Page 43 of Highlander’s Sweet Poison

Her eyes snapped open. “Fletcher was brought to his knees by his son’s death, but while he had no sense when it came to women after Lottie died, at least he knew well enough that these people were acting out of fear and sorrow. I had hoped, with his support, that their whispers would die, but somehow, they began to think that she’d bewitched Fletcher too. Someone was whispering into their ears, and I have a few ideas of who that might be.”

She didn’t glance over at Annella, but Graeme could see his sister redden. It didn’t matter. By now, Alan was hardly trying to hide his fury toward Jillian.

“I am pleased that ye wed her, Graeme. She deserves to have a life without fear, and I believe ye will give that to her. I didnae invite her over to intimidate her. I merely wondered if she could give ye the love that ye deserve. She has been tormented by the past, and sometimes, that breaks a woman.”

This time, Bridgette did look at her daughter. “Sometimes, it makes them stronger.”

“And what did ye surmise?” Graeme asked.

“I already know how she feels about ye, and if ye weren’t so daft, ye wouldn’t need to ask me. Now go on about yer duties, and leave yer sister and me in peace.”

Rooted to the floor, Graeme stared at her, stunned.

His mother thought Jillian loved him. Was that possible?

“Ye’re wrong,” he managed.

“When will ye learn? I am yer mother. I am never wrong.”

22

It was almost two whole days before Jillian saw her husband again. For two nights, he came to bed after she’d gone to sleep, and she’d wake up in the morning feeling the warmth left by his body but no husband to be found. Finally, one morning, she woke while it was still dark and forced herself to stay awake until Graeme rose.

“What is wrong?” he rasped as he rubbed his eyes and looked down at her. “Why are ye not sleeping?”

“I would ask ye the same thing, Husband. Ye are not getting enough sleep. Is something wrong?”

“Nay, just busy,” he sighed and rolled out of bed. It felt as if he was pulling away, but she didn’t dare ask him that.

“Is there something that I could help ye with?” she asked hesitantly. As his wife, she should have taken over the duties in the keep, but in truth, there was little to do. Under Fletcher’s reign, the place ran smoothly without a mistress, and Jillian saw no need to change anything. It wasn’t like anyone trusted her enough to ask her opinion anyway.

Standing, Graeme hesitated and turned her head. Her heart dropped. He didn’t trust her enough with any of the duties. If he didn’t give her something to do, she would continue to feel so helpless, and she hated that.

“There is something that ye can do,” he said suddenly, and she jerked upright. Finally, a task.

“Aye?”

“There is a lass in the village by the name of Kylie. She is causing an uproar because she wilnae choose between two suitors. I have been asked to settle the matter, but ye may go in my stead. Perhaps ye will be better at making the choice.”

At first, she thought that he was merely jesting with her, but he didn’t say anything else as he dressed. “Ye want me to mediate between a lass and two men?” she echoed.

“Aye.” Bending down, he kissed her forehead. “I hope to see ye tonight at dinner. Thank ye, Jillian.”

“Aye, of course,” she echoed as the door closed behind him. “Ask the woman whose looks make men whisper of witchcraft to settle a love dispute between a lass and two men. How can that go wrong?”

He had to be punishing her, but for the life of her, she didn’t know what she’d done wrong.

Well, if she was going to do this, at least she didn’t have to do it alone.

After dressing and breaking her fast, she found Tearloch waiting for her. “Ye were not the company that I was hoping for.”

He didn’t look any happier than she, but whatever he muttered under his breath, she didn’t hear. Grabbing her cloak, she marched with a purpose towards his cottage, and when they stopped, he glared.

“Leave my wife alone,” he growled.

“Is that coming from her or from ye?” Ignoring him, she rapped on the door, and Alexina opened it with a bright smile.

“Care to join me in a mediation between a lass and her two suitors?”