‘She is attending to her duties around Kransmuir at present.’
‘One would think she really has run away,’ said the man, smirking.
‘Then I will endeavour to find her, to put your concerns to bed.’
‘Excellent,’ declared Carstairs
***
Bran wolfed down some cheese and then held his hand out for more. It was the story of his life – taking, always taking.
‘I have no more for you until you trade,’ said Rowenna.
‘Trade what?’
‘The truth, Bran.’
‘What are you babbling about, sister? The truth is this. You should have used your wiles on that man of yours to get me out of here. Are you not keeping him happy? Have you failed me, your own flesh and blood?’
‘I have done my best to free you, but a recent visit to our father has shown me that your imprisonment is well deserved. I chanced upon him entertaining Sir Henry Harclaw at Fallstairs. Now, why on earth would he do that?’
Bran glowered. ‘That is father’s business, not mine, and certainly not a woman’s. Are you getting a bit above yourself now that you are spreading your legs for a laird?’
‘Tell me the truth, Bran, or I will leave you in the dark to rot.’
‘What has that old fool said now? He is losing his wits. You should pay him no heed.’
‘He said you were stealing and slaughtering Jasper’s cattle with the Warden’s son, Edmund.’
‘So what if I was? A man has to shift for himself, and I was offered a pretty penny. Cleared my debts.’
‘And then spawned new ones when you had drunk yourself into a stupor with the Warden’s money. And his son has disappeared. He searches everywhere and threatens to take lives for each day his son is missing. And he went missing the same day as Cecily. I cannot think that is a coincidence, Bran.’
Bran flinched at the mention of Cecily.
‘Please tell me what you know. Our sister could be in danger.’ Rowenna held out a chicken leg and another hunk of cheese. Bran’s eyes lit up, and he reached out to grab it, but she backed up.
He sighed heavily. ‘Alright, but none of this is my fault. The thing is, I might have bragged to Edmund Harclaw about Cecily.’
‘What did you say to him?’
‘That Cecily was the most beautiful lass in all the West March, that sort of thing. He might have sought her out for a look.’
‘For a look! You put a stranger on her scent, like a hound after game. How could you put her in danger like that?’
‘Do not fash. If Cecily has run off with Edmund, at least he is rich.’ Bran shrugged as though it were nothing to serve his sister up to a wicked young man, who, in all likelihood, had carried her off or worse.
‘Edmund Harclaw has not been heard of for weeks,’ said Rowenna. ‘And do you think a warden’s son would offer marriage to Cecily? Why would he do that? If she was meeting him, then all sorts of harm could have befallen her. A Marches lass is nothing to these people. She could be imprisoned, raped, or lying dead in a ditch somewhere, you fool.’
‘Do not name me a fool. You understand nothing, Rowenna.’
‘I understand this. You brought Jasper’s wrath down on us for a few measly coins. You are in the service of an Englishman who seeks to destroy us, and you have thrown our sister at a man you know nothing of.’
‘Why would you want Cecily back? Did she not always eclipse you in beauty and prospects? You should not seek her, for she might tempt Jasper more than you, and he will throw you over.’
‘You can be as spiteful as you like, but it won’t free you from this dungeon. If anything has happened to Cecily, it is on your head.’
‘I did not mean for Cecily to be harmed. Please, Rowenna. I swear.’ His voice was a whine of self-pity. ‘Please forgive me.’
