“I shall check the kitchens and see to the feast. I’ll join you soon,” Frances said, and left him.
He watched her walk away and then turned his attention back to Grey. “I’m glad you’re here. But why’d you come? I only wanted Gordy to come so he could trail this man I suspect of wrongdoing.”
“I wanted to see how you fared here. Your missive only stated you would be staying and when James didn’t return … What wrongdoing?”
Sean led him to the hall, passing by the slumbering Davy. He nodded at the two soldiers who stood at the bottom of the stairs and by the entrance, and was comforted by the knowledge that Benson stood outside his chamber door above stairs.
Once inside the hall, he was met with grins and stares from his comrades.
“James tells us you wed,” this came from Duff, the most formidable of the Gunn guardsmen.
“Indeed, he does not jest. I cannot say I’m displeased for I’m wed to the most bonny woman.” Sean wasn’t amused by the stares from his comrades.
“Bring drinks, for we’ll toast Sean,” Grey said. When the hall’s serving lad hastened to hand everyone a tankard, and after all were filled to the rim, Grey raised his cup. “To Lord William, and his matchmaking skills.”
“To Lord William,” they all chanted in unison.
Colm and Kenneth laughed when Sean shook his head in objection of his laird’s words.
“Laird, you interfered again, didn’t you?”
Grey didn’t look one bit contrite. “Who me? Suffice it to say, William did cue me in on his wishes. We spoke at length during a treaty meeting years ago. I knew what he planned.”
“Why didn’t you mention it to me?”
His laird chuckled. “Why stir the pot? You were set in your ways, Sean, and wouldn’t have accepted William’s gift.”
“Did you know about the betrothal?” Sean glared, but he couldn’t stay ireful with his longtime friend and cousin.
“Nay, I didn’t, but you seem happy. Are you?”
Sean’s answer came in a grin. All the men around the table lifted their cups again.
“To Lord William’s matchmaking,” they shouted in unison.
Sean clasped Kenneth’s hand, and looked at the face of his esteemed friend. He’d missed him and saw that he looked well. “How are Elisa and Michael?” He was mollified by the name Kenneth had chosen for his son. Kenneth had named him after Grey’s father, Laird Michael. The man’s legacy was renowned and each and every guardsmen owed their laird’s father their eternal fealty.
“Elisa is well and sends her love. My son grows fast. I had to come along with Grey when he said he was visiting you. Besides, he said there was some evil afoot.”
“You know how we enjoy the fray. Aye, a good mystery spiked our interest,” Colm said.
“Aye, well, we’ve a good one for I don’t know who to suspect.” Sean sat at the table and his clansmen took to the benches and chairs around. He related the happenings and during his tirade, his friends said not a word. “… which is why I’ve asked Gordy to come because he can look into the two men and their business.”
“Duff and I will look into the Lombard lord,” Colm said and rose.
Sean motioned for him to sit. “On the morrow, will be soon enough to begin. If you,” he said to Kenneth, “and James will look into Sir John’s doings. He’s away right now, but you can find out what he was up to and his dealings.”
His comrades agreed, and they’d begin their interrogation the next day. They spent the next hour catching up on news, and then several Hume clansmen and women began making their way inside the hall for the feast. Sean invited the families of those who tended the keep and some of the soldiers who he’d relied on of late to join them.
He grew anxious to see Frances and wondered why she took so long. When she didn’t come as the meal was being set on the table, he left the hall to go in search of her.
Upon entering their chamber, his breath caught. The sight of her stiffened him to a state of a lad seeing a faerie. His eyes soaked in the beauty before him. Her gown shimmered and the jewels at the bodice drew his eye. He so wanted to touch the skin there. The green fabric matched her eyes, just as he thought it would. Never had he seen a woman look so garbed.
“You look ravishing.”
“Oh, Sean, I didn’t hear you come in. I was just coming down.” She headed to the door, when he pulled her into his arms.
