“My lady has received some threatening messages and ghastly gifts of late. I wanted to stop by to see if you’ve had any troubles.” He scrutinized the lord for any sign of guilt or remorse, but saw none.
Lord Lombard turned to face Frances. “I’m sorry to hear that, Lady Frances. I hope you’re well and unharmed.”
“I am, thank you, my lord.” She bowed slightly to him and returned to her seat.
The man kept his gaze on her, a little too longer than necessary, and much to his disgruntlement. Lord Lombard was definitely interested in his wife, something he should remedy at the soonest.
“My wife is well protected, Lord Lombard, I assure you. So you’ve had no strange happenings?” Sean asked pointedly, folding his arms over his chest to intimidate.
“Nay none. Other than Winifred’s fleeing. I’d heard you and Lady Frances had wed. I should offer my felicitations.”
But he didn’t and the way he’d said that indicated he wouldn’t. Sean’s hair rose on the back of his neck. He got a sense that the man was either lying or he had no care for his daughter. “Are you certain Winifred fled? Mayhap she was hurt or taken? Do you have any enemies that would do her harm?” Sean read the insecurity in his eyes and realized when it came to his daughter, he was hiding something.
“Nay, none that I know of. I know she fled. Why would anyone want to hurt her? She was a young lass, younger than your wife. She would’ve soon wed and would have left my home. It matters not now.” The last words spoken had a bit of bite to them.
“Are you not concerned?” Frances asked.
Sean gave her a look to be quiet, but she didn’t heed his subtly given gesture.
“I was at first, now I am just bothered. I will not waste any more time looking for the lass. She fled and that is that. Good riddance, I say. I have more important things to see to than a wayward daughter.”
Frances moved out of her seat so fast that Sean almost didn’t reach her in time. He grabbed her around the waist, and said low in her ear, “Not here, don’t let him upset you.”
He knew she was angry with the lord about his uncaring attitude and she was about to lay on a reprimand worthy of a priest, but Sean wanted to assess the man not have at him. He badly wanted to thrust his sword, which would fit nicely between the man’s ribs. But this was not the time to draw the man into a fray.
“We must be off, Lord Lombard. Thank you for speaking with us. I was hoping to meet you at the meeting the other day, but didn’t see you there. I expect I’ll see you at the next border meeting?”
He made no excuse for his absence and didn’t deny that he hadn’t attended. “Aye, aye. I haven’t heard when it is.”
“I don’t think there will be one for a while. If I hear, I’ll send word.”
“I have my own messengers, lad, to see to my business.”
“Very well. Good day.” Sean took Frances’ hand and led her back outside. When they neared their horses, she let out her frustration.
“I wanted to gouge out his eyes.”
Why Sean wanted to laugh at that, was beyond him. “I did too, but best not test a man’s mettle in his own keep.” He pulled her closer to him.
Frances took his hand, her hold tight and warm. “What does that mean?”
“Never trust a host, especially one that you deem distrustful.”
“Is this one of your protection rules perchance?”
His mouth hovered near hers. “Aye, there are many. Come, let us leave this place.”
“Attend me a moment. I noticed something unusual there. When Bantrum mentioned his travel with Lord Lombard …”
“Aye, what of it? Who is he?”
Frances motioned him to stand closer to the hut near the horses, out of the way of those passing. “He’s the steward and never traveled with his lord. Odd that he’s done so. And odder still, Winifred bespoke of her fondness of him.”
“You mean she respected him?” Sean took her hand again and started to lead her toward the horses.
“Nay, she loved him.”
“He didn’t seem affected by her disappearance,” Sean said.
“That’s what I found so peculiar. She deemed he loved her too. Would he not have been upset that she’d gone and wouldn’t he have tried to locate her?”
“Mayhap he did. Her father would never have allowed her to wed him. Would he have hurt her if he was rejected in his pursuit?” Sean wondered if the man had been rewarded for a service, given his recent promotion from steward to handling the lord’s business. And what reason would he have been promoted? Mayhap payment for an ill-deed performed?
Frances tilted her head in wonder. “I don’t know. She spoke of no such claims on his part, wanting to wed. If he really cared for her, wouldn’t he have been more concerned?”
“I’d say. Och we knew not what passed between them. Come, we must be off.”
As soon as they rode through the gates and onto the worn path that led to the forest between their properties, Sean veered off.
“Why are we headed this way?” Frances slowed her horse so he would stop. “Our keep is that way.”
Sean turned and grinned. “I want to take a long way.” He wouldn’t tell her that he was looking for signs of Winifred or Sabine traveling through, because he knew it would upset her.
Frances nodded and hastened her pace to ride beside him. They rode silently for some time before Sean stopped and jumped down from his horse. She joined him on the ground and let him take the horse’s reins from her. Sean realized they were close to Hume land and would soon reach its border.
Beside a stream which wound itself between the densely populated woods, he tied the horses to a low-lying branch of a tree and turned to Frances.
“Thirsty?”
She nodded and took his hand. Sean guided her to the stream and led her to the wider part where the water rushed at a faster pace. They scooped water and drank, and Frances sat on the bank of the stream.
