by Mac Flynn
At the close Ken's brow was furrowed. "You say this room is situated at the end of the hall?" he asked me.
I nodded. "Yes. The very last room," I confirmed.
"And she left the box of vials in that room?" he continued.
"Yes. She didn't take it with her when we left so we may still be able to take it as evidence," I replied.
Ken opened his mouth to speak, but he stiffened and he whipped his head towards the door. I glanced between the entrance and his tense face.
"What hmph-" My sentence was broken by his hand over my mouth. He pressed a finger to his lips, but his eyes never averted from the door.
After a long, tense moment he dropped his hand from my mouth and hurried over to the entrance. His footsteps were as silent as those of a cat, but his action was more abrupt. He reached the door and swung open the entrance.
On the other side of the door frame and a little down the hall was revealed Lady Stewart. She froze for a moment before her tense body relaxed and a smile slid onto her lips.
"You frightened me so. I hoped I could avoid your hearing my passing,"
Ken returned her smile. "Your footsteps are still quite loud," he teased.
She sighed and shrugged. "What can a woman do when she's weighed down by worries and a multitude of clothing?"
Ken stepped aside and gestured to the room. "Perhaps you would like to come inside?"
Lady Stewart shook her head. "No. I was just trying to get to my room without disturbing either of you."
Ken raised an eyebrow. "Do not the laird and you occupy a room on the third floor?"
Her pert lips pressed tightly together. "He does, but I have refused his bed and now reside on this floor. The room at the end of the hall is mine," she told him.
"Do you not consider that cruel punishment to deprive him of your company?" he asked her.
She snorted. "He thinks nothing of the sort, but would rather I were gone, or worse." She sighed and shook her head. "But that is neither here nor there. I only wished to go to my room because you deprived me of your company."
"Then I will deprive you no longer," Ken replied. He turned to me and bowed at the waist. "My lady, if you would grant me a few minutes downstairs with our hosts."
I heard the emphasis on the location, but I didn't understand what he meant until I noticed his eyes flickered to his right. In that direction lay Lady Stewart's chambers, and the silver box. I sat straight and scowled at him.
"If you wish it," I answered.
"Then I will enjoy myself for a few minutes before I return," he promised.
"You needn't go to the trouble, and may remain with your mate," Lady Stewart argued.
Ken sidled up beside her and offered her his arm. "But you reproached me for leaving the parlor, and so I shall make amends by keeping you company for a few minutes. Perhaps I might induce your husband to change his dreary choice of decor."
I noticed Lady Stewart's eyes flitted to her right which was down the hall. She pursed her lips for but a moment before she smiled at Ken and took his arm.
"I suppose a few more joyous minutes with you is worth an equally dreary time with my husband," she commented.
"Then let us be off," Ken replied.
He led her towards the stairs, but paused before they were out of sight and glanced at me. "And if you would, my mate, I would like to request that you not leave our room."
I frowned, but bowed my head. "As you wish, my lord."
Ken smiled and gave a nod. "Excellent." He returned his attention to Lady Stewart and his smile brightened. Such an act would have hurt me most painfully if I was not aware that it was an act. "And away we travel, old friend."
The pair stepped out of sight. I walked over to the open door and peeked out. Their heads disappeared down the stairs. My ears strained to hear their footsteps as they made their way across the entrance hall and into the parlor. The door to the parlor shut with a resounding thud.
I took that as my cue, and hurried down the hall as quiet as I could manage. The door at the end of the hall was shut, but I found the knob was unlocked. My pulse quickened as I glanced over my shoulder. Every moving shadow and creaking board led me to believe I was followed. The hall, however, was empty.
I slipped into the room and closed the door firmly behind me. The room was as it was before but for the cold hearth. I hurried over to the mantel and brushed my hand under the slab of wood, as I'd seen Lady Stewart do. My finger collided with a soft, round button which I pressed. The wall slid open and revealed the secret compartment, and in it was the box.
