Once Upon A Haunted Castle: A Celtic Romance Anthology

by Eliza Knight

  Her unladylike snort told him exactly what she thought. He reined in his growing temper. If he hadn’t mentioned the ghost at Glen Kirk, he wouldn’t be in such a pickle. Nor would Laura be here. He brought the wine to his lips, but didn’t sip. What if this traitor seized on Laura being here? She’s English. Anything that happened to her here could be used as a reason to start an uprising.

  He gulped the wine and drained the cup. He gave her a sideways glance. When did her features become so refined? Her face so beautiful. She had always played his squire when they battled with Gareth. He looked away before she would feel him stare. He didn’t think of her as his squire. No, Richard would have his personal parts for the thoughts that ran through his head. He half-heartedly put up a barrier to taking her with him. He had looked forward to her company.

  Chapter Six

  Jamie walked into the solar, a small, more intimate room that the Great Hall. A large red and green wool carpet, with the Maxwell medallion woven into the center covered the floor. Tapestries of gardens hung on the whitewashed wall. A variety of leather chairs and benches were positioned around the fireplace. Herbert sat at the table eat his morning meal.

  “Laura’s not here?” Jamie glanced around the room.

  “She ran off to speak to Angel’s mother,” Herbert dipped his bread into the honey. “That girl is determined to help the spirit find peace.”

  “Faith,” Jamie ran his hand through his hair, a habit he did only when exasperated, which lately, happened much too often.

  “Yes, she can be a handful. Like her mother when she was a girl. The two of use always seemed to get into something.” Herbert’s face broke into a wide smile. “The two of you are at odds. When I mentioned you’d be joining us, she ate quickly and made her excuse.”

  “She’s obstinate and headstrong.” He paced in front of The Maxwell and told him everything. This was a conversation he didn’t want to have. For years, he’d hidden his feelings for Laura. It was the reason he grabbed the opportunity to stay with Herbert.

  “I know a young man who has much the same temperament.” Herbert, his eyes twinkling toyed with a letter.

  Jamie paced in front of the man he respected for his leadership as well as his devotion to the people under his care and his family. Herbert knew him better than most people except where Laura was concerned. For years he’d hidden his feelings for Laura from everyone. Eighteen months ago he welcomed the opportunity to join Herbert at Caerlaverock rather than remain at Cumgour and fulfilling his duty to The Maxwell there.

  It was the day before Richard left to serve his king in Wales. Glen Kirk’s Great Hall was filled with people celebrating him leading Glen Kirk soldiers, but Laura walked into the room he couldn’t breathe. It was more than the hunter green velvet gown that showed off every fine curve of her body or the soft cascade of rich, glowing auburn waves that hung over her shoulder. He didn’t have to look at her to know where she was in the room. He knew as if she was an extension of himself.

  “It’s not that I don’t like her. Truth be told, she attracts me like no other.” His voice trailed off as he reflected. “Sometimes I want to throttle her.” Other times we want to hold her in his arms and never let her go. He turned toward his uncle.

  “Yes, she’s headstrong, but you should have seen her confront Mitchell’s men. She didn’t flinch then or when the reivers’ attacked. Laura may have been scared, but she was confident and calm.” She’d make a man proud, but she was not for him. “She’ll make a warrior a good wife.”

  “You’re a warrior.”

  He hoped to God he wasn’t. It wasn’t in his nature.

  “I’m a farmer.” It was a simple declaration.

  Herbert slowly let out a breath. “There are times farmers need to be warriors.”

  Jamie had nothing to say to that. It was a truthful statement.

  “She’s Richard’s sister. I can’t think of her that way. Richard would skewer me.”

  “Are you so sure? She’s not a child. She’s four years younger than you. Laura has turned into a very beautiful, capable woman. And regarding Richard, you’re the first, and maybe the only, person he’d trust with his Laura. Think about it.” He tossed the letter to the side.

  Laura. She championed him at every turn. Could there be more to their friendship? Up until this journey they easily spoke to each other. Now, every word was a challenge. No. Her interests weren’t with him. She was Richard’s sister. It would would never work. They’d kill each other before the wedding night. “I said, Captain Oliver has returned and I’ve some news concerning our other issue.”

