“He is good,” Bethany murmured. “Are ye here about Maggie?”
“Aye.” They all took their seats. “I have been named chaperone to Lady Grace here before she weds the laird, and she has expressed an interest in learning more about Maggie.”
Grace immediately latched on to the opening. “‘Tis terrible what happened to her, and during the peace treaty of all times.”
Bethany looked her up and down with a critical eye, and it was all Grace could do not to blurt out the real reason that she was here. She feared she knew exactly what Bethany thought she was looking at. The hellion brat spoiled and coddled who could not give a fig about someone like her and Maggie. “Hamish has assured me that he looked out after his own people and will give Maggie justice, and I just want to get to know the people here and help out where I can.”
“The laird has bigger concerns than that of a dead woman,” a dark voice said from behind her. A hush fell over the small crowd in the tavern and everyone turned to look at the large man in the corner. A cane stood against the stone wall next to him, and his face was scarred, but one look in his eyes told Grace that he had far more inner scars than outer. Whoever he was, he’d gone through a great battle and lost.
“Oh, hush now, Gerald,” Edina said softly. “Maggie’s life matters.”
“Aye, but everyone knows the peace treaty with us is a farce. Those clans were here to get a look at the land, find our weaknesses, and attack when we turn our backs. The sins of our ancestors are against us, and until Hamish has secured an heir, we cannae appear weak.”
All of those eyes on him now swung to Grace, and she blushed.
“So when do ye plan to marry?” Bethany asked bluntly.
This was not going in the direction that she had planned. “I am not certain,” she hedged.
“Why?” one of the women asked. “Hamish is a good man. Handsome. Virile. Powerful. A hero. Why would ye not want to marry him immediately?”
“There are other things to consider—” Grace began.
“Never mind that,” Gerald interrupted. “Hamish doesnae need to wed to have an heir. If it were up to us, Maggie could have bedded him. Even Mary would have bedded him without marriage. Doonae know why the man insisted on not touching the Hamilton women, but if ye doonae want to marry, then at the vera least, spread yer legs for him.”
“Gerald!” Edina spat. “That is enough!”
“Aye,” a man at another table said gravely. “Fornication is a sin.”
“Father James.” Bethany rolled her eyes and leaned over to Grace. “He will be the one to marry ye. Let me tell ye, he isnae much fun.”
“But he is in a tavern,” Grace whispered back.
“Aye, he comes here to preach against our wickedness. He’s a Sassenach, that one, and thinks just being Scottish makes us wicked.” Bethany grinned impishly. “He is great fun to tease.”
“Murder is also a sin, Father,” Gerald bellowed. “But that doesnae stop yer kind from slaughtering ours.”
The priest did not seem at all concerned as he sipped his drink. From here, Grace couldn’t tell if it was water or ale. “Before I came here, the Hamiltons were slaughtering their neighbors. Or am I wrong? Did ye not lose yer whole family to the flames of a feud, Gerald?”
The big man grabbed his cane and stood, anger blazing in his eyes.
“That is enough!” Edina snapped. “Both of ye. Aye, we all want Hamish to produce an heir, but he is leading us into an era of peace. For all that he has done for us, I think ‘tis only fair that we trust in the steps he takes. If he wants to give Grace more time before marrying then that is his business and none of ours! In the meantime, Maggie, one of our own, is dead!”
Everyone bowed their heads in shame, and that was when the door opened and Hamish walked in. His gaze finding Grace immediately, he narrowed his eyes. “Hello, my sweet,” he said in a dangerously calm voice. “Are ye enjoying yerself?”
16
The three women blinked at Hamish innocently. He could practically see them trying to come up with their excuses. Tavin and Tyree stood behind him, and Grace barely batted an eye.
“As a matter of fact, I am,” Grace said serenely. “I was just getting to know some of the fine patrons in this establishment.”