I hurried to the hole, but a sound caught my attention. It was a loud, nearly maniacal laugh. I hardly recognized it as belonging to my mate, but there was no mistaking his voice. My blood ran cold as I realized that his noise may be a warning, for he never laughed in such a manner.
I shut the wall without taking the treasure and spun around the room. There was only the large bed. I crawled under the goose-down stuffed mattress just as I heard the unmistakable click of the door as it opened. I turned around so I faced the door and peeked out.
My heart nearly stopped as I saw it was Lord Stewart. He hurried into the room and opened the secret area in the wall. I cursed myself as he pulled the box from the compartment and left the room. Because I was so close to the floor I felt and heard the vibrations of his feet as he traveled down the hall.
When I was sure all was safe I slunk from under the bed and glanced despairingly at the shut wall. I had lost a golden chance to prove their guilt, and I berated myself for my careless haste. I hurriedly returned to my room and awaited Ken so I could give him my disappointing report.
He was not long in coming, for only a few minutes elapsed before I heard the voices of Lady Stewart and he as they ascended the stairs.
"There is never a better evening than one spent in the company of friends," Ken philosophized.
"It was entertaining, though I still cannot fathom what made you laugh so horribly!" I heard Lady Stewart comment as they reached the door. "I thought perhaps you were choking on our wine!"
"Your husband is a profound source of amusement," Ken replied.
"Aye, but merely by accident of lack of intellect," she quipped.
"I accept the addition," Ken agreed. "Now if your ladyship will permit me, I will retire."
"I give my permission just this once," she teased.
"Always at your service," Ken returned.
The door opened and he stepped in. Lady Stewart saw me as I was seated on the foot of the bed, and she bowed her head.
"And a goodnight to you, as well, Abigail," she told me.
I smiled and gave a nod. "I thank you, my lady."
She laughed and waved her hand. "As I told you before, you must call me Mae. Nothing else will do, and I won't hear any arguments."
"You had best appease our hostess," Ken more commanded than recommended.
I pursed my lips and hung my head. "As you wish, Mae. As you wish, my lord."
"See? That wasn't so hard!" Mae commented. She waved to us and took a step down the hall. "Pleasant dreams to you both."
And with a wave of her dress she flitted down the hall. Ken closed the door behind him and hurried over to the bed. He knelt in front of me and clasped my hands in his. I looked up into his strained face as his eyes studied me.
"I worried Lord Stewart would have caught you," he whispered.
I smiled at him. "No, though it was only for your signal that I was forewarned."
A grin graced his face. "I worried it would frighten you near to death, but I am glad it performed its work well."
"What in the world did you laugh at?" I asked him.
He settled himself beside me and chuckled. "I laughed at Lady Stewart's dress after I spilled some wine over the front."
"Accidentally?" I teased.
"Do you think me clumsy?" he returned.
"No, but you are a very good actor," I complimented him.
His expression took a s
erious turn. "But humor aside, did you manage to retrieve what we sought?" My fallen face did justice to my emotions than any words I could have spoke. He sighed and squeezed his hands. "We perhaps forgot our foes were more crafty than we gave them credit. They have no doubt guessed you are not as truthful to them as they first believed. Lady Stewart angered her husband so greatly that he threatened to wreak havoc on her new room. I saw it was a ruse to force him from the room and to the box."
I hung my head. "I nearly had the box, but I heard your laughter and I-well, I grew frightened and hid under the bed."
He cupped my chin between his fingers and raised my eyes to meet his. His were soft and kind as he smiled at me. "I would rather have you safe than a thousand pieces of evidence against them," he whispered to me.
Tears sprang into my eyes and a teasing smile slipped onto my lips. "I know you care for me, but I shan't keep you from Lady Stewart's company if that is what you wish."
He leaned forward and pecked a light kiss on my lips. A blush warmed my cheeks, and it was his turn to chuckle. "I doubt your sincerity, my mate, and your cheeks betray you."
