Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
T he days passed, and Danielle, Sarah, and Maria found that the case was growing cold, as often as it did in their lives in modern times. Danielle grew impatient. She wanted terribly to help Graeme and fix things for him.
It was part of her profession; she was used to fixing things, and not being able to fix this weighed on her. She missed technology. There were surveillance cameras for buildings, streets, and almost everything else in the city that made it easy to track anyone. Fingerprints, mugshots, and case files were filled with information about individuals with a criminal past, all of it available at the click of a mouse. She didn't have any of that here, just her wits and the skills and intelligence of Maria and Sarah. She was grateful for that, at least.
Her heart was set on helping Graeme, and it scared her that she cared so much for him. She had never had to defend someone she cared deeply for.
After the larder theft came another one, this one from the storage on the castle grounds where the wool was kept for spinning into tartans, cloths, and dresses. Two bolts of wool were missing.
Upon hearing this, Brody made it his business to say something to Graeme as she and Graeme crossed the courtyard. Brody put his foot out, blocking them from moving forward and then he stepped in front of Graeme.
“What do you want?” Graeme said.
“Have you heard the news?”
“I have not, but you are going to inform me of it, I am sure.”
“There are reports that bolts of wool are missing. You don't know anything about that, do you?”
“Why would I know anything about bolts of wool?”
“You or your brother, and you know why,” Brody said snidely.
“Why would I want a bolt of cloth? To make you a dress?” Graeme said.
The other Guards who stood nearby laughed, making fun of the bully, which only made him angrier.
“Perhaps you stole it so to sell it. You are planning an escape with your brother; we all know it. You are selling off things that you steal from our Laird to fund your adventure. We are on to you and your brother.”
Danielle wanted to jump in and defend him and Danny, but she knew saying anything would just make the man worse.
“I have no plans to go anywhere; I am just trying to do my job for the Laird, same as you. So stop speaking ill of me and my brother, because I will not stand for it anymore,” Graeme said getting in his face.
“What's all this?” Cameron said, stepping out of the Keep and into the sunlight.
Brody backed away from her and Graeme and was quick to correct himself. “Nothing at all, my Laird. We were just helping each other out, were we not, Graeme?"
Danielle squeezed his hand, urging him to tell the Laird that Brody was harassing him, but Graeme gave her a look that told her doing so would only make things worse. She sighed.
"Aye, my Laird. Brody was just telling me I was needed back on duty soon and reminding me that I promised to help him in the armory."
Danielle thought the Laird looked suspicious.
However, he merely said, “Carry on, then.”
With that, Graeme and Danielle walked away. She was glad for the intervention, only because otherwise, Graeme might have made pulp of Brody's face. She was impressed at how well he'd controlled his temper and how quick he'd come up with a reason for the exchange.
Danielle and Graeme continued walking to the Keep and entered the Great Hall. "Thank you for walking with me this morning," she said with a smile.
Graeme nodded and smiled back. "One of the best parts of the day, lass."
"Look, there's Finlay and Mary. Who is that he's talking with?"
Graeme followed her gaze and noticed who she was talking about. "Niall."
“— asked the Laird for permission to find the thief. So, you do not think it is Danny or Graeme, even though they're former bandits?” Niall asked.
“Aye, is there something wrong with that? There is nothing against me speaking up for my brother-in-law now, is there?”
“No, I suppose not. But I must tell you that in speaking up for them, if they are proven guilty, it will not look well upon you and yours.”
“Well, I do not have to worry about that now, do I? They will not be proven guilty because they are not guilty. I know this,” Finlay said.
“Are you so sure? You above anyone else have seen firsthand how awful the bloodline is of that family. What his father did to your wife. That kind of blood is bad and will always be bad,” Niall said.
“I will thank you not to speak of Mary's mother and her family in such a way, especially in front of her, Niall. Besides, no one should be punished for the crimes of their father. Men change, you know. I certainly have; I am sure you have as well. Even our Laird has changed over the past several years,” Finlay said.
“Aye. But not Graeme. Graeme is a horrible bastard,” Niall said, and then shouted, "Ow!"