“I don’t want to share you with the others with you looking so bonny.” He got his wish and instead of touching the skin by the jewels, he slid his lips along the flesh of her bosom.
She gasped and smacked his hand away when he ran his forefinger along the seam. “You are wicked, but I love it.”
He sighed. “Come then. We’ll go and entertain. But this night, I vow, my lady, you will be writhing beneath me … without the gown.”
She laughed and walked ahead of him. He closed their door and followed her to the hall. When she entered, his clansmen all ceased talk, as he knew they would.
Then they erupted into a chaos of questions.
“Has Sean been a good husband?” Calm asked.
“I deem he’s been dour, hasn’t he?” Duff said, and laughed boisterously. “He’s always sullen when he’s in a mood.”
“Aye, he has been a good husband, and nay, he hasn’t been dour, at least, not around me.” Frances took her seat near his at the head of the table and smiled.
“I deem I know why, just looking at you … I don’t expect he’s been sullen at all,” Kenneth said.
“Lady Frances, I’m pleased to meet you. I’m Grey, and these are the guardsmen, Duff, Colm, Kenneth, and you know James.”
“I’m glad you’ve all come. It will be a comfort to have you here.”
As the night wore on, stories abounded, and Sean sat back and enjoyed the revelry and Frances’ amusement. She appeared to hang on every word Kenneth bespoke about his wedding to Elisa. Sean would’ve laughed aloud when she insisted Kenneth swear that Sean hadn’t loved Elisa. He’d have to tell her she needn’t worry about that. She didn’t realize he listened closely to their conversation.
And then Grey took up the story of how he’d met his wife.
“… Aye, that’s how Kenneth’s brother, Greer, died. A man targeted my lovely Bree, and he was defending her. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank him.”
She set her hand on Kenneth’s sleeve, who sat next to her. “I’m sorry he died for I know how saddened that must have made you to have lost your brother.”
“You’ve no idea,” Sean said. “Kenneth grieved for a long time until he met Elisa.”
“I wish we could visit so I can meet everyone,” Frances said.
Grey set his cup down on the table with a bang. “Aye, I say ye come after the next spring planting. I demand it, Sean. Bring your wife for the feast of Saint Swithin’s Day.”
“If we’re able to, we will,” Sean said.
The feast ended, and several of the men took to cards and dice at the other end of the hall. He sat back and listened to Grey speaking of the treaty matters concerning King Alexander, and he told him about the meetings he’d attended.
“I’m going to say goodnight to Ermintrude,” Frances said.
Sean rose and kissed her cheek before she strolled off. He sat back and continued his discussion with Grey, comforted by the fact that she was indeed safe at this celebration.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Frances released the slack on her gown when she reached the top of the stairs. Ermintrude would likely be asleep by now, but still she wanted to say goodnight. The noise from the hall made her smile. The Gunn guardsmen were charming even though they appeared formidable.
Never had she seen such men, for they were tall and brawny, and she reckoned fierce when it came to arms. She was thankful they had come and felt much safer with their presence.
There was no one within the hallway and she hurried to the nursery. It wasn’t like Benson to leave his post, and sh
e’d have to remember to tell Sean. When she entered, she expected to find Alice, but she wasn’t there. Ermintrude wasn’t within the nursery either.
Frances considered that Alice had taken Ermintrude for a small bite before bedtime. She’d go and see if they were in the kitchens. Likely Mistress Ina gave her daughter cake for which she’d get a tummy ache. How like the woman to ignore her wishes. But Mistress Ina was more grandmotherly, and Frances would just have to concede to her will.
Before she went to search for them, she decided to change into comfortable slippers because the ones she’d wore with her new gown hurt her feet. Frances stepped into her chamber and noticed the box sitting upon her bed. Instant fear shuddered through her.
She hesitantly stepped toward it. The box lay open and inside several large hairy spiders crawled at the bottom. But then she saw the shackles beneath their legs, and she gasped. A noise startled her and when she turned around, she saw him. Her heart thudded in her ears.
“Jacob, you gave me a fright. What are you doing up here? Where is Benson?”