I wiped at my cheeks, but my smiled remained. "You are incorrigible," I scolded him.
"And wealthy, and handsome," he added with modesty.
"And in lairs of your foes," I reminded him.
Ken pulled back and frowned. I was sorry I reminded him. "You have me there, my mate. Unfortunately, the Stewarts have the advantage over us. We must wait for them to make the next move, or slip up once more. But come, let us to bed and we shall rest ourselves for tomorrow's battle of wits and patience."
CHAPTER 44
I was awoken by a gentle rocking of my shoulders. My eyes fluttered open, and in the dim light of the early morning I saw it was my mate you disturbed my sleep.
"Breakfast will be called soon," he told me.
I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "What is the time?"
Nearly ten," he replied.
My eyes widened. I whipped my head to the windows. The gray world gave no hint of a definite time. "So late?" I gasped.
"Have you forgotten the lateness to which Lady Stewart kept her rooms at Castle Moray?" he reminded me.
I must confess I had forgotten," I admitted as I slipped out of bed. My weary limbs from the long drive were rested, but I was still tense. "But what plans do we have today?"
"We will wait and watch," he told me as he watched me slip into my dress.
I paused and pursed my lips. "Do you think we shall be here long?"
He smiled. "Do you not like the atmosphere of their home?"
I glanced around at the dark panels and glossed windows. My ears caught the sounds of creaking floorboards as servants moved around in the hall.
"I would enjoy it if I meant to scare myself out of my wits," I told him.
My mate chuckled and assisted me with my dress. "I have heard that witless wives are easily entertained."
I glanced over my shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "How do you joke when we shall spend the coming days alone in the company of those who wish to murder us?"
"A calm mind rules the day," he philosophized as he finished my dress. He spun me around and wrapped his warm arms around me. I pressed my palms against his chest and looked up into his glistening eyes. "But no matter what happens, my mate, I will always protect you."
A knock on the door interrupted our conversation. Ken hurriedly released me and stepped out of my reach.
"Come in," he called.
The door opened and Lady Stewart flew into the room. She had a bright smile on her lips and a long slip of paper in one hand.
"Finally it has happened!" she exclaimed with glee. She rushed from one of us to the other and clasped our hands. "He has relented at last!"
"Who has relented?" Ken asked her when she had gotten to him after me.
"That damned fool of my husband! He has agreed to host a large party here at our home!" she explained.
Ken's eyes widened. "That must be a great expense."
Lady Stewart nodded. "It is, but he says he will not have me badgering him any longer and would rather have the expense than my incessant pleading."
"When are they to arrive?" I spoke up.
She spun around and clutched the paper to her bosom. "The letters of invitation were sent out only this morning, but I am sure they will begin to arrive within the day!"
Ken raised an eyebrow. "So soon, and in such weather?"
"Many of their properties abut our own lands, so they shan't have much trouble," she assured him.
Ken held out his hand. "May I see the list?"
"Oh, certainly. I am sure you will recognize many of the names," she told him as she handed him the paper.
Ken studied the writing and nodded. "Many of these names are familiar. I believe their lands are also close to mine."
"Aye, so it is very fortunate you are already here, as you have the best guest room in the house," she revealed.
"Will you be sacrificing your room to the guests?" he asked her.
"There are enough rooms on the second floor-I mean, that is, it's quite possible I may have to move from the second floor," she corrected herself.
Ken returned the list to her and smiled. "I look forward to this grand party, especially as all the mates will have a chance to become acquainted with my own new bride."
Lady Stewart's gaze fell on me and the corners of her mouth slid up into a sly smile. "Yes. It will be very advantageous for us all. But I'm sure you're tired of my prattle and wish for some breakfast. Come, let us go down before my husband throws a tantrum at our tardiness."
Ken offered me his arm, and Lady Stewart led us downstairs. I studied my mate's face and found the corners were strained. For my part, I was relieved to learn we would no longer be alone with the murderous couple.
