My Highlander: A Cree & Dawn Novel, page 29
“Gillie says you were looking for someone,” Cree said.
“I was playing with her, bringing some excitement to her dull existence until the person I waited for arrived and I took my leave.”
Cree turned to Gillie again. “Did you see him with anyone besides Lara?”
Gillie shook his head, but Bram spoke up.
“I caught sight of a cloaked figure in the woods one day.”
“Who did you speak with?” Cree asked.
“It had to have been Lara since I spoke to no one else,” Slatter insisted.
“What about the person you waited for?” Cree asked.
“We took our leave immediately and neither of us wore cloaks. We were eager to be on our way.” Slatter shook his head and sighed. “Really, my lord, I happened upon an imminent abduction I had no part of and cared nothing about. I had important matters to deal with elsewhere and did not want to linger. Lara was nothing more than a simple distraction and I wished her no harm.”
“Then why did you return here?” Cree asked.
“Rutland’s tracks lead me here.”
“As you said before, he had information you wanted. Do not bother to tell me again that it is none of my concern, for I have yet to decide what to do with you,” Cree warned.
“Rutland was a wealth of information… for a price. Always for a price.”
Cree crossed his arms over his chest and glared at him when Slatter grew quiet, saying not a word, just waiting.
“I had heard that someone had set a price on my head and I wanted to know who since I could find out nothing about it,” Slatter informed him reluctantly.
“Did Rutland know?”
Slatter shook his head. “He found nothing. There is no price on my head. It was a rumor set by someone who believed I wronged him.”
Cree could not be sure if Slatter was telling the truth, but he planned to eventually find out.
He ordered his warriors to secure him in one of the huts and to keep two guards on him at all times.
“I have done nothing wrong that you should keep me prisoner,” Slatter protested.
“You will be judged in due time,” Cree said.
“For what?”
“That is what I will decide,” Cree said and motioned for Slatter to be taken away.
“He lies easily,” Tarass said as they walked back to the keep.
“I will get the truth from him,” Cree said with strong confidence that had Tarass believing him.
Dawn laid in Cree’s arms, listening to all he had to say. It had been a long, tiring day and tomorrow would be no different with Macardle’s arrival. She was impatient for this whole matter to be settled so their days could settle as well. At least their nights had returned to normal, making love and sleeping wrapped in each other’s arms.
“Slatter lies on top of lies,” Cree said.
Dawn nodded, agreeing.
“He knows something, he is not saying but I do not know if it concerns your abduction, Lara, or if it is separate from everything. I do not even know if I believe Newlin, the man with him. Is he a cohort of his or an innocent victim?”
She tapped his chest and smiled.
“You believe I will find out.”
She nodded, having not a doubt.
“In time perhaps, unless of course there is a price on his head. Then I may just hand him over to whoever wants him and collect the coin.”
She smiled, shaking her head, then tapped her lips and pointed to him.
“You know me far too well, wife, and you are right. Until I feel he has told me all I want to know he will remain a prisoner. One thing I feel he may speak the truth about is Lara.”
Dawn scrunched her brow, asking why?
“The way he spoke about her, she mattered not at all to him. He was simply having fun with her to pass the time. And if he had wanted her dead why wait? Why not take her life before he took his leave?”
Dawn mouthed, Ann, with a questioning tilt of her head.
“She was never mentioned, though Bram did say he spotted someone wearing a cloak in the woods. Perhaps it was Ann the day she had seen Lara and Slatter together.” Cree shook his head. “I feel like a piece is missing to the puzzle. James Macardle had you abducted and we will find out more about that tomorrow, though there is no excuse he can give that would make it right and keep me from punishing him. Rutland is the man he hired to do the deed and Gillie and Bram are the men Rutland hired to do the dirty deed. They in turn got Lara to help them. If what Slatter says is true, then he accidentally happened upon the impending plan and had no part in it at all. That would mean all who took part in your abduction have been accounted for. I can see someone killing Lara to keep her from saying what she knew, but why wait three months, giving her time to rethink what she had done and confess? It makes no sense. It does not seem to fit.”
