"He wants to marry her?" William was surprised.
"He does, but what can he offer her? A life here as the wife of a servant? Especially with her friend marrying the Lord of Mayfair." She shook her head, but not before tears were evident. "Pride is not a bad thing, but it can make a man foolish."
"Kevin's feelings for Sophie aren't foolish."
"No, but his actions have been." Abby saw the look of warning on John's face. "I'd better check to see if everything is going smoothly in the kitchen." She turned away abruptly and left.
"She's upset," John said, following after his wife without another word.
William motioned Mary to his side. "This is going to be an interesting night, my love. Whatever happens, don't leave the dining room without me."
"What is it?" Mary felt her heartbeat accelerate.
"Promise, Mary. Stay in the dining room. Your life and mine might depend on it."
Chapter Seventeen
Kevin strode into the dining room just as everyone had started taking their places. Although he didn't go to Sophie, his look lingered on her, and she, in turn, couldn't take her eyes off him. But whenever they felt someone looking at them, they dropped their gazes and pretended they were not interested in each other.
Mary watched the exchange with a feeling of sorrow. Not Sophie. Not her friend. She could take anything except betrayal by her friend. What was going on between the two of them, and how deeply was Sophie involved in Kevin's personal business? She and Sophie had been so close for so long, and now they hadn't really spoken to each other in several days. Why hadn't Sophie confided in her? The sense of betrayal made tears well in her eyes. She blinked them back. How did William feel, thinking his own relatives might be plotting against him? She felt Sophie's gaze on her, and she forced a smile.
"You look beautiful," Sophie said to her. Her dark gaze met Mary's green one and then slid away.
"And you." Mary wasn't exaggerating. Sophie's dark hair glistened against her pale skin, and the red dress she'd chosen was perfect for her complexion. But it was more than clothes or makeup. Mary could see the flush that heightened Sophie's coloring and put an extra sparkle in her eyes. She was in love with Kevin. What once would have given such joy was now an occasion for worry.
Mary looked around the table. Dr. Sloan had not been able to attend, but Clarissa, Darren, and Mrs. Daugherty were there. A pang of concern for Darren made Mary turn away. He was caught in a web of anger spun by his unhappy mother. Soon he would be completely cocooned in her harping, nagging ways. Unless he made good his escape soon, she would suck all vital elements from him and leave only a shell. But was he willing to sacrifice William to make his escape? Did he want Mayfair for his own?
"Mary, are you okay?"
She looked up to find Erick staring at her. His blue eyes, so much like William's, were narrowed with concern. His short, dark hair glistened.
"I'm fine." She smiled. "Just serious thinking." She looked behind him. "Where's this wonderful woman we've heard so much about?"
"Edna couldn't make it tonight."
"Is her little girl sick again?"
Erick's smile was careworn. "No, it's her mother, I'm afraid. Edna carries a lot of family responsibility. But on to more pleasant things. I hear William's going to make an announcement."
"Now, that's for William to do." She tried to read something in Erick's face, but there was nothing there but a smile.
"Excuse me," he said, "but I think John and Abby are having difficulty finding their seats."
Mary watched as Erick helped maneuver the couple to their seats. Everyone else had begun to settle around the table, and she found her seat at William's left. She glanced at him only to find that he was alertly scanning the crowd. He was looking for the snake in the garden, or at least some sign of one.
Before the party they'd spent half an hour tapping at the walls to see if they could detect a hollowness anywhere that might lead to another passageway. They'd found nothing— and had almost been caught by Erick, who'd shown up earlier than expected.
They'd also managed to open the passage in Mary's room and thoroughly search it from end to end, without finding a single clue to the man who'd frightened Mary.
"Maybe no one here is involved," Mary whispered to William. His gray gaze swept the room for the hundredth time.
"I wish I could believe that. There's someone in Mayfair. Someone who doesn't belong here. I have to be certain, though, that he's working alone." He looked at Mary, a piercing look. "You see, the problem I have is, why would a stranger try to destroy my marriage, and my future?"
"He might not be normal," Mary said, hesitating to state it any more forcefully.
