Connie C. Scharon - Highland Legends 02

by Phantom Bride

  "A lady must do what is necessary…."

  "Lady? That'll be the day!"

  Her eyes turned ice blue. "I'm here for you! I traveled all this way to find you—to tell you I'd settle for being your whore and all you can do is ask me about eavesdropping."

  "Stay out of this, Claire."

  "It was your faceless wife who announced to all those in the hall how you pleased her the night before. When the maid left, I had to listen for myself to see if it was true."

  "Ear to the door, no doubt."

  "Do you think it was easy for me? The sounds I heard at first put a knife through my heart, and then…." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Liam, she's crazy. You must get away from her before she… before she kills you like she did her first husband." Covering her face with her hands, Claire burst into tears.

  Liam felt his whole body tense. He fought to hold his temper in check. "Where did you hear such a ridiculous thing? Devon didn't kill her first husband. She was badly burned trying to save him from the fire."

  Claire sniffled and wiped her eyes with a lace handkerchief. "Is that what she told you?"

  "Others told me this. I've never discussed it with Devon. It's too painful for her."

  Moving closer, Claire ran her hand over his chest, stroking him. "I love you," she choked through her tears. "I love you and this mad woman is going to destroy you! Please, you must listen to me."

  He held up his hand to silence her. "I don't want to hear it, Claire."

  Ignoring him, she continued. "The night they pulled her from the fire Devon raged on about having killed Frazer until Moira got her safely out of earshot."

  "Who told you this?"

  "Moira, Garyth, her father, maybe Bryce, they all know she killed Frazer. But they protect her, each for their own reason."

  Liam grabbed her wrists roughly. "Who," he demanded.

  Her skin was pale, her breath shallow. "Garyth," she breathed. "Liam, I fear for your life. Leave her and come away with me. I can make you happy—I know I can." Claire dropped to her knees at his feet. "Please, I have no pride left. Come with me now. Leave this house of evil and come live with me. I would cast aside all societies’ expectations to have you by my side."

  "I don't believe Devon killed her husband, though I have no doubt she feels responsible somehow for his death. I won't leave her, not for you, not for anyone, no matter how discordant our marriage seems right now." Liam leaned down and pulled Claire to her feet. "If you really love me, accept this. I can never return your love."

  "How can you be so cruel? I've loved you for years, yet you insist on ignoring me. I beg you not to be so naive you lose your life to this madwoman." Claire stood on tiptoe and tried to pull his lips to hers. "Let me show you how much I love you. Make me scream the way she did," she urged in a breathless whisper.

  "The way you made Garyth tell you everything last night, seducing him with false promises of more nights with you." Liam grabbed her face savagely. She whimpered and tried to cling to him. "I don't want you, not now, not ever!"

  She struck blindly at him. Liam captured her wrists and began pulling her to the door. "I hope she does kill you!" Claire railed. "It would save me the trouble!"

  Jerking her around, Liam pulled her face to within an inch of his nose. He could see the impressions of his fingers on her fair face, a stark reminder of his slipping control. "If you breathe one word about Devon to anyone, there will be no place you can hide from my anger," he threatened. She stared at him with a strange smile sliding over her face. He shook her. "Do you understand?"

  Claire nodded as Liam noticed the open door. Devon stood in the doorway. "I understand perfectly, darling," Claire purred, planting a quick kiss on Liam's bare chest and fleeing the room.

  Devon stood frozen in place as Claire brushed by her.

  "Devon, it's not…." Walking over, he drew her into his arms. She came hesitantly, but allowed him to pull her to his chest and kiss her veiled head. "Please say something," he whispered.

  "You must be an insatiable man to have me, and then the Duchess," she said.

  Liam grabbed her shoulders and pulled her out of his chest, gazing heatedly into the sheer netting. He could see her eyes gleaming back at him—tear filled? He couldn't be sure. "I love you," he said softly.

  She drew in her breath sharply. "I was coming to apologize… for this morning." Her head dropped. "I can't stand that woman touching you." He started to encircle her with his arms, but she stiffened. "Is Claire your lover?"