Dawn listened to her husband go on about it, content in his arms. The three months she had been away, she had thought of moments like this she had shared with him and missed them terribly. He would speak about matters in the clan, she would ask him questions or give her opinion, and more often than not reasonable solutions were reached.
Not so this time, though like many times before, she agreed with him on this. Something was missing that would tie it all together.
Cree suddenly rolled Dawn onto her back, leaning over her. “Enough talk, those tempting kisses of yours today have left me ravenous for you.”
Dawn reached down to take hold of his manhood and see how true his claim, and her smile spread across her face.
“I will have you screaming out my name soon enough, wife. You have my word on it.”
If only, she thought.
Her smiled faded slightly, but Cree noticed and brushed his lips across hers as if trying to seal what was left of it. “I hear you, Dawn. I hear it in my head just as you do.” He grinned. “And it is a good thing no one else hears you, for you would bring every stone of the keep down on our heads.”
They both laughed and as usual Cree kept his word.
Chapter 31
Cree waited on the steps of the keep, his wife beside him, as Tannin and James Macardle approached on their horses. Macardle’s warriors were detained outside the village and Macardle made no objection. Cree sensed the man was here to confess. Perhaps he had learned that his plan had been exposed and he hoped to beg for Cree’s forgiveness.
Macardle would be wrong to think that. Cree intended to see him suffer for what he had done.
Cree took his wife’s hand and squeezed it as he turned to her. She was beautiful, standing tall and proud. She wore a soft yellow tunic, cinched at the waist with a knotted plaid belt. Stripes of the yellow cloth were wound in her long braid, her dark red hair glistening more red when the sun fell upon it. Her face was flushed from the kisses he had planted on it before they had left their bedchamber this morning and her lips were plump from his numerous kisses. This day would not be easy for her and he had wanted her to start it knowing how much she was loved.
“You are beautiful, wife,” he said.
Dawn smiled, rested her hand to her chest, then to his.
“I love you too,” he said and they both turned to face James Macardle.
Tannin went up the steps quickly while, James Macardle climbed the keep steps like a man with a heavy burden to carry.
“My lord,” Tannin said with a bow of his head. “Macardle has something of great importance to tell you.”
“We will speak later. Go and get food and drink for you and the men.”
Tannin bobbed his head and went to his horse, taking the reins of Macardle’s horse with him and the animal followed along peacefully.
“My solar,” Cree said before Macardle could say a word.
Sloan joined them in the solar, closing the door after everyone entered and stood in front of it.
Cree offered Macardle a drink, seeing that the man could use one and he accepted without hesitation.
Macardle sat, a slump to his shoulders and his head slightly bent as he focused on the tankard of ale in his hands.
Cree stood at the end of the fireplace, near the chair where his wife sat and waited as the man took several swallows of ale. He was reminded of the men he had seen doing the same, fortifying themselves before going into a battle they feared would not be victorious.
Macardle took one last swig before he raised his head high and drew his shoulders back. “I have something to tell you and I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive.”
“I am told I have no heart,” Cree said.
“Then I hope you will understand.”
“How could I ever understand or forgive you for having my wife abducted?” Cree said, sharp anger punctuating his every word.
“You know?” Macardle asked shocked.
“I know,” Cree said, but offered no more, wanting to hear what Macardle had to say. “What I cannot understand, and doubt I ever will, is why you did it. Why have my wife abducted?” He took an abrupt step forward. “And what truly was the purpose of your first visit? Did you wish to see for yourself that your plan had failed?”
James Macardle stood, keeping his voice tempered. “I did not have your wife abducted. Angus Macardle had your wife abducted. I only found out about it.”
Cree glared at him. “You blame it on your uncle?”