"If that's the case, he could be extremely dangerous."
Mary sighed. "I know that." She took her seat as William held her chair. The other women sat, followed by the men. Abby looked as if she wanted to jump up and take charge of serving the meal, but she sat between John and Kevin, her glance falling occasionally on William as she waited to see what he would do.
While Mary barely picked at her food, William ate with gusto. The sound of laughter, cutlery and crystal filled the room, giving the enormous hall a sense of real warmth.
Even Clarissa seemed determined to enjoy the evening and to contain any negative remarks she might want to make. For his part, Darren drained his wineglass more than once, but his slightly flushed face gave way more often than usual to a smile.
"I can't believe it's anyone in this room," Mary said, bending close to William's ear while the table was distracted with the serving of the dessert.
"We'll soon find out." He took a spoonful of the custard. "This isn't as good as Abby's."
"No, it isn't," Mary agreed.
William took another bite before he folded his napkin. He stood at the head of the table and cleared his throat. "I've asked you here on such short notice for a special announcement. You've all gotten to know Mary." He ignored the angry stare Chancey threw his way. "We've decided to marry as soon as we can possibly arrange it. We'll be leaving in the morning."
The exclamations around the table ranged from consternation to surprise. Clarissa McLeod looked as if she'd been slapped.
"What about the ceremony? There's never been a Lady MacEachern without a huge ceremony to mark the wedding. The community has to meet her. If you fail to introduce her properly, she'll never be accepted." Clarissa leaned forward impolitely on her elbows in her eagerness to make her point.
"It's a lost cause," Chancey said. "William can hire an orchestra and rent a circus to perform. None of it will make that woman acceptable as Lady MacEachern. She hasn't the backbone for the job."
"Chancey, that's enough." William's voice was harsh. "We will have a ceremony," he said, directing his comment to Clarissa. "But it will be after we're wed." He picked up Mary's hand and kissed it. "We simply can't wait any longer. If I had the proper ring, I'd marry her this moment."
"She has— " Chancey's remark was interrupted as William assisted Mary to her feet.
"At this time, I'm going to formally pledge my vow of love and marriage to Mary Muir." He turned Mary to face him. "At one time, this was considered the formal vows of marriage. The head of the clan would announce his choice of wife, the MacEachern marriage ring would be produced, and hopefully accepted. And the marriage would be legal." He frowned. "The ring has been…"
Mary's hand went to her chest, where the ring nestled beneath her dress. In her concern over straightening out the heir business and the plans for the evening, she'd never gotten around to telling William about the emerald. Slowly she withdrew the ring from beneath the folds of her dress, slipped the chain from around her neck and placed it in his hand. "I accept your proposal, and your ring," Mary said, her voice shaky with emotion. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Chancey's furious look.
"Mary!" William looked shocked.
"The ring!" Erick stood, surprise clear on his features. He strode to William's side and examined t
he emerald. "By God, it's the ring! This calls for a real celebration. We need champagne."
"Champagne," Sophie agreed, also rising. "I'll help Erick."
In less than five minutes they returned with filled glasses of champagne. "Mayfair's finest," Erick declared as he and Sophie made sure everyone had a glass. "Now for the ceremony. It's been many years since Mayfair has seen this ritual."
"Mary— " William took her hand "— where did you…?"
"Later," she whispered. "I don't know that I can explain."
Lifting her left hand to his lips, William kissed it. "In the tradition of the Clan MacEachern, I take Mary Muir as my wife." He slid the ring on her finger. "I will love and protect her for all of her life."
Darren clapped. "Bravo, William. A long and fruitful marriage." He lifted his glass and everyone followed suit.
"Darren!" Chancey's face was white. "I don't believe ancient tradition will be accepted as law. This isn't a legal marriage. It's a farce."
"This will never hold up in a court." Clarissa's lips were pinched tight.
"Think about it, Mother. William has married. He will inherit Mayfair. There's nothing you can do about it." Darren's smile was bitter. "Nothing I can do." He turned to William. "My congratulations, William. Now, if you'll excuse me…" He placed his napkin carefully on the table and left the room.