She was laying it on a bit thick. “Were ye now?” Casually, he looked around the tavern. There were few patrons here; mostly the elderly, who enjoyed each other’s company before the rowdier crowd arrived. Still, the fact that Gerald was there was troubling. The man was dangerous in that he’d lost everything that was dear to him. With strong opinions and a short temper, he had no problems stirring up trouble to make himself known.
And then there was Father James. He had quite a bit of disdain for the Scottish people in general, and he would not approve of Grace being here, unwed, without family.
His gaze fell to Edina. “Ye are her chaperone. Did ye think that this was an appropriate place to take her?”
“Forgive us, Laird, but we are still on Hamilton lands. Are ye saying there are places here, under yer protection, that yer wife should not be allowed to enter?” Lorna asked innocently with a knowing smile.
“She isnae my wife, yet!” he snapped.
“Nay, but it seems to me that if she is mature enough to be yer wife then she is mature enough to enter any establishment on yer lands,” Edina pointed out.
“Damnation, Edina!” Hamish growled.
Lorna gasped. “Doonae swear at yer elders, Laird. That is my grandmother that ye are talking to.”
“And that is yer laird that ye are talking to,” Tavin growled as he stepped forward. “Have ye no respect?”
“Enough!” Grace said as she lifted her voice. “Honestly, all this fuss simply because three women entered a tavern? Hamish, forgive me, but Edina is right. If this place is under yer protection, then no harm should come to me when I enter, is that not correct? I am meeting the clan and have no wish to interrupt them when they are working.”
Great. Now she was dressing him down in front of his own people. “And the fact that I ordered ye to rest?” he asked quietly, clearly annoyed.
Smiling, Grace gestured to Lorna. “‘Tis why I brought yer healer with me. I am in no better hands than with Lorna and her grandmother, the chaperone ye appointed to me.”
“Was a mistake partnering that one up with Edina,” Tyree muttered under his breath.
“What was that, Tyree?” Edina demanded. “I didn’t quite hear ye. Perhaps ye should speak up when ye are talking about me.”
“If ye are so old that ye cannae hear me, perhaps ye should not be a chaperone.”
Even Hamish looked back to see Tyree’s expression. While he’d made it clear that he didn’t like Edina, he didn’t expect this.
“Me?” Edina demanded shrilly. “Ye are older than me!”
“Aye and infinitely more wiser, not that ye ever listen to me.”
“All right,” Grace said smoothly as she stepped forward. “I believe the laird wants me to rest, and I wouldnae want to upset him. He seems to be delicate right now. If ye gentlemen will excuse us, I am certain ye have more important things to do than to follow us around and yell at us when we have done nothing wrong.”
Done nothing wrong? Hamish just gaped at them as they stood and took their leave. Finally, he glared at Tavin. “Well?” he demanded.
“Oh, aye, Hamish.” With a slightly amused smile, he headed toward the door to follow after them.
“Mark my words,” Father James warned, “ye give her too much freedom now and ye will never be able to control her.”
Bethany snorted. “As if anyone can control her. Have ye not heard, Father? Grace is the Sinclair Hellion.”
The priest paled even more, and Hamish chuckled. “Gerald, have ye something to add?” The man was still on his feet with his cane in hand, but the temper seemed to be gone from his face. Whatever he’d gleaned from the interaction, he seemed to approve.
“Aye,” Gerald murmured as he s
at down and picked up his ale. “I wish ye good luck. Looks as though ye are going to need it.”
The tavern burst out laughing, and Hamish shook his head and walked out. Grace was right about one thing. He did have more important things to do than to follow her around.
But not to worry. He had an army of men who could do that for him.
All day long, Hamish got updated reports from his men about Grace’s whereabouts. She had not gone home. They admitted that even though they tried to be subtle, they had a feeling Grace knew they were following her around.
Of course she knew. His bride-to-be was no fool.
When she arrived at dinner with Lorna and Edina, there was only a small group gathering in the great hall. Himself, Tyree, the guests, and those of his men who did not have families waiting for them, filled the table. There was an odd silence when the trio of women walked in, their heads held high.
