Seducing the Laird

by Marrero, Lauren

  "Do not think of appropriating a single item."

  "How you malign me!"

  "After what I heard tonight, I’m not sure I trust anyone."

  Briefly she described her meeting with Owen, leaving out nothing. Jon was shocked by her pregnancy, Owen’s violence and the forceful kiss. Owen was the best of Hadran’s agents at fighting, tracking and skulking through the shadows. He could steal anything, reach anyone, and kill anyone. Verena knew Jon was terrified of Owen, but he idolized him too.

  "Lord!" said Jon in wonder. "I knew Owen was a devil, but he has always looked out for me."

  "He is rough," Verena amended, thinking of his burly, uncouth manners and fierce determination. "But I never thought he would go against family."

  "Aye, that’s exactly how it is. We all hate Gundy, but without him, what would we be? Do you suppose Owen wants to set himself up as our master?"

  "That’s what worries me."

  A knock sounded at the door and Jon dived under the bed a moment before Roselyn appeared. They had been so engrossed discussing their plans, she hadn’t noticed the sunrise lighting the room. Roselyn was used to Verena rising early and now appeared with a tray full of hot tea, sweet breads, cheese and meats to break her fast.

  "Good day, Milady," she said brightly, setting out a pitcher of fresh water.

  "I do not feel entirely myself today," she admitted, lying weakly against the pillows. She had no intention of dressing with Jon hidden in her bedchamber. "I think I shall sleep a little longer."

  "Are you unwell?"

  Roselyn was immediately at her side, checking her temperature with the back of her hand.

  "I am merely overtired."

  "Of course, milady. I can bring you a cup of my mother’s special tea. She says it can cure anything."

  "Thank you."

  Roselyn turned to leave and almost collided with Lady Ivone as she sailed into the room.

  "Leave us," she commanded. Roselyn meekly nodded and backed out of the chamber.

  The sash of Ivone’s exquisitely embroidered dressing gown was open; her hair had not been brushed or styled. Clearly she had been disturbed with news of great import much earlier than she was used to rising.

  "Something happened last night between you and my son."

  "Milady?"

  "Don’t play coy with me. I know you work for Lord Gundy."

  Verena froze, trying to school her reaction. She knew Ivone was cunning, but never expected her to be so clever.

  "You really are quite good at your … profession. At first I thought you were too simple-minded to be anything other that what you claimed to be. The way you traipse around the countryside, spending time with peasants! Then I began to see your real purpose.

  "The peasants aren’t your friends, they are your accomplices. You are using them to gather information as you are using my son to gain access to our lands. Tell me, how much is Lord Gundy paying for your services? Do you grant him the same courtesy you do my son?"

  "I do not work for Gundy," she replied through clenched teeth. "I hate him."

  "I know you work for him. Have you found the treasure yet?"

  Verena had no intention of confessing to Ivone, but wanted to see what the lady would do next. How did Ivone know she was after the treasure? Verena could be an assassin, or spying on the McPherson’s defenses for the coming invasion. The lady seemed more concerned with the silver than the safety of her clan.

  "Milady," called Fergus from the doorway. "Is everything alright?"

  They both jerked around to see Fergus hovering in the open doorway. If Hadran trained her, Ivone might have known to bolt the door before an interrogation.

  "Of course it is," lied Ivone with a smile. She patted her arm in a show of affection. "I was merely chatting with our guest. Do you have business with Verena?"

  "I was hoping she could help me located Jon. The little imp was due in the stables an hour ago."

  "Jon?" she asked, blinking in confusion. If Ivone suspected her, she wanted to create as much distance as possible from her associate.

  "The brat who crashed into you in the courtyard a few days ago. He seemed to take a fancy to you."

  "I am sorry. I haven’t seen him since that day."

  "Peasants," sniffed Ivone as she left the room. "They are as fickle as they are untrustworthy. No doubt he is halfway across the country with my best serving spoon."

  As soon as she left, Roselyn rushed back into the room with a worried frown. She must have found Fergus and solicited his assistance, correctly guessing Lady Ivone was in a less than pleasant mood.

