“I don’t think so, no. Nora and Maire have always been dear to me.” Though he understood that Emma was only contemplating all possibilities, he couldn’t imagine any circumstances under which his sisters would or could cause him harm.
“Then perhaps they can help us find something we haven’t considered.”
His mood grew somber. “Although I want to know who’s behind this... in some ways, I don’t really want to know.” The thought of a close family member wanting him dead wasn’t at all something he wanted to face. And yet, it now seemed quite likely.
Emma took his hand in hers. “We’re going to find our answers. I promise you that.”
*
Emma arrived backat Dunmeath after one of the tenants gave her a ride in his wagon. Though Cormac didn’t like it, she’d left him behind in the cottage. It was far too dangerous for him to return. No one particularly cared about her, so it was hardly a risk at all.
But she was determined to succeed in finding out who was trying to harm her husband. Although she was nervous about it, she couldn’t help but think that she had her own advantage. All her life, she’d gone unnoticed, a wallflower who had faded into the background. She truly believed that if she used her senses and opened her ears, she would discover what she needed to know.
Emma was careful to count her steps as she walked to the main doors of the castle. Though her insecurities were rising again, this time she told herself that the earl’s life depended on her ability to work with his mother.
She gave her bonnet and pelisse to Stephens, the footman, and asked, “Where can I find the dowager Lady Dunmeath?”
“She’s not here at the moment,” he answered. “But she should return by luncheon.”
“If you see her, please tell her that I would like to speak with her.”
Emma started to walk toward the stairs but stopped and changed her mind. This might be a good opportunity to get better acquainted with Dunmeath without the countess’s disapproval. At first, she thought about asking a servant to guide her... but then, how else could she find out the secrets no one wanted her to hear?
She decided to start in the kitchens. Though she didn’t truly know where they were, besides being down on the lower level, she decided to follow the scent of food.
Emma pretended to be studying the hallway and taking a slow walk. She rather hoped there was art on the walls, for otherwise she might look very foolish indeed.
But soon enough, it did seem that the staff members paid her little heed. She started to walk down the stairs but paused when she heard voices.
“Do you think Lady Dunmeath was right?” a maid asked. Then their voices dropped lower, and Emma couldn’t hear what they were talking about. She took a few steps down the stairs, hoping no one could see her. She was careful to keep her back against the wall, and then she heard the maids again.
“Will his lordship be all right? He’s been gone for days,” a young woman said.
“Aye, he will. I’m certain of it.”
“But Lady Dunmeath thinks—”
“Now, don’t be telling stories,” came the voice of an older woman. “’Tis the curse, and everyone knows it. Nuala has been trying to break it. I’ve seen her tying off charms and making those teas of hers. But she’s had no luck yet.”
Emma remembered that Cormac’s aunt had been on his list of possible suspects. And it was quite possible that a woman with such a garden and knowledge of herbs might be willing to use the plants for harm rather than good—especially if she wanted her son to inherit.
She was trying to decide whether to continue down the stairs, but a moment later, one of the servants nearly collided with her.
“Lady Dunmeath!” The maid stumbled and caught herself. “I—what are you—are you hungry?” she finished.
“No, thank you.” Emma thought quickly, fumbling for a reason she could be downstairs. “I am still getting acquainted with the staff,” she said at last. “I thought I’d come and meet everyone in the kitchens.”
“Oh.” The maid seemed somewhat confused on what to do. “Would you... like me to introduce the others to you, Lady Dunmeath?”
“Yes, please.” Emma counted her remaining steps down the stairs and followed the maid toward the kitchen. The sounds of pots bubbling and knives chopping were familiar, and for a moment, she savored the delicious aromas.
When the sounds ceased, she could feel the eyes of the servants on her. “Good morning,” Emma said at last. “I wanted to meet all of you and say hello.”
There was an awkward silence among them, and she felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. “Or is that... not something a countess should do?”
“Lady Dunmeath, you may do anything you like,” a matron said. Emma guessed she might be the cook but couldn’t tell for certain. “I am Mrs. Ó Neill. And this is Florence, Molly, and Eithna. They help me in the kitchen and in the scullery. Can I be getting you anything to eat?” the woman asked.
There was a warm welcome in her voice, and Emma said, “Oh, I didn’t want to trouble you for anything. You’re busy enough. I only wanted to say hello.” And find out all the information she could about any threats to her husband.