Grace looked around with an amused smile. “Doonae tell me that I amnae welcome to dinner. After all, ye all seemed to need to know my every move during the day. I thought it only fair that I gave ye some peace and join ye for dinner.”
Those that had been following Grace immediately looked at Hamish with panic in their eyes. “Of course ye are welcome,” he said easily. “Gentlemen, shift and make room for the ladies.”
There was a scuffling of chairs and plates as everyone moved. The women serving them that evening quietly brought out meals for the ladies.
“Ladies,” Tyree greeted, but he eyed the older woman. “Edina.”
“Tyree,” she answered a little too sweetly. Hamish cocked his head as he watched the two of them study each other. When Tyree spoke earlier, he made it clear that there was no love on his part, but maybe he was wrong. They were watching each other warily as if there was a history. “I meant to tell ye earlier that it was nice to see ye. It has been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Cannae understand why. I was laird for nearly a year.”
“Were ye? How grand!” she gasped. “I am sorry that I missed it.”
“Doonae know how ye could have missed it since ye were still on Hamilton lands. Or did ye travel and not tell anyone?”
“Ack, no. I was right here, tending most devilish wee ones.” She picked up her cup. “I suppose if ye had done something worthwhile, I would have heard about it.”
Hamish nearly choked on his food. “Lady Edina!”
“Nay, son.” Tyree grinned and clapped him on the back. “Lady Edina is right. I didnae do much as laird, except to help put an end to the feuds, create an alliance with the marriage of my niece, and name and mentor the new laird.”
“Create an alliance?” Edina scoffed. “As if ye would take credit for what the Fates decided. Moira and Connor were meant to be together, and ye had no hand in it, old man.”
“Old man? Now see here, old woman—”
“A toast,” Grace interrupted hastily as she raised her glass, “to the days of peace. May they continue long into our future.”
“Here, here!” others chimed in, and Tyree and Edina settled back.
Grace may not have had much political experience, but she could defuse the situation like any good leader. Hamish eyed her with appreciation. She probably didn’t even realize she had the talent.
She will make me an excellent wife.
The conversation resumed, and Grace leaned over to him. “Do ye intend on having me followed by yer army the entire time I am here?” she asked pleasantly when no one else was paying attention.
“Only if ye intend to disobey my orders,” he said curtly.
“We had a deal. How am I to give Maggie justice if ye are curtailing my every move?”
“Making certain that ye are safe isnae curtailing yer every move,” he pointed out calmly. “My orders are there to keep ye safe, and short of letting yer brothers know what kind of mischief that ye are getting into, this is my only option. If ye would listen to me, then ye would just have Randall escorting ye rather than several guarding ye. My men have better things to do.”
“Aye,” she agreed. “They do.”
She sat back and resumed eating her dinner.
Hamish had absolutely no idea if he’d won this round or not.
After dinner, Hamish went to escort Grace to her room. She looked at him in confusion when he steered her away from what had been her chambers. “I thought ye were taking me to my chambers,” she said cautiously.
“I am. While ye were out, I had yer things moved. As ye are to be my wife, ‘tis only right that ye move to the room next to mine.”
Immediately, Grace stopped. “Ye mean the chambers adjacent to yers? The ones that are reserved for yer wife?”
“Aye.” After a pause, he prodded her into walking again, and she was too astonished to seem to notice.
“Hamish, we arenae married.”
“Aye, I am aware of that.”
“We arenae going to be married.”
“I heard ye when ye laid out the plan. Appearances are important,” he answered mildly.
“But when ye do marry, yer wife isnae going to like that ye had some other woman in her chambers.”
“Ye may find this difficult to believe, Grace, but there have been others who stayed in that room.” When she narrowed her eyes, he chuckled. “Grace, there is already unease that ye want a long betrothal. I willnae have discord among my people. This is to pacify them, but it is also for yer benefit. Unless ye want a guard outside yer door, to protect ye, mind ye, not as a warden, then I want ye close so I can hear if anything is amiss.”
