Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Her back ached as Eleanor came up straight.
She had been hiding in the study from Callum ever since their near kiss.
She had once again made a fool of herself, and she needed some space.
At least, she reasoned with herself, she needed to buy herself some space for the next four days.
Their farce of an engagement was about to end. All she needed to do was lie low.
Placing her hands on her knees, she pushed herself up from the stack of ledgers she had been sorting on the ground. All of the leatherbound books were alphabetized and ready for one of the maids to place them on the shelves.
So much work and still nay leads.
She groaned slightly as she came to her feet and rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers. There had to be something that they were missing, she just knew it. Andrew could not have disappeared without leaving a trace. He was far too intelligent for that.
A soft knock sounded at the door as she lifted her gaze in that direction.
Someone she had never seen suddenly opened the door, stepping inside without announcing himself. The man was older than Callum, his dark hair streaked with grey, while his eyes were dark and wild. He was at least a head shorter than she was, with wrinkles around his eyes and mouth.
Panic suddenly filled her chest when he shut the door behind him, making her realise that she was all alone in the study with a strange man.
I have to do somethin’.
She looked around the room, searching for any object that could act as a weapon. Callum had warned her that nobody in the clan could be trusted.
Stepping forward, the older man began speaking in hushed tones. “Forgive me, Mistress. I didnae mean to frighten ye. I have somethin’ to tell the Laird.” His eyes moved around the room just as frantically as her own before settling on her once again.
“Then why nae go and tell the Laird?” She stepped back from him, trying to keep her mind sharp as she spotted the pitcher of ale on the desk. All she needed to do was make her way over, and she would have a heavy enough weapon to keep herself safe.
The man stopped moving and hung his head. “I cannae approach the Laird without bein’ seen. Ye are the Laird’s bride, and as such ye have his ear. I am beggin’ ye, Mistress, hear what I have to say and tell the Laird.” He looked up again, his eyes filled with sorrow this time.
Something in the way he looked at her made Eleanor want to hear what he had to say. She still did not trust him, but if there was even the slightest chance he had something that could help, she was willing to hear him out.
“I cannae speak very loud, Mistress, would ye mind if we moved over to the desk?” He glanced at the door behind him as if it were a snake that could strike.
Mimicking his motions, Eleanor quickly glanced at the desk to her side. At least there she would have the desk between them and the heavy pitcher of ale as a defence. Nodding slowly, she sidled toward the desk, never taking her eyes off the man. Before too long, she was safely away from him.
The man waited until she stopped before cautiously approaching with his hands in full view. He seemed to understand that she did not trust him, and he did not seem to mind either.
She waited with bated breath as he closed the distance between him and the desk, stopping short of bumping into the hardwood.
His voice was barely above a whisper when he spoke again.
“I shouldnae be tellin’ ye this, Mistress, but there is somethin’ foul movin’ through this clan.
Ye stand beside our Laird now, he will listen to what ye have to say.
” He nervously glanced over his shoulder again, seemingly not wanting to leave the door unguarded.
Our Laird?
Was the man genuinely loyal to Callum, or had he wanted Eleanor to trust him? Her heart still pounded furiously as she gripped the edge of the desk until her knuckles turned white.
Looking back at Eleanor, the man seemed to pale slightly as she swallowed hard. “The land agent carries the papers that could seize Fraser lands from Callum himself.”
“Donald Stewart?” Eleanor almost gasped as she lifted a hand to her chest. She had heard the name so many times that she could hardly believe that he really existed.
The man’s eyes grew even wider as he quickly shook his head. “Please, Mistress, daenae speak his name out loud. The castle walls have ears; none of us is safe.” He raised his hands, signaling her to be quiet as he looked over his shoulder.
He is tellin’ the truth.
Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat as the man kept his eyes on the door. Only someone who feared for his life would have turned away from someone they had just met. He had never said his name, but Eleanor could tell from his actions that he feared for his life.
Someone has infiltrated the clan. Callum was right.
Her very breath caught in her throat as a fresh wave of panic began to set in. She needed to find Callum and tell him what she had heard before it was too late.
Slowly turning back to her, the man tore his eyes away from the door and began to back away from the desk.
“I cannae say any more, Mistress, but please, warn our Laird. He must ken the danger that lies in wait for us all.” His own breathing deepened as he turned around and hurried from the study, leaving Eleanor to take in all that he had said.
“I must find Callum at once.” Her body suddenly felt numb as her legs refused to move.
The man’s information meant so much. If Andrew had indeed met with Donald Stewart, then his life could be in danger at this very moment.
Was he being held captive, or even worse, had he been killed for knowing too much?
Emotions jumbled in her chest as she fought back the tears that threatened to spill over.
Using every ounce of strength within her, she forced herself to let go of the desk and hurried toward the door. Stepping out into the hall, she looked both ways before closing the study doors and bolting down the hall.
Her breath stung her lungs as she ran as quickly as she could, taking steps two at a time whenever necessary. She ran through the castle, checking in each room and every corridor in case she found him.
“Mistress, is somethin’ the matter?” Marion almost bumped into her as she rounded the corner carrying a tray of tea.
Breathing heavily, Eleanor leaned against the wall with one arm. “Have… have ye seen… the Laird? I must speak with him.” She fought for breath as her heart beat in her ears.
Looking shocked, Marion furrowed her brow before speaking. “Aye, his lairdship was in the stables with Iain. They were headed out for a ride, but ye may still catch them if ye hurry.” She gave Eleanor a quizzical stare before chewing the inside of her cheek.
“Thank ye!” Eleanor set off at a run once again, heading directly toward the stables.
Lord, please let them still be there.
She said a silent prayer as she burst through the front doors and ran toward the stables, not caring if anyone saw her. She almost tripped several times before finally reaching the doors. “Callum!” she called out, feeling a stitch in her side as she bent over double.
