Highland Sinner

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Highland Sinner Page 14

by Hannah Howell


  “They wouldnae wait for me to tell ye they were here,” grumbled Walter, glaring at Nora.

  Nora paid him no heed, her gaze fixed upon Tormand and how he was holding Morainn in his arms. The look of righteous fury on her friend’s sweet face fascinated Morainn. She was startled when Nora shook off the grip of her betrothed, who was starting to look uncomfortable, and marched toward her and Tormand. A moment later she was yanked out of Tormand’s arms and stumbled into Nora’s.

  “What have ye done to her?” demanded Nora. “She looks terrible.”

  “Thank ye, my friend,” Morainn murmured, but Nora paid her no heed.

  “James, get ye over here and pound this lecherous swine into the mud.”

  “Ah, Nora, my love,” began James.

  Nora did not wait to hear his excuses, but kept glaring at Tormand. “Why is she here?”

  “Actually, Nora, I was wondering how ye e’en kenned I was here,” Morainn said before Tormand or anyone else had a chance to answer the question.

  “That fool woman Magda is telling everyone in town that this mon has brought in the witch to help save himself from hanging. Weel, I didnae believe her, so I went out to the cottage. Ye werenae there and neither were your cats. So, I had James bring me here.”

  “There was no stopping her,” said Sir James as he moved closer to the table to accept the tankard of ale Simon silently offered him.

  Nora gave her beloved a look that cried him a traitor and then returned to glaring at Tormand. “I still didnae want to believe ye had entered the house of this mon, but when we knocked upon the door and it was opened, I saw William sitting in the hall. That was when I kenned ye really had entered this sinner’s house. I have come to rescue ye from him.”

  “Ah, Nora, I do love ye,” said Morainn, “but I dinnae need to be rescued.”

  “All women need to be rescued from the likes of him.”

  “There is some truth in that, I suppose. Nora, help me to my bedchamber and I will do my best to explain everything.”

  Frowning at Morainn in concern, Nora asked, “Are ye sick?”

  “Nay, the vision I just had has taken a lot out of me and my head hurts. I need to rest, but I can talk while I am lying abed with a cool cloth on my head. Come, help me up the stairs.” She looked at the men even as Nora began to help her out of the great hall. “Gentlemen,” she said, ignoring Nora’s snort at that appellation, “this is my dear friend Nora Chisholm and I have the feeling ye all ken her betrothed so, if ye will excuse us?” When they all murmured wishes that she would soon recover, she let Nora take her to her room.

  The moment the women were gone, Tormand looked at Sir James Grant. “So, Grant, ye intend to marry that woman?”

  Sir James grinned and briefly toasted Tormand with his tankard of wine. “I do. She has spirit.” He laughed along with the other men, but then grew serious and gave Tormand a hard look. “She loves Morainn like a sister and feels a need to protect her because of all the wrongs done the lass. I may nay have kenned the lass for verra long, but I feel much the same way.”

  “As do we,” said Simon. “Sit, Grant, and we will explain why Morainn is here.”

  “And tell me what I can and cannae tell others,” the younger man said cheerfully as he sat down.

  “Of course.”

  Breathing a sigh of relief as the cool, damp cloth touched with the scent of lavender was placed gently on her aching forehead, Morainn smiled at Nora when her friend sat down on the side of the bed. “Thank ye. I was beginning to fear my head would split apart. The touch of lavender in the water is already working its magic.”

  “These visions are so hard on ye,” murmured Nora. “Why did ye have one here?”

  “Because Sir Simon gave me something to hold. Nora, I came here to be safe. I was attacked at the cottage by the same ones who have killed those other women, but was fortunate enough to escape them along with Walin.”

  “Why? Ye arenae Sir Tormand’s lover. Are ye?”

  “Nay. The killers fear my gift might lead Sir Innes to them and they wished to make sure I couldnae help him in any way.”

  “Ye keep saying killers. It isnae just some madmon?”

