Once Upon A Haunted Castle: A Celtic Romance Anthology

by Eliza Knight

  The horse slowed to a halt, lathered and blowing hard. The men were soon with them.

  “The raiders weren’t interested in a fight once Donald appeared leading a troop of Robert the Bruce’s men. As soon as we joined forces, the reivers turned and ran. Donald followed them. He should be here soon.” Sean helped Laura down. “How did they know where to find us? We covered our tracks well.”

  Jamie turned at the rumble of horses galloping toward them from the other direction. A troop of men flying Robert the Bruce’s colors came into view.

  “Jamie,” called the leader.

  “Donald. You arrived at the right time.” The man dismounted and walked over to them.

  “Anything to save your sorry arse.”

  Laura stepped out of the mist, a smile on her face. For a moment she enjoyed the panic that rushed across his face.

  “Oh, beg your pardon, Lady Laura. I wasn’t aware you were with Jamie.” Donald’s gaze turned tender. “I was sorry to learn of Richard’s passing. He will be missed.”

  “Thank you, Donald. I appreciate your kind words.” Laura’s voice died away.

  Donald turned to Jamie.

  “We followed the raiders. I see you’ve taken care of their leader. I didn’t recognize him,” Donald said.

  “He was the new innkeeper,” Laura said. “He knew where to find us because I mentioned our destination to his wife last night.”

  The men turned to her. The blood pounded in her temples as she looked from face and face. They didn’t try to hide their hostile stares.

  “I made polite conversation when she served me supper. I had no idea…” Her tone begged for forgiveness, her voice faded to a whisper. The looks the men gave her were grave. She would never have forgiven herself if any of them had been injured.

  “Intended or note, the results could have been deadly.” Jamie’s caustic tone made her cheeks burn. Her mouth sprung shut.

  “I saw your maneuver. Impressive,” Donald said. Laura let out a small sigh, relieved that the men shifted their attention to Jamie.

  “You can thank Laura for that. I followed her instructions.” All eyes turned to her. It stunned her that he gave her such high praise.

  “Richard and I practiced that tactic. The maneuver was a favorite of his. I’m glad it was successful.” Her voice trailed off, overwhelmed with her loss.

  “Richard saved the day,” Jamie said for her ears only.

  She closed her eyes. Tears threatened to come down her cheeks.

  “She’d make a warrior a good wife,” Donald said and set the men laughing. “I suspect you’re on your way home to Caerlaverock. You can save me a trip, if you will.”

  “What is it you’d like me to take for you?”

  “Information. Tell Herbert to watch his back, especially the next several days. There is good reason to believe a traitor is in his midst.”

  “I will tell him,” Jamie said. Donald straightened in his saddle and moved his men out.

  “Safe travels to Caerlaverock.”

  “Do you think the message is serious?” she asked as Jamie watched the last of Donald’s men fade into the mist.

  Donald’s sources were never wrong.

  Chapter Five

  The smudge of clouds that gathered around the setting sun were vivid red against the black sky and cast a warm glow on Caerlaverock’s sandstone walls. The inverted reflection of the castle and sky in the moat added to the breathtaking view.

  The striking stronghold sat in the middle of a wide moat. The triangular shape had twin towers at the north gatehouse and one tower at the south. Lofty battlements on its two other sides were connected with an overly high curtain wall. Built for defense, the imposing fortress looked impossible to breach.

  The design touched her. Along with its strength, there was a beauty in the lines, the position of the moat. Put all the elements together and, as Laura waited for Jamie’s order to proceed, she was overcome with the building and couldn’t find the words to express it.

  Jamie moved the group forward.

  “The castle is impressive even in the darkening sky,” Jamie said with pride. “You haven’t been here since the building’s completion.”

  “It pulls at my heart with its beauty and purpose. It represents all I hold dear in a person, if that’s possible, heart, soul and strength. I understand why Father was taken with the plans. He sat with Herbert and discussed the unique design. At the end of our trip, Father talked about the castle all the way back to Glen Kirk. Mother, on the other hand, hoped it didn’t flood like the old one.”

