Chapter 13
The moment they arrived back at the keep, Dominik knew something was afoot.
The clansfolk rushed this way and that, coming from the fields around the castle, and the small paddock of sheep near the back.
He hurried out of the carriage, Rose on his tail, and Oskar met them both at the front entrance, his expression grim.
“Me laird,” he bowed his head quickly before meeting Dominik’s eyes as he squeezed one of his shoulders, “It’s the livestock, our sheep, and cattle. They’ve collapsed in the fields where they stood, their mouths foaming.”
“What?” Horror struck Dominik’s heart, and he rushed with Oskar to the paddock where several sheep lay on the ground, sick and stinking.
“What could cause such a thing?” Rose held her hands to her mouth, taking in the horrid scene with her blue eyes stormy and concerned.
Oskar cast a glance at her just as Eilidh and Peggy ran up from the castle, their breath visible in the cold late evening air. Many of his clan milled about on the periphery, eyeing them all and looking to the fallen livestock with terror.
“That is part of the concern, me laird.” His man-at-arms dropped his eyes to the ground, then looked back at the ill animals. “The clan is saying it’s a curse or some foul omen on account of bringing home an English bride.”
“Och, for Christ’s sake.” Dominik grumbled to himself, gently walking up to one of the sheep who still breathed, sniffing at him, and pulling open his mouth to examine it. “It’s superstition.”
He sighed, not seeing much, but suspecting foul play.
So many creatures did not get sick and drop that quickly or close together.
Illness took time to spread. It was far more likely that some bit of poison had made its way into the food stores they gave to the animals, and that was a sign of a traitor in their midst.
And we’d just come back with news of copper. Bloody rotten luck.
“Do you see anything?” Dominik pushed up from his knee, facing Rose, who stared down at him with such concern on her face that it gave him pause.
Eyes were pinned to her from the gathered crowd, and Rose was not ignorant of the fact.
She pulled into herself, her stare darting to the side occasionally before returning to focus on him.
Dominik could see the worry on her face, thanks to what Oskar had said.
This “curse” because she was his English bride.
“I want the animals looked at properly. Nae only by me.” The Laird faced his wife. “And I daenae want ye thinking for a moment that you are responsible. Animals daenae just drop like this, nae without cause. And I suspect…”
Oskar kept his stare on Dominik as more servants ran up, those capable of knowing the signs to look for, and the two of them stepped back, watching the men work.
“…it is likely poison.”
Another gasp escaped Rose, and then the area went still around them, quiet as a funeral and twice as tense.
Someone was trying to cripple his keep, his clan.
Dominik’s fury simmered in his blood, making his hands ball into fists where he held them at his sides.
In fact, without truly comprehending what he was doing, his dominant hand moved to the pommel of his sword at his waist.
Is it one of our own? Or some snake that has slithered into our castle without notice?
It was particularly possible that it could be someone hell bent on “repaying” him for choosing an English bride. Dominik knew not everyone was thrilled with the selection, but to go to these lengths? It was an act that would harm the clan, not solely its Laird.
“You truly think that someone did this deliberately?” Rose appeared so small when Dominik turned to face him. “Why? Why would someone seek to sabotage the clan?”
Oskar and he exchanged glances, a silent conversation—or argument more like—between the two of them. It was carried out over the course of just a few seconds, but the warning from Oskar, suggesting that Dominik should not tell his wife the truth, was clear.
But Dominik was the Laird, and furthermore, this was his wife who was under fire. He would not allow her to remain ignorant of the attacks being launched at her. She had a right to know.
“I believe it could be someone who doesnae appreciate that I chose an English bride, as Oskar said. It is possible that one of the men has taken their frustration to the next level.”
Rose’s eyes flared wide before her expression melted into one of sorrowful understanding. She nodded once, then squared her shoulders as she made direct eye contact with him.
“I promise to help however I can, even if it means standing right next to these men and women as they tend to the animals and muck out stalls. I will not have the clan believing you made a poor decision or that I do not care for these people.”
Dominik was not ashamed to admit that his jaw dropped open.
Oskar’s was just the same, and anyone in earshot of Rose, for that matter.
She was an impressive woman, regardless of her English background.
In truth, Dominik had also planned to be out here with the workers.
There had been so much destruction, so much needed tending; it was his duty as Laird to lend a hand when it got this bad.
“It is a good thing ye offer, lass. So much work. There is enough for each member of this clan to do their part.” Dominik offered Rose a smile, and from around them, he could pick up on the way his servants and clanspeople approved of Rose’s declaration.
The animals that had fallen ill were isolated in a separate enclosure from the others.
The precaution was taken to ensure that if they were carrying some type of disease, they would not pass it on to the others.
As a result, the stables and open field areas where the animals could find shelter beneath a covering were overcrowded.