  “’Tis a madmon and a madwoman. Sir Simon found hairpins at each site where the murders were done. I have held two thus far, but have only come up with a few scattered bits of information. I got more by listening to what those monsters said as they hunted for me and Walin in the woods. Still, I have to try. There are also my dreams. Little by little they are also telling me things that might be helpful.” She decided now was not a good time to tell Nora what else she dreamed about.

  “I suppose that is what your gift is for, helping in such matters, but ye looked so ill.”

  “’Tis because there is so much evil in the visions I get from the hairpins. The madness that afflicts this pair is also verra hard to bear.”

  Nora sighed and carefully moved to lie down at Morainn’s side. “So they brought ye here to protect ye, as weel as try to find some truth about these killers through your gift.”

  “Aye. The men downstairs are all staying here. Ye ken who Sir Innes is and Tormand. The others down there were two of Tormand’s brothers and two of his cousins. They came because one of the women in their family said Tormand was in danger.”

  Looking at Morainn in surprise, Nora asked, “Sir Tormand’s kin have gifts, too?”

  “That is what he told me. He said his clan was riddled with people who have some special gift. Even Sir Innes believes in the dreams now.”

  “Weel, at least ye can do some real good with your gift this time, instead of just helping some rich woman learn that her son is a thieving bastard.”

  Morainn laughed. “True.”

  “Ye could have come to me; I would have helped ye stay safe.”

  “And I may weel have brought these monsters to your door. Nay, coming here where I am surrounded by six strong men was better.”

  “Six strong, verra handsome men.”

  “One must endure the good with the bad.” She smiled when Nora laughed.

  “I agree ye are safer here, at least from the killers. But I meant it when I said I dinnae think any woman is safe from Sir Tormand Murray.”

  “Nay, I dinnae think they are. Howbeit, I do have a verra strong incentive to resist any attempts he may make to seduce me.”

  Nora frowned at her. “And what would that be?”

  “The mon has a list.”

  “A list of what?”

  “His lovers.”

  “He is keeping a score?” Nora asked in outrage.

  “Och, nay. Sir Simon asked him to make up a list of all the lovers he has had in this town and those who travel with the court. He wants to ken how many women are in danger. Weel, I saw the list and I am nay fully joking when I say they would need the entire king’s army to protect all the women on that list.”

  “Oh, my. He must be verra good at it then.”

  Morainn laughed even though it made her head hurt. “Aye, one must suppose so.” She sighed. “I refuse to be just another name on a list. For a moment I was foolish.” She saw Nora’s look of alarm. “Nay, not that foolish. A kiss only. But I thought the desire was for me, only me, until I saw that list. He but needed a woman and I was near at hand. I willnae be used that way.”

  “I worry about ye, Morainn.”

  “Because of Sir Tormand?”

  “Somewhat. Ye are a verra strong woman, my friend, but ye have a verra soft and gentle heart. A mon like him could sorely hurt you. But, in truth, I fear for your life more than I fear for your virtue.”

  Morainn patted her friend’s hand. “The men take watch every night. I feel safe here, Nora. And because they need my visions, I dinnae feel as though I am here on their sufferance. Aye, and because that woman Magda deserted Tormand, I also cook and care for the house. And Walin is as happy as I have e’er seen him. The men are verra good to him and I think it does him good to be about men for a while.”

&
nbsp; “The important thing is that ye are safe.”

  “Aye, ’tis how I see it. And nay just me. Walin is safe as weel.”

  “True.” Nora stood up and kissed Morainn’s cheek. “Rest and if ye cannae abide staying here any longer, but cannae go back to your cottage, please come to me. James will find men to guard us.”

  “Thank ye, Nora. I doubt I shall need to flee this place, but there is comfort in kenning that I have a place to go. There is one thing ye might do for me. I need someone to care for my animals and mayhap do a little work in the garden.”

  “Dinnae fret. I have a cousin who will be more than happy to tend to the cottage until ye get back. Now, rest and get your strength back.”

  The moment Nora was gone, Morainn sighed and closed her eyes. She felt as if she had worked for three days straight without rest. There was one hairpin left, but she was going to have to avoid it for a few days. By then she should be strong enough to try one more time to get something that Simon could use to catch these monsters.

