“There’s a light there.” Sean dismounted and hastily walked toward the light. He spotted Trudy sitting in the snow, her white cloak as pristine as the icy wetness around her. If not for the lantern she carried, he never would have seen her. The lass blended into her surroundings. She sat talking to her cat, holding it in her arms. Sean wanted to weep with joy at the sight of her.
“Trudy, love, what are you doing out here?” He picked her up, and handed her lantern to Grey. “Where’s your Momma?” Sean assessed her for injury but didn’t note any, as his hands pressed her arms and legs. She shivered, and he set her inside his cloak and covered her.
“I can’t find Momma. He hurt Alice.”
Sean hugged her close, shaken, and yet relieved at the same time. “Who hurt Alice?”
“The man.”
“What man? Tell Da who you saw.”
“A bad man. Alice won’t wake. I tried to get her to. Och she’s tired.”
He held her in his arms, refusing to put her down. Sean headed for the keep and gave Grey a woeful glance. “Aye, she is tired. Come, let us get you inside where it’s warm.” Sean reached the keep within minutes.
“Have men sent to fetch Alice and find out if any of the search parties found Frances,” Sean said to Grey.
He set off immediately.
Sean observed Davy, who returned and stood by his post. Neither of the two young guardsmen returned, and he wondered if one of them was the culprit that killed Alice.
“Davy, have Mistress Ina fetched.”
“Aye, my lord.”
He moved at a faster pace than Sean had ever seen. He supposed the way he’d snapped at the old man lent to his urgency.
He took Trudy to her chamber, and removed her fur cloak. It was then he noticed the gown she wore, which was akin to the one Frances wore for the Michaelmas celebration. His daughter looked enchanting, and he wished he’d seen her in it under different circumstances.
“Aye, you need a rest, wee love. Mistress Ina will come and stay with you.” He lifted the gown over her head and tossed it aside. After he pulled back the bed covering, he set her in the center and covered her.
“Will you tell me a story, Da? Momma always tells me a story. Where is she?”
Sean could’ve wept for all the sorrow that overcame him at that moment. “I can’t not right now. Just close your eyes, and when you awaken she’ll be here.” God how he hoped so.
She obeyed and fell asleep within minutes. The wee lass must’ve been outside through the night and should be exhausted. He set an extra covering over her and tucked the edges to ward off a chill.
Mistress Ina came and when she saw him, she stopped at the doorway.
“My lord, what has happened? I heard tell that Alice was killed. Tell me it is not so.” Mistress Ina wiped her eyes.
“Aye, I’m sorry, Mistress, but indeed she was. I’ve had her taken to a cottage and will inform Maddie and Stephen. I cannot find Frances and need to go and search for her. Will you protect our bairn?”
“Of course, my lord. Go. I will stay with the wee one. Worry not for her.”
“Protect her with your life.”
“No one will hurt this bairn. I promise ye.” Mistress Ina pulled a chair near the door. “When ye return knock three times and I will open the door.”
Sean agreed and said, “I will have one of my comrades stay outside the door to protect you both.”
She nodded and Sean left. When he reached the entryway, he noticed Davy standing by his post as proudly as if he was up to the task of protecting them.
“Davy, I need you to keep watch of this door. Let no man enter who does not belong.” Sean handed him a dagger, one that surly would do the job should the old man need it.
Davy’s eyes widened, but then he nodded, after taking the dagger. “Aye, my lord, I still got a bit of muscle to me. I won’t let anyone in.”
He saw Grey standing with Kenneth and Colm outside the entrance of the keep. James and Duff had yet to return.
“Colm, will you stay here and protect my daughter. I’m going to find my wife.”
He didn’t wait for Colm to agree, and stomped the snow-covered ground, toward his horse. Sean rode hell-bent toward the village, and would incite the villagers to help him. It was time to find the banshee and put an end to this torment.
* * *
Shivers wracked her body as the cold penetrated her. Frances moaned when her mind began filtering what happened. She squinted at the flakes of snow that whipped fiercely around her.
Upon a log, she was stretched out, and she wasn’t sure she could move. Her legs crossed, and she lifted one, and set her foot on the ground. As she was about to repeat the gesture with her other leg, she felt something in her hands. Clasping it, she lifted the long thin object and saw that it was a bright crimson rose.
She was giddy as nonsensical thoughts intruded. Who would have such a rose this time of year? Obviously someone that tended them inside a conservatory. Who had a conservatory besides Queen Joan?