Moreover, Rose had to admit that the smell was something that could easily send a person into fits.
As it was, her stomach churned uncomfortably at the aroma, but she was determined to provide the assistance she promised.
Her clothes, which thankfully had been chosen for riding, were stained nearly immediately when she entered the paddock, and it was only getting worse the longer she aided the workers.
Many of the sheep and horses had relieved themselves upon displaying their symptoms, and even more so when they passed on. Not all of them did, but it was enough to create such a foul stench that those in the field found cloth to wrap around their noses to block it out.
“Might I inquire as to where you have found the fabric?” Rose asked one of the men who was working tirelessly to shovel away the stinking remains. “I believe it is a wonderful idea, and I would very much like to do the same.”
“Of course, me Lady.” The man reached into a small pouch that was secured to his belt. “Here ye are. I must say it’s surprising to see the Lady of the castle out here in the muck with us. We…appreciate yer help.”
Rose smiled. “Of course. This is my home, too. I should do my part to ensure it is taken care of properly.”
The man turned down the corners of his mouth, as if he were puzzling over her words.
Then, he nodded approvingly at her. They both got back to work quickly after that, but she was pleased to see this respect and appreciation coming from several members of the clan.
It was certainly unexpected to win them over in this manner.
Still, Rose understood the importance of doing whatever you could to assist your family.
And a clan truly was just a grander type of family.
“Ye’ll be leaving the shoes outside before ye step foot into the castle, me Lady,” Fiona spoke from behind Rose as she walked up to her, smiling and covered in as much filth as she was. “Or ye’ll be smelling shite no matter where ye step.”
Rose chuckled, using the back of her hand to wipe away the sweat as she used a pitchfork to carry fresh hay to the animals who could eat. They’d needed to discard everything that had been here, Dominik suspecting poison or contamination.
“I think they’ll need to be disposed of entirely.” She lifted her skirts, wagging her foot about as the two of them looked down at the ruined laces of her boots.
“Och, nay. We’ll be able to soak ‘em and clean up. Ye can wear them again and remember just how wonderfully ye served yer clan in them.”
My clan?
The words hit her square in the chest, and Rose had to fight away the swelling emotions. Fiona had taken to her right away, and they were becoming fast friends. But it was something else to be truly viewed as a part of the clan, part of the family.
“Thank you, Fiona.”
“Och, it’s true enough. Ye’ve got the pluck of any strong-headed Scottish woman. Just look at ye.”
“Look at her?” Peggy cut in. “Look at where we’re standing. I do not understand how neither of you is reeling. It’s as if my head is going to plop right off from the smell alone!”
Laughing with Fiona, Rose walked to Peggy, patting her on the shoulder. She was wobbling on her feet, and admittedly, her maid looked a little green around the gills.
“Peggy?”
Just like that, the woman collapsed, landing against Rose’s side. She did her best to keep herself standing upright, walking them to the fence to lean against it.
“Oh goodness.” Rose scanned around the paddock, knowing that Peggy needed to get inside. “Help! Can someone bring her to the castle?”
Oskar appeared from around the other side of the shelter, which was given to the weakened animals, rolling his eyes.
“Aye, me Lady. I’ll see to her.”
As he reached them, Oskar swept Peggy up into his arms, the gesture a show of gallantry that was accompanied by Oskar’s devilish smirk.
“Now, let’s get this whisp of an Englishwoman inside. I do believe the smell has offended her sensibilities.”
The children around them, watching from the other side of the fence, giggled.
They pointed at Peggy, muttering childish insults that didn’t mean much.
Still, Rose shooed them away, trying her best not to grin as she did.
Oskar had put on quite a show after all.
It was impossible to deny that Peggy’s fainting because of the smell was rather on the nose for a proper English lady as far as the children and clanspeople were concerned.
As the man-at-arms carried Peggy away, Rose turned back to the paddock and shelter. The hay was nearly distributed evenly, and the ground wasn’t nearly as putrid as it had been before they’d all chipped in to muck it out.
“Ye did well, lass.” Rose spun around to see Eilidh walking over. “And when ye’re finished there, ye can wash up with Fiona and join me in the kitchen. We’ll have a hearty dinner for all the hard work done.”
“Thank you, Eilidh. I’ll be happy to help.”
Fiona offered a sly grin as Rose nodded at Eilidh, hanging on Rose’s shoulder with a pitchfork in her other hand. The older woman eyed them both before turning away, rolling her eyes.
“I best nae be hearing about any more gossip from the children, Fiona. They daenae need yer assistance in digging it up. I assure ye.”
The two of them laughed, hurrying to finish up with their work so that they might get inside quicker. Rose had no issues aiding with dinner, but there was a hot bath with her name on it waiting to be enjoyed before she was in a position to handle food.