James Macardle’s shoulders slumped once again, he shook his head slowly, and closed his eyes briefly. “There is much for me to explain.”
“Then explain it,” Cree said and returned to stand near his wife.
Macardle sat and took another swallow of ale, then looked to Cree. “What I say here, I ask it stay among those in this room.”
“You have no room to bargain,” Cree warned.
“I know, but it is something I ask anyway.”
“I will decide that after I hear what you have to say,” Cree said, leaving no doubt that his decision was not negotiable.
Macardle nodded, having no choice.
Loud voices outside the closed door interrupted them, and Cree’s displeasure could be seen in his deep scowl as he nodded to Sloan to see to the matter.
Sloan opened the door to the two guards blocking Tarass from entering.
“I need to hear what Macardle has to say,” Tarass demanded, his anger evident in his demanding tone.
“This does not concern you,” Cree said.
“Anything that my neighboring clan has to say, especially since he disputes land that is rightfully mine, concerns me,” Tarass called out.
“He is right. This does concern him and as much as I do not want to admit it, I may require his help,” Macardle said.
“What help? You will swing from a tree when this is done and the Lord of Fire will claim your land,” Cree said.
“Then it is best he hears what I have to say,” Macardle said, as if resigned to his fate.
Cree motioned for Sloan to let Tarass enter.
Tarass went to remain standing at the opposite end of the mantel from where Cree stood.
“Sit and not one word,” Cree ordered, pointing to a chair. “Or I will have you removed.”
Tarass shot him a glare, but did as he said.
Cree looked to Macardle. “Now tell us this tale.”
“It is not a tale. It is the truth,” Macardle insisted. “Many months ago, I received a missive from my uncle requesting my presence. When I arrived, he was surprised to see me and I wondered who had sent the missive if not him. My first night there a fire broke out in one of the storage sheds and it spread to two more. While the clan fought to stop it from spreading further, a fire broke out in the keep.”
Cree wondered where this long-winded tale was going and listened, while fighting to keep hold of his irritation.
“Snow, the youngest of the three Macardle daughters was in the keep and somehow managed to rescue her da and mum before the flames got to them, but at a price. It left her blind. Part of the keep was destroyed and three outbuildings and two cottages burned to the ground. Angus recovered nicely from the ordeal, but not so Lady Belle, Angus’s wife. That was when she told me the truth.
“Lady Belle had been the one who had sent me the missive. She explained that Angus Macardle was having lapses in memory and became incoherent at times. She had hoped my visit there would enlighten me to the problem and I would agree to lead the clan. She worried what Angus would do during a memory lapse, since he had mentioned it was time he found husbands for his daughters. She feared the choices he might make when his mind was not what it should be.
“I gave my word to Lady Belle that I would stay and do what I could. She died shortly after. It took time to sort through things and it was only recently that I discovered Angus had arranged for your wife’s abduction.”
“He admitted it?” Cree asked, not sure whether to believe the tall tale or not.
“He blurted it out one night, telling me he had forgotten to advise me of his plan to have the Clan Macardle gain prestige and strength once again. It seems he paid a man named Rutland to abduct your wife with instructions she was not to be harmed in any way.” Macardle shook his head. “How he ever thought that would matter to the man made me realize just how much he had lost his senses. The Uncle Angus I knew would never have done such a horrible thing.
“Rutland was to leave your wife in a specific area where Angus planned to come upon her as if by accident and he would return her to you. You in turn would be grateful and be forever in his debt and help him with anything he asked of you.”
“You expect me to believe this ridiculous tale?” Cree asked, still questioning his excuse.
“I tell you this so that you know how much Angus has lost his mind. It was two days after he told me that he recalled it again and remembered Rutland’s name. It was only when he had a truly lucid moment that he realized the magnitude of what he had done and told me I was to go to you and tell you the truth. And that he would face whatever punishment you decreed. He also recalled accidently setting the fire in the keep. The fire that eventually took his wife’s life. It was that moment, he signed a document naming me heir apparent and Chieftain of the Clan Macardle.”
