“But why would you—”
Her eyes narrowed. “My father said there was an English governess sent here for my sister’s son. He mentioned ye were quite bonny and I had to see for myself, but frankly, I donna see what he sees. Ye have a lot of questions for being a governess, unless of course ye are more than what ye seem.”
“I was sent here to educate the boy, nothing more. I thought you might need my help, but clearly I was wrong.” She turned her back on Ruairi’s sister-in-law and started to walk toward the door.
“Mmm…I cannae help but notice how concerned ye are for my sister’s son, or mayhap ’tis because ye share Ruairi’s bed.”
Without hesitation, Ravenna laughed and turned to face Cotrìona. “How dare you insult me! I am English. I do not lie with Scots,” she said with disgust. “I watched Laird Sutherland strike down a defenseless man. He has no honor. When I saw you in the great hall, I thought you needed help. Apparently, you can manage on your own.”
Cotrìona took a sip of wine. “Ye’re either verra daft or verra clever.” She hesitated. “I’m nae yet sure which. My father will be here on the morrow, and the last I require is help from the English.”
Ravenna shrugged with indifference. “Very well.” She reached for the latch on the door.
“Howbeit there is something ye could do for me.”
***
Ruairi didn’t sleep very well. How could he? At least he managed to rest for a few hours. He rose from the bed and resumed his place in the chair by Torquil’s side. There was a knock on the door and Fagan entered.
“Och, he is the same.”
Ruairi shook his head. “I cannae stand to see him like this.”
“’Tis difficult, but donna forget the lad is a Sutherland. He’ll pull through this.” Fagan sat down. “I checked on Angus. John had him walking around for a wee bit. I think he’s getting better.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“I know this isnae a good time, but we need to talk. The Gordon will be here on the morrow.”
“As will Ian.”
“Ruairi, I know ye’re distraught over Torquil and ye have a right to be, but—”
“The safety of my clan doesnae stop because of my son. The moment I lower my guard is the time I should nay longer be laird.” Ruairi rubbed his hand over his brow. “The Gordon and his daughters have played me for a fool long enough. They encroached on my lands, killed my cattle, stole my coin, and then expected me to join them.
“The bastard runs a fool’s errand with Stewart and the Setons. I have yet to speak to Ian, but I think he’ll agree. We will nae fight the English so my father-in-law can gain the favor of Stewart. ’Tisnae my intention to start a war with the Gordon, but I think ’tis now inevitable. Dhè beanniach dh’an cheum a bheil mi dol.” God bless the steps on the path I take.
“Ye know I stand by whatever decision ye make. And what of Ravenna?”
“She knows the Gordon comes on the morrow, but that is all she will know.” He hesitated. “And I have yet to tell her about Cotrìona.”
“Well, whatever ye tell her, ye’d best tell her something soon. A word of advice if I may… Ravenna was in the great hall when Cotrìona was being escorted away.”
“Damn. What did ye tell her?”
“Naught. I’m nae daft.”
There was another knock at the door and one of the kitchen maids cracked it open. “Pardon, my laird. Was the tray that Mistress Denny brought ye enough until ’tis time to sup? I was wondering if ye wanted anything else to eat or drink.”
“I didnae receive… How long ago was this?”
“Oh, ’tis been a wee bit over an hour, my laird.”
Ruairi looked at Fagan and both of them stood.
***
Cotrìona gestured for Ravenna to sit. “Can ye find out for me if the wolf still lives?”
“Why would you concern yourself with Angus?” asked Ravenna. She tried to rein in her frustration.
“’Tis only a matter of time before Ruairi discovers I tampered with the animal’s food. He and my nephew have favored the beast since it was a pup. If the wolf dies, I donna think my brother-by-marriage will be so forgiving on the morrow.”
A soft gasp escaped Ravenna. “Why would you poison Angus?”
“That isnae your concern. Are ye able to find out about the wolf or nae? ’Tis a simple task that I ask of ye.”
Ravenna nodded.