  They crossed the moat on the timber bridge and rode through the arched stone gateway. They emerged into a courtyard quieting down for the day. The lattice oak portcullis with metal daggers on the bottom strained on its chains as it slid down the groove and settled into place behind them with a final thud.

  Jamie helped her down from her mount while Sean saw to the horses and the men. A quick shake out of her skirts to dislodge some of the dust from their travels, she didn’t bother with the wrinkles and she was ready to see her family. Jamie escorted her into the gatehouse.

  “It’s as fine inside as out,” she murmured as they walked into the solar.

  “Ah, Laura. How good to see you. When the battlement guards reported a woman with Jamie, I assumed he brought Darla. You are a pleasant surprise.” Herbert rose from his table strewn with papers.

  She gave him a peck on the cheek. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Cousin Herbert. She and Father remained at Glen Kirk. They weren’t up for a visit, not yet.”

  “How insensitive of me. Of course, she’s still in mourning. We all feel your sorrow.” He put a fatherly arm around her and led her to a chair.

  “My wife has left with your cousins and all her staff to visit her family in Pencaitland. I’m afraid it’s just me you’ll be visiting.”

  “That’s fine,” she smiled through her disappointment. She knew his wife’s staff and could easily ask questions about Evan and Angel. Now it might be more difficult to start those conversations, but she had every intention of bringing the ghost to rest.

  “Jamie mentioned Evan and Angel’s deaths and that a ghost haunts the castle. Mother sent me in her place.” She didn’t miss the pleading look Herbert gave Jamie. Did he also think of her as a child? Did no one think her capable?

  “Of course. Your help is greatly appreciated. Why don’t you get settled and we can talk about it at supper. Without my family here, I’m afraid I’m your only entertainment.”

  “I appreciate your concern, but I’m here for a purpose.” If her cousin had a pleading look before, he was downright begging Jamie for support now.

  Laura pulled out a letter from her pocket and handed it to Herbert. “Mother asked me to deliver this to you as soon as I arrived.”

  “Ah, here is Mrs. Turner. She’ll show you to your room.”

  “We met Donald at the River Annan. He asked that I tell you to watch your back especially for the next few days. There’s a traitor in our midst.”

  “Yes. It confirms our suspicions. I’m glad I had Oliver take my family to Pencaitland while you were gone.” Herbert returned to his seat. “Keep close to Laura. You’ll escort her everywhere and see to her wellbeing. She’d run over anyone else. You know how to handle her.”

  “Of course.” He chaffed at Herbert’s decision. He’d approach him later to discuss someone else keeping Laura occupied. He’d be more useful to Herbert searching out the traitor than playing the courtier to Laura.

  Jamie glanced out the window and spotted her and Mrs. Turner crossing the courtyard to the guesthouse. He should never have agreed to bring her to the castle. The thought died as soon as he acknowledged it. She would have found another, more dangerous, way. Five days. Keep Laura safe while she put Evan’s ghost to rest and find the traitor before he struck. He’d have to find a way to do them both.

  Laura examined the fine stonework and relief carvings on the buildings as she crossed the courtyard.
Structures were built against the curtain wall, with a walkway between the wall and buildings for troops to move. It wasn’t lost on her that the primary function of the castle was for defense, not to keep her cousin or mother dry.

  “It’s good to see you. I was sorry to hear about your brother.” Mrs. Turner brought her to a room on the second floor of the guesthouse.

  “Thank you,” she murmured. Richard hadn’t been far from her thoughts. Teaching Jamie Richard’s favorite charge, it was almost like Richard was with them. I can’t bring your murderer to justice, but I vow I will bring Evan and Angel the justice they deserve. She fingered the warm beads around her neck. She had voiced the truth.

  “The fire is lit and I’ve had a bath brought up for you.”

  Getting out of the clothes she wore for the last two days and soaking some of the soreness out of her bones, to say nothing of the grit from the road, sounded like heaven.

