"And how do these two ladies fit into the plan?” Melody asked sharply.
"These two ladies are the reason I am here. They convinced me to come with them into the past to try to contain Moira. Elizabeth here has the idea something in Moira's past made her very angry, angry enough to try to destroy all of us. Elizabeth believes if we can learn what that event was and change it, we can render her harmless to hurt any of us by taking away the reason for her hatred,” Benjamin explained.
Melody scrutinized Kim and Liz. “And do the two of you also have magical powers?"
"They have access to what I know about magic,” Benjamin said. “They can be a great deal of help. They are seers."
"Seers, is it? What need have we of seers?” Melody sneered.
Liz fixed Melody with a cool stare, smiled. “I am not sure you have any need of us at all, Melody, but we have great need of you—all of you—in order to change what has happened because of Moira and what she and Sean are trying to do to Tarrh. Have either of you any idea what made Moira hate the McCann family and magic so much?"
"Hate magic?” Tarrh echoed. “You think she hates magic? Why, it is her one achievement in life. Why would she hate it?"
"I'm not at all certain why she hates it, but I believe she does. It seems to me she blames magic for all her miseries—magic, that is, and the McCann clan.” Liz said.
"She has miseries? That is a laugh,” Melody said.
Tarrh was deep in thought. “Aye, she might well hate the McCanns. Yet again, she seems to have a true fondness for Sean,” he mused.
"Perhaps that's because Sean is not truly your half brother as he professes.” Liz speculated.
"Not my brother?” Tarrh asked. “What do you know about him?"
"Not much really, but could it be possible Moira and Sean knew one another before she married you?” Liz asked.
"Aye, I suppose ‘tis possible, why?” Tarrh asked.
Liz shrugged. “Suppose they cooked up a scheme to move in on you. In the event something should happen to you, Sean, as your half brother, would be the only heir to the family holdings; Moira, by her devotion to Sean, would still profit in the end,” Liz suggested.
"To what purpose?” Melody asked.
"All I have to go on is speculation, but suppose Moira and Sean were in love and Moira was promised to Tarrh—” she began.
"Aye, we were betrothed—an arrangement made between old friends. Neither of us would have dared challenge that agreement. But, of course, neither of us was anxious to consummate it. I suspected Moira might have given her heart to another and I—” Tarrh paused, smiled at Melody before continuing, “I had other interests as well, though I suspect the object of my ardor was unaware of it, until this very moment."
Melody's face reflected total astonishment at his words. “Are ye saying—?” she sputtered.
His eyes twinkled as he nodded his head. “Aye, lass. You won my heart long ago, when ye first came here crying for pity and I took you in. I knew there was no chance for the two of us because I was already bound by my father's will. I suppose I should have kept my trousers in proper order, but I could not. I wronged you, my love."
Melody shook her head slowly. “Ye could have said as much. I would have understood,” she whispered.
"Aye, that you would, and I am hoping you do even now. ‘Tis you I love, as it ever shall be,” he said.
Melody sat on the edge of his bed, fixed him with a look of pure adoration. “Well, ye canna die now! Do you have sufficient reason to fight for your life yet?"
He laid his hand on her knee, gave it a squeeze. “I have reason enough. ‘Tis the strength I am not so sure I have,” he said wearily.
"I shall be your strength, my love. Think of little William and me, and we will do the rest,” she assured him.
"To answer your question, Elizabeth, ‘tis possible and even quite likely she and Sean knew each other before and were in love. Her entire attitude toward the marriage and everything else changed the moment he came into this house, though she was never a very cordial bride,” Tarrh said.
"Is her father a wizard as well?” Kim asked.
"Aye, and a most unusually gifted one he was. He met with a nasty accident shortly after we were married,” he said.
"An accident?” Liz asked.
"Aye, and eerie ‘twas, to have taken his life. It left Moira with that scar on her face and halfway down to her waist,” Tarrh said, a faraway look in his eyes.
"Go on,” Liz encouraged.
