It was no wonder all fled, given the scowl Sean wore. “You’ve been eluding me all morn. You left in the midst of our discussion.”
She kept at her task and kneaded the ball of dough. “I thought you finished.”
“I asked you where they are.” He folded his arms over his chest and glared at her.
Lord he was handsome when his eyebrows furrowed. She placed a smile on her face and continued to go about mixing in flour, she was making dough of. “Where what are? Hand me that bowl, Maddie.”
The cook obliged her, and moved to the hearth and began stirring the pot that sat on the fire. She hummed to herself and Frances almost laughed, for she purposely tried not to listen to their conversation.
“Frances, you’re testing me, aye, and making me daft. My patience is worn. Go and retrieve the items. I want to see them. Now.” His voice clipped the demand.
She washed her hands and dried them on a cloth. “Now? Supper will be delayed and I promised Maddie I’d help. I’m in the middle of making bread. Surely it can wait.”
“I could give a damn if supper is delayed. Nay, it cannot wait.” His tone bore that ‘don’t-mess-with-me’ gruffness that she was beginning to get used to.
“Are you not busy? I heard tell that the men assembled and training began for the newer lads. I’m certain you don’t want to miss that. We can discuss it later, after supper.” She tried to dodge the conversation or at least change it.
“We’ll discuss it presently.” He left her no choice.
“Verily, you are akin to a wolfhound with a soup bone, aren’t you?” Frances grumbled under her breath. “Maddie, will you finish the bread?”
Maddie grinned and took the bowl from her. “Aye, my lady. Best see to the lord for he’s as ornery as my Stephen gets when something bothers him.”
She left the kitchens, brushing by Benson, and hastened back inside the keep and up the stairs to her chamber. If she thought her quick strides would keep her ahead of her husband, she’d be wrong. Sean was hot on her trail, right behind her, and as soon as she entered her chamber, he closed the door.
Frances didn’t know why she was being so coy about showing him the items. There was more to it than her not wanting to upset him. The embarrassment at receiving such horrid notes and such humiliated her. She didn’t want Sean to see them for that simple fact.
She set the items on the bedding and stood back.
Sean moved in, and gently pushed her aside, his corded forearm felt good against her. She was wont to suggest they forget the items and do something more pleasurable.
He opened the satchel and took out the box that held the blackened flowers. She smelled the scent of mold when he opened it. Then he read the message and took hold of the satchel. His hands gripped it so tightly, she though he’d tear it to shreds. She stood mute the entire time, forlorn and shamed.
The satchel was opened again and he took out her night-rail. “What’s this?”
“My night clothes,” she said, despondently.
His face instantly hardened. “Someone did this to your night clothes?” His voice lowered to a morose tone, she barely heard him.
She nodded. When she sighed and wouldn’t look at him, he stopped her from avoiding his gaze by lifting her chin.
“You’ve done nothing wrong. You are not at fault, Frances, and shouldn’t hold the blame.”
The anguish in her heart lessened. “I shouldn’t, but I do. Mayhap I hurt this person. I’ve tried to think of what I could’ve done … Who I could have wounded enough for them to be so vindictive.”
He gripped her night-rail, staring down at it. “How did they get it? Do you remember when it went missing?”
Frances leaned against the wall and tried to hide her despondency. “Nay, I don’t. I left it here when I went to Edinburgh. I was gone for six months and when I returned this was waiting for me. I thought it belonged to someone else, but no one claimed it.”
Sean shoved the item back in the satchel and closed it. “Someone had access to your bedchamber.”
“That’s what I thought and why I asked you to have another assigned to the watch downstairs. I thought mayhap Davy was asleep at his post when someone snuck in.”
He took her in his arms and held her close. “I cannot help but think that whoever did this is close. They went unnoticed here and were able to get inside your chamber. You could have been harmed. Do you deem it is someone within the clan?”
“Nay, I’ve lived here since I was a young lass. None would ever hurt me.”