  "Is aught amiss?" questioned the maid. "I knew there would be trouble when Lady Ivone appeared in such a state. It was a good thing Fergus was nearby."

  "Thank you," she said with an audible sigh of relief. Why was Fergus near her bedchamber? According to Roselyn, this section of the castle was rarely used. Perhaps Cairn instructed him to guard Verena after last night’s disastrous incident. "Lady Ivone merely suggested how I might better occupy my time."

  Roselyn gave an unladylike snort and muttered a few choice words under her breath.

  "Forgive me, milady, but there is nothing wrong with how you spend your time. We appreciate the hard work you do for the clan. You are more of a lady than …

  "Roselyn!" Fergus said with a scowl. He didn’t approve of Ivone’s ways either, but he wouldn’t tolerate disrespect.

  "I beg your pardon. My da always says my mouth runs away from me."

  "There is no need to apologize. Thank you for coming to my aid."

  It took several minutes before she could usher her rescuers out of the room. Roselyn fluttered about like a mother hen, checking Verena’s temperature several times and readjusting the blankets. When they finally left, Jon slowly climbed from his hiding place, wincing and stretching cramped muscles. He eyed her untouched breakfast with longing and she gestured for him to take his fill.

  "Lord!" said Jon with his mouth full of sausage. "Your room is busy!"

  "I assure you this was not planned, but it is interesting. I thought the clan hated Lady Ivone, and though that might still be true, she must have some very skilled followers, perhaps her own band of spies. I need to know how she learned of last night’s events and why she hasn’t brought her suspicions to Cairn."

  "I bet she wants the treasure for herself and will leave the clan to starve. It is no secret that she plans to return to France."

  "If Cairn knew the treasure existed, he wouldn’t let her near it."

  "I know I wouldn’t."

  "Even if she plans to steal the treasure, letting the agent of your sworn enemy work unmolested in your home is a foolish risk."

  "Gundy is the McPherson’s enemy," Jon pointed out, picking his teeth with his knife. "Lady Ivone never considered herself a McPherson."

  "Follow Ivone. I want to know everything about her and everyone that comes in contact with her. Use extreme caution. We should assume she has help."

  Chapter 36

  Three days passed before Cairn visited Verena. She spent the time imagining intrigues between Gundy, Thomas and Lady Ivone. What was the relationship between them? On the surface they appeared to be enemies, yet they were each connected to the treasure. Each of them sought to keep the silver from the McPherson clan.

  Jon proved to be a valuable ally and had one of the kitchen boys follow Thomas while he shadowed Ivone. He gave Verena daily reports on their activities and they spent the evenings debating their next move.

  Aside from his earlier trip to the Old Lord’s burial mound, Thomas’ actions were completely normal. He was as cantankerous as ever, but his behavior was not suspicious. If Thomas was hiding the treasure, his actions wouldn’t lead them to it. Eventually they would have to search Thomas’ cottage, but so far Jon hadn’t had the opportunity.

  A new maid appeared in Ivone’s solar one day to bring the ladies a pitcher of wine, and then disappeared. The kitchen boys were quick to tell Jon of any changes in t
he castle, thinking it all a fun game. None of the servants Jon questioned knew the identity of the mysterious woman, but he was able to get a description.

  In spite of the danger, Jon was ecstatic by these developments. He had never pitted his skills against a rival spy and was eager to prove Hadran’s team was superior. Verena repeatedly warned him to be cautious, but she feared Jon was taking too many risks. Several times he narrowly avoided Lady Ivone’s attention and would later boast of his ingenuity to Verena.

  "You should be careful," she admonished.

  Jon shrugged. He had been trained by Hadran and knew what he was doing. He had worked hard to create an image of himself as a reformed rascal. The kitchen brats worshiped Jon for the incredulous history he had created, and even the gruff Fergus had softened toward him. Jon insisted Ivone was too pretentious to notice a servant boy and wouldn’t suspect him.