Her flummoxed mind kept rational thoughts a bay. She groaned when her back twitched and throbbed from the hard surface beneath her. Someone was nearby, and she heard the crunch of twigs beneath their feet in the snow. Now fearful, she stilled and hoped whoever was there wouldn’t hurt her.
The evildoer touched her face, and she opened her eyes to see Jacob standing above her. He repositioned the flower and her legs, and was walking around the log she lay upon. Frances’ body remained lethargic, she couldn’t move, as much as she wanted to.
“Ye won’t have to await long, my lady. He comes and then it will all be over. I’m sorry I had to bring you here.”
He sounded sorrowful, his voice pitched. Her mind began clearing, and as much as she stayed motionless, Frances was able to comprehend what he said. She moaned again for speech wouldn’t come forth.
“Don’t try to move for he likes his ladies in this position and will be angry if you are not. I should’ve killed ye with the mixture, but aye you’re strong and your body is fighting it. He’ll be pleased he gets to kill ye himself.” Jacob continued to walk around her. “God, how I detest this.”
Frances turned her head and opened her eyes. She peered into the forest and saw a dark figure by the trees. Fear gripped her heart and twisted it. Only moments from now she’d be gone. He was coming to kill her.
A tear streaked her cheek and fell off the edge of her jaw to the frozen ground. The figure moved closer and she saw him clearly.
Alvin trod with care toward the encampment. He set a finger by his lips, telling her to be silent. Frances watched him lessen the space between him and Jacob. Alvin would not be able to take on a man such as Jacob, for he wasn’t skilled with weaponry or with fighting. Nor had he the strength to overtake the man.
She wished he would run away and get help. Desperate to tell him so, she opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come.
Jacob made his way back around the log and stood before her with his back to the trees where Alvin skulked.
“You should’ve taken the warnings to heart, my lady. For he’s been waiting for this moment.”
Jacob’s body crumbled to the ground and Alvin stood behind him holding a massive rock. He tossed the small boulder aside, and knelt by her head.
“My lady, I will return. I will … get help.”
Frances nodded slightly and closed her eyes. She knew it was futile for another was coming, the one who would kill her. By the time Alvin returned with help she would be entering the hereafter.
* * *
Alvin wasn’t as smart as others, but he knew when someone was in danger. During his morning trek to find pieces of wood that fell from the storm during the night, he saw Lady Frances and her predicament. He knew he had to do something for the man was going to hurt her. A woe came to him though, for he’d never harmed another before, and yet the bad man deserved the massive bump on his head.
He’d begun running toward the Hume keep, and his breat
h labored from the arduous race. Each minute he took put the lady in grave danger and he hurried. When the keep came into view, he quickened his feet and continued to sprint toward the gates.
Hunched over, holding his stomach, trying to catch his breath, he stood by the iron postern, and hoped someone would come.
“Who goes? Oh, ‘tis you Alvin. What are you doing here? You never leave the village.”
His breath came harshly, and he said between breaths, “My … lady … is … in … trouble.”
Archibald opened the gate, pulled him inside, and ordered the lads standing nearby to close them again. “Wait here, I’ll get Lord Hume.”
By the time his breathing came under control, the fearsome lord stood before him. And with him stood the giant he’d seen with the lady when she’d come to the village. Beyond him were even more giants, and he crept backward.
“What do you here? Archibald says you told him my lady is in trouble. Where is she?”
But the lord’s voice scared him, and he retreated. He didn’t want the lord to be angry with him, and he stepped back against the wall and wouldn’t speak.
The lord grasped his tunic, and his eyes looked angry. Alvin took hold of his arms to keep him from lifting him.
“Sean, let me speak to him. I’ve met the lad. Release him, you’re scaring him.” James pushed through the group and stood near, but not too near as to frighten him.
“Alvin, can you take us to milady? Is she hurt?”
He nodded.
“Is that an aye that she’s hurt or an aye that you can take us to her?” James motioned to Archibald to raise the gate.
He nodded again. When the gate was raised high enough, Alvin ducked under the spikes at the bottom and took off in haste. The giants followed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Sean was gladdened he’d returned from the village when he had. For if he’d found any men to aid him, he wouldn’t have been there when Alvin came. There were only a few women present in the village, because the men had taken to a hunt.
He was planning his next course of action when he’d been told the lad found her. His throat grew thick with worry, and he didn’t want to hear distressing news. Apprehension filled him, and even so, he hastened to the lad and followed him.