“What in the devil’s name has happened?” Callum came rushing toward her, gripping her upper arms as he pulled her up straight and reached for her face. “Are ye hurt?” His dark eyes were filled with concern.
Shaking her head, Eleanor took a moment to catch her breath. “Are… are we alone?” She glanced over his shoulder, feeling her heart wanting to burst from her chest.
Letting go of her upper arms, Callum looked around the empty stables with nobody else other than the horses. “Aye, we are, but come with me.” He reached out and took her hand, leading her toward the back of the stables, where several bales of hay had been piled to the ceiling.
All of the awkwardness that had been between them seemed to have disappeared as he let go of her hands and gripped her shoulders again, gently running his palms up and down her arms. “We are alone now. Tell me what has happened.”
Eleanor took control of her breathing and began to whisper. “I was in the study when a man I daenae ken came lookin’ for me.”
Callum’s hands suddenly stilled as he stared at her.
“He didnae hurt me, but he said there was somethin’ he needed to tell ye.” Her breathing began to ease as she felt safer in his presence.
“Did he mention his name?” His hands began to move up and down again as he took another step toward her, creating an even closer connection as he lowered his voice.
She shook her head again. “Nay, but I do think he might be a member of yer council. He said that something foul was movin’ through the castle, and that ye needed to ken the truth before it was too late.
He didnae mention Donald Stewart by name, but he did say that the land agent possessed documents that could seize the Fraser lands even from ye. ”
Every muscle in his face stiffened as Callum clenched his jaw. “I see. Did the man say why it was that he couldnae tell me himself?”
“Nay, but he looked scared. He kept lookin’ over his shoulder as if he were afraid that someone would hear him.” She took a deep breath and searched his face, feeling her pulse quicken.
“Aye, it certainly sounds like someone from me council.” He let go of her arms, taking a step back as he allowed the cool air to fill the void between them.
Eleanor suddenly felt empty, but she pushed the notion aside and followed him from the hidden section behind the bales of hay.
“Iain, are ye here?” he called at the top of his lungs.
Coming at a run, Iain suddenly appeared at the other end of the stables, breathless and sweaty from whatever it was that he had been doing. “Aye, me Laird?”
Callum strode toward him, briefly explaining what had happened before barking his orders. “Gather every man, woman, and child in this clan. I wish to see them first thing in the mornin’. Nobody is to leave or enter without one of the men bein’ aware of their presence.”
Iain stood up a little straighter, his rigorous training taking over. “Aye, me Laird, I shall gather the men at once.” He turned on his heel and headed back in the direction he had come.
Swearing under his breath, Callum turned back toward Eleanor. He opened his mouth as if he were about to say something more, but his words died in mid-air when a young lad came running into the stables.
“Me Laird! Ye must come at once!” The lad’s face had drained of all color as he stumbled into the stables.
“What is it now?” Callum snapped as he growled in the boy’s direction.
“There… there is a fire, me Laird. The lands along the borders are burnin’. They have nae yet reached the cattle, but they will soon.” He doubled over from his efforts, almost passing out.
“Shite!” Callum swore out loud this time, dismissing the boy with a wave of his hand. “I must go at once. The men will need to help me put out the fire.
Eleanor’s heart leaped into her chest as she reached out and gripped his arm, pulling him back to her with surprising force. “Callum, wait,” she breathed.
He turned toward her, closing the distance between them as he cupped her chin in his hand and lifted her face toward his. “I shall nae let them harm ye,” he spoke softly as if he were consoling a child.
“It is nae that. I just wanted to say that ye should be careful. Whoever did this isnae a fool, and he doesnae require loyalty. All he needs is access; this fire might give him just that.” She searched his face as she recognized the glimmer of trust in his eyes.
“Aye, ye ken now why I was tellin’ ye to keep yer head on yer shoulders. It would have been easy for someone to get to ye…” His eyes locked on hers, drawing them closer together.
“I am nae pawn, Callum. Ye can trust me…” Her eyes dipped toward his lips, yearning for the kiss that had once seared her to her core.
He gazed back at her for a moment, unblinking as he tilted her head to the side. “Aye, I ken that now. Ye are one of the only two people in this castle that I can trust.” He pulled her slightly closer, letting go of her arm as he placed his hand on the small of her back.
Their bodies were pressed together so tightly that Eleanor could feel the beating of his heart. She closed her eyes when he suddenly moved her face, pressing a kiss against her cheek before moving up to her eyelid and kissing back down to her mouth.
The softness of the embrace made something deep within her chest stir as his breath tickled her lips.
I want this.
She breathed him in as if it were her very last breath and pressed her body into his.
“Me Laird! Ye must come at once!” Iain called from somewhere beyond the stable doors.
Stepping away from her, Callum let go of her back, leaving that cold void that tugged at her chest. “Go and find Marion, take her to yer chambers and stay there with the door locked. Iain or meself will come lookin’ for ye when the coast is clear.” He began to back away from her.
Her heart clenched at the sight as she raised a hand to her throat and curled the other around her waist. “Be careful,” she whispered to him.
“Aye, I will be back soon.” He nodded and turned from her, running out the stable doors.
“Please come back safe and in one piece,” she whispered again, not knowing why she felt so empty in his absence. She began to walk in the direction of the castle, pausing at the stable doors when she noticed the orange and red hue of the sky on the horizon.
Saints help us.
Her chest clenched painfully as grey smoke began to fill the sky.
The sharp scent of sulfur and burning foliage began to permeate the air around her.
But nothing shocked her more than the knowledge that someone inside the castle was behind the distraction…
except, perhaps, how deeply she worried for Callum as he walked straight into that fire.