"Go on with what?"
"Tell us about the accident,” Liz said.
"It was almost as though someone was working a spell. I could feel magic crackling in the air, but I could find no one else anywhere nearby. Old MacPherson—Moira's father—asked us to pay a call on him. We had been at his house and were leaving to return home. Mac and I had a few harsh words over something I cannot even recall now and he asked us to leave. I knew something was about to happen, but I could not tell what it was.
"I remember hearing a clap of thunder as we were going out the door, though there were no clouds in the sky and I looked up to see a huge carved stone statue hurling down from the top of the tower. My reflexes were slower than they should have been, likely from the spirits Mac and I had drunk. I had barely enough time to push Moira out of the way and lunge to the side to avoid being crushed. I hit my head and I guess I lost consciousness for a time. When I came to, Mac was squashed under the statue and Moira had been gashed by a piece of stone that broke off when it crashed down.
"Poor devil, he never knew what hit him. I was badly shaken, but I did everything I could to stop her bleeding and get her back inside. She came to herself and saw Mac and she went berserk. She accused me of trying to kill them both and be done with her. I could have taken care of that scar, but she would never let me touch her again. ‘Twas right after that when Sean ensconced himself at the manor."
"You said you could feel magic, Tarrh. Does that mean you thought someone else was there, working some kind of spell?” Kim asked.
"A wizard can always tell when other masters are nearby and I could feel the magic, but could not sense anyone's presence, nor could I ever prove anything. I have thought it over many times and I still believe there was someone there somewhere, but cloaked so well I could barely discern his essence,” Tarrh said.
Kim and Liz looked at each other as if for confirmation. Both of them were thinking the same thing. It went without saying, Sean must have been involved in the perpetration of the accident.
"Picture this, if you will, Tarrh.” Kim said. “Moira and Sean were lovers, but MacPherson was determined to have Moira marry you, the son of his old and trusted friend. Mac banished Sean, but Sean and Moira continued to meet in secret. Sean couldn't bear the thought of her being with you and he began to devise a plan of how to rid their lives of you."
"When Mac summoned you to come to his place, Sean saw his chance. He would wait and watch and spring his plan when you were leaving Mac's house,” Liz continued. “Only things didn't go the way Sean planned because even with your senses dulled, your perception that something was afoot warned you, and your reflexes were still fast enough to save you."
"But you foiled his plan because—well, how easy is it for a mediocre wizard who is also a coward to pull off a spell against a wizard as powerful as yourself?” Kim interceded.
"However, all wasn't lost since Mac was out of the way now and Moira was completely turned against you because she thought you were responsible for it,” Liz said. “That made it all too easy for Sean to convince her he should show up at your manor claiming to be your illegitimate brother and once he was inside, they could combine their dark talents to get rid of you once and for all. Sean was just coward enough to let her think he had nothing at all to do with the accident and smart enough to use the unexpected turn of events to fan her hatred of you."
"The poison!” Tarrh said.
Liz shot a look at Benjamin who had been silently takin
g everything in. “Yes, Sean is a pretty rotten apple—starts to remind me of someone else's pretended half brother,” she said.
"David?” Benjamin asked. “What makes you think David wasn't really my half brother?"
Liz smiled, “Because Moira was able to use him against you when she couldn't get to you directly. And because Melody cast a spell of protection for William and all his descendants. David couldn't have been one of those descendants!"
Benjamin smiled warmly at her. “Aren't you the smart one, though?"
"How did you know I protected my William?” Melody asked.
Kim smiled. “May I?"
Liz shrugged.
"She knew you protected him because she's also a mother and that's what she would have done in your shoes, given your talents and the situation you found yourself in,” Kim said. “Besides which, she knew because she's a very good seer!"
"Aye, my friends, this all makes a great deal of sense, does it not?” Benjamin asked.
Tarrh nodded thoughtfully. “Then you think that was the turning point for Moira, when her father was killed by that falling statue?"