  “I said, Oliver has made some inquiries. There’s unrest in the villages along the River Nith. Two suspicious fires destroyed as many granaries. For some reason, the villagers have blamed me. I’m accused of taking their grain and setting the fires to cover up my theft. The fact that it’s my land and my grain is lost to them.”

  Herbert passed him the warm, crusty bread, honey and decanter of wine. Jamie tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into the honey.

  “I sent grain to the villagers out of concern,” Herbert said. “They complained there wasn’t enough for everyone. I gave them as much as I dared. I can’t deplete our limited stores. To protect them, Oliver organized a patrol, but the villagers twisted that to mean they’re being watched. They harass the men.”

  “No matter what you do the villagers find fault. Have you spoken to any of your farmers?” Herbert was vexed and for good reason. This wasn’t the typical behavior for the villagers under his care. The disruption had to be coming from the outside.

  “Oliver has been busy putting down disputes in my absence. I’d speak to Jack, however, now is not the time what with Evan’s death. It’s difficult for a father to lose a son under any circumstances.”

  “This all may be to stir the people against you, part of Donald’s warning. That would suggest the disruption is coming from within the castle, a traitor. I’d like to work with Oliver to find the betrayer. There’s no time to lose. Donald said something may happen in the next several days.” Didn’t Herbert see he was more valuable to him looking for the traitor than playing the courtier to Laura.

  “I’m glad to see Laura.” Herbert stared at the table as if there was an answer carved in the wood. “But would rather she wasn’t here.”

  Jamie had a sinking feeling. He didn’t like the sudden turn in the conversation. Herbert shook his head. “Until we get to the root of the matter, we need to keep her inside our walls. She’s titled and English, a bigger target than me. The fact that the raider gave his life to get to you and her worries me. We both know that girl well enough to know she won’t accept being protected by any of my soldiers. With your closeness to her, you’re the only man she’ll tolerate. And before you say anything, want you inside the walls as well. Your neutral position with the English is well known and makes you as vulnerable as being sympathetic to their cause. I’d rather we keep this between us. She doesn’t need to know.”

  “Yes. I understand.” He should be honored The Maxwell thought so highly of him. He should have been glad he stayed behind the wall. He was a farmer, not a warrior. Then why was he bristling, eager to be in the thick of things? He finished his wine and calmed. The very nature of a traitor was to draw you in, earn your trust, a most sacred thing, then use that trust against you. To him, traitors were the lowest of the low and had no place in his world. Jamie took a piece of bread and rose to leave.

  “You’ll find her in the kitchen. I gave her the key. It remains locked up tight. I found it interesting. Our ghost appears to be shy lately. He hasn’t materialized since you and Laura arrived. Maybe all we need to do is keep her here.”

  He heard Herbert’s soft chuckle as he left the room and marched across the courtyard and entered the kitchen area.

  “We don’t talk about it, I tell you.” Lewis, a seasoned soldier and Angel’s father pushed past him.

  Laura stood with Celia. Angel’s mother fidgeted wit
h her apron, her face a combination of sadness and pain.

  “He loved his Angel. Now, he won’t talk about her or even mourn for her.” The woman’s expression hardened. “It’s Evan. That devil. She told me everything. Everything, but mentioned nothing of his treachery. Why did she speak to him? Why didn’t she come to me or her father?” The hardened expression on the woman’s face collapsed and quivered. “Why wasn’t I there to protect her?” her voice trailed off into a hushed whisper.

  The room was silent. After several longs seconds, Celia, her head bowed, let out a heavy sigh. “I was cooking and she went on and on about the wedding and examining the stones in the leather pouch he made for her. To get some peace, I sent her to the pantry for more onions. Evan came in with a barrel of ale, kissed me a good morning. I told him to put the ale in the pantry. I left for the Great Hall. The next thing I know, Mary comes running for me. She found Evan and Angel,” she let out a halting breath, “dead in the pantry.”

