Chapter 20
The mood changed with Jean gone.
Some of it was for the best. The village began to pay more attention and take care of each other.
Those that were able helped Mara continue Jean’s work with the wounded and sick, although Liam couldn’t help but think that he’d sent away the most wounded.
Everyone here was mostly in good health.
Now that he knew of Mara’s own wounds, he made a mental note to make sure that she was taking proper care of herself.
The rebuilding of the storehouse was going well.
They continued to scour the woods, but there were no signs that the wolf had a companion.
Liam supposed there were any number of natural reasons the wolf had traveled this far North in the mountains, but it seemed too far-fetched that it just happened to coincide with the sabotage.
As Jean had pointed out, he needed to start trusting his own instincts.
They were telling him that this was Gibson’s doing, and it wasn’t going to stop until he was stopped.
The next morning, after a brief dip in the frigid river, he was drying off when there was a shout. He tensed until he realized it was a happy shout. Quickly, he dressed and returned to the village. His soldiers were surrounding a man on horseback.
“Aye, Liam. Look what we found!” Andrew called out with a laugh. Donal gave him a quick wave and dismounted.
The villagers, who’d gotten to know Donal well while he was last here greeted him enthusiastically as he made his way to Liam. “And here I thought ye were tired of this place while ye were here,” Liam laughed as he gave his friend a hug.
“I confess that I couldnae rest knowing the troubles that were here,” Donal admitted. “Seems as though ye have been busy. Rebuilding and killing a wolf. I owe ye an apology, old friend. I should never have doubted ye.”
“I doubted myself, Donal. Are ye hungry?”
“Mighty hungry.”
“And ye want to see Mara, I assume.”
Liam watched his friend’s expression carefully. He wondered if the reason Donal was there was because he found his house too empty after enjoying Mara’s company. Maybe Donal realized it was time for him to settle down and start a family.
Then again, maybe that was Liam’s own unwelcome and intrusive thoughts.
“Mara? Aye, I would like to see how she is doing without Amelia. They were close.” There was no look of longing or of desire. He spoke as if Mara were just another friend.
Maybe it was Liam’s feelings for Jean that were coloring everything he saw.
The thought stopped him dead in his tracks. Feelings for Jean? Where had that come from? He understood their parents wanted to marry. They were friends, and he thought it would make a good marriage, but feelings?
“Liam? Are ye all right?”
Blinking, he turned his attention back to his friend. Jean was gone. He needed to focus. “Sorry, what were ye saying?”
“I was saying that I was going to find some food, and then ye can let me know where I can be of help.”
“Aye. Did my father send you with anything? Our supplies are dwindling. Once the storehouse is built, we will need to restock.”
“Nay. I am afraid not. They have been concerned with Lady Jean’s disappearance. Where is she, by the way?”
“She and Alistair left yesterday for the keep.” Liam frowned. “I would have thought ye might have passed them.” There was only one road to the territory, and although it was possible to travel off-path, Liam assumed that they would take the quickest route back, especially with Jean’s injuries.”
“I didnae see anyone. Sorry.”
“Did ye stick to the road?”
“Aye. Some of the areas surrounding the road were washed out from the heavy rains of last week. It was easier to maneuver and see on the road. Did ye say she left with Alistair? Perhaps he knows a different way. I didnae know he was even here with ye.”
A cold fission of awareness slid through him. “What do ye mean? My father sent him. I almost wish my father had sent ye, instead.”
“Sent him? Perhaps through messenger. I havenae seen Alistair in months. If I had known that Laird Armstrong wanted someone to retrieve Lady Jean, I would certainly have volunteered.” Donal rubbed his stomach and looked around.
“Do ye think I can convince Helena to make me some of her stew?
I ken ‘tis early, but I have been craving her stew ever since I left.”
He took a step away, but Liam grabbed his arm. “Ye are the first person my father would have asked to retrieve Jean.”
“I would have thought so as well. We all knew that she had left, but I was under the impression that Laird and Lady Sinclair were happy that she was with ye. Ye ought to be careful. I think perhaps they see a marriage in yer future.”
If that were the truth, then Alistair lied.
“Jean found Alistair in the woods. She tracked him,” Liam said, more to himself than to Donal.
“I made the assumption that he was there for Jean. They were separated when they were tracking the wolf. He let her go off by herself, and then she insisted that she was attacked by a man when she found the wolf.”
“A man,” Donal said sharply. “What is this, now? A man with the wolf?”
“Aye. Someone is sabotaging this territory, attempting to scare the people away so Gibson can make his claim.” Quickly, Liam filled Donal in on what had happened.
“Ye think ‘tis Alistair? It would not be uncommon for someone in Alistair’s position to turn traitor. Ye think he plans to hurt Jean? What would he gain from that?”
Liam’s heart hammered in his chest. “Any number of things. If an Armstrong wounded or killed Sinclair’s daughter, the alliance would fracture.”
“And if ye married Jean, then the alliance would be stronger than ever,” Mara volunteered as she walked over to them. “Hello, Donal.”
Donal grinned. “Mara. ‘Tis good to see ye.”
She hummed in response, her face unreadable, and she turned to Liam. “Everyone here believes ye are destined to marry Jean, Liam. If that happens, Gibson would never get his hands on the territory. She is easier to get to than ye.”
“Or maybe Alistair has no designs on Jean. Maybe he is simply going with yer assumption. If he wants to remain playing both sides, he will deliver Jean safe and sound at the keep. Then, he could return for whatever is phase two of his plan, either hidden away because everyone believes he is at the keep or in plain sight because he’s returned to help,” Donal pointed out.
“If he had wanted Jean dead, he could have killed her any number of times.”
“But not blame it on the wolf. We know what an animal attack looks like,” Mara said, her voice rising just a little.
Donal glared at her, and Mara glared right back. It was obvious that something was unfinished between them.
“Either way, Liam, ye must go after them. Discover the truth.” Tears filled her eyes. “It may already be too late. Trust yer instincts.”
Liam took a deep breath and tried to think it through. “‘Tis suspicious, I will grant ye that, but I know Alistair. I dinnae think he would do anything to betray me or my father, but I willnae rest easy until I know she is safe at the keep.”
“Then go after her. We are fine. The guards will protect us,” Mara encouraged.
“And I am here, so ye willnae be without manpower. Go, and return when ye can. It will be good to give yer father an update. He frets when ye are gone too long.”
Liam studied the two of them and nodded his head. They were right. He was worried about leaving, but the guards could handle everything, especially with Donal there.
“I will leave immediately. The storehouse is the priority. I will return with more food to fill it,” Liam decided.
“Perhaps ye should take someone. If Alistair is a traitor, it may take more than one man to subdue him,” Donal said hesitantly. “Not that I dinnae think that ye are up to the task, but I know that he holds back when he spars with us.”
“Nay. I willnae take anyone else from the territory. I can handle Alistair. If he has harmed Jean, nothing will stop me from ending him.” A darkness settled in his chest. “Nothing.”