We entered the dining hall, a large, long room on the right-hand side of the house. The grimy windows were better cleaned in that room and allowed some of the dim light of the day to filter into the house. Lord Stewart rose from his chair at the head of a twenty-seat table. Before him was a small assortment of breakfast foods. His face was very grave as he bowed to us.
"I have no doubt my wife has told you of her plan to force us into poverty," he commented as we took our seats.
Lady Stewart glared at him. "It will do nothing of the sort, and we may benefit from a better acquaintance with our neighbors."
He scoffed and dug viciously into his poached egg. "I have no doubt you may, madam, but I will be the worse for it."
"What plans do you have for your guests during their stay?" Ken spoke up.
Lady Stewart laughed. "You know, I haven't the faintest idea, but I am sure I will think of something."
"I may have an idea, but I will need a few days to put my plan into action," Ken offered.
The lady leaned over the table and cupped her chin atop her hands. "Would you keep a lady in suspense so long, my laird?"
"Only as long as is necessary to make a surprise worth the wait," he returned.
"I declare you could sue your silvery tongue to convince the devil to give up his domain, but I shall not bother you further on the subject," she promised.
"If only I was so fortunate. . ." Lord Stewart mumbled.
Lady Stewart scowled at him. "Fortune shines on the bold, my dear husband, and you are nothing of the sort."
"My hosts, our breakfast grows cold, and I wish to escort my mate over the grounds," Ken revealed.
Our hostess turned to us with pouted lips. "But I had hoped to have your lovely bride to myself this day."
"I must insist on her accompanying me. The exercise will be to her benefit," Ken insisted.
Lady Stewart frowned and noisily filled her plate. "Very well, but you make it difficult for two women to speak alone."
Ken smiled and bowed his head. "I will take whatever reprimand, and bear it with guilt."
Breakfast was finished within the hour, and Ken and I gathered our warm clothing. He l
ed me onto the portico and down the left-hand stairs. A shoveled path ringed the exterior of the house to the rear, and it was on this which we walked. We reached the rear of he house without a spoken word between us, and I studied the area.
The rear was, as I said before, more wild than the front, but not as untamed as the moors. The ground was uneven, but here and there were raised flower beds with their backs against the hilly ground. Trees grew thickly together and created little forests on either side of a path that branched away from the house. The way was not shoveled, but Ken led me down the path as though it was familiar.
The countryside intruded on the grounds, and to our left arose a bubbling stream. It was surrounded on its banks by small, bare trees, and on the other bank was a clapboard fence that ringed a large field. The ground ascended to a hill some hundred yards in the distance, and I glimpsed the silhouette of a stone fence that disappeared over the other side of the hill.
The path wound through the low bumps of dirt and around a bend that was shielded from view by another clump of trees. We were out of sight of the house when Ken directed our footsteps to a small summerhouse. The square, pointed roof allowed the interior to be bare of snow, and we took seats on the wooden benches.
"What do you think of the grounds?" he asked me.
I leaned back and studied his face. "You did not ask me out here just to show me-hmph-" My words were interrupted by his hand over my mouth.
Ken looked around us, and I noticed his nostrils flared as he smelled the air. After a moment his tense body relaxed and he released me.
"It seems we have not been followed," he commented.
I wrapped my arms around me and glared at him. "Now might I have my explanation before I die of chill?" I demanded.
"We must be very cautious after the other guests arrive," he warned me.
I frowned. "But why? Will not many people stop their plans of murdering us?"
He shook his head. "No. The guest list contains all those who own land around my own estates, and those of Laird Robertson and the Stewarts. Their mates have all also been invited, and no doubt most strenuously."
My eyes widened. "Then Lady Stewart intends to order the poisoning during their stay?"
He nodded. "Aye, I believe that is so."
I cringed. "Then what are we to do? Should we warn everyone when they arrive?"