  There wasn’t much she could do while trapped in her chamber. She relied on Jon for all of her information and couldn’t help him with anything but strategy. Thankfully it didn’t take long for Jon’s story of her illness to spread through the clan. Almost immediately gifts started to arrive for her. Honey, small embroidered trinkets, sachets of sweet-smelling herbs and woven trim soon lined every surface in her chamber. As Jon predicted, the clan appreciated Verena saving their laird in Langthorne and her efforts to gain their trust.

  By the evening of the third day, Cairn burst into her chamber, glaring at her gifts with disdain. It was disconcerting that the sight of him, unshaven and furious, could cause her heart to beat in excitement. There were new lines beneath his eyes, as if he had not slept since that night in the woods.

  She knew he would come for her eventually and had diligently prepared for his arrival. A cheery fire burned in the fireplace, bathing the chamber in soft tones. A platter of Cairn’s favorite dishes and wine was laid on a small table. Resplendent in an ivory gown that did wonders for her figure, she sat crosslegged in the middle of the bed, plucking the melody of a tragic love song on a lute.

  "You have the whole castle fooled." With a swipe of his hand Cairn knocked several trinkets to the floor. "I can’t walk ten feet without someone asking after your welfare or reminding me to thank you for something on their behalf. I don’t know half of my clan, but you are here five minutes and everyone loves you. Everyone thinks you are so kind."

  "I didn’t wish to deceive you."

  Verena stretched across the bed to put the lute away, giving Cairn a good view of her cleavage and bare calves. This was no time for underwear.

  Cairn exhaled, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

  "Do you love him?"

  A few weeks ago she might have said yes. For years Owen had been like her older brother, guiding and protecting Verena through her perilous life. He was her friend, but she could never allow him to touch her as intimately as Cairn. She shook her head.

  "You don’t understand. Owen and I have always been close. Once I thought we would marry, but that was a long time ago …"

  Cairn growled low in his throat and slammed his palm into the wall.

  "Is that why you ran from me?"

  "I didn’t!" she exclaimed. She reached for Cairn, but he flinched away. She forced her fingers to curl into fists. For days she had planned this moment, but her preparations would be for naught if he didn’t believe her story. "You have been kinder to me than any man I have ever known. The things we have shared mean so much to me."

  "What did we share, lust and a few laughs?" Cairn stalked her, forcing Verena backward until she felt the cold stone wall at her back. He pressed against her, rubbing his swollen erection between her legs. "Was that all it meant to you?"

  Her mouth went dry. Cairn vibrated with energy. She wanted to melt into his embrace and kiss the scowl from his lips. He was like a whirlwind, switching from rage to lust in an instant.

  Before she could take a breath, Cairn’s head swooped down, capturing her lips. He was passion and fire in her arms, kissing Verena like he was starved for the taste of her. No other man could make her feel like this. She drowned in the sensation, uncaring if the kiss lasted until the end of the world.

  Abruptly Cairn wrenched his head away. Verena was trembling from the force of his passion; her weak knees were unable to support her weight. She knew she should say something, perhaps beg Cairn to forgive her or weep tears of sorrow, but she felt too numb to act coy or cunning.

  "You cannot remain here. Already my clan has begun to wonder, and I will not have disharmony in my household. You will stay in Scotland until the child is born. Once I have dealt with Gundy, I will deal with you."

  Before she could stop him, Cairn stormed from the room, leaving her to crumple silently to the floor.

  Chapter 37

  Suppers among the McPherson clan turned into strained affairs. Verena was forced to sit between Cairn and Ivone and bear the wrath of their thinly veiled contempt. Several days had passed since that disastrous night and though she was no longer confined to her chambers, Cairn insisted a guard follow her at all times. This meant she was unable to resume her duties for Lord Gundy and couldn’t speak to Owen again. Knowing that Jon was also unable to contact Owen since that night made her stomach twist with worry. Were his words frustrated ramblings, or was Owen truly planning to overthrow Gundy’s authority?

