Chapter 24
“It sounds as if Lady Jean was indeed helpful,” Creighton mused. “And as ye know, I appreciate a man who defends a woman, but I didnae ask about her.”
Abruptly, Liam realized that his father was right. He was tired and dirty and thought only to make certain Jean wasn’t punished for her actions, but all his father wanted was an update on the territory.
“My apologies, Father. Our people are strong and resilient.
‘Tis obvious that someone is trying to rile them, and since they would have reported a stranger in their midst, I am ashamed to say that I believe one of our own has turned traitor. Brought a wolf to them to perpetuate the rumors of a monster. Set fires and spoiled food to maintain the illusion of angry gods.”
Creighton frowned. “To what end?”
“To get them to flee the territory. The land is contested, thanks to Clan Gibson. If they can prove to the King that we cannae protect it or even populate it, he may seek grounds to fight for it. Thus far, he has failed, but if we had not gone when we did and killed the wolf, he may have succeeded. I find it difficult to believe that he will give up.”
With a snarl, Creighton got up and began to pace.
“Aye. If it is indeed him, it will escalate. Damnation, I had hoped that he would give up this crusade. If a battle is sanctioned by the king, he will order the allied clans to back down. Connor willnae. Gibson must know this. If Connor fights, the king may verra well dissolve the alliance.”
“And the peace will crack. I had not thought of that. I find it even more difficult to believe that Gibson thought of that.”
“The smaller clans rely on feuds and skirmishes to gain more land and grow their clans.
‘Tis how it has always been, but there are so many lives lost in the process. The alliance helps to end that, but if Gibson breaks it, I fear all the clans will rise up. The entire Highlands could be at war with each other.”
“In the past, haven’t we ceded lands to others?”
“To those who need it, but Alistair has reported that Gibson already has more land than they need. He isnae doing it for his people. His only motivation is greed.”
So Alistair was in Gibson lands. That sparked unease in Liam’s mind, but he pushed it aside. The man had protected Jean. Nearly died for her. If he had wanted coin, he would have taken her and ransomed her.
“Speaking of Alistair, tell me of the attack. Ye were not even supposed to be there.”
“I had a feeling that something was wrong,” Liam said after some careful thought. He did not want his father to think that he didn’t trust their own spy. “I left Donal in charge and followed.”
“I am surprised that he didnae come with ye. For all of his talk about wanting to rest and spending some time at home, he didnae stay long,” Creighton grumbled. “I must think on this. I am proud of ye, my son. Verra proud, but ye smell. Bathe and rest. I dinnae want to see ye again until dinner.”
“Aye.” He turned just as the doors opened, and Alistair walked in. Immediately, he stopped short. “My apologies, Laird Creighton. I was merely looking for Liam. I dinnae wish to interrupt anything.”
Liam waved the apology away. “Did ye find anyone?”
“Aye. Half a dozen. They were all dead when I reached them.”
“Dead?” Creighton demanded. “They took their own lives?”
“Nay. The first group, the ones I recognized from the attack had been slaughtered with a sword. I found another group that was dead by bow and arrow. I suspect they were working in two groups. The first to grab Lady Jean, pass her off to the second group and then fight anyone who tried to follow. The second I guess was to take her away and hold her for ransom.” He took a deep breath.
“The second group died first. The other died perhaps only hours before I found them. I searched, but I found no sign of the attacker.”
“Gibson is cleaning up his mess after he failed,” Liam growled. “It has to be connected.”
“I dinnae disagree, but I require evidence before I attack. We must discern who the traitor is and press them to talk. Both of ye get some sleep. I need to speak to Connor.”
Liam had more to say to his father, like asking for his blessing to wed Jean. He knew it was a formality. Their parents had been hoping for this for a long time. It just hadn’t occurred to him that he would fall in love with her before he asked for her hand.
Or maybe he’d been in love with her the whole time.
In any case, it was a private matter, one not to be discussed in front of Alistair.