  Her satchel at a doorway, Mrs. Turner picked it up and led her into a modest-sized, cozy room with large windows that faced the courtyard. The woman opened her satchel and held up a very wrinkled dress. “I’ll bring this down to the laundry and freshen it for you.” She continued to put away Laura’s things.

  “I was surprised when Lord Jamie brought us news of Evan and Angel. Mother found it hard to believe Evan would kill Angel,” Laura said, hoping she didn’t sound forced.

  “No one knows what to believe. Poor Mary. She found the bodies. The woman’s a seasoned soldier’s wife who’s seen many a horrible wound, but seeing those two. The image still haunts her. I’ll leave you to your bath.” She shook her head and left with Laura’s dress.

  A large wooden tub lined with linen and filled with hot water stood next to the fireplace. Laura quickly undressed and sank into the water. She scrubbed the dirt and grit off, leaned her head back against a small pillow, and let the hot water ease her stiff muscles. The crackling fire and the warmth of the water relaxed and soothed her until she nodded off.

  “Excuse me, Lady Laura. I’m Sonia.” A young woman entered carrying her dress. “Mrs. Turner sent me to help you.”

  “Have you been with the Maxwell’s long?” Laura sat in front of the fire and dried her hair.

  “Like many others, my parents work for The Maxwell.” Laura stopped rubbing her hair. Perhaps Sonia could help her, but she had no idea if Sonia was related to one of the families. She had to tread lightly. Would the girl even speak to her if she asked about Evan and Angel?

  “I’m sorry for your loss.” Sonia turned away and busied herself, suddenly nervous. The poor girl must be frightened that she’d said too much. Laura saw her opening.

  “Thank you for your kind words. It’s been very hard to believe Richard is gone. I’m sure it’s been difficult here as well with the poor harvest and the appearance of a ghost.” Laura purposefully left out any mention of Evan and Angel.

  “More difficult with the murder of Evan and Angel.” Sonia took the brush out of the dresser and made quick work of Laura’s hair.

  “You don’t think Angel attempted to stop Evan from poisoning the grain?” A hint of a mock baffled expression on her face.

  “No, m’lady. Evan’s been wrongly accused of poisoning the grain and killing the woman he loved. He won’t rest until the truth is found and the real villain brought to justice.” The two women were quiet, each in their own thoughts. Sonia helped Laura on with her dress.

  “Have you told anyone?”

  Sonia straightened the skirt and placed the metal belt around her waist.

  “M’lady, they have it in their heads that Evan is the villain in both deeds. They have no reason to look elsewhere. He won’t rest until there’s justice for him and the stain removed from his family.” Sonia was adamant. “They won’t listen to anyone. They think they have all the information they need.”

  “Couldn’t he have had something in his background, some dispute with Herbert or his family that would drive him to do them harm?”

  “Never, m’lady. He worked hard for Lord Herbert and was recently appointed the castle Marshal with much more responsibility and people to manage. The marriage wasn’t an arrangement for anyone’s betterment. He was excited and loved his Angel. Lord Herbert and both families supported the marriage. Now, they’ve all tried and judged him.”

  Laura knew that helplessness Sonia felt.

  “Calm yourself. I’ll speak to Jamie without any mention of you. He’ll know what to do.” One last glance into the polished metal at her refection and she was ready for supper.

  Laura thanked the girl and left for the hall. Jamie greeted her at the door.

  The Great Hall was on the first level of the gatehouse. Two fireplaces took off the chill of the autumn air. Tapestries and battle weapons dressed the walls. Maxwell Clan banners hung from the rafters. A long trestle table ran down the center of the room. At one end, a raised dais held the table for The Maxwell and his guests.

  “It doesn’t flood,” Jamie said and laughed. “And it cannot be breached.”

  From the outside, she thought. Someone, and not the ghost nor a live Evan according to Sonia, poisoned the grain. They stood by the fireplace waiting for Herbert.

  “We have five days to put Evan’s ghost to rest. What is our plan?” Jamie asked.

  Our plan? She stopped herself. Her foot was getting sore from her frustrated tapping. From lowered lids, she shot a commanding glare at him. His help wasn’t needed. She took a calming breath and counted to ten.