"Well, Darren certainly knows how to make an exit." Clarissa fought for composure.
"My warmest congratulations," Mrs. Daugherty said. She rose to her feet and held up her glass of champagne. "A toast to the bride and groom. To many years together, and a long, happy and fruitful life." She swallowed her wine.
Mary turned to William to seal the marriage with a kiss. To her horror, she saw his face flush with color. Tiny drops of perspiration were gathering on his forehead. "William!"
"I think some strange and awful evil is among us." He glared around the table. "Tricks and pranks and gossip-wagging tongues. 'Tis time to right the wrongs that have been done in my castle."
Mary couldn't believe it. Before her very eyes, William was changing. A terrible silence fell over the table.
"Now, William— " Mrs. Daugherty began.
"Still that tongue if ye wish to keep it," he snapped at her, and she clamped her mouth shut. "Now I want the guilty parties to step forward." His hand went to his side as if he searched for a weapon that was not there.
"William." Mary touched his arm. "We need to talk." She looked at Erick for some assistance. "Help me get him out of here."
"Let me have a word with you, my lord," Erick said, stepping around the table to take William's arm. "I need a favor of the highest order. Only you can grant it."
"I'm not done with these…invaders." He looked at Kevin. "These impostors."
"Just one word," Erick said. "It won't take long, and then we'll come back here to finish your business."
William nodded and allowed Erick to lead him from the room.
"So this is the man you're going to pledge your life to," Chancey said. There was a waspish sting to her words, but she was obviously shaken by what she'd seen. "I've had enough of this boorish treatment. I'm going home." She gathered her coat and stalked out of the room.
"Chancey!" Kevin stood swiftly and followed her. "Don't be a total fool. Come back here."
"Excuse me." Mary rose, her own legs shaking.
"Mary, I'll help you." Sophie jumped up and went to stand beside her friend.
"I'll find the villain who's been wandering about my castle. I'll chop his fingers off one by one!" William's voice echoed off the stones of the castle.
Mary looked around the room. "Excuse me." She turned and fled, running blindly down the hallway. What had come over William? How had this happened when they'd taken such care about the food? She caught a glimpse of Chancey disappearing into the kitchen, but she hurried on to the library. With a great shove, she swung the big door open— to find an empty room. There was no sign of William or Erick.
She whirled, the long dress floating out behind her as she ran toward the kitchen. Members of the catering crew were busy cleaning up.
"Has anyone been through here?"
One young woman scrubbing the stove looked up. "A tall woman prissed through about three minutes ago. Had a very high opinion of herself, she did. Near knocked me down."
"Did anyone come into the kitchen this afternoon? Anyone at all?"
"Mrs. Connery stopped by and looked around." The girl smiled. "She was very nice. I think she wanted to help us."
"No one else?"
The girl frowned. "No one. I've been right here. Just you and his lordship, when you were looking at the walls. No one else."
"Thanks." Mary dashed through the room and out the back door. Chancey was going to the barn. She must have followed Erick and William. Mary could only pray that Erick would not allow William to ride. He'd been lucky so far, but there was always a good chance he'd break his neck taking walls and fences in the dark.
The barn was disturbingly quiet as she entered. Except for the movement of the horses in their stalls, it seemed empty. With a quick check, Mary made sure that Blaze was still in his stall. The striking stallion nuzzled her hand and went back to his hay.
A sudden movement at Mary's feet made her draw in her breath. It took a second for her to realize it was Familiar, wending in and out of her legs. She was about to speak to him when his sharp claws penetrated the skirt of her gown and struck her calf.
"Ouch!" she cried, trying to jump back, but Familiar followed, one paw still attached to her dress.
"Meow." He retracted his claws and started down the long, dark barn. "Meow."
Mary followed, trusting the cat. When he scratched at the door to Kevin's office, Mary hesitated. No matter what she suspected, it was still difficult to force herself to enter another person's quarters without their permission. Only William's safety and his future motivated her to turn the knob and enter.