“It is warm this day,” he said, after taking several handfuls of water.
How lovely she looked. How had he ever deemed her plain and unfeminine? As his eyes grazed her body and face, he couldn’t help admire the beauty that was Frances. He sat next to her and leaned his body as close as he could get.
“Are you tired and need a rest? The ride is not that long.”
He shook his head. “Nay. I wanted to do this.” Whenever he got near her, he couldn’t resist kissing her.
Frances allowed him to force her back and they gently landed on the grassy knoll by the bank. He enjoyed their love-play and wanted more. As his hand meandered up her leg and he felt the softness of her skin, his rod grew hard with wanting.
She broke off the kiss. “Here, Sean? Where anyone can happen by?”
“No one comes this way. There’s no trail. I saw no tracks that lead here.”
“But the search parties …”
His lips grazed the delicate skin of her throat. “Likely have passed the area already.”
She giggled when he lifted her hem higher and his head disappeared beneath her skirts. He set light kisses along her ankle to the base of her thigh. Her laughter was contagious and he rolled to his side, watching her amusement contently. He was about to help her remove her overdress when his eyes roamed the forest beyond them and he thought he saw a gleam from a shiny object. Sean sat up, becoming alert.
“What is it? Does someone come?” Frances quickly pressed her skirts back into place, covering herself.
“Mayhap. It could be one of the search parties. I thought I saw something. Await me.” Sean rose and headed in the direction he thought he’d seen the gleam come from. During the ride, he hadn’t noticed anything out of place, no leaf, twig, branch, bush, nothing.
As he got closer to where he thought the gleam came from, he heard voices. Sean pulled his sword free, but the closer he got to the group, the less defensive he became.
Four men, one of whom was Jacob, his steward, stood in a circle. He approached and
made out a bright blue fabric on the ground. His pace slowed, not because he was wary, but because he was suddenly struck that they might have found one of the missing lassies.
“Jacob, what is it?” Sean really didn’t need to ask, because he realized what he was looking at.
Two of the men that rode with Jacob began retching into the grass. Jacob stood numb, shaking his head.
“’Tis not our lass, my lord. Sabine has lighter hair. This lass has reddish and much longer than our lassie’s.” Jacob knelt and pointed to an object in her hand, a weathered stem from some sort of flower. It had darkened to almost black and there were no remnants of its petals.
“Strange.”
“What is it?” Frances called from afar. She stood between two trees watching them.
“Stay there. I’ll return in a minute.” Sean knelt next to his steward and studied the flesh and bones of the woman. He could tell it was a she given her garments. The bright blue gown was soiled from being out in the elements. He couldn’t tell right off how she’d died, but then he noticed where the gleam came from as Jacob stood and his sword metal blinded him for a moment. “Winifred?”
Jacob grunted. “I know not, my lord, for I never met the lass.”
Sean knelt near the body to remove a small ruby ring. Her skin rigid and he had to pull with force to remove it. He grew grim looking at the corpse, for she’d been dead for some time. There was only one way to find out if it was Frances’ friend.
He marched back to where she stood and thrust out the ring. “Do you know if this belonged to Winifred?”
She took it from him and studied it. Frances’ eyes began filling with tears and he felt worse than the lowest form of evil for bringing despair to her.
“It is hers. Her mother gave it to her on her tenth birthday, just before she died. Winifred cherished it. Is she … Is she there? I must go to her.” She tried to set off, but he stopped her.
Sean pulled her back against him. “Frances, she’s gone. There is nothing we can do for her. Come, I’ll take you home, and I’ll return with James and some others. We’ll figure out what happened to her.”
“Will you take her to the Lombard holding? I don’t want to leave her here alone.” She sniffled, but remarkably kept an unaffected look on her face.
“Aye, we’ll convey her to her father, and he’ll give her a proper burial and lay the lass to rest in peace.” His words caused her to cry into her hands, and he pulled her closer. “I’m sorry, my love, I know she was your friend.”
Jacob approached and stood a few feet from them. “My lord, best take my lady home. I’ll stay with the body until you return.”
“Aye, Jacob, I’ll make haste. Don’t disturb anything and await me before you move her.”
“She was the dearest, sweetest friend …” Frances turned and tugged on his hand to get him to walk beside her.
Sean stopped her, took her face in his hands, and looked her in the eyes. “I will take vengeance on whoever did this, Frances. That I vow.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Sean paced the hall, watching apprehensively at the entrance. He was hesitant to leave Frances, but there were things to be done. As he waited for James, he consoled his wife yet again. His life had become more complicated but he couldn’t blame Frances for that. None of the happenings were her fault.
“I’ve changed my mind, and want you to stay. Must you go? Can you not send another?” She’d asked him that same question twice already since they arrived home after finding Winifred.
Sean pulled her toward the window casement, hoping a breeze would cool them. The room grew close and with them both beset by what they’d seen, he didn’t want either of them to become ill-tempered from the heat. Not this day. He’d offer what comfort he could to her while Benson relayed his message to James.