“Good. Return later. If Ruairi will nae release me on the morrow when my father arrives, I’ll want to see my nephew. I know the lad will be able to persuade Ruairi to release his aunt.”
Shock and anger lit up Ravenna’s eyes as she stood. One thing was perfectly clear. Cotrìona didn’t give a damn about Ruairi or his son. She was completely callous and would do anything for her own gain. And that made her dangerous. Ravenna knew she needed to tread lightly.
“I must go. The guard will soon be suspicious.”
“I’m glad I am nae the only one who sees Ruairi’s ways.”
Ravenna nodded and then opened the door. The huge Highland guard blocked her way and she tapped him on the shoulder. “Pray excuse me.”
The man moved to the side and she stepped around him.
“What the hell do ye think ye’re doing?”
“Ruairi…”
Seventeen
Ravenna was so angered by Cotrìona’s words and demeanor that she didn’t bother trying to mask her own guilt about being there. Grabbing Ruairi’s arm, Ravenna led him away from the door. She was blinded by rage and hadn’t noticed the assessing look on Ruairi’s face. She walked with hurried purpose, leading him through the halls to his study. Once the door closed, she leaned against it and sighed.
“I would begin by offering you apologies for taking it upon myself to find out the identity of that woman, but right now, I’m trying desperately to keep myself from throttling her.” She paused and searched Ruairi’s eyes. “When did you find Cotrìona in the tunnels?”
“She told ye? And how do ye know of the tunnels?”
“That woman had no trouble telling me what she thought about many things.” Ravenna’s eyes widened and she reached out to touch his arm. “I’m sorry. How is Torquil?”
“He is the same. Fagan is with him now. Please sit.” He gestured to a chair and sat down behind his desk. “Why were ye there, Ravenna? Ye had nay right to be.”
She flinched at his tone of voice, and when his eyes darkened, she tried to calm the blood that pounded in her ears. “I was with Fagan in the great hall when Cotrìona was being escorted by your guard. I’ve never seen Fagan act so strangely, and he wouldn’t answer any of my questions. I was going to ask you about the woman, but you were with Torquil. I didn’t want to—”
“So ye decided to find out on your own?” He bristled. “Fagan didnae answer your questions for a reason. Ye should’ve thought this through. Ye ne’er should’ve… Why in the hell would ye enter her chamber? Ye had nay idea who this woman was. What if she had harmed ye?” He let out a deep breath. “Ye placed yourself in a verra dangerous situation. Again. Why am I nae surprised? This seems to be the way of ye.”
Ravenna waved him off. “I’m all right.” There was a heavy moment of silence and then she added, “You must know that when I found out the woman was your sister-in-law, I told her I was Torquil’s governess and led her to believe that I didn’t favor you.”
He raised his brow. “Why would ye do that? Ne’er mind. I understand why.”
“Ruairi, she told me that if you don’t release her to her father on the morrow, she’ll use Torquil to persuade you to do so. How could a woman use her own nephew that way?” She threw up her hands in the air with renewed disgust.
He smirked. “Aye, well, I am not surprised. She is her father’s daughter. Ne’er forget that, lass.” He paused. “But I donna understand something she said to ye. I told her I would release her when her father comes on the morrow. Why would she think that I wouldnae? I sure as hell donna
want her under my roof for any longer than is necessary. She would know that.”
Ravenna smirked. “Because she wasn’t sure you’d release her once you found out.”
“Found out what?”
“She poisoned Angus.”
***
Ruairi slammed his fist on the desk and rose to his feet. “Mo mhallachd ort!” Damn.
“Why are you sorry? It’s not your fault.”
He rubbed his hand over his brow. “Ravenna, ye need to learn your Gaelic. That’s not what that means. Och, ne’er mind.” He rounded the desk and started to pace.
“I don’t understand why she’d go to such lengths to poison Angus,” said Ravenna with exasperation.
He smirked. “I’ll tell ye why. Because Angus stood guard with Fagan. She wanted Angus out of the way so she could carry out her true purpose…to steal my coin.”
“Steal your coin? Why would she want to do that? She was taking a big chance by coming here. Why risk being caught?”