Familiar circled the room, quickly surveying the entire area. In a moment he was pawing a brown paper bag on the floor beside the desk. "Meow!" His tone was demanding.
Mary reluctantly opened the sack, and a long, low sigh escaped her. "Damn." The pestle and port glass were in the sack. They'd been broken into many pieces, but she still recognized them. "Kevin!" She spoke his name in sorrow. "This will break Abby's heart."
"Meow!" Familiar was sitting on the floor looking up at her.
"What?" The cat definitely wanted something. She could tell that much, but she didn't know what.
"Meow." He patted the sack with his paw.
Mary narrowed her eyes as she looked at what Familiar was doing. Something was wrong. What? She couldn't understand what the feline was trying to tell her.
"We have to find William, and now," she said. She'd worry about Familiar's antics later.
Kevin had left the room shortly after William and Erick. He could be bird-dogging them. And Chancey? Was she working with Kevin? It would seem so. She was somewhere in the night running around, also.
Mary scooped up the cat and left the office. She made sure the door closed behind her, and then she hesitated. Mayfair was aglow with lights in the distance, but the barn was still very dark.
After hiring caterers and trying to make sure that nothing went amiss, someone had still been able to put something in William's food. Who? No one had been in the kitchen. Or at least, not anyone that the caterers had seen.
Mary started to go back to the kitchen. Maybe one of the other caterers had seen something. She should have asked them all. She was halfway across the yard when she heard Kevin call her.
"Mary."
She felt a chill run through her body. She stopped, but she didn't answer.
"Mary! It's William. He needs your help!"
"Kevin?" She didn't want to answer him— or go to him. "I have to go back inside."
"No, Mary. You have to help me. William's life depends on it."
She turned around to find him, but the barn
door was a large black opening. There was no sign of human life at all. She felt the cat brush against her lower legs, and she felt a measure of comfort. "What is it, Kevin?"
"Come here. Hurry. We have to help William."
Mary took three steps toward the barn. She had to force her feet forward. "Kevin, don't hurt William."
"Get over here."
"I'm coming." She tried to find something to pick up, some weapon. If she walked into the barn defenseless, then she'd be dooming William and herself. With each slow step, she tried to figure out a way to prevent what was happening.
"Get in here now, before it's too late."
The urgency in Kevin's voice shut out everything else. She had to obey, or he would injure William. Step-by-step, she approached the barn. Familiar was beside her— and unusually quiet, for him.
"Where's William?" She spoke to the darkness, unable to see Kevin or anything else.
Before she could utter another sound, strong hands clasped over her mouth and around her waist. She felt herself being lifted, much as she'd felt in the tunnel. She managed one muffled cry before she was whirled into the barn and thrown against stacks of baled hay.
"Hush!" Kevin's voice cracked with anxiety. "Running about all over the barn. You nearly spoiled everything. I've been waiting, watching, hoping for this chance. Sophie and I have discussed it."
Mary's heart was pounding. She fumbled in the hay beside her, trying to find some object she could wield as a club. Her fingers clutched only straw at first. In a moment she felt something soft and silky. She tugged at the material, finding more. Her fingers worked along it until she felt something smooth and warm. Long and smooth and warm.
A leg!
"My God!" She spoke the words before she even thought.
"Don't worry, it's only Chancey. But if you don't shut up, I'll have to hit you, too."
Chapter Eighteen
I don't know whether to jump on Kevin or Mary. He's acting like a complete dunce and she's about to scream bloody murder. If we're to find William, then Mary is going to have to cooperate. That was what I was trying to tell her in Kevin's office. Would a person who stole evidence leave it lying about on the floor in a paper sack? That's a plant if ever I've seen one— set up perfectly for Mary to find. With my help, I might add. I was played like a cheap fiddle! I used my detective skills to lead Mary directly to the wrong assumption. Now I'm going to have to think quick. Not difficult, for me, but the problem is trying to second-guess these humans. They are totally irrational! At least Kevin has given that sassy Chancey exactly what she deserved— a knock on the noggin. Now she sleeps the sleep of the innocent. Maybe somebody should record this event for historical purposes.
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