  "For awhile we were lovers… some time ago, but I gave her up months before I met you."

  Devon touched his chest with her hand. "She knows what it's like to be with you."

  "Devon, what I had with Claire was never like the burning fever that overtakes me when I'm with you. There was never any love involved."

  "Not on your part perhaps." Devon looked at him. "Why was she in our room?"

  "She listened outside our door this morning when we made love."

  Devon let out a strangled gasp. "She told you this?"

  "She heard you berate me and leave. She tried to turn the incident to her advantage, but I refused her advances. It's you I love."

  He saw Devon's shoulders quiver. There was a long silence. "I believe you," Devon said quietly.

  "Then why did you accuse me of being like Frazer this morning? I've never hurt you."

  "I suppose it's easier to be angry with you than to allow you into my heart… to let down all my defenses. You make me feel so vulnerable."

  "Talk to me, I need to know what I did wrong this morning."

  She leaned against him briefly, accepting his hug. "You frightened me," she whispered.

  "Why?"

  "I lose myself in the heat of your caress. I lose control and it scares me. Control is the only thing that kept me intact through years of Frazer's abuse. It crumbles at your feet and I know abject terror at the thought you can take down the wall which protects me." Devon pulled back from his chest. "I don't expect you to understand."

  "Devon," he whispered. "I take down the wall so you can be free to live again. You don't need the control with me. Enjoy the freedom of letting yourself go." He paused with a deep intake of breath. "Are you still angry with me?"

  "It isn't you, it's me. I need some time to think. We'll talk more this evening. I have some things to attend to now." Her hand moved to open the door and his larger hand went over it, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze.

  "No matter how long it takes, I'll be with you. As far as I'm concerned it really is till death do us part," he told her.

  "Is that supposed to be reassuring?" she questioned, turning back to face him. He could see her eyes glittering at him from beneath the filmy veil. "I suppose it is," she answered her own question. "With Frazer that statement was a threat." Turning from his bewildered face, she left the room.

  Liam stared after her until she disappeared from view. Muttering a low curse, he finished dressing and made his way out of the manse.

  The day was gray with the threat of snow and a bitter wind swept across the Highlands chilling every warm-blooded creature to the bone. The cold dampness of the air cleared his head as he walked in the direction of Fenella's cottage.

  He had to believe Devon would come around. The intensity of their passion would pull her from her secure shell into a world of brightness and light when she found love with him. No woman who could spark such a flame within him could choose to live without him, he simply wouldn't allow it. After all, she had come back to apologize and even after finding him with Claire, she expressed her feelings. He had renewed hope.

  Somewhat satisfied with his rationale, his mind moved to the pressing problem of Fenella's murder. Every time he tried to investigate, he found more suspects. The woman had something on half the people of Dunsmore Heath. Who was so threatened they had to kill her to guarantee her silence?

  The body had multiple stab wounds. It was overkill, perhaps a crime of madness. Involuntarily his mind f
lew back to Claire's words. Exactly what had happened the night of the fire? More than one person accused his wife of being irrational, maybe crazy, and her name was in the ledger.

  Was his love for Devon getting in the way of the truth? Abused by Frazer Forbes she was barely surviving, then Frazer died and she was free from her oppression only to find his brother planned to recapture her. Under the circumstances, what was she capable of doing?

  He reached the door of Fenella's cottage and rapped. When the door pulled open, Elspeth had an empty look in her eyes. It was a few seconds before his presence registered. She gave him a weak smile.

  "Milord, come in," she murmured, stepping back to let him pass her. "Please, 'ave a seat."

  Liam sat in the chair she offered and watched her sink into one opposite him. She looked pale and preoccupied. "I haven't found your mother's killer," Liam began. "I was hoping you might be able to help me with a few things."

  "I'll try, Milord. Would you like somethin' to drink, perhaps a sip of ale? It would warm ye on a cold day."

  "Nothing, thank you."

  She folded her hands across her lap. "Ask me whatever you like."

  "What was your relationship with Fenella?"