“A fancy tale that most certainly benefits you,” Cree said.
“Come and see Angus for yourself and decide if it is truth or tale that I tell you,” Macardle said. “Or speak with Snow. She is the one daughter who clearly understood what was happening to her da and suffered for it. I am not making an excuse for him and either is he. What he did was wrong. He knows how terribly wrong it was, when he is lucid enough to remember it, and I cannot express his regret enough.” He grew silent a moment, sorrow filling his eyes. “I truly believe that Angus hopes you take his life as punishment. The shock of what is happening to him made him realize that he cannot live with the man he has become, the man who grows worse by the day, the man who will soon not know himself at all.”
Cree did not need to look at his wife to know what he would see on her face… sympathy for the old man and his family. He was not that forgiving.
“Lady Belle must have complete trust in you to have turned to you for help,” Cree said, still not satisfied with his explanation.
“Lady Belle was a unique woman, loving and forgiving beyond measure and possessed of the most calming nature.”
“You thought highly of Lady Belle and she of you, since she thought you a good choice to lead the clan,” Cree said and a strange thought popped into his head.
“Lady Belle had a generous heart, forgiving and accepting things most wives would not?” Macardle said.
Cree stared at James Macardle. Could it be? He swore silently. “You are not Angus’s nephew. You are his bastard son.”
Macardle nodded and kept his head high, showing no shame in who he was. “And Lady Belle knew it and still she reached out to me and asked me for help. While lucid, Angus recalled how Belle had told him to claim me as his son and make me chieftain before it was too late. Angus did not want his daughters to know. He felt they had been hurt enough with their mum’s death and I agreed, which is why I asked that what I say in this room not leave this room. I gave my father my word and I intend to keep it.”
Cree felt his wife tug at his hand. He was surprised she had remained silent this long. He only had to look at her to know what she would say. There were tears in her eyes.
Cree turned to Macardle. “Can Tannin confirm any of this?”
“Tannin made it known to me that he thought there was something amiss with Angus. I am sure when you speak to him, he will tell you about what he has seen for himself.”
“I will speak with him and let you know what I decide,” Cree said.
“I do not mean to rush you, my lord, but I cannot be away from home too long. Angus can be too much for his daughters to handle and they have suffered more than their share of pain already.”
Dawn stood and gestured.
Cree interpreted. “My wife wants to know how we can help.”
“You have a generous and forgiving heart, my lady, to extend a helping hand to one who wronged you,” James Macardle said.
Cree knew he was lucky to have fallen in love with Dawn, but at that moment, seeing not for the first time how forgiving his wife could be, he felt himself more blessed than he deserved.
“I was, however,” —Macardle turned to Tarass— “hoping you might be interested in uniting our clans. I am concerned for my clan’s safety since I discovered that the fire in the outbuilding had been purposely set and someone recognized the man who set the fire, then fled. He is a man known for offering his unscrupulous service for a tidy sum. His name is Slatter.”
“I am sure we can reach some agreement and we can take care of the Slatter problem as well since he is here… imprisoned in one of Cree’s huts,” Tarass said and stood. “If you are finished with James, he and I can talk.”
“For now,” Cree said. “If I need him, I will summon him.”
“We will be in the Great Hall,” Tarass said.
James Macardle stood. “I cannot express my regret enough for what my father put your wife, you, and your family through. I would have no trouble hanging a man who did that to my wife and family. But my father would never do this if in his right mind and when in his right mind, he insists he must be punished for his wrong doing. So please, I beg for mercy on his behalf. If you did decide to punish him, God forbid hang him, unless lucid, he would not understand why. He would cry out for justice and wonder why no would come to his defense.” Macardle shook his head. “And you would have to fight his daughters, for they would not stand by and let it happen. So again, please have mercy not only on my father, but my sisters as well.”