“Who is your closest neighbor?” he asked.
“That would be Lord Lombard and then there’s the Ashford’s whose land borders ours. Both are about the same distance away.”
Sean returned to the objects and set them all back inside the satchel and took it in hand again. He read the few messages and his face grew more morose. The last missive left for her drew a daunting look to him. “Whoever is doing this is a contradiction. He leaves you vile messages and gifts and yet says he want you. Sound akin to a slaugh.”
“A slaugh?” Frances was intrigued. “What’s a slaugh? I’ve never heard of such a word.”
Sean tossed the parchments into the satchel. “An evil and dangerous Highland spirit. They’re supposed to be the souls of the wronged dead and prey on those with pure hearts.”
“Ah so you deem I have a pure heart?” She flashed a smile.
“The purest, and this is no time to jest, Frances.” His expression remained staid.
“I was hoping to relieve your tension. But aye, you are right, ‘tis not. Do you believe in such myths?” She smoothed a hand over his bicep and inched closer to him, hoping the gesture would calm him if even a little.
“Right now I don’t know what to believe, but we will be vigilant. I will hold on to these items. If you receive anything else, even if you deem it insignificant, I want know.”
“I will tell you. I vow, Sean, because I want you to trust me. I’m relieved they’ll be gone from my chamber. I should’ve burned them. I only held on to them should I needed to provide proof if someone tried to harm me.”
Before Sean strolled through the doorway, he stopped. “This is no longer your chamber. Have your belongings moved, Frances.”
“I will.”
“You’ll never have to see these again. I am going to pay a visit to Lombard today. He wasn’t at the meeting and I thought to see him there. Why don’t you come?”
“Really, you want me to join you?” She was surprised he invited her along.
“Aye, I’ll see if he’s had any recent troubles. I want to ask him questions about Winfred’s disappearance, too.”
A twinge of pain hit her in the chest. What if Winifred was killed and they never found her? Her heart ached. “I spoke with Lord Lombard and he said he ceased the search. It was on the day of our wedding. Uncle William’s men, ah, your men, have dismissed the search as well. I fear we will never find her.”
“I can send the men out again, Frances, to look for her, but I doubt it will help. If they haven’t found her by now … It is likely they never will. Did Lombard say why he would stop looking for her?”
She tried to remember. “Oh aye, he said he was going to be traveling soon for King Henry. He often travels to England and is away.”
“Let us hope he hasn’t left yet. Meet me downstairs in five minutes.”
* * *
Sean couldn’t contain his anger when he reached his chamber. He pitched the satchel holding the items on the floor near the window casement with as much force as he could muster. He fumed with rage. How he maintained a calm mien in her presence he wasn’t sure, but the lady was a tough-hearted.
Not many could receive such horrible messages, written in a threatening manner, and receive such gruesome gifts, and not be frightened out of her mind. The blood on her night-rail alone was enough to send the message that someone wanted to harm her. Mayhap more than harm, possibly kill.
After searching for a place to
hide the satchel, he shoved it inside the trunk in the chamber. He paced the length of the bed considering who would want to kill his wife.
Try as he might, he couldn’t come up with any reason why anyone would want to hurt Frances. She was too lovely and wasn’t involved in anything derogatory that he knew of. The only thing that kept niggling him was her unwanted suitors. He wondered if any of them were disappointed enough to want to threaten her. But the threats happened before she’d wed him, so that couldn’t be the reason.
Sean decided to start with Lord Lombard, and in the process, ferret out information. He didn’t like these dark troubles and felt evil was afoot. Someone was behind these deeds and he would find out who.
Now composed and after rationalizing his conjecture, he went to meet Frances at the entrance. She hadn’t arrived yet when he got to the door. James stood, leaning against the wall and inclined his head for him to take notice of Davy. The old man slept again, but now snoring and drooling. Sean needed to think of a clever way to demote the man.
“I need to speak to you later,” he said to James.
James nodded. “Aye, mayhap I’ll sup with you. I could use a good meal.”