“After the Gordon’s visit, he told her that he’d asked to renew an alliance with me. Cotrìona claims she only set foot on my lands after her father was here. She knew I would ne’er join her father and thought the least I could do was support their cause.”
“What cause is that?”
He was so deep in thought that he didn’t hear her question. “Up until now, I didnae realize how verra cunning my wife was. Anna spied on me in my own home. That’s how she found out where I hid the Sutherland coin. She told Cotrìona some time before her passing.”
A strange look passed over Ravenna’s face. Biting her lip, she looked away. He could see she was as unsettled by his words as he was. How could his wife spy on him under his own roof without his knowledge? He was laird. He should’ve been aware of that fact. How could he be expected to take care of his clan when he didn’t know what was occurring under his own roof? For God’s sake, Ravenna must think him a daft fool for not even knowing his wife had betrayed him, but he didn’t have time to dwell upon that fact now. There were far more pressing concerns.
“What will you do?”
“I donna know, but I want ye to stay far away from Cotrìona. Do ye understand me?”
She nodded. “You won’t get any argument from me on that one. And what of Torquil?”
“I should go to him now.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know what ye meant. In truth, I donna know. His aunt is a venomous woman. She ne’er wanted anything to do with Torquil when my wife was alive. That’s why I donna like any Gordon near my son. I donna trust the lot.”
Ravenna placed her hand gently on his arm in a comforting gesture.
“The Gordon will be here on the morrow and remove Cotrìona from my sight. My main concern is Torquil. Naught else matters.” He realized his words sounded harsh and he brushed his fingers against her cheek. He didn’t miss the trace of sadness that washed over her face before she quickly masked it.
“I’m truly glad that I met you, Laird Ruairi Sutherland.”
And that was all she said.
***
Clan politics were something Ravenna didn’t think she’d ever master. She knew games were played among those at King James’s court. This lord or that lord sold secrets to the French, a husband had a mistress, a wife had a lover, but no one she knew had ever stolen coin from their own family for political aspirations. And Cotrìona’s actions made Ravenna ponder something further. In fact, one question weighed heavily on her mind.
What did Laird Gordon want Ruairi to do?
The man had asked Ruairi to renew his alliance. Why? She wanted to put all the pieces together, but her head was puzzled by new thoughts. When she opened the door to Torquil’s chamber, Fagan met her gaze.
“I’ll keep watch now, Fagan.”
He rose and approached her. For a moment, he was silent and his expression was troubled. “I know where Ruairi found ye. Ye stay away from Cotrìona for your own safety, lass.”
Too tired to argue, Ravenna merely nodded.
The door closed and she resumed her place by Torquil’s side. She sighed and brushed the back of her hand across his cheek. “What are we going to do?” She could’ve sworn the boy’s eyelids fluttered in response and she stared at his face, trying not to blink. “Torquil, can you hear me? Can you do that again?”
Ruairi walked through the door, and for a moment, Ravenna thought to tell him what she thought she’d seen. When he sat down beside her and a grave expression crossed his face, she decided against it. The man had been through enough. She didn’t want to give him false hope, and she wasn’t even certain she had seen anything.
“Will Laird Munro be arriving soon?”
“Aye. I expect him either later this eve or early on the morrow. I imagine he will be quite surprised when he does arrive.”
Ravenna wasn’t sure if Ruairi’s words were regarding Torquil or Cotrìona—undoubtedly both—so she decided to keep quiet.
“I donna want ye anywhere near the great hall or my study when the Gordon arrives. Ye will keep to your chamber or stay with Torquil.”
“I understand. Would you like me to get you a tray with something to eat?”
He raised his brow. “Mmm… Is that your way of telling me that ye will again seek out Cotrìona and try to slip through my guard?”
She lowered her voice and shook her head. “No, Ruairi. I—”
“I was only jesting with ye because I certainly hope ye learned your lesson the first time.”
“All too well, I’m afraid.”