He looked down to see that Mary had bitten him quite hard on the hand. “No! My Uncle Graeme is good!” she shouted.
Finlay laughed a hardy laugh. “Mary, you know better than to bite people. Come here,” he said, still laughing.
Niall had his hand to his chest and gave Finlay and Mary a dirty look before walking off in the opposite direction.
Danielle wanted to cheer, but she had swallowed her laugh so they wouldn't draw Niall's attention. Once Niall was gone, they approached Finlay, who picked up Mary and swirled her around. She laughed and giggled.
“Oh, look. If it isn't your bastard uncle,” Finlay said, still chuckling.
“Uncle Graeme,” Mary shouted, wiggling in her father's arms until he put her down. She dashed toward him, giving him a big hug.
“Hello, Danielle. You two should have seen her just now. Niall was giving me the once-over, and she would not have it.”
“Aye, I heard from the hallway,” Graeme said.
“Ah, caught all of it, did you?” Finlay said.
“I heard what was said." Graeme sounded angry, but Danielle knew it wasn't at Finlay. "Are you sure about this? You should not have to deal with the pressure that is being put on Danny and me. You do not need to support me any longer if anyone asks. Make yourself scarce in the situation. There is too much at stake, Finlay. You, your family, Danielle, Sarah, Maria; you are all putting yourselves at risk. Tongues are wagging all over the castle, and it is only getting worse. No doubt the Laird will punish me greatly if people start to speak ill of his wife.”
“Thank you for thinking of me and my family, Graeme, but I gave you my word to support you, and that is what I am going to do. Besides, I like having you here. Mary would be devasted if you were to leave now. And I will not let you slip off to some village where you can have all the freedom you want. No, you are stuck here in this cold castle with the rest of us,” Finlay said with a grin.
“I have slept in worse places.” Graeme smiled.
"That you have," Finlay agreed.
Graeme sighed. "I suppose I should get to work. I do not wish to prove myself a liar," he said, turning to Danielle.
"Will I see you later?" she asked.
"Aye, as soon as I finish my shift." He squeezed her hand and turned to Finlay and Mary again. "I will see you two later as well."
"Bye, Uncle Graeme!"
Danielle watched him stride down the hall.
"Well, if you will excuse us, I have to get Mary upstairs. Eva is waiting on us, I am sure."
Danielle turned to him and smiled. "Thank you for defending him," she said softly.
"No need to thank me, lass. I care about him as much as you do." Finlay winked at her, picked Mary up, and headed for the stairs.
After getting a basket from Heigl, Danielle headed into the herb garden. There were a few kitchen maids who tended to the garden and saw to drying the herbs and such wandering near Danielle. They were not paying attention to her, at least not until she plucked some lavender and jasmine and put it in her basket.
“You will just be helping yourself then, my Lady?” one of the maids said in a rather snotty tone.
“I'm sorry? I didn't know I couldn't pick some of these herbs. No one mentioned that I couldn't. Should I check in with someone before picking this?” she asked.
“No, you lot take what you want, don't you?” the maid said, despite two of the others quietly hushing her.
Danielle didn't like her tone and accusations. She turned squarely to the woman. “Excuse me? What do you mean by that? My lot?”
“I have seen you wandering the castle with that bandit! He is a known dangerous criminal who has done dark deeds in his past. What kind of woman would spend time in the company of a man like that? Perhaps someone who is herself a thief?” the nasty little maid accused.
Danielle wanted to rip into the woman, put her in her place with a long string of curse words and a well-thought-out clever, intelligent put-down. But then she remembered she was a guest in the castle. She did not want to put any strain on Maria, and especially not on the Laird, who had already been kind enough to let her stay there and entertain her investigation with Maria and Sarah. She could not rock the boat, so she bit her tongue as much as she could.
“You are laying accusations based on assumptions. Rumors only, instead of seeking justice. Justice will be known, and you will eat your words,” Danielle replied then turned on her heel, feeling very smug as she walked away.
“What did all that mean?” one of the other maids asked.
“I don't know the fancy wording of them folk,” the nasty maid said.