  Tormand watched as Nora walked into the hall. She was glaring at him again. It stung and it annoyed him, but he would be courteous. She cared for Morainn and for that alone he would endure her censure without a word. He felt a little uneasy when she marched right up to him, however.

  “Ye had best take verra good care of her. She has suffered enough misery in her life and doesnae need a mon like ye bruising her tender heart.”

  Before he could respond to that, Grant bid everyone farewell and got his spirited betrothed out of the house. Tormand looked at Simon and his kinsmen. The scowl he gave them did nothing to dim the wide grins they wore. Even Walter wore a grin on his usually dour face.

  “Grant will have his hands full with that lass,” he said.

  “I am surprised ye let her speak to ye like that without saying anything,” said Uilliam.

  Tormand sighed. “She cares for Morainn. I have a reputation.” He ignored all the snorting that remark caused. “And she just wishes to be sure that not only Morainn’s life is protected while she is here.”

  “Weel, the lass does give ye some warm looks,” said Walter. “I dinnae see why ye should be expected to ignore that.”

  “I willnae have to ignore warm looks, Walter, because there willnae be any more. She saw the list.” He nodded at the looks of horror on the faces of his kinsmen and Walter. “’Tis verra hard to woo a lass when she has seen proof that the mon wooing her has—as she put it—bedded enough women that he will need a king’s army to protect them all.”

  “Woo? Ye mean to woo the lass?” asked Harcourt.

  “Aye, I mean to woo the lass,” Tormand answered between gritted teeth.

  “Do ye need some help? Ye havenae done much wooing in your life.”

  “I can woo a lass by myself, thank ye verra much.”

  “Weel, if ye feel as if ye need a word of advice, just come to me.” Harcourt stood up. “Time to wander about the town and see what we can find. Who is with me?”

  In minutes the great hall was cleared of everyone except Tormand. He sighed and poured himself some ale. It was going to be a long night. His mind was filled with memories of how sweet Morainn tasted and his body was crying out for more. Even recalling how she had looked at him after seeing that list did not chill the heat inside of him. The angry disdain he had seen there should have frozen any firey thoughts of her that had lit inside of him. He knew only one thing for certain—he had to get her back into his arms.

  He needed a plan, he decided. Up until she had seen that list, Morainn had been drawn to him. He had enough experience to recognize when a woman was interested in him, and he had seen that interest in Morainn’s fine eyes. Tormand was willing to do whatever it took to see it there again. In fact, he needed that so badly he would even be willing to ask for advice if what he planned did not work. He just prayed he would not have to, because he knew he would never hear the end of it.

  The soft thud of big paws drew his attention and he watched as William hopped up on a chair at the table. The cat stared at him and Tormand scowled at the cat. He still blamed the animal for what had happened, or rather not happened, in his ledger room. If he was a superstitious man, he could easily believe the cat had known what was going on and had come in on purpose to warn Morainn about the man she was kissing.

  “Ye can just go and catch mice. I dinnae need a cat tripping me up when I go awooing. And I intend to win your mistress, so ye had best get used to me.”

  And now I am talking to a cat, he thought. Morainn Ross is definitely turning my life upside down.

  Chapter 11

  “I think the mon is trying to woo me.”

  Morainn had to grin at the way Nora rolled her expressive eyes. They sat in the sunlit sewing room of the Chisholm house embroidering linens because Nora was determined to bring as much as she could to her marriage. Since she had no lands and was not rich, she said she would settle for chests full of linens and gowns. Her mother and sister had gone to her aunt’s house to work on the gowns, not only for the wedding, but to try to fulfill at least a few of Nora’s wants and needs. Pride was behind the flurry of work. The Chisholms were very determined to look as grand as any laird’s kinsmen at the wedding.

  That left her and Nora blissfully alone in the house, if one ignored the fact that Harcourt and Rory were wandering around guarding them both. Morainn had insisted upon making this visit not only to help Nora, but because she badly needed a friend to talk to and all the men had insisted that she have guards with her. Tormand in particular had not been pleased with the plan, but had eventually given in. She suspected those female relations he often talked about had let him know that sometimes a woman just needed to be with another woman.