"I don't know about everyone else but I do. At the very least, I think it's an extremely good bet. I also think it just might possibly turn her yet again if she were to learn the truth about Sean,” Liz added.
"And how do you propose we show her the truth about her love in a way she cannot possibly doubt?” Melody asked.
"A couple of things come to mind,” Liz said. “One way would be to get a confession out of Sean, one that Moira hears. Another would be to take Moira back in time and make her watch what happened."
"Both of those would definitely be pieces of cake,” Benjamin said smugly.
"Sarcasm, Ben? You have a better idea?” Liz asked.
"Not at all. In fact, I am certain one of those options is the answer. However, accomplishing either of them will require the utmost caution in planning and care in execution,” Benjamin said, his eyes twinkling as he looked at her. “What ideas do you have on that?"
She peered deep into his eyes, felt again that persistent nudging deep inside to get closer to him. Was he playing games with her? If so, why, at a time like this? What was it with him, anyway?
"I'm not sure yet. I'm still working on it,” she answered.
"Which of the alternatives do you favor, lass?” Tarrh asked.
"I favor whichever will be the easiest to pull off, of course. Which do you think that will be?” she quizzed.
"I think it would be easier to coerce Sean into confessing, but I fear it would be more stirring and convincing to Moira to let her witness the event—also vastly more difficult for all concerned. It will take a great deal of magic. Therefore, I believe you other magicians will have to try your best to get me on my feet so I can be of some help to you,” Tarrh said.
"What must we do?” Melody asked.
"It would help if we knew the ingredients of the potion they have been using on Tarrh,” Benjamin said. “Is there any way we could perhaps filch a wee bit of it from under their noses?"
"That would be a task for me. I have free access to the entire manor, since I am the servant,” Melody offered. “In fact, I have already found and identified the potion. All that is left is to take some or all of it. I brewed up a concoction the same color and consistency that I could substitute for what I take so ‘twill not be missed."
"That was smart of you, lass,” Tarrh complimented.
"I was that close to taking the real potion and replacing it with my mixture myself, but those vicious mutts of hers have been close to the potions every time I have approached them,” Melody said. “I need someone to distract them while I make the switch."
"How does one distract those animals of hers?” Liz asked.
"I've a wee snack I've come up with that appeases them while I do the cleaning. If someone went with me and fed them while I exchanged the potion, I am sure I could do it."
"Oh, that sounds like a fun job,” Liz said. “Those beasts and I didn't hit it off too well, as I recall."
"Sounds like something I should try, then,” Kim offered. “I'm usually good with animals, and they have already met you, Liz. They would sense something amiss if you were to try it."
"Aye, with normal animals, I would say ‘tis true,” Benjamin said, “but with these beasts I am not so sure. You might need magic to control them, since they don't know you."
"Nay, Benjamin,” Melody said, “Moira would know instantly if magic had been used. She's that strong now. She would suspect what had happened in a flash."
"Right. Well then, perhaps Kimberly is the wisest choice. The thing you must remember is not to think about what you are doing or why. You must only think about being with the dogs and being their friend,” Benjamin cautioned.
"No problem. I'll think only about being with them while I'm concentrating on staying here in the past with you and Liz and while I'm focusing on being unobtrusive enough not to get eaten by the monster dogs,” Kim said. “Is that about the size of it?"
"Aye, lass, you have the idea. Are ye up to the task then?” Benjamin asked with a grin.
"Sure! I'll have a go at it. And what will you be doing in the meantime?” she asked with a wry smile.
"Elizabeth and I will be working on stabilizing Tarrh's condition enough to be able to use an antidote on him, once I figure out what the counter potion might be,” Benjamin said.
"Well, all right, then. As long as you two are working on the cause and not playing footsie by the fire, I'm game,” Kim said.
"Good girl. And when shall we begin this venture?” Benjamin asked.
