Her eyes narrowed. She pursed her thin lips as though tempted to whistle. “And her lies?”
“Said the boy’s parents fell out of favor at court. When she defended them, she fell out of favor as well. Supposedly, they all were convicted of treason and sentenced to deportation to the Colonies from the port at Fort William.”
“Fort William?” She fixed him with an incredulous stare. “Why bring them all the way north to Fort William? Why Scotland, even? That makes no sense at all.”
“I thought the same. I believe she wished us to think it all took place at Stirling.”
“That fool Hanoverian king doesna have the desire nor the bollocks to hold court at Stirling. He keeps his arse in London when not traveling back to where he belongs.”
Teague laughed as he pushed up from the bed, crossed the room, and poured them both a dram of the best whisky he had tasted to date. He handed her the drink then lifted his. “Here is to never mincing words, aye?”
She chortled like a wee hen pleased with extra feed. “Aye, to that.” After taking a sip, she closed her eyes and smiled. “Ye always know what I need, laddie of mine.”
“I try.” He noticed her hand trembling as she lifted the glass to her mouth again. “I have wearied ye, and Bethia said ye ate even less supper than usual.”
She snorted and downed the rest of the whisky. “I dinna need much supper to do nothing but lie abed.”
He took her empty glass and set it on the bedside table. “Shall I read to ye awhile?”
Her thin brows drew together. She seemed distracted. Troubled. And that troubled him. “Not tonight. I am sure ye have much to do with this being yer first day back.”
“I am never too busy for ye. Ye know that, aye?” He didn’t like her sudden quietness.
She smiled and patted his hand. “I know that, laddie.” She nudged him as though trying to push him off the bed. “Off wi’ now to yer duties. Send Bethia in, aye?”
He rose, kissed her cheek, and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Dinna die on me, Grandmother. Ye are my only conscience.”
She squeezed his hand back, her pale blue eyes suddenly watery. “I canna live forever,” she whispered. “But dinna fash yerself, sweet laddie of mine. I will always be with ye. Whether in body or spirit, ye ken?”
He kissed her forehead and hurried to the door before she spotted the threat of tears in his own eyes. With his hand on the latch, he spoke without looking back. “Breakfast tomorrow? Eh, sly one?”
“Aye, laddie. Breakfast tomorrow. Now leave me be.”
Without another word, he bowed his head, left the room, and closed the door softly behind him. He leaned back against it and released a despairing sigh. Her soul would free itself soon. While he understood her need for relief and freedom, he wanted her to stay. He was a selfish man and not too proud to admit it.
“Forgive me for scaring ye, my chieftain.” Bethia gave him a sad smile. “She ordered it done just so, and I will never go against her wishes.”
“And I thank ye for that.” He read his own concerns in the kindly maid’s face. “She is weaker.”
“Aye.” Bethia folded her hands in front of her apron as if waiting for further questions. Always quiet as a church mouse. He often wondered if she talked freely with Grandmother.
“Keep her comfortable. Anything she wants, ye ken? Absolutely anything.” He doubted it needed saying, but the turmoil within him demanded he say something.
She nodded and stepped aside, obviously waiting to be dismissed to return to her duties.
“If she gets worse or anything happens…” He couldn’t finish the sentence.
“Ye will be the first brought to her side, my chieftain.”
He waved her away. “Go now. She waits for ye.”
She dipped a modest bow and eased into the bedchamber.
Teague loped down the stairs but slowed before stepping back into the hall. He slipped into the shadows beneath the gallery and watched his people, studying those he hadn’t seen for several weeks. Most, he trusted. Some, he knew held grudges against him for decisions he had made in the past. But all in all, he couldn’t fathom being a part of any other clan. He would defend them with his life. And that was what worried him. Had he brought trouble into their midst? Was the lovely, yet lying, Lady Mila a danger?
“Why are ye creeping around inside yer own keep?”
Teague barely stopped himself from drawing his dagger and attacking. “Never sneak up on me, boy. Understand?”
