Page 19 of Scottish Rose: Coira

“Coira, you told the English where to find the stone? How could you? I may be English, but I know that is the coronation stone of the Scots and dates back to Biblical times.”

“Dinna worry, Zara. I told him where it was hidden at one time, but no one but the MadMen MacKeefe ken where it is now.”

“Then you knew he was searching for information?”

“I did,” admitted Coira. “Zara, we spent a wonderful night together. I started thinkin’ Lance was different than the Englishmen I’ve encountered, but now I am no’ so sure.”

“He’s your husband, Coira. Surely, he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the alliance.”

Coira thought about it for a moment. Zara made sense. Mayhap, Lance was only asking the questions out of curiosity, and she was being too suspicious. “I’m sure ye’re right. He is my husband, and I should trust him.”

“Do you?” Zara looked up in question.

“I’m no’ sure,” said Coira, finding it hard to trust any Englishman after what she’d been through in the past.

* * *

“Are you sure that’s where I’ll find the Stone of Destiny?” asked Philip, preparing his men to leave.

“That’s what she said.” Lance felt a heaviness in his heart. Why did he feel like he was betraying not only his wife but also the Scots? Perhaps, he shouldn’t have told Philip anything. Then again, if he hadn’t, he would be giving up the castle and he couldn’t do that. His head swarmed with confusion. He wanted the castle because what man wouldn’t? And he wanted to impress his new wife, giving her everything she deserved. He’d had no idea what his Uncle Ralston had done to Coira and her sister. If the man wasn’t already dead, he would have hunted him down and killed him for his actions.

“The stone better be there! If not, I am returning to claim what is mine.”

“Go already,” said Lance, looking over his shoulder. He eyed up the cages loaded onto the back of the wagon, his jaw clenching in the process. Just thinking of Coira locked inside and hanging on display in the courtyard made him angry – and sick. He would do anything to protect her and make sure nothing like that ever happened again. She was his wife, and he would protect her with his life.

“My, you seem in such a hurry to see me leave,” stated Philip. “Is that any way to treat a guest?”

“Guests are invited, and I don’t remember inviting you here. Besides, you scare Coira, looking just like Ralston. Why didn’t you tell me what he did to Coira? I’m sure you knew.”

“I did know,” said Philip with a chuckle. “I thought it would be more exciting to let you find out on your own.”

“You bastard! I don’t think any of this is funny. I gave you the information you wanted, now get out! And never return.”

Philip leaned toward him, speaking close to Lance’s face. “If I find out this is a lie, you can bet I’ll be back. And if I return, you will be the one leaving instead of me.”

Lance turned on his heel and headed back to the keep, wanting to walk away before he ended up punching his uncle in the face. He hoped to hell the information Coira had told him was right. If not, there was going to be trouble. Lance had no intention of handing over Liddel Castle to his uncle and would do whatever he had to in order to keep it. He was not giving up the castle and would not go down without a fight.

Chapter 9

“Bring that wheelbarrow over here, Zara.” Coira stood up and removed her gloves, looking at the huge pile of weeds she’d pulled from her new garden. Sweetcakes lay in the shade chewing on a stick, content just to be near her.

“I still don’t understand why you didn’t take Lord Lance’s suggestion and have the servants do this backbreaking work in the scorching hot sun,” complained Zara, wheeling the cart over to her.

“I dinna want servants doin’ the work, because I enjoy doin’ it myself.” Coira brushed her hands together, smiling at the progress she’d made in her new garden. It gave her a sense of accomplishment.

“Well, I don’t enjoy it,” grumbled Zara. “You might be young and full of energy, but don’t forget I am an old woman, used to sitting on my arse and reading cards and tea leaves all day. I don’t do physical work. I’m dog tired.” Zara collapsed atop a stone bench. The dog came running over, wagging its tail, full of life and energy.

Coira laughed. “Zara, I wanted to show ye the beautiful rose bush I found under the weeds.” She pointed it out. It trailed up a freestanding trellis in the center of the garden. “The plant has a lot of buds. I canna wait until it blooms.”

“You sure do look happy,” Zara pointed out. “That wasn’t the case yesterday. What happened?”

“Ever since I saw Sir Philip leavin’ and the cages bein’ hauled away, it was a relief. Just like ye said, I need to let go of what happened in the past.”

“But can you do that? After all, this castle has held some horrible memories for you.”

“I didna think I could let it go at first. But since Lance has been so understandin’ about all this, I now feel confident that I can move on.”

“Really.” Zara raised one brow. “What about the fact he was trying to get information from you about the Stone of Destiny?”