  "You know she was my stepmother." The girl's eyes darted to his.

  "Garyth suggested to Devon that Fenella sold you to Frazer. Is it true?" Elspeth turned her face from his stark perusal. "I'm sorry to be asking such difficult questions, but… it's necessary."

  "Garyth takes me to 'is bed and learns my darkest secrets so he can tell yer wife. Then he rushes off to sleep with Duchess Claire Hartgrove." She spat out the name as if it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

  "I know," Liam said sympathetically. "Please, tell me what happened."

  Elspeth fought back tears. "Fenella said I 'ad to earn my keep. I had lived with her for ten years before the men came 'round suggestin' my true worth. In those days, I wished I were ugly. At least then, none of them fine gentlemen would 'ave wanted me." She paused and wiped her eyes.

  "And she sold you to them." Liam felt a knot forming in the pit of his stomach.

  "Fenella took care of me as best she could. She gave me potions to keep me from gettin' with child. She hoped one of the gentlemen would take me for his wife, but… Bryce didn't want 'is brother's whore in any permanent way." She hesitated and shifted in her chair. "There's somethin' you should know…."

  She had stopped talking and was gazing hard into his face. "Tell me."

  She shrugged and brushed her hair off her forehead. "Bryce has an unnatural desire for yer wife. He and Frazer were twins and they usually shared everythin'."

  "Would Bryce have committed murder to get Devon?" Liam asked.

  "I suppose it depends who he 'ad to kill," Elspeth said thoughtfully. "He hated his brother for always being the one to get everythin'—Dunsmore Heath, Devon, and even me. Frazer was married to the woman Bryce wanted, and yet it was Frazer who paid a high price to take my innocence a few weeks after the weddin'. It galled Bryce."

  "Is the whole family perverted?"

  Elspeth smiled. "I suppose they are to a fine man like yerself. How is Lady Devon?"

  "Devon's fine."

  She seemed surprised. "Both Frazer and Bryce complained Devon 'ad become… different, especially after she lost the baby." She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Milord. Maybe you did not know about the baby." She dropped her eyes to her lap.

  "Devon told me. I think any woman would go through a period of mourning after such an event, especially the way it happened."

  Elspeth raised her eyes to look at him. "Why are you really here, Milord? Does yer wife leave you as dissatisfied as she did her first husband? Perhaps I could be of service."

  "I have no need for your services," he assured her.

  "No, I suppose you are too fine to lay with the likes of me." Elspeth drew her legs up on the chair in front of her and circled them with her arms. "Are we through yet? Or did you come to accuse me of my own mother's murder?"

  Liam stood and walked over to chair, gently touching her shimmering hair with his hand. "I'm sorry if I've upset you," he said softly. "I didn't mean to. I had to ask about anyone who might have had reason to kill Fenella. After what she did to you, I guess I thought you had reason."

  She grasped his hand and kissed it. "Oh Milord, you're such a kind man. Are you sure you 'ave no need of me? I'd be very discreet and keep myself only for you. I need someone to look out for me. There's no one else who cares."

  "Elspeth, I'm your laird, and I'll watch out for you without such crude payment." He paused. "How's your job in the kitchen coming?"

  She stiffened. "It is fine, Milord. I guess that's all I'm suited for."

  Liam studied the ruined woman-child before him. "I'm sorry your life has been so difficult, Elspeth. I could send you to Dunbocan, if you wish. You could make a new start. Maybe you could find a good man and settle down and raise a family."

  "You want to send me away!" she cried. "This is the world I know, I canna leave it."

  "Give it some thought," Liam urged. "If there's anyone who deserves to start over it's you." When she said nothing, he went to the door. "Goodbye, Elspeth," he said, exiting the cottage. He heard her sobs as he walked away.

  All the women in the world were acting peculiar today, and he had the unfortunate circumstance to be at the center of their strangeness. He spied Garyth headed for Fenella's cottage. "Garyth," Liam called. "I would have a word with you."

  Garyth came to stand in front of him. "Yes Milord."