  “I know this is difficult for you. Was there anyone else near the pantry?” Jamie asked softly. Laura’s head whipped around. What was he doing here?

  “People are always about. The ale and food stores are kept there.” She started to dismiss the idea then stopped and her brows wrinkled in thought.

  “No. I don’t remember who.” Celia bowed her head. “I didn’t take notice. I sent her to the pantry.” Celia raised her head and looked at them with tears ready to overflow. “I sent her to her death.”

  Laura watched the woman’s blank expression, but her chin quivered and she struggled to hold back tears. Every instinct in her wanted to ease the woman’s pain, but she had no words, no actions.

  “Thank you and I’m sorry for your loss,” Laura said. “I lost my brother recently and understand.” The woman’s glance snapped to Laura’s face. The pain Laura saw in Celia’s face mirrored her own. For days she played the strong one, not only for her parents and sister, but for the men at arms and villagers. Now she let her emotions rise to the surface and shared her pain with Celia in a moment of profound understanding.

  Jamie stood next to her silent and supportive. After a few moments his hand gently cradled the small of her back.

  “You’ll want to speak to Mary. She’s in the garden getting me some herbs.” The woman straightened with dignity. “You’ll excuse me.” Celia hurried off to the kitchen.

  Laura’s pain was still there, but having shared the moment made the pain easier to bear.

  She and Jamie walked to the middle of the courtyard.

  “You should have waited for me before you spoke to Celia.”

  “Yes, yes, I needed protection from a cook with a wooden paddle.”

  Jamie’s jaw tensed visibly, she suspected it was a reaction to her tart response. She had to applaud him for having the good sense not to respond. He wouldn’t understand. She widened her eyes hoping to stop the tears hovering at the edge of her eyelids. Find Evan and Angel’s murderer consumed her.

  “I hoped Celia would be able to tell us what the two argued about. She couldn’t confirm they argued. On the contrary, they were very happy. She did mention that there were others around the pantry. Someone must have heard something. We have to find them.”

  They maneuvered around tables and wagons in the courtyard as people hurried to do their marketing. Laura and Jamie passed the stable on their way to the kitchen garden.

  “Where were you when this happened?” Laura asked as they walked on.

  “I returned from patrol and nearly ran Mary down when she rushed through the courtyard. She grabbed Captain Oliver. They ran to the kitchen, a trail of people followed behind. By the time I arrived at the pantry, you couldn’t find a place to stand.”

  They stepped into a modest kitchen garden planted with herbs and flowering plants. The earth smelled rich and was mixed with the aroma of basil, chives, mint and sage.

  “Good day, Mary.” Jamie and Laura strolled up to the woman.

  Mary wiped the dirt from her hands on her apron, and picked up the basket of fresh picked herbs at her feet. “Good day.”

  “Lord Jamie told me about Evan and Angel. Mother was upset at the news. Angel always helped her when she visited. We wanted to ask you a few questions.” Laura pushed a wayward strand of hair from her face.

  “Every so often, I still see their faces, those poor children. Angel’s lifeless eyes stared up at me. Her lips tinged blue.” The woman shuddered. “Everyone loved the girl, such a light spirit. Never a nasty word or raised tone. Kind and generous she was, gave out trinkets, especially to the soldiers. A remembrance from Caerlaverock Castle she said. Evan made her a small pouch for them. He worked with the tanner for weeks, even burned an angel into the leather to make the pouch hers. She always wore it. It was around her neck when she died. They were so loving and caring to each other. I can’t believe that he killed her.”

  “No raised voice? I was told a loud row was reported. That’s why you went to the pantry.” Jamie said as they started walking back to the kitchen.

  “You wouldn’t be able to make out a shouting match at that time of day. That’s an active part of the house especially around mealtimes. You can’t hear yourself think from the din, especially when the men come in for a draft. I didn’t go to the pantry because of any noise. I went to get some candles. That’s when I found them.” Her body quaked as if overcome with a chill.

  “There were men by the pantry?” Laura asked as they came to the kitchen door.