  In truth, she thought with a smile, she also just needed a woman to talk to for a while. After days surrounded by men, a little boy who had now decided that he was a man too, and cats, just the sound of another woman’s voice made her feel better. They were all good men and she loved Walin, but sometimes a woman needed to talk with another woman and this was such a time. She certainly could not talk about what she needed to any of the men.

  “And how is he doing that?” asked Nora, a strong thread of contempt in her voice. “With flowers, jewels, and empty flatteries?”

  Resisting the sudden urge to defend Tormand, Morainn answered, “Weel, aye, there are flatteries, but I am nay sure they are empty. He compliments the work I do, my cooking, e’en the way the linens feel and smell. Oh, he does slip in a wee word or two about my bonnie smile, my lovely silken hair, and compares my eyes to the sea. Storm-tossed when I am annoyed and sun-kissed when I laugh.” She almost sighed as she recalled those pretty words and his deep seductive voice as he said them.

  “Oh.” Nora sighed in appreciation. “Those are good ones.”

  “I thought so.” Morainn was pleased to see that Nora was also touched by those sweet words, for it made her feel less like she was being an utter fool too easily swayed by pretty words. “And he does give me gifts, but nay flowers or jewels. A wee book of verses, a wooden goblet—”

  “Wooden! That mon can afford far better than that. James told me the mon is building a verra impressive fortune, e’en said he needed to talk to the mon to see if there were a few things he could learn from him.”

  “’Tis a lovely one with wee flowers carved into it, but, aye, he could have easily afforded to give me a silver one.” Morainn smiled. “But I would have had to give it back. Such a rich gift would taste too strongly of, weel, a bribe.”

  Nora frowned and then nodded. “Aye, it would have, wouldnae it. It would feel too much like a payment for your favors. Look what I gave ye, he thinks. Now ’tis time for ye to give me what I want. Cannae think that over such things as a wooden goblet, nay matter how bonnie it is. Clever mon. He is giving ye simple gifts.”

  “He is indeed. A ribbon he said reminded him of my eyes, a wee journal to write my thoughts in, as weel as the quill and ink to do so.” She nodded at Nora’s scowl.
“Rich for ones like ye and me, but small for a mon like him. ’Tis a verra plain one.

  “I think it all started a week ago. I was still so verra angry with the mon, but he stood by me during my vision, helping me find the strength and courage I needed, and he e’en rubbed my forehead to ease the throbbing there after the vision ended.”

  “Ye like him, dinnae ye? Morainn, the mon just wants to bed ye.”

  “I ken it, but, mayhap I would like to bed him.”

  “That doesnae surprise me. He is a handsome mon, as bonnie as the summer days are long, even with those mismatched eyes. But think on your reputation,” Nora began, only to pause and then grimace.

  “Exactly. Near everyone in town thinks I have already born a bastard child and they spend far too much of their time trying to guess who the father is e’en after all these years. And they all ken that I now abide in Tormand’s house, thanks to Magda and her lasses telling everyone they meet that she saw me arrive, that she had to leave to save her soul. Many truly believe that I am a witch and should like to see me suffer the same fate as my mother did. And let us nay forget how some think I got that cottage from the laird of Dubhstane by warming his bed whenever he wishes it. I have no good name to protect, Nora.”

  “Ye and those who love ye ken verra weel that ye arenae what the gossips claim ye are.”

  “I ken it and that knowledge eases the sting of what others say, but it doesnae silence them, does it? I would also like to think that those who love me would still do so e’en if I stepped off the righteous path for a wee while.”

  “Of course they would, but, Morainn, that mon just wishes to bed ye. Truly. Ye cannae be hoping for more than that from such as him.”

  “Most of the time I dinnae, but there is a wee foolish part of me that does, I fear.”

  “A mon like that isnae sincere. He but plays a game with women. Leaping from one bed to another like some demented toad.” Nora grinned when Morainn laughed. “Ye deserve far better than that and weel ye ken it.”

 

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