Addled in the head.Am I? I don’t know what to believe anymore.
But Campbell is listening.
Callum presses on. “’Tis my fault. Please, my laird. I should’ve kept an eye on her. Part of what she says is true. We do believe her name is Rose. And she worships your wife, sir. That is what she means when she calls herself Janet’s child. Rose follows her. Idolizes her.”
A bitter laugh threatens to rise in my throat.
“She believes that, as they share a likeness, she might one day be as grand as Lady Janet.” Then he adds, solemn, certain, “Though none could ever be as lovely.”
The comment cuts deep. I’ve felt this blade before, unerring and razor-sharp. My mother is, and always will be, more everything than me.
For a moment, I can’t breathe. But it doesn’t matter. No one is looking at me anymore.
They’re gazing at the portrait.
Even Callum. His eyes have gone soft, almost…reverent.
It makes me want to be sick again.
Campbell softens, too. “No matter,” he says, voice thick with emotion.
But when he looks back at me, the rage returns. “I’ll not have my Janet disrespected in this way.”
Beside me, men stiffen, reaching for their swords.
Callum moves fast, stepping between us. “Please, sir. The fault lies with me. I should’ve minded her more carefully. She’s nae right in the head.”
Does he have to keep saying that? A tiny grunt of protest slips from me before I can stop it.
Campbell catches it. His fury ignites.
“This disrespect cannot go unanswered.” Heunbuttons his coat. The room tightens with hostile energy. “You know what must happen.”
Callum bows his head. “Aye, sir.”
What must happen?
Campbell moves—fast.
I want to shout,Yes, I’m addled! Completely bonkers! Just let us go!But dread freezes me.
His first blow slams into Callum’s jaw. Then another, to his ribs. Then to his head, his gut, his back?—
I can’t watch. But I can’t look away.
The laird beats the hell out of him. Callum staggers, crumpling lower with every hit, but never makes a sound. I only know his pain from his gasps for breath.
Finally, it’s over.
Campbell shakes out his hands, then turns to me.
I make a tiny, whimpering squeak. After what Callum just endured for me, the sound mortifies me.
But the laird only shoves me toward him.
Callum catches me, wincing at the impact.
The laird looms over us. “Take care of your people,” he warns Callum, “or I’ll be forced to take care of them myself. Don’t forget who you are. You’re here bymygrace. Bymymercy. And so she will serve me as you do.”