"Every evening after dinner, Moira and Sean go for a walk in the garden. That would be the ideal time,” Melody said. “You will be undetected so long as you remain here in Tarrh's chambers. Neither Moira nor Sean ever comes here in the afternoons. I will come get you when they leave the house. Oh, and I will bring you two some more appropriate clothes to wear while ye are here, should you be seen by anyone. My things will fit either of you and they have my smell so the dogs won't be so suspicious of ye."
"Aye,” Benjamin agreed, “that sounds like a wise plan to dress them in your own clothes. Thank you."
Liz looked at Kim askance as Melody left the room. “Footsie by the fire?"
Kim smiled, but said nothing.
"Humph!” Liz spouted.
Benjamin chuckled lowly. “Might as well make yourselves comfy, lasses. We should conserve our energy until this evening,” he advised.
Chapter 33
Kim followed Melody through the secret passageway leading to Moira's chambers. She was having second thoughts about volunteering so quickly to distract Moira's hounds. Sure, she could charm most animals she had known, but from what Liz had told her about these hounds, she wasn't so sure. “Tell me, Melody, do you think Moira's dogs are demons instead of animals?” she whispered.
Melody stopped and eyed Kim a moment. “I can tell ye for certain, they are unique in all the world. They can be vicious beyond measure and they are smarter than any beasts I have encountered before,” she replied.
"Do you think they can read minds?"
Melody considered the question, her lips pursed. “They seem to be able to detect certain ideas, though I think they do not actually read thoughts,” she answered, then shrugged. “Yet again, I could be wrong."
"So you think if I treat them the way I would any ordinary animal, they'll be all right with my presence?” Kim pushed.
"That is what I am most sincerely hoping, Miss Kimberly,” Melody said.
"Please, Melody, just call me Kim,” Kim encouraged.
"Right, then. Kim it is. Just in case I am wrong about those devil dogs, though, I shall be thinking you are my cousin Callie and you are staying here helping me for a few days. Wouldn't hurt anything for you to be thinking the same,” Melody suggested.
Kim gave a nervous laugh, nodded. “All right, I will cogitate on that. How are we related?"
&nbs
p; "Ah, me mither's sister Gwyneth is your mither, don't you know?” Melody asked.
"Gwyneth,” Kim mused. “Yes, of course, that'll do nicely. Thank you, cousin."
"All right, we are here. Now, I brought you this way so if anything happens, you can hie yourself back into the secret passage. Moira doesn't know about it. You have the snacks ready?” Melody asked.
"Yes, I have them,” Kim said.
"All right. When we go in, I will spend a bit of time talking to the dogs and getting them used to you. Then I will go and start my dusting. See if you can persuade them to follow you to the fireplace to take the cakes from you. That will get them across the room from the potions and give me a chance to switch the vials. If we are lucky, they will curl up in front of the fire for their nap after they have eaten the cakes,” Melody said.
"All right. I will do what I can,” Kim agreed.
"Oh, and one more thing ... ‘twould be best for ye not to speak, cousin. They do respond to different accents and that might not work well for our plans because it might alert them something was not as it ought to be if they heard ye speaking that strange talk."
"Strange talk?” Kim asked with a broad smile. “Am I a deaf mute, then?” Kim asked.
"Actually, ye are,” Melody said with a grin.
Kim returned her grin, nodded. This whole project had more conditions than her skin had chill bumps just now. The dogs might eat her or they might not respond to her at all. How could she charm them without speaking to them and telling them what good beasts they were? She took a deep breath, prepared to enter the room behind Melody. She was calm, she told herself. Another deep breath. Lying had never been her strong suit. This had to work; she must do whatever it took to buy Melody the time she needed to switch the potions. She cautiously followed Melody into the elegantly furnished bed chamber, looked around but a moment before her eyes locked on the two huge hounds.
The dogs saw her in an instant and were on their guard, padding across the room with gigantic fangs bared in grotesque smiles Kim was sure would presently turn to grinding mechanisms to make short work of her and the snack cakes she carried.
McCann's Manor Page 36
