“Shh.” Saoirse pointed toward the chamber. Magnus squeezed behind her and leaned forward to peer over her shoulder, their heads next to each other. They watched as the woman walked to Magnus’s leines hanging on a peg. She lifted one down and sniffed. It was clear she relished the scent, even though they were freshly laundered and likely didn’t smell like Magnus yet. Saoirse’s hands fisted. This woman coveted Magnus. Why would she poison him?
“I want her out of our chamber, Saoirse. She has nay business near our belongings.”
Magnus knew it would be at least a day before it was truly theirs, and none of Saoirse’s things were in the chamber yet, but he cared not. The space was now theirs in his mind, and he disliked the maid—a woman he didn’t know—encroaching upon what would be their love nest and sanctuary for the rest of their time at Dunbeath. Watching her sniff his leines felt beyond intrusive.
Saoirse nodded and stepped out of the alcove. She walked across the passageway and stood in the doorway. She arched an eyebrow and adopted an imperious expression she’d never directed at a servant before.
“That belongs to ma betrothed.”
The woman’s head jerked up as she noticed Saoirse standing with her arms crossed, her feet hip-width apart. The stance alone wouldn’t have been as intimidating as it would have been if it were one of the men, but Saoirse’s expression made the woman want to shrivel into the floor.
“I’m sorry, ma lady. I—Yer betrothed?” The servant blinked several times, her attention no longer on Saoirse but riveted to Magnus.
“Lady Saoirse and I agreed today. The wedding is in three sennights. What are ye doing in our chamber and touching our belongings?” Magnus didn’t care for how the woman looked at him. He didn’t know who she was, and he didn’t wish to. But it was clear she was overly aware of him. He would ensure she understood his commitment to Saoirse and how he already saw them as good as married.
“I was told to bring up the water and basin.”
“Who gave ye the mint?” Saoirse entered the chamber and stalked toward the table. She picked up the sprig with the end of her kirtle and held it to the light. She rounded on the woman and shoved it into her face. “Who?”
“I dinna ken. It was beside the ewer and bowl when Lady Siùsan told me to deliver it. I assumed she put it there.”
“Out.” Magnus pointed to the passageway. He wouldn’t indulge the woman a moment longer. He loathed that she’d trespassed in what was now Saoirse’s space and made her interest in him so obvious, even if she hadn’t realized someone watched. They waited until the woman closed the door behind her. Saoirse dropped the herb onto the table.
“Auntie Siùsan did nae set this out for ye. Whatever was on the mint that made ye ill is on this, too. I can see it, even if I already ken it has nay taste or scent.”
“I wouldnae have chewed it, Saoirse. Ye told me nae to take mint ye didna give me.” He rested his hands on her shoulders as she tilted her chin up to look at him.
“I ken. But it terrifies me. Someone thinks ye’d still accept it, which means they still believe they’re poisoning ye. I dinna ken that lass well, but she’s a Sinclair.”
“Do ye have any guess what might be on the leaves?”
“Nay. But there are poisons that arenae that difficult to get. Some of them are deadly in the smallest amount and dinna have much taste or smell. Someone meant to weaken ye slowly. Mayhap to nae make it obvious that they’re poisoning ye.”
“Saoirse?” Brighde spoke from the doorway. The couple hadn’t heard her open the door. “I heard yer voices. I ken ye’re betrothed, but this isnae appropriate.”
“Mama.” Saoirse picked up the mint with her skirts covering her hand again and held it out to her mother. “Bessy just delivered this with the water and basin. She said it was with the ewer and bowl when she gathered them. She said Auntie Siùsan told her to bring the pottery up here. She assumed the mint was to come, too. She lingered in here, and we found her.”
“What do ye mean lingered?” Brighde stepped farther into the chamber and reached for the sprig, but Saoirse shook her head.
“Dinna touch it. I’m certain it has the poison on it again. Bessy looked around the chamber, rearranged the pillows, then sniffed Óg’s leine.”
“Sniffed?” Brighde’s expression grew serious. She sensed her daughter’s building annoyance, and it concerned her that the maid intruded upon Magnus’s privacy. “I’ll speak to her.”
“Thank ye, Mama. Is ma bath ready?”
Brighde nodded. Saoirse looked at the mint still in her hand, her skirts protecting her skin. She wished to keep this one to see if she could learn any more from it. She looked up at Magnus. “I’ll see ye at the evening meal.”
“I look forward to it.” Magnus winked. He struggled not to shift uncomfortably as his sporran pressed against his arousal. The thought of Saoirse in a bath, naked, caught his attention while they were outside. It’s why he’d decided not to follow her into the keep and trail after temptation incarnate. Now, he wished the tub was coming to this chamber, and that it was theirs. He wished to soak with her after making love to her for the first time.
Brighde shot him a reproving glare before shaking her head in mock disgust. Saoirse was already walking to the door, so she didn’t see her mother. Magnus was certain it was his turn to blush. He glanced down, but his sporran hid the evidence of his arousal. Brighde simply knew because she’d been in love and eager at Saoirse’s age.
* * *
“A toast to the betrothed!” Liam held up his mug of whisky as he smiled at Saoirse and Magnus. They sat beside each other at the massive table. Much like the night he arrived, the entire family gathered on the dais. The couple found the celebratory air a reprieve from their ongoing worries. A few rounds of cheers and ale wouldn’t negate the lingering threat, but it was a chance for them to make merry and look toward a bright future.
Musicians began playing, and Magnus escorted Saoirse to the floor once servants cleared the tables and benches. He swung her through two reels before they came together for a slower dance that would keep them together.
“Are ye happy,mo ghaol?” Magnus enjoyed having the excuse to keep his arm around Saoirse while in public, but not yet wed.