“Oh, my lady, I sent him to retrieve the replacements for the night watch. I saw you up here alone and wanted to make sure you were all right.”
“I’m well, Jacob. I don’t know where Ermintrude and Alice are.” She dismissed the box and would tell Sean about it after she put her daughter to bed. The thought of leaving the spiders loose in their chamber gave her the shivers, but she was more concerned about getting her daughter to bed.
“Come, my lady, I’ll help you search for them.”
Frances agreed, and as they exited the back stairs, she grabbed a torch from the wall and held it. Night came and it was getting dark. Soon they’d not be able to see even the short path to the kitchens. There was no moon this night giving light.
She was about to head to the kitchens when Jacob stopped her. “I deem I heard something there,” he said, pointing to the dense copse of trees beyond the wall.
“The gates are closed. We cannot leave.”
Jacob held up a set of keys. “There be a smaller gate, my lady, back here. Come, I suspect the maid took the lass out there.”
“Why would she do that?”
“I know not, but let us find her. The wee one might be in danger.” Jacob opened the small gate, which she hadn’t even known was there.
She trekked toward the trees and listened to the night sounds of owls and other foul that made noises at night. A light snow began falling, and even so she wasn’t chilled for her adrenaline raced through her, and she focused on finding her daughter.
With a tight grip, she held onto the torch, and tried to see ahead. Jacob walked behind her. She regretted now not going immediately to Sean. The entire situation gave her pause and unease.
“We’ll find her, my lady, just keep walking. Come I think I heard something over there,” he said, and gestured in another direction.
Frances was frantic to find Ermintrude, and so she walked in the direction he indicated. Jacob said nothing after that, just followed and remained silent. The more she walked, the more leery she became.
When she chanced to look behind her, she saw Jacob standing too close. He stood only inches from her and his gaze fearsome. It was a manner she’d never seen from him.
She drew in a breath to scream, but he set his hand over her mouth. Frances fought against him, but he held fast with his arm surrounding her torso. Though she kicked him and pinched his arms, she was unable to gain her release. She reached up to grab his face, and scratched a wound across his cheek.
Frances panicked and realized he was poisoning her. Her eyes burned from something in his hand which he covered over her mouth. She could barely breathe through her nose and her head began to spin. She went limp in his arms.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Sean ceased listening to Grey when his eyes kept darting to the entrance of the hall. Frances should have returned by now. He knew there was no need to worry, but whenever she was out of his sight, he couldn’t help it. He’d taken on such guilt for what happened to her at the last celebration, and for the loss of their child. And since, he’d made it his mission to be near her.
“Sean? What’s amiss?”
He returned his attention Grey. “What? Ah, nothing. It’s just … Frances should have come back by now.”
“I know you worry for her. I can see it on your face. Let us go and find her.” Grey rose, and signaled to the others with a shout.
“I’m sure it’s nothing, for I’ve the castle and grounds secure.”
“If your gut is telling you something is wrong, then something is. We learned that lesson about the age of ten on the field, remember?” Grey followed him into the hallway.
Sean remembered, for they’d been tested with sacks that were hidden behind wooden quintains. They had to choose the wall that concealed the sacks, and more often they got it right. Some of the young lads didn’t trust their gut, and more often got it wrong.
Sean noticed Davy had gone off, and two guards that should have posted the entrance were nowhere in sight. He wondered where they went and would surely give them hell for leaving their post. He led Grey to the stairs, and they reached the hallway. It was silent. Benson wasn’t posted outside his chamber.
“None of the guards are at their posts. Something is wrong.” A knot formed in Sean’s stomach, and he quickened his pace down the hallway.
Their chamber door was ajar, and he peeked inside, but Frances wasn’t within. He then looked across the hall and thought mayhap she went to see Trudy.
When he entered the nursery chamber, he expected to find the wee one abed, but she wasn’t amongst the coverings, and her maid, Alice, wasn’t in the chamber.
“Something is definitely amiss.”
