Page 62 of Seduction in a Kilt

“When I came tae Scotland many years ago, I arrived at Castle MacAlister with a formal introduction by mutual friends in Utrecht. The former laird, Laird Carson’s father, welcomed me warmly and we became fast friends. I ended up living at the castle and serving as an advisor. In the months afore his death, he often confided in me, worrying about his son’s selfishness and greed fer power. He feared he would not make a good laird fer his clan. When he and the lady were killed, I stayed on as an advisor to the new laird until recently, hoping tae be of use, given the former laird’s worries. Needless tae say, he rarely listened tae me advice.

“Then, one night, I overheard a conversation between him and Gael talking about how their plans were finally coming tae fruition now that the latter would marry Lady Ivy. They laughed at having succeeded in getting rid of Carson’s parents without anyone finding out.

“As I listened, and kenning the laird well, I realized that Carson probably had further plans to kill Gael and get all of his land through his widowed sister. I knew him well enough tae ken he daes naething out of the kindness of his heart. If he had kept her alive and was allowing Gael to marry her, it was certainly nae out of friendship. It was all about power. That is when I decided tae leave and seek out Lady Ivy, tae try tae save her.”

In the lull that followed, Liam could almost hear the gears turning in the council’s collective mind as they took all this in.

After a few minutes, Knox stood up and said to Evander, “We’ll think about what ye’ve told us, and of course, we’ll have more questions fer ye. But right now, we need tae discuss this without ye. I’m sure ye’ll understand if we keep ye under lock and key while ye wait.”

Evander bowed his head. The two guards outside in the hallway were summoned. “Find him a comfortable chamber. Give him what he wants, but make sure he’s locked up securely,” Knox instructed them.

When Evander had been taken away, the discussion resumed. Knox looked around at everyone, his glance finally coming to rest on Liam. “Well,” he said, “’tis a very plausible story, but does anyone trust this man?”

“I’m findin’ it hard nae tae be suspicious, but if I’m playin’ devil’s advocate, I havetae ask mesel’, has he really done anythin’ tae warrant that we should treat him as a possible spy?” Magnus said.

“Aye, all he’s done so far is throw some light on Ivy’s past that, if true could, enable us tae eliminate Carson and Hamilton once and fer all,” one of the military advisors put in. Several other councilors nodded their agreement.

“Liam, what are yer thoughts on the matter?” Knox asked.

“Well, as I’ve already said, I trust him about as far as I can throw him. But Magnus is right, so far at least. And Ivy wants him treated well. I suggest we dae some checkin’ up on Evander’s story and see what comes up. Until we can decide if he’s friend or foe, treat him as a guest, but have him watched. If he is a spy, he’ll slip up soon enough.”

“Aye, I think that’s a good plan. Let’s make him welcome but keep a close eye on him,” Knox announced. “Any more anyone hastae say, or can we call this meetin’ closed?”

No one did, so the meeting broke up. After making his farewells, Liam hurried out of the room, eager to check on Ivy. In the vestibule he asked a servant to have bath water brought up to Ivy’s chamber. He knew he needed a hot bath after the earlier battle, to soak away his aches and pains from the fight, and he suspected Ivy would too.

He entered his chamber, kicked off his boots, peeled off his socks, took off jacket and padded vest, and set aside his sword belt. In his shirt and trews, he padded over to the connecting door. It was slightly ajar, and he opened it a little further. Ivy was in bed, half sitting up, propped up by pillows, her hair spread out around her, and her bandaged arm resting on top of the covers. She must have heard him because she looked over. It alarmed him to notice that her gaze was disturbingly blank, almost trance-like.

Concerned by her subdued demeanor, he stepped over the threshold and went to the side of the bed, examining her critically. “Hello, how are ye feelin’?”

She seemed to come out of her reverie with a start, as though she had only juts noticed him. “Liam, he almost got me,” she said in a low voice, reaching out for his hand and clutching it tightly. “If nae fer ye and Evander, he would have succeeded.” She visibly shuddered, and he felt it run up his arm.

There was no need to ask whom she meant. He quickly realized she was suffering from delayed shock. He had seen it before, in soldiers after a battle. Despite her earlier protestations that she was fine in the infirmary, the import of what had happened at the chapel had finally hit her.

It was imperative, he knew, to make her feel safe again. Even if he knew he could not protect her, he wanted to give her comfort. He knelt by the bed, took her into his arms and cuddled her, stroking her hair, whispering, “’Tis all over now, Ivy. Ye’re safe.” It tore at his heart when she burst into tears and sobbed against him.

“I was so afraid, Liam. I really thought it was the end, that they were gonnae take me back tae Gael,” she murmured through her tears, her whole body shaking. “I’d rather die.”