His comrade was instructing two seasoned soldiers on their new duty, to stand guard within the keep’s entrance. James insisted he be relieved of the duty because Davy drove him daft and he couldn’t take being in the old man’s presence. Sean understood and when James made the suggestion, he’d assigned him to finding two reliable men.
With a light brush to France’s head with his lips, he held her gently. “I must go. Would you trust another to see to your friend?”
Her body became unyielding in his arms. “I … You’re right, I wouldn’t trust another. I just don’t want you to leave me. This is all too … frightening.”
Sean tensed at her words. It was the first time she’d admitted her fear and he didn’t want to be away from her either. “I will ensure your friend is taken home and given a proper burial and return as hastily as I can. I need James to look at the … to come with me for he’ll be able to tell us things about …” Sean wanted to refrain from saying outright why he wanted James along because he knew it would upset her.
“Sean, I … I am so gladdened you’re here.”
Without saying why, he knew. He could only imagine what she’d be going through if he wasn’t there. Holding her close, he tried to reassure her that everything would be well.
James entered the hall and stopped short. “Should I come back later?”
Sean released Frances and shook his head. “Frances, I will return. Don’t leave the keep for any reason. Benson will protect you until I return. There will be men posted around the keep too, so worry not.”
Her voice lowered to a morose tone. “I cannot help but worry. Don’t be long.”
He kissed her face, just beside her ear. “I’ll come back soon. Try not to despair.” Sean left the hall with James following. He headed outside and stood for a moment, enjoying the breeze that whipped at his tartan.
“What’s amiss?” James waited patiently.
“I need you to take a ride with me. I’ll ready the horses. Set four men to guard the keep and ask Benson to see to Frances until our return. Meet me at the stables.”
Sean would find out how the lass died. He was appeased that he’d kept James from returning to Gunn land. James took to studying medicinal practices and had a liking for dissection. He could figure out poisonous substances and matters of death given a bit of time and he was an excellent tracker. Sean envied him the talents, but it was extraneous to him for he was better with words and his sword.
Without question, James set off, and Sean strode toward the stable. As he passed his clansmen and women, he noticed how they moved out of his way. They didn’t trust him for he hadn’t given him any reason to yet. Sean wanted their trust and respect, but that would come in time. Eventually, they’d accept him.
He reached the stables and noticed Angus lazing near the wall, where another lad tended to a field horse.
“Angus, I meant to ask where you put the package I bought back from my journey to Selkirk.” Sean decided to ride another horse and would give his a rest. He selected a brown destrier, one that was smaller given he was at least seventeen hands high.
“Oh, aye, my lord, I put it in the hall. Do ye want me to retrieve it for you?”
“Nay, I’ll get it myself when I return. Ready another horse.” Sean would have to get the package and see that it was given to Frances. Mayhap it would cheer her. She’d need some joy after their discovery this day.
James came shortly after the horses were brought out. They stomped the ground with their hooves, anxious to be on their way too. Sean considered taking a few men with him, and decided to have two others ride with he and James. The two soldiers hurried to ready their horses and appeared prideful that he’d asked them.
Sean walked slowly toward the gate, leading his horse, to give them time to catch up.
“Where are we going?” James finally asked.
He gave his friend a subtle look, because he was hesitant to speak of the atrocity within the walls. Ears were everywhere and he wasn’t sure he wanted anyone to know yet what they’d found. Word would reach the village soon enough and incite their suspicion. The last thing they needed was a village full of revenge seekers.
&n
bsp; Outside the gate, he sat atop his horse, as did James, and they waited for the two guardsmen.
“Jacob and a few men led a search for Sabine. They found a body in the woods.”
James’ expression turned grim. “Was it the village lass?”
Sean shook his head. The two guardsmen finally rode through the gate and they started their trek.
“Nay, Frances identified the lass. It was Winifred, her friend, Lord Lombard’s daughter.”
A scowl fixed on James’ brow. “I heard rumors and they’ve become rife since Sabine’s gone missing. The clan’s people are becoming fearful. They’re going to band together soon and go out with torches and any weapon they can find for their anger is justified.”
“They’ve a right to. One of their lassies is missing, possibly murdered. We’d do the same. Were you with Sabine?” The last was spoken in Gaelic, for he didn’t want the men riding with them to hear their discussion. Sean didn’t want to ask his friend such a personal question, but it needed asking.
“A noble man never tells tales out of the bedroom.”
Sean could’ve laughed at such absurdity, but he kept his laughter at bay. “Shit, James, this is no time to jest. There are grave matters at hand. Were you? I saw you looking at her and she at you. The lass was betrothed and if you were with her …”
“You know me better than that, Sean. Nay, I wanted her, but the lass said she was to wed and I would never … There is someone … else I’m interested in.”
“I’m relieved to hear this.” The last thing Sean wanted was his friend accused of adultery or ill-deeds, even mayhap being involved in Sabine’s disappearance. Since the lass was still missing, questions would be raised.
Sean was left to wonder who that someone else was, because James could be tight-lipped when it came to such matters. He wouldn’t tell him who gained his interest.
“They haven’t found her yet?” James grew grim again.
A Highlander In Peril (Gunn Guardsman) Page 15