  “Yes, three soldiers, Jermyn, Brian and Thomas were getting some ale from the barrel by the pantry when I got there. If anyone overheard an argument, it would be them.”

  “Thank you for your help.” Laura and Jamie stood in front of the pantry. Mary went off and got halfway to the kitchen.

  “There is something else.” Laura and Jamie stopped mid-stride near the pantry door and turned to face her. Heavy lines of concentration deepened along Mary’s brows and under her eyes. “I checked them both for any signs of life. There was so much blood everywhere.”

  Mary stared at them, a haunted look about her eyes. Jamie stiffened at her side. Laura knew Mary didn’t see them. The woman was someplace else. “Evan was covered in blood. He must have dragged himself through the pool on the floor to reach her. I had little hope for him, but there wasn’t much on Angel. Only a little on the bodice of her dress. I thought, I hoped she was alive.” Mary’s eyes cleared. Agony was etched on her face. “She was also gone. When I picked up her hand, I saw skin under Angel’s fingernails. I thought she may have clawed someone. Evan’s face was clear. I checked his arms and hands. Nothing there either. I told someone who came into the room. Nothing came of it.”

  “Could Angel have scratched herself? Her hands, face…?” Jamie asked.

  “There were no scratches on her.”

  “Thank you. I know this hasn’t been easy.”

  “He didn’t kill her and he’s not a traitor to The Maxwell. I swear on my life.” Mary pulled on her apron, wiped her eyes, turned and headed toward the kitchen. “Celia, here are the herbs you wanted.”

  “I’m getting anxious. Five days isn’t a long time,” Laura said as she fumbled for the pantry door key.

  “Why don’t we divide and conquer. You look through the pantry. I’ll speak to Evan’s father. I saw him by the stable. Afterward, I’ll meet you here.” Surprised by his willingness to cooperate, she agreed even though she wanted to be with him at the interview.

  She watched Jamie as he walked to the stables. For all his teasing he was a compassionate man. His rugged and commanding presence was compelling. She smiled to herself. Her heart lurched at the sight of him.

  “Are you lost, m’lady?” Sonia came into the hallway and followed Laura’s gaze. “Oh, Lord Jamie,” she said with a knowing smile.

  “What about Lord Jamie? He’s gone to speak to Lewis. I wanted to make sure he didn’t get distracted along the way.” Liar, she told herself licking her lips. She hadn’t fooled Sonia.

 
“He’s a good and trustworthy man.”

  “Yes, but to him, I’ll always be Richard’s little sister.” Her voice was a whisper.

  “That’s not what I see when he watches you when you’re not looking. I don’t think he sees your brother at all.” A soft curve touched Sonia’s lips.

  Laura touched her necklace, her fingertips warmed by the beads. Perhaps the heat was from the flush that rushed up her neck.

  “Mrs. Turner is coming. I must be on my way before she scolds me for dallying.”

  “Go on. If she comes by, I won’t say anything.” She shooed the girl out the door. Sonia vanished amongst the people in the courtyard.

  Laura slipped the key into the lock, slid the bolt and the door swung open. She wasn’t superstitious, but she needed a moment. It was easy to be brave when you knew what you faced, it was something else when you had no idea what to expect.

  With the only light coming from the open door, she lit the lantern and hung it on the peg in the center of the room. The dim light revealed walls lined with shelves of tins and wooden crates. Large barrels were scattered around the room. Finally, she looked at the floor and let out a sigh of relief. Someone had scrubbed the stone floor, no signs of blood. Thank goodness.

  She turned to face the darkest area, the back of the room, and squinted. The light barely reached that far back. Something glistened in the air. She gasped as the vapor throbbed and expanded. Out of the midst stepped a young man.

  “Evan.” she remembered the footman.

  His eyes widened and he gave her a respectful bow.

  “Tell me, who murdered you and Angel?” The apparition said nothing. “Can you give me any help?” The boy sadly shook his head before he faded away.

  Her first instinct was to rush to him and made him stay, but he was gone before she moved. Speechless. She’d have to think of a way to communicate with him, if he appeared again. She spent the next hour looking through the room and moved every tin and crate.