  Cairn spent his days making plans for England and the winter. For the sake of the clan he strove to maintain the illusion of stability. She had grown close to the McPhersons so Cairn granted her a measure of freedom, though he no doubt longed to lock her away.

  They never spoke about the child, but sometimes she would absently rub her flat stomach, imagining a boy or girl with bright curls and Cairn’s eyes. She would glance up and find Cairn watching her with an inscrutable expression. Verena knew he wanted the child, otherwise he would have banished her from the castle, but he was not ready to trust Verena again. She set to work trying to repair their relationship.

  If the clan liked Verena before, she was determined to make them love her now. She assisted the midwife and the apothecary. Verena distributed medicines to the sick and found old bolts of wool to make warm clothes for the village children. Recipes were exchanged with the cook and she never missed a church event. Verena was beyond reproach, but Cairn still maintained his distance. He didn’t visit her chamber or attempt to kiss her again. Verena was cut out of his heart, but she was determined not to lose hope.

  With Gundy’s forces expected in less than a fortnight, she knew she was running out of time. Unfortunately, she was no closer to finding the treasure. There were too many unknowns and she hated her precarious position. Owen was an opportunist and might try something without her knowledge. He wouldn’t dare approach the castle for fear of being recognized. Instead Owen would work his mischief from a distance, perhaps employing another to take his place.

  Lady Ivone also had at least one operative working within the castle for a purpose she didn’t yet understand. There were too many actors on the stage and she was no longer sure of her part. All she knew was that she must be careful lest she be caught in another scheme.

  Verena scanned the faces of each person entering and exiting the hall, looking for anyone who seemed out of place. She needed to identify all unknown agents immediately, in case Ivone employed more than one.

  A young servant quietly entered the hall, carrying a pitcher of wine. He seemed removed from the chaos in a way only someone outside the household would be. He stayed close to the walls with downcast eyes, trying not to draw attention to himself.

  "My lord?" she bravely asked Cairn, despite his less than social mood. "Is that a new server?"

  "How should I know?" he snapped, draining the contents of his goblet for the third time. "You know the servants better than I."

  Undaunted she repeated the question to Lady Ivone and received a similar response. She surreptitiously signaled to Jon. He would know if a new servant was working. Ever watchful, Jon immediately caug
ht her eye and subtly shrugged his shoulders. He didn’t recognize the lad, but would certainly know his story by the end of the evening.

  There was something about the servant that bothered Verena. There was a slight hesitation in his step as if he was unfamiliar with his role. His eyes darted about, watching the other servants and imitating their movements. When he approached the head table Verena knew something was wrong.

  Unless the boy was extremely ambitious or foolhardy, a new servant wouldn’t dream of approaching the head table without a summons. He only refilled Cairn’s goblet, ignoring Verena and Lady Ivone’s half-empty ones.

  "What is your name, boy?" she asked, nearly causing the lad to drop his pitcher in surprise.

  "My … er … my name?" he stammered. "It’s uh …umm …"

  "Leave the poor boy alone," interjected Ivone. Verena was astonished to hear her come to the rescue of someone so far beneath her. "You may go now."

  The boy bowed nervously and started to run from the hall, but her voice stopped him.

  "Won’t you refill my goblet?" she prodded. He clutched the pitcher to his chest as if it were made of gold. "Why don’t you leave that here?"

  "I … Um …"

  She could see the perspiration gathering on his forehead and silently rebuked Owen. This lad should not have been dragged into their shady business. He looked barely sixteen years of age. Verena noted his gaunt features and the way his ragged clothes hung loosely about his skeletal frame. He was probably a runaway.

  "It’s empty," he lied. "I’ll bring another."

  Cairn reached for his re-filled goblet and she snatched it. Her move was instinctive and she grimaced in horror at her stupidity. Verena knew she was beginning to care for him, but until that moment she didn’t think her affection would hinder her ability to act.

  Why did she take the wine from Cairn? According to Gundy’s plan, Cairn had to die. She knew this would come and should be relieved someone else found a way to do it. Verena should have calmly watched the boy do his business, but now it was too late.