“I also need a word with Laird Sinclair,” Alistair said, straightening suddenly. “But I should bathe first. Is he planning on leaving tomorrow with his daughter?”
“I dinnae know.”
Alistair nodded. “Then I will speak to him tonight, just in case.”
They exited together. “I havenae yet had the chance to thank ye for trying to protect Jean,” Liam said in a low voice. The thought of what might have happened to her would keep him up for many nights.
“I am the one who should be thanking ye. Because of yer heroic timing, I now have the chance to marry and spend the rest of my life with Jean.”
Liam nearly tripped on his own two feet. “What?”
“I said I will wed Lady Jean. That is why I need to speak to her father.” Alistair gave him a broad smile. “‘Tis a bit backward, since she has already consented to be my wife.”
Liam stared at him in horror. “Ye lie.”
The spy’s smile only grew bigger. “Did ye want her, Liam? I had no idea. I suppose ye should have moved faster. After all, it only took me a few days. Of course, that might have something to do with the night we had together before we were attacked.”
Automatically, Liam’s hand went to his dagger.
Alistair saw the action and smirked. “Are we to fight over her now? I have no need to fight. I have already won. Finally, something that ye wanted is mine. It almost makes up for the years we spent together trying to best each other. I have the thing ye want most. And knowing that us together will keep ye up most nights will warm me every night. Well, that, and Lady Jean, of course.”
Letting go of his dagger, Liam smashed his fist in Alistair’s face. As blood poured down Alistair’s nose, Liam grimaced and walked away.
Jean did not go down to dinner. The rest she’d taken had taken the edge off, but emotionally, she was still exhausted and could not imagine facing so many people.
She also did not want to see Liam again until they had some privacy to talk. She was worried that her father was making preparations for them to leave tomorrow, but she had no intention of going home. She would not leave Liam.
Sitting on the stool, she let her mother hum as she gently brushed her hair to braid it. Her mother had been quiet for most of the evening, but she refused to leave Jean’s side.
“If I were married, would ye worry so much for my safety?” Jean asked her softly. “Would ye be angry if I charged into battle by my husband’s side?”
“It is a mother’s prerogative to love and worry for her children for the rest of their lives,” Moira sighed. “My silence is not because I am disappointed in ye, Jean. Quite the opposite. I am so proud of the woman ye turned into that I could just weep, but that is not what ye need right now.”
“Proud?” Jean whispered. “Ye are not angry at me for leaving?”
“I was furious, but only at myself. I should have known what ye would do. ‘Tis what ye have always done, which is follow yer heart. While ye were sleeping, yer father came in and told me of all the things that ye did for those people. Ye saved lives, Jean. Ye are a warrior. A leader.”
“A killer.”
Her mother paused and put down the brush.
Gently, she began weaving a ribbon through her hair.
“I have killed. Always in defense of others. It will happen to ye again, and ye will always think of this moment. It doesnae get easier. It should never get easier. Taking someone’s life should never be easy.
If it is, then ye become the monster others should fear. ”
“Liam thinks it is his fault.”
“It is that man’s fault for ever trying to harm ye.
Liam will one day have the role of choosing a punishment befitting a crime.
He did that already, and ye intervened.” Moira smiled.
“I have done that as well with yer father. Nobody will be able to make it better, Jean. I am sorry about that. The fight in yer heart is as strong as the mercy ye carry. That is what makes ye such a beautiful person.”
Moira finished with her daughter’s hair, and Jean stood and turned to her mother. With a blush she couldn’t hide, she explained that she didn’t want to go down to dinner.
“Ye are welcome to rest more. I’ll make certain a tray is brought up. If Liam asks about yer absence, what would ye like me to say?”
“Liam?” Was it possible that her mother knew what had happened?
A small smile spread on Moira’s face, but she quickly hid it. “Aye. I suspect he will be worried about ye.”
“Aye, of course. Just let him know the truth. I need a little more rest. I intend to stretch my legs this evening.” Maybe Liam would join her.
“I will let him know.”