“Mayhap they went to the kitchens?” Grey asked.
“I doubt it, but we’ll check. I don’t like this.” Sean retreated down the stairs, and went out the back exit of the keep toward the kitchens. He found Mistress Ina helping the cook clean up after the feast, and noticed the younger lads washing the pots.
“Mistress, have you seen Frances?”
“Oh, nay, my lord. She hasn’t been here.”
“Has Trudy or Alice? Neither are within the keep.”
“Nay, neither has been here, my lord.”
Sean left the kitchens and paced outside. “It’s dark. Where the hell are they?” he shouted, panic beginning to set in.
Grey stood by watching him. “Come, we’ll begin a search.”
Inside the hall, Grey called everyone’s attention. “Frances and her daughter are missing. Come all, we need to search for them.”
The other men in the hall each hurried to the main entry of the keep, and Grey directed them to pairs and sent them off in different directions. Kenneth and Colm headed westerly, Duff and James easterly, and the remaining men sent to search various places.
Snow began falling earnestly and Sean looked up, letting flakes it his face. It would be cold this night and the urgency of finding them instilled even more dread within him. He and Grey set off to the stables. A stable lad readied their horses and brought them out.
When they rode through the gate, the snow began laying on the grassy surfaces. Grey followed him, and he headed north in the direction of the woods. Sean tried to hand Grey a cloak, but he shook his head so he set it in front of him.
Sean was weary and filled with anguish. Such emotion was foreign to him for he never had a reason to plead with God. At that moment, he’d bargain anything for their safe return. He winced at his thoughts. If anything happened to either of them, he couldn’t fathom what it’d do to him. He’d be lost, and the severity of the torment gripped his heart.
“I don’t want to lose her.”
Grey rode next to him silent, darting his eyes from the trees to the lane ahead.
“I didn’t expect to cherish her, but aye, I do. What am I going to do, Grey? If something happened to her …”
“I know how you feel, Sean, but let
us think positively. She’s likely well and somewhere safe. We have to have hope.”
But Sean didn’t have hope. Something dreadful happened, and with all that they’d gone through these past few months, the demon caught up to them.
If only he knew who his enemy was, he’d have more faith, but alas he didn’t know, and that put him in a disparaging position. If he’d figured out who the culprit was, he’d be able to find her.
Desperation gave him newfound energy, and he hastened his horse’s pace and kept his eyes focused on anything that moved.
They rode through the night and found no sign of Frances or Trudy or her maid. Dawn crept forward ever so dimly as the sun was slow to rise. The snow fell heavier and fat flakes flew at his face, and covered the cloak he’d put on. As they approached the wall from the opposite end, Grey stopped.
“I see something … there,” he said, and pointed near the wall.
He and Grey dismounted and approached.
A body lay on the ground, covered with a layer of snow.
They knelt next to the body, and Sean moved the lass’ hair from her face.
“It’s Alice, Trudy’s nurse. She’s been killed.” Sean looked at her lifeless form, and kicked at the snow. He wanted to hurt something, someone, anything. As angry as he became, he felt as though he’d swallowed a rock for dread sat heavily in the pit of his stomach. “Where the hell is my daughter?”
“We’ll keep looking for her.” Grey stood next to him, and set a hand on his shoulder. “The poor lass had a rope tied around her neck and it is still there, hanging loosely around her skin. The killer was in a hurry. She was strangled.”
He nodded, grasping the fact that the banshee didn’t have time to take her away like he had the others. Her eyes were open and the look of fright evident on her face. Sean tensed, fearing and knowing whatever boded for Frances and Trudy was just as, if not, more gruesome.
He turned and walked back toward his horse. Giving the news to Stephen and Maddie would be the most grievous thing he’d ever had to do. He’d have men come and take the maid to the cottage to await burial. Then he spotted a glow coming from beyond the trees in the darkness of its shadows. It was dim, but the light reflected off the trees.
A Highlander In Peril (Gunn Guardsman) Page 24