  “I plan to speak to Evan and Angel’s families as well as Mary, the woman who found their bodies, to see what I can find,” Laura said.

  “There are a lot of bad feelings between those two families right now.” He ran his hand through his hair, looking like he had some dilemma to solve.

  “Don’t try to talk me out of this. I don’t need your help.” She spoke with as much of a reasonable voice as she could command then took a calming breath.

  “I know you’re more than capable to hold a conversation with people.” She took a good look at him, standing with his hands on his hips, inflating himself with importance. She didn’t miss the note of sarcasm in his voice. “But both families are on the defensive, their tempers heated. For my wellbeing, I’ll go with you.” It wasn’t a question or a suggestion. It was a command and that irked her as much as his tone.

  “I don’t need someone to protect me. They have nothing to fear from me. They have nothing to lose, only to gain.” She stood up to him toe-to-toe and didn’t flinch. She wasn’t going to let him intimidate her, or get in her way.

  “Are you through with your obstinate position? At this time all we have are rumors and suspicions. If, in your questions and discussions, you come across information that proves Evan, in fact, poisoned the grain, do you think they will let you live? They have much to lose. The family will be tarred and feathered, turned out of the clan as traitors. If not killed. Oh no, they have a lot to lose.”

  “No, that isn’t going to happen.” She paled at the idea. “Evan isn’t guilty.” She paled at the picture he painted. The ghost’s goal at once clear to her. Evan would risk eternal wandering to save his family.

  “And how do you know that?” His eyes were hard and piercing. She met him blink for blink.

  “One of the servants told me, in confidence. Evan didn’t taint the grain nor did he kill Angel.”

  “And you believe this person?” His voice dripped with sarcasm as if he spoke to a child.

  “Yes. Why would Evan taint the grain? What would he gain? He had a new advanced position in the household. He was excited about getting married. His family supported his decisions. He was a staunch Maxwell man.” She touched the beads at her neck. Warm. Besides the beads’ confirmation, her conclusion was logical. Why couldn’t Jamie see that?

  He stared into her eyes as if he tried to pull her reasoning out of her head. In those few moments she noticed a glimmer of doubt pass in his eyes and her hopes soared.

  “I understand what you me
an. He doesn’t have any reason. Just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. I’ll let you speak to them.”

  “I wasn’t asking your permission. I was telling you what I was doing.”

  “Yes, I know. However, in case you’re not right and he does have some reason to do kith and kin harm and his family is involved, I’d rather be with you. If something happened to you, Wesley would have my head, and other parts of my body that I truly enjoy, and Darla would never forgive me.”

  Her arms were crossed. “Let me understand you. You’re not accompanying me because you think I may be right, but rather to protect your own sorry skin.”

  The man bit the inside of his cheek in an obvious attempt not to laugh. It drove her to the brink of doing him bodily harm.

  “I wouldn’t characterize it that way.”

  No, not a smirk. She misread him. He was angry. His green eyes turned so dark they almost looked black. She didn’t care.

  Did he have any idea the powder keg they sat on? If Evan’s ghost didn’t find rest the consequences could be greater than the family simply living with an apparition. The drive for justice is a powerful one. She couldn’t let Evan’s ghost take matters in his own hands. There could be dire consequence for the family. It wasn’t only putting Evan to rest that drove her. It was protecting her family. Their goals were the same.

  The woman had no idea the powder keg they sat on. A traitor. Anything could happen. He had no idea where to start his search. Instead, he was her nursemaid following a ghost story.

  Here logic was clear and sound, the same as he and Sean discussed. He had to protect her and The Maxwell. At least Herbert would be at Parliament where he would be protected. The situation with the ghost had to be resolved before Herbert returned.

  “There are only five days left. I have no choice, but to act quickly,” Laura said as they took their seats at the table.

  “We’ll make arrangements to speak to both families tomorrow and follow where that leads us. The sooner we put your ghost to rest the sooner I can help Herbert with his pressing issues.” A page poured wine into everyone’s cup.