Page 46 of Highlander’s Sweet Poison

“No, see here,” Horace bellowed, “I know what ye are getting at, but everyone knows Margaret wants the lass to wed, so she has to choose at some point! She cannae go through life unwed!”

“Actually, she can, if that is her wish. I happen to know full well that the previous laird didnae force the clan lasses to wed, and neither does my husband. She doesnae have to choose any of ye if she doesnae wish. Kylie!”

“I wilnae wed either of these two!” she yelled finally as if the confession had been bubbling inside her. “I told both of them that, but they are hardheaded!”

“Vera well. The lass has spoken. Horace, Lyle, I suggest that the two of ye search elsewhere for yer bride, preferably not the same lass, and this time, perhaps ye should ask if the lass wishes to be wooed. Now go on.”

As the crowd dispersed, Margaret marched Jillian’s way. “Now hold on just one moment. Kylie may not have to marry, but I sure as bloody hell dinnae have to house her anymore. If she wilnae choose from either of these men, then she will just haftae find another home!”

Jillian felt a spark of temper. “And why is that, Margaret? Is there some reason Kylie is no longer welcome in yer home?”

“That is none of yer concern!”

“She is thinking of remarrying,” Kylie said quietly. “And her husband looks at me.”

The silence that followed was deafening, and Jillian felt the rage build inside of her. Kylie was an adult, but this woman helped raise her and certainly should be protecting her. Instead, she is casting her out because the man she wants looks at Kylie instead.

“Get yer things,” she instructed the woman. “Ye will no longer need to stay here. We will find a place for ye.”

Relief swept over the woman and she hurried inside. Margaret gaped at her. “Fine. Ye want her in the keep where she can be yer laird’s mistress, ‘tis fine with me. At least then she will be useful to this clan.”

The crowd that had begun dispersing stalled and turned back to her. “Careful with yer accusations,” Jillian said coldly, “for my husband takes no mistress, and I willnae have ye spreading lies.”

Margaret smiled coldly. “Then why else would he keep her? She’s useless but for her pretty face, and spreads her legs enough. But then, I suppose someone like ye would sympathize, although I heard tell that ye ensnared yer husband with witchcraft. I suppose the usual ways of entrapping a man weren’t for ye, eh?”

Though false, her words still stung, and the crowd began whispering witchcraft. Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out. “Aye, she did trap our laird with witchcraft,” Nora sang. “And he’s too far gone to even realize it!”

Whipping her head around, Jillian only had to glance at the evil smile on the woman’s face to know that she’d been biding her time. Fury rolled through the crowd: “We must save him!”

“Burn the witch!”

Immediately, Tearloch was next to her with his sword raised. “If any lay a hand on the mistress of MacSeaver, ye will feel the end of my sword,” he said coldly.

“He’s been bewitched, too!”

“Tearloch, you can’t hurt them,” Jillian said desperately. “They’re just feeding off Nora and Margaret.”

The guard ignored her. “Take Alexina and go,” he ordered. “Now.”

“What will ye do?” Alexina whispered.

“My duty.”

The crowd rushed them, and Jillian turned, but not before a rock flew out and struck her in the head. She fell, but hands grabbed her around the waist. “Steady, Jillian,” Art said in her ear.

“What are ye doing here?”

“Trying to stop my mother,” he said grimly. “Although ‘tis clear that I am too late. Come now. Ye too.”

“Kylie. We cannae leave without her. There is no telling what Margaret will do.”

“I’m here!” Kylie raced toward them, a satchel slung over her shoulders. Grabbing Jillian’s other hand, she pulled her upward, and the four raced away from the crowd.

Jillian prayed that they would not follow.

23

Graeme was too far away to do anything as the crowd descended on Jillian, but not so far away that he missed the man she’d clasped hands with as she ran away.