Fiona, who’d been putting the cheese she’d just bought for Eithne into her basket, glanced up.
Her gaze alighted on a tall, thin woman with high-colored cheeks, who was striding toward her through the busy market.
Beth’s sleeves were rolled up, her stained hands balled into fists.
Fiona’s heart jolted against her breastbone.Hades. The weaver looked as if she wished to strike her.
Around them, the other women shopping and the vendors hawking their wares all halted their conversation and trade to turn and stare.
Mortification prickled Fiona’s skin. She’d dreaded crossing paths with Beth. Diarmaid had assured her he’d ‘sweeten the widow up’, but she’d had her doubts. And judging from the vexed expression on the weaver’s face, he hadn’t managed to appease her at all.
“Ye arrive here like an unwanted cuckoo.” Beth’s shrill voice echoed through the crisp morning air. “And make yerself at home … stealingmytrade.”
Fiona’s spine stiffened, her own temper rising now. She didn’t appreciate such accusations. “I stole nothing,” she shot back. “The miller approachedme.” She wanted to add that perhaps he wasn’t happy with the quality of Beth’s work, yet checked herself. She had no proof of such and didn’t want to start flinging mud.
“Aye.” Beth stopped a few yards away. She then cast a glance around, as if making sure she had an audience. “But we all know why, don’t we?”
Fiona frowned. “Excuse me?”
“Och, that innocent face fools no one,” Beth countered. “I’ve heard it from Diarmaid’s own lips. The only reason ye have use of his weaving shed is becauseAilean Macleanpaid him handsomely.”
Fiona froze.
Seeing her shock, Beth flashed her a vicious smile. “Aye, ye are a fine mummer, indeed. Next, ye shall deny that our handsome young steward paid the miller off as well.” She halted then, nodding at the gawking crowd. “Aye, that’s right … Maclean paid themboth.”
Silence settled.
Fiona didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She was still reeling. Ailean had bribed Diarmaid and the miller? All this time, he’d been pulling the strings as if she were his puppet.
Her pulse started to thunder in her ears.
“And that’s not all,” Beth crowed, placing her dye-stained hands on her hips. “My sister visited me last week. She’s a cook’s assistant at Dounarwyse … and brought someveryinteresting news with her.”
Bile stung the back of Fiona’s throat, dizziness assailing her. Here it was. Of course, she’d braced herself for word of the scandal she and Ailean had created to reach Ardnacross. She’d been ready too—but delivered now, along with her other revelations, made Fiona feel as if the ground were giving way beneath her.
Drawing herself up, her face flushed bright red, Beth knew she held the crowd in the palm of her hand. They waited, breathless, for her to deliver more delicious gossip. And she would.
“It seems that Fiona got herself a prestigious position at Dounarwyse. Lady Maclean commissioned her to weave a great tapestry … but after it was discovered she’d been spreading her legs for the laird’s firstborn son, they turfed her out. The shameful strumpet then brought her sin here … and she’s continued to consort with him for” —Beth’s smile turned thin— “favors.”
“No.” The word came out in a panicked croak.
“Ye deny all of this then?” Beth demanded. “Ye are a liar” —her voice rose to a screech— “as well as aquean!”
“I’ll not deny that Maclean and I had relations at Dounarwyse … and I left because of it.” She wished to add that Lady Kylie wished her to return, yet no one would believe her, or care. “But whatever there was between us … is over.”
Beth snorted. “Did ye all know that Ailean Maclean has been disinherited?” Murmurs of shock rippled through the crowd. “That’s right … this woman seduced him … and in a fit of temper, the laird cast his son out. He will remain Steward of Ardnacross for the rest of his days … while his younger brother will take their father’s place one day.” She pointed at Fiona now, her gaze narrowing. “All because of this wicked woman.”
Anger splintered in Fiona’s chest then. How typical. If a scandal erupted, the woman was branded a shameless harlot and the man a victim of her lust. Beth spoke as if Ailean had been the innocent party, as if he hadn’t pursued her. As if he hadn’t set fire to his own future and ruined his relationship with his father by his own hand.
She wanted to rage at Beth, to shove her nasty accusations back down her throat.
Yet, as the murmuring grew louder and locals whispered to each other while eyeing Fiona, she checked the impulse.
No. That was what Beth wanted. She was desperate for Fiona to leave, for her to behave in a way that would damn her before these people.
But she wouldn’t let this bitter woman drive her out of Ardnacross. Discovering Ailean’s deceit made stubbornness harden like steel inside her. She was done with running.
So, instead, as the silence drew out, she leashed her rage—saving it for Ailean. “I’m no seductress, Beth,” she said finally. “But believe what ye will.”
