She looked down at it as if unsure how the dagger had come to be in her hand. He reached forward, taking it from her, not relaxing until it was safely tucked into his belt.
“Who is that?” John asked behind him. “What have you done?”
“It wasn’t me,” Heather said, kneeling beside the body. “I…I tripped over her. I couldn’t see in the dark.”
John walked over to the body, turning it so they could all see the victim’s face. “You killed Susanne,” he said, looking up at Heather. “Why?”
“I…I didn’t.”
“You will come with me,” Gavin said, grabbing her arm and shoving her into her bedchamber, pointing a finger at her. “Do not move.” He turned to his men. “John, you watch the body. The rest of you spread the word. There is a killer in the castle.”
“The killer is behind you,” John said. “Why are you shielding her from justice?”
“Do not question your laird. Two of you take the body to the chapel and wake Charles to pray for her soul. No one is to disturb me until I emerge. Is that clear?”
John scowled up at him but said nothing.
“Good.”
He slammed the door shut, locking himself in with Heather. She was standing in the middle of the room, looking down at the blood on her hands. “She’s dead,” Heather said. “I can’t believe she’s dead.”
“Come,” Gavin said, taking her by the arm and leading her over to the ewer of water on the table. “Let’s clean that off.”
“Susanne’s dead.”
“Shush now.” He dipped her hands in the water. She was as pliable as a doll, still muttering she same words over and over. “You’re in shock.” He finished drying her hands, noticing the goblet of wine left over from her dinner. “Sit down. Drink this.”
He handed her the goblet but her hand didn’t move. It almost slipped through her fingers but he was quick enough to catch it. Holding it to her mouth, he tipped it up, glad to see her swallow.
“Susanne brought me this,” she said, running a finger along the goblet rim. “I can’t believe she’s dead.” All of a sudden her arms shot up, sending the goblet flying. “They think I killed her.” She looked terrified, scrambling to her feet and backing up against the wall, not taking her eyes off him. “I didn’t kill her, I swear.”
“It’s all right,” he said, crossing the room and placing his hands on her shoulders. “I ken you didn’t kill her.”
She didn’t relax but at least her eyes lost their wild look. “But…but you looked so angry.”
“Someone has killed my most loyal of servants. There is a murderer loose in my castle.”
Her shoulders sagged under his hands and before he knew what was happening her face was buried in his chest. He held her close, saying nothing, letting her cry. He wanted to hold her forever.
“How do you know I didn’t do it?” she asked without looking up, her voice muffled by his chest. “I was standing over the body with the knife in my hand.”
“The last place a killer would stand. Did you see who did it?”
“I saw only a light vanishing down the corridor.”
“Tell me everything. Omit no detail no matter how small.”
“I was in bed, I was asleep. I was dreaming of…” Her voice fell away and her chest hitched before she was able to continue. “I woke up and there was a candlelight in the corridor. I could see it through the crack at the bottom of the door. I went to open it but the light vanished around the corner. I tried to go after it when I tripped over…over Susanne. I can’t believe she’s dead.”
She began sobbing again. He held her, one hand on the back of her head, his mind moving swiftly. Who would want Susanne dead? And why now?
He thought of how the men had looked, the anger in John’s face, as if he wanted to take Heather outside and have her hanged at once. The thought made him furious.
He vowed to protect Heather from anyone who might hurt her. If his men had come any closer, he would have killed them to protect her. That thought both comforted and chilled him. Were cracks appearing in the clan? Was his focus on her causing problems that might magnify in the pressured environment of a siege?
He felt the softness of her hair, the scent of her rising to his nostrils. He sighed, the feel of her against him felt good despite the circumstances.
“You must be cautious,” he said at last as her tears gradually came to an end. “I will give you the key to this room and you must keep it locked. Go nowhere without me until the killer is found, I could not bear it if anything were to happen to you.” He pulled away from her.