She stopped and seemed to consider his words. Finally, she nodded. “Although I learned of nothing important pertaining to Maggie, I did see that yer people are unhappy that we doonae plan to wed immediately. In that regard, I believe that yer plan is sound. I might also ask that ye start looking for a real wife so that when I do leave, they arenae left hanging in a lurch. They want an heir, and I can see why.”
“Aye, they may fear that the king will do to us what they did to the MacKays. An heir will let the king know that I am serious in my position here,” he agreed. “It was not as important before because I was still establishing my role here, but perhaps it is something I need to prioritize.”
“Good.” She licked her lips and looked troubled. “I could help, of course. I wouldnae want ye to make a bad decision simply because ye were being hasty. I may not have been to court in many years, but I was kept abreast of suitable ladies for Connor.”
“By all means, invite them all here.”
Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head. “All here? At once?”
Was that jealousy he saw in her face? Wondering how far she would go, he nodded again. “I doonae want to have to spend much time on this. I am certain ye will think of a reason to have them here at once so that I may choose. Will a week be sufficient?”
“Nay, a week willnae be sufficient! The women willnae be traveling alone, and we are talking about eligible ladies from all over the country, not just the highlands. There would need to be food preparations, and chambers made presentable, and entertainment planned. Not to mention reinforcements at the borders. The women will be traveling with families and armies. It would take months of preparations!”
“Months...” He pretended to consider it. Even if she didn’t want to admit it, her time as mistress of the Sinclair keep had served her well. “I doonae think we have that kind of time, do ye? Why do ye not simply choose one for me? I trust ye.”
Once again, she looked troubled, but she nodded. “I will need to take some time to think it over, once I have learned more about ye, to see which lady might suit.”
“Take into account the Hamilton women as well. Lorna is single, and there is that one lass everyone wanted me to wed. Mary, I believe her name was. In fact, I believe we should simply choose a Hamilton, to appease the people.” He pursed his lips and nodded. “Aye, I like that idea.”
Before she could object, he reached around her and swung open the door. “Yer chamb
ers. I trust that ye will find everything in order.”
“Hamish, about wedding a Hamilton lass—”
“‘Tis a good idea, is it not? And I have ye to thank for it. Let me know if ye need anything. The door over there joins our two chambers.” He gave her a wicked smile. “Enjoy yer night, Lady Grace.”
17
There it was again. That flash of silver. Grace screamed, tumbling back, her arms out as she ineffectively tried to ward off the blows that were coming. Fear gripped her, and her stomach rolled nauseatingly. Around her, the ground was saturated with blood.
No, not her blood.
Next to her, Maggie’s body was splayed out in the dirt, her head turned toward Grace. “Help me!” Maggie screamed, but there was nothing Grace could do. Maggie was already dead, nothing more than a tormenting ghost.
Silver flashed, and Grace closed her eyes and screamed again, determined that she would not die quietly.
* * *
“Grace, wake up!”
Gasping for breath, Grace flew upward and into strong arms. For a moment, panic assailed her again, and she struggled, but then she recognized the scent surrounding her.
Hamish.
“Easy, lass,” he whispered soothingly as he held her. “I have ye. ‘Twas nothing more than a nightmare. There is nothing in this room that will hurt ye.”
Heart pounding, Grace sucked in air as she tried to right herself. The chamber was dark and unfamiliar. I have been moved, she reminded herself. This was the chamber for the mistress of the keep.
“She’s dead,” Grace whispered. Tears welled up in her eyes even as she tried to swallow down her fear. “Maggie is dead, and I couldn’t protect her. I couldn’t help her. I can’t even help her now.”
“She wouldnae blame ye,” Hamish said firmly. “Her death isnae yer fault. By the bloody saints, lass, ye are cold.”
Limp against him, she didn’t struggle as he picked her up and slid into the bed with her, holding her tight onto his lap as he tossed the blankets around her. “Have ye been having nightmares this whole time?”
Highlands’ Forbidden Deeds Page 47