Danielle rolled her eyes, realizing that her words had meant all but nothing to them. It was probably just as well, considering that she did not want to get into trouble. However, the confrontation meant that rumors were growing so strong that maids she did not know were so bold as to throw accusations. This was not good at all.
If these women were bold enough to approach her in the garden, what was next? What about when the men were deep in their cups during supper? They would not be able to hold their tongues. If this was the news of the castle, then it was the excitement that was on everybody's tongue.
She considered it the same as she would a trending topic on social media in her time. Once people grabbed hold of it, they would not let go for days. This was the same, only there was nothing new to distract them from letting go. This would be the rumor mill until the thief was caught, or worse, Graeme and Danny were put in the dungeon or persecuted without evidence. She needed the investigation to move faster, and the only way that could happen would be for more things to be stolen so that Maria, Sarah, and she could investigate. It was a double-edged sword.
“Beth,” Danielle said as she entered the castle and saw the other woman.
“Oh, hi, Danielle. I was just looking for you,” Beth said.
“You were?” Danielle was surprised but felt reassured that the women who had come before her through the portal were still supportive and not thinking ill of her the way the maids in the garden did.
“Yes, I wanted to see if I could make myself useful. If you need my help, I'm here for you. I know you, Sarah, and Maria are investigating, so if you need to, I don't know, bounce ideas off me, you can," Beth said excitedly.
“Thank you; that's so kind. I'm excited to hear you say that. I have a few ideas bouncing around in my head, but… I have a question."
"Sure, what's up?"
"Do you think the other women are as supportive of this or do they think I'm a fool for putting my weight behind Graeme and Danny?”
“No, not at all. We've all spoken of it at one point. It’s hard to escape it when it’s the talk of the castle. But none of the women have had anything bad to say. They think it is great that you are trying to help them. Besides, there’s something you don't know,” she said.
"Oh?"
"Well, we don't like to mention it right when a new woman arrives. It’s kind of weird, but have you ever wondered why all of us married?"
Danielle frowned. "Well, I wondered if you were forced into it, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case."
Beth laughed. "No, no. We weren't forced. However, we all married the man who found us as we came through the doorway. Well, all of us except for Maria. Cameron didn't find her, Bran did, but he led her straight to Cameron and well… instant connection."
"What are you saying?"
"Don't tell me you haven't felt it. An instant connection to Graeme? We've all seen you having dinner with him, walking with him, and spending time with him. Don't think we haven't noticed." She grinned.
Danielle blushed. "Well, yeah, I feel it. So, you're saying that all of you except for Maria fell in love with the first man you met here?"
Beth nodded. "Pretty much. And we think it's Scáthach's doing. That she brings us through because we are meant to be here for a couple of reasons. One of them being the men we fall for."
"Wow." Danielle didn't know what to think about a matchmaking witch who brought women through time to be matched with sexy Highlanders.
"I know. Don't think too hard about it, though, it gets… well, I'm not trying to turn you off falling for Graeme. I think you are here to save him. We all do. If you hadn't come through the doorway, Graeme and Danny would have been accused and probably sent to the dungeons, or they would have been banned from Dunscaith, and that would have affected Mary and Finlay; even Eva. But with you here, a defense lawyer, well… now they have a chance at proving their innocence. You see?"
"You've thought a lot about this, haven't you?" Danielle arched her brow and smiled.
"Well, I tend to put things together pretty quickly. Writer's brain and all that. Always looking for how things connect. The most logical path is usually the correct one, even though I like to throw a red herring in there every now and then."
Danielle laughed. "Okay, good point, but this isn't you throwing in a red herring, is it?"
"No, not at all. Like I said, we all are on your side. And I meant it when I said if you want to bounce ideas off of me, just let me know."
“Thanks, I will,” Danielle said, giving her a quick hug as they parted ways.
Hearing Beth's reassurance and ideas behind her presence in this period was just what Danielle needed to hear after her run-in in the garden. The fact that the women and their families were behind her was a better position than having the staff members against her. The ladies had higher positions within the castle as the wives of many of the Guards, and they pulled more weight than the maids, particularly Maria. Though she knew how quickly the fire could spread from the rumors the mob created, especially the lower members of the household. That’s what witch hunts were made of.