“Have you been eating?”
“Aye, but I’m wanting something a bit more substantial. I miss milady’s cooking.”
Sean grinned because their lady was the best cook in all of the Highlands, and because they loved to eat, they didn’t stray far from home often. Even their trading missions were cut short oftentimes, and she of course sent many foodstuffs which wouldn’t spoil on their journeys.
“You can’t leave me yet, James. Things are unsettled here. Frances is in danger.”
“Aye, I agree. I wasn’t planning to leave. I’m just in the mood for a fine cooked meal. The garrison has their own cook and many of the men are happy with the gruel they’re served.”
“Have you found anything out? Anything afoot that I should know about?”
“Nay, just minor squabbles between the men. Most get along here. The men train hard, and some of the farmers come in the afternoon after their tending to train with the others. The fortification is well stocked should a siege occur and their plan to thwart anyone who intends such is notable.”
“I’ve been meaning to speak to Benson about that, but that is good to know. I need you to ask them if Frances has any enemies within the clan. I want you to be discrete.”
Of all the Gunn guardsmen, James was the most astute when it came to finding out information. He tended on blending in and oftentimes no one even knew he was there. If he hadn’t needed him to see to the keep, he’d ask him along on the trek to Lombard’s land.
“Do you believe someone in the clan would do that? Threaten her?”
“I don’t know, James, and I don’t suspect anyone, but she says they’ve known her since she was a young lass. She’s one of their own. I doubt anyone here would want to hurt her.”
“There you are. Are you ready?” Frances changed into a dress for riding that had wider skirts. She covered her head with a matching fabric shawl. The colors of the garments were that of their clan colors and he couldn’t be prouder of her for dressing so.
That reminded him of the fabric he’d purchased as a gift for her. He’d forgotten all about it since he was overwhelmed on his homecoming when James told him of the threat. He’d have to retrieve it from his saddlebag so he could give it to her.
“I am ready. Let us be off.”
Before they exited the keep, Jacob, the steward came rushing inside and closed the door. “My lord, I need to speak with you.”
He bade Frances to await him by holding up a finger. “Aye, Jacob, what is amiss?”
The man looked out of sorts, his clothing and hair unkempt, and his eyes dull. He looked as though he’d spent the night in yonder woods. Something was wrong. Sean hoped not, because there was enough to see to, and he didn’t need to add more to pile of ever growing problems.
“I just came from the village after speaking with the smithy. One of the lasses went missing during the night. Herbert is devastated.”
“Herbert?” Sean couldn’t hold back the intense frown that came upon him at receiving such news. Another woman was missing.
“Aye, he’s the smithy. His daughter was to wed one of the tanner’s sons come this Saturday, but Sabine disappeared during the night.”
“Sabine, our Sabine?” Sean realized he hadn’t seen her in a day or two.
“Aye, the one and same. She only tends the keep a few days a week for her mother is ailing and needs her. Mistress Ina wanted me to relay a message to her about her duty for the next week and I stopped in. Her father is beside himself. I returned and asked Mistress Ina to search the keep but she’s not within the walls. A hunt has begun, but I wanted to alert you to it since most of the men joined the search.”
“Thank you, Jacob, I’ll join you in the search too. Frances, we’ll have to delay our journey.” Sean wanted to assure Frances that they’d find Sabine, but he couldn’t give her false hope until he knew the facts.
“Go, and let me know if you find her.”
Sean joined the search party and they rode through the woods adjacent to the village and keep. There was no sign of the woman, but the land was vast and if she was out there, hurt, and unable to seek help, they’d have a hard time finding her.
He spent several hours with his clansmen searching for the maid, but none had seen her, and her whereabouts were unknown. Her family was too distraught to question, and he was unable to get any answers. Sean sent his men farther afield and added more men to the search party. When he’d done all he could do, he returned to the keep.
He stood outside the entrance with Jacob. “Let me know if there is anything else we can do. I am off to see Lord Lombard and will return within an hour or two. I will want an update as soon as I return.”
