. She knew immediately something was wrong by the way his eyes glossed over.
“I found flowers in Aidan’s room,” Cleo explained, “nightshade. He’s been the behind the poisoning.”
“I ken, he confessed everythin’. He was not the only conspirator,” Jude said as his hand slipped from Cleo’s face.
Highlander’s Wicked Temptation: A Steamy Scottish Historical Romance Novel Page 19