“Have a maid bring something for us both.” She stood and he grabbed her hand. “If ye’re nae back within the hour, I will come searching for ye.” When her eyes widened, he slapped her playfully on the bottom.
She opened the door and turned around. “I’ll be back soon.”
Now that Ravenna had time to think about her actions, she had to admit that forcing her way into Cotrìona’s chamber was not one of her best ideas. Having been placed in these predicaments so many times before, she was usually skilled at thinking of a quick explanation. Yet, Cotrìona had made her lose all sense of reason and she had been unable to give Ruairi a logical excuse for her presence. There was no sense dwelling on that further.
She walked to the kitchens, where the maid placed bread and meats on a tray, as well as a wine flask. Carrying the tray, Ravenna walked into the great hall and froze when a bunch of burly men strode into the room. They wore kilts of red, green, and blue. The same colors as the… God, she couldn’t remember. The tartan was either Munro or Gordon. The brawny Highland men all appeared the same to her, the only difference being the colored tartan each of them wore with pride.
She didn’t even realize she’d released the breath she held until Laird Munro came into the hall. He spotted her and his eyes twinkled. Placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, he walked toward her.
“Ah, Mistress Denny, isnae it? A pleasure to see ye again.”
“And you as well, Laird Munro. I was just taking this tray up to Laird Sutherland.”
Laird Munro smirked. “Since when does Ruairi take his meal in his bedchamber?”
“Oh, he’s not… I’ll let him know you’ve arrived.” She lifted her foot and reached the first step when his voice halted her.
“Now I remember ye.”
She heard herself swallow. “Pardon?” she asked in an innocent tone.
“I told Ruairi I ne’er forget a face. I thought ye looked familiar when I saw ye here before. I remember ye now. I saw ye the last time I was at court.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. Perhaps you are mistaken.”
“Nay, I’m sure that was ye. Ye were with Lord Mildmay.”
Uncle Walter.
***
The door swung open and Ruairi opened his eyes. He hadn’t even realized he’d fallen asleep. His back ached between his shoulder blades, the chair an uncomfortable bed partner as of late.
“Ian just arrived,” said Fag
an. “Ravenna is coming along right behind me with a tray from the kitchens. Ye donna think we need to be concerned about the lass seeking out Cotrìona again, do we?”
“Nay. Ravenna is a wise woman. She doesnae want to bear Cotrìona’s presence any more than we do.”
Fagan folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall as they waited—and waited.
“Will ye stay with Torquil for a moment? I’ll see where she is.”
Fagan nodded and Ruairi stepped out into the hall. Surely the lass wouldn’t go back on her promise. When he reached the landing, he saw Ian speaking in hushed tones with Ravenna below. As Ruairi descended the stairs, he kept in mind that his friend always had a way with the lasses that was difficult to understand, but from the look on Ravenna’s face, she was not too happy with Ian at the moment.
Ian cleared his throat. “What is amiss around here? Ye all look as though someone has died. Please tell me luck is on our side and mayhap ’twas the Gordon—although one would think ye’d all be a wee bit more enthusiastic if the bastard met his demise. What the hell is going on?”
Ruairi slapped Ian on the shoulder. “Much has happened since I’ve seen ye last.” Ruairi turned to Ravenna. “Fagan and I must speak with Munro. Could ye please see to Torquil?”
“Of course.” She handed Ruairi the tray. “Why don’t you take the food for yourself and Laird Munro? I’m sure he must be hungry after the journey.” She lowered her voice. “And please make certain you eat as well.”
“I will, thank ye. Could ye please send Fagan down to join us?” She nodded and he watched her climb the steps.
Ruairi turned and escorted his friend to the study. When he gestured to a chair and pulled out the ale, Ian smirked.
“Why is it that I always find myself needing a wee drink or two around ye of late?”
“When ye hear what I have to say, ye’re going to need several,” Ruairi said dryly.
Fagan closed the door and took his seat beside Ian. Ruairi filled their tankards, not even bothering to wipe the fallen drops that had escaped the flask and landed on his desk. He lifted his cup in the air and saluted his closest friends.
My Highland Spy Page 17