“Aye, my lord, I’ll ride out again in a few minutes. I’ll give you a report as soon as I return,” Jacob said.
He left him in James’ company and hastened inside to get Frances. She stood in the great hall and didn’t hear him when he approached.
“Frances? Are you ready?” Sean had to touch her shoulder to get her response.
She startled. “Oh, I didn’t hear you. Have you found Sabine?” she asked, when they retreated from the great hall.
“Nay, I’ve put more men to the search but there is nothing more we can do. I want to go to Lombard’s holding this day and don’t want to put it off. It’s early enough.”
Frances set the bowl she held on the table by the entrance, and she followed him out the exit of the keep. “I imagine Sabine’s parents are devastated.”
Sean walked beside her toward the stables. “Aye, they couldn’t even speak with me. All I know is they haven’t seen her since yestermorn, and know not where she could’ve gone.”
They reached the stable in no time, and had two horses brought out and readied. Sean decided not to take anyone with them and made certain his sword was at the ready should they come upon any trouble.
Frances rode in silence, and he kept a keen ear out for danger, but nothing seemed to be out of place.
Such woe was in their hearts on such a bonny spring day. Birds flitted from tree to tree, the sound of the wind rustled the leaves, and insects began chirping and making their calls. It all lent to soothe the soul, but alas they both held anguish within their hearts.
The weather warmed somewhat and he found himself heated and removed his tartan, setting it in front of him for the duration of the ride.
When they reached Lord Lombard’s homestead, Sean was surprised to find it almost as large as Lord William’s. The Lombards were wealthy it appeared. They left their horses at the gatehouse and went to the main keep on foot.
“I’ve often visited here and know a quicker way to the keep.” She took him around several huts and then behind a large building where the steps to the front of the keep lay ahead.
She knocked and waited for a few minutes
and when no one came right away, she entered. Sean followed her inside.
“Bantrum, didn’t you hear us knocking?”
“Oh, nay, my lady, Frances, sorry. I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“We’re here to see Lord Lombard. Is he here?” She spoke to a man who stood near the buttery. His head almost touched the top of the doorway when he approached. The man was aged to about two score and a giant among men.
“Aye, he is. I’ll get him. If you’d like to await in the hall.”
“I came not too long ago, but you were not here. I was checking on Winifred and I suspect there’s no news?” Frances asked.
“Oh, I’m rarely here these days, my lady. Been traveling and doing my lord’s will. I’m sorry to say there has been no word of Winifred. She still hasn’t returned. I will get my lord for you.” He strolled off and disappeared behind a door a ways down from the main entrance.
Frances led Sean to the hall and he wouldn’t take the seat she offered. Instead he paced the hall, where no windows afforded light. The darkened domain was only lit with two small candles near the buttery. As with Lord William’s hall, the walls covered with trophies and shields.
“Admiring the shields, aye, Lord Hume?” Lord Lombard approached. He stood a few inches shorter than Sean, and he noticed the man’s eyes were dark, his beard scraggily and unkempt.
So he knew who he was. That didn’t surprise Sean in the least since most men of high rank made it their business to know everyone within a stone’s throw. “Aye, they’re well made.” Sean couldn’t help but appreciate them. “The craftsmanship is remarkable.”
“They’re the shields of our most prosperous soldiers, those who fell in battle. I always keep their shields here to remind us of them. What is the purpose of your visit?”
Right to the matter. Sean led him away from the wall. He’d expected some form of hospitality, but the man appeared not to want their company. Sean continued to stand and decided to get the visit over quickly.
Frances watched them but kept silent. He was gladdened. He’d brought her along for the sole purpose of telling him if the man was being honest. Sean didn’t know him well enough and wanted someone along who did, to infer whether he was hiding something. She would know that, he’d reasoned, since she’d been good friends with his daughter.
A Highlander In Peril (Gunn Guardsman) Page 14