  "You spent the night with the Duchess, did you not?"

  A look of uncertainty flashed across Garyth's face. He cast his eyes down.

  "Aye Milord, but now I realize the woman sought to pry into the mysteries of Dunsmore Heath. I was a fool to confide in her. She hasn't caused any trouble, has she?"

  "She told me a bizarre story about Devon. Something about her saying she killed Frazer the night of the fire."

  "Milord, it's nothing. Lady Claire distorts my words to her own purpose. Devon was very upset and rambling incoherently the night we saved her from the fire. Claire made up the rest to suit herself."

  "Don't repeat anymore stories about my wife, not to anyone," Liam warned. "I thought you cared for Devon."

  "Yes Milord, I've learned my lesson all too well with Lady Claire's help. She's a vicious woman, bent on having you or destroying you. I wouldn't trust her at all."

  "I don't," Liam said. "Are you going to see Elspeth?"

  "Aye, Milord."

  "Do you care for the girl at all? She seems very upset today, and I think it's because of your dalliance with Claire."

  Garyth hung his head. "I fear I have used Elspeth badly, just like everyone else I suppose."

  "She deserves better."

  "Aye Milord, but I have trouble getting past the fact she's shared herself with the Forbes brothers and their friends."

  "Do you think any of that was of her choosing?"

  He shook his head. "I know it wasn't, but it cuts a man to know his woman has had so many others."

  "The girl has lived too much for someone so young. Have a care with her.

  Garyth nodded.

  "Is that all then?"

  "Yes," Liam said, continuing on his way. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Garyth enter Fenella's cottage. He wondered if poor Elspeth would ever be free of the role her wicked stepmother had cast upon her.

  Liam spent the next few hours talking with the peasants at neighboring cottages, but they stuck to their original stories of the night of Fenella's murder. Either whoever had done the deed had paid them to keep their silence, or they had no idea who the true culprit was.

  The snow that threatened all day finally let loose, covering the ground in white before Liam returned wearily from his errand.

  Nigel and Bryce sat in the great hall awaiting dinner. Liam was eagerly anticipating their departure, so he decided he'd bypass them by heading straight for his chamber.

 
A fire crackled in the hearth when he entered the room. Devon's robe from the night before lay across the bearskin where he first brought her to fulfillment as a woman. There was a bottle of wine sitting by the fire with a single glass and a small, white, folded paper.

  Leaning down Liam took up the note and read it. Two simple words were on the page, "I'm sorry". He smiled to himself. Sitting down by the fire, he opened the wine and poured himself a glass, anticipating a much more interesting night than he had first imagined.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Liam was noticeably absent from the group who gathered in the great hall. Devon watched her father walk over. Grabbing her arm, he took her aside. "We cannot begin without him, he's laird here now. Where is he?"

  "I don't know."

  Calling one of the servants, Malcolm questioned him, and then came back to Devon. "Christian says he saw Liam enter your chamber an hour ago. Shall I go and fetch him, or will you?"

  "You go. I'll make sure everything is ready for our guests." Malcolm gave her a questioning look, and then strode off toward the stairs.

  "Is there some problem?" Claire asked.

  "Liam is late for dinner and the meal will be spoiled unless we find him soon."

  "We could begin without him," Claire suggested.

  "I think not. This is his castle and his table," she reminded the Duchess.

  "Yes, such as it is," Claire said, idly gazing around the room. "He'd have been richer by far if he was with me."

  "But Duchess, after meeting you, I understand perfectly why my husband isn't with you."

  Claire's face colored with rage. "Maybe you should enlighten me."

  Just then, Bryce walked over and Devon bit back her reply. "If you'll excuse me, I must check on dinner." Devon practically flew out of the room, leaving Claire to stare after her.

  ***

  The incessant knocking sound brought Liam out of his stupor. He tried to call out, but his voice sounded like a hoarse rattle reverberating in his throat. The knock came again, and then the door opened. Liam could just make out the bleary image of Malcolm peering into the room. Shoving past the heavy, oak frame, he caught sight of Liam sprawled on the floor.