By the time Sean reached the clearing where Alvin led them, the snow ended. A gale whipped the trees and bushes, sending chill to the air. Sean’s mouth went dry and his muscles tensed when he saw from afar, her body lying unmoving on the log.
All that he was ceased: his breath, his heart, his mind. A shudder brought him out of it, and he rushed forth. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat. Sean continued to move forward, and knelt next to the log, hoping and praying that she wasn’t injured.
“Frances,” her name came from his lips in a tormented lament.
She didn’t appear to be breathing, and his own life halted in that moment. Wish shaking fingers, Sean gently pried the bloom from her hands and tossed it aside. Her skin was warm and flush with life. He touched her face, wishing her eyes would flutter so he knew she lived.
Sean leaned over her and gently kissed her lips. He heard a small intake of breath and her eyes scrunched as if panic gripped her. “It’s me, Sean. Aye, I’m here, love.”
She seemed to relax, but she didn’t open her eyes.
He lifted her body, and held her in his trembling arms. His lady appeared uninjured, and likely had been poisoned for she wouldn’t waken.
James stood by Alvin asking questions. Sean caught some of it as he passed them.
“I hit him with a rock and he fell there,” the lad said, pointing near the wide log Frances lain upon.
“You don’t know who he was?” James paced the length of the log and looked as concerned as he was.
“Nay, I saw ‘em from the back.” Alvin paced next to James.
“Where’d he go?” James asked.
“I know not. Came … for help.” Alvin walked next to Sean and wouldn’t allow him to move ahead, and kept the pace all the way back to the keep.
Nearly twenty men followed and they all continued back to the keep with him, trailing behind him grimly.
Sean turned to Grey, his eyes imploring. “Have the healer fetched. And have the entire grounds searched for someone with a bump on his head.”
He hastened inside and took Frances to their chamber, and noticed the box on the bedding was empty except for a pair of shackles. What had the banshee intended?
A knot hit his stomach, but he was thankful he’d found her in time. He backhanded the box off the bed and set her in the center. His comrades stood near the doorway, all quietly watching, and Sean realized he couldn’t undress her in front of them.
“Go and take rest. I’ll get Frances settled and then we’ll go hunting.”
A few gruff agreements came and all left but Grey. He stood behind him, rubbing his temples.
“She’s been poisoned,” he said wearily.
Grey spoke in a awed tone, “I’ll find out if James can make a remedy for the poison.”
“Aye, that might be needed. I’ll see what the healer says when she gets here.” As soon as Grey left, Sean touched Frances’ face, his touch gentle. Her eyes remained closed and her breathing shallow. She barely hung on to life.
Sean started to remove her gown and tried his best not to damage it. He knew how much she adored it and so had he with her in it. When she was freed of the gown, he took note of any injuries and noticed none. He realized Frances hadn’t tried flee, for there was no indication that she’d been running. No abrasions on her legs or cuts from branches at her gown either.
The despicable banshee poisoned her to incapacitate, and she was unable to fight back. Reason gave him to believe he overpowered her, and she wasn’t able to gain her release when he’d taken her. He assessed her hands, and saw blood beneath her fingernails. She’d scratched him. Mayhap she was able to fight.
The healer arrived and so had James. He held various items and began setting them on the table near the window.
With a pestle, James set about his task, mumbling. “I’ll ground mugwort and thyme leaves. It should take away the effects.” He handed the small vessel to the healer, encouraging her to take it.
“What’s this?” she asked, setting it aside.
“For milady. It’s a tonic that will bring her to. It’ll help rid her of the poisons. You’ll need to try to get it in her. Here,” he said, and handed her a cup of water.
“Nay, we must remove all her garments. My lord, if you’ll remove her shift?” the healer stepped back allowing Sean to move in. He quickly undressed her and then covered her with the tartan at the end of the bed.
“Now we’ll have to empty her stomach. Get that bowl, James, and be quick about it.” Muriel moved in and used a spoon to get Frances to wretch.
Sean couldn’t bear to watch the ordeal, and paced in the chamber. When he looked to see what was happening, he wished he hadn’t. His wife’s body convulsed, and it tore his heart to shreds.
“My lord, move aside the window coverings. She’ll need lots of air.”
“Won’t it get too cold? She’ll freeze.” He was hesitant to do what she ordered.
“She’s been poisoned and the fresh air will help her. Now pray open them. We’ll keep her warm enough.” Muriel pulled another covering over Frances.
Frances had settled and lay unmoving. Sean was about to order them all leave so he could be alone with her in her final moments. For his trepidation led him to believe she would not survive.
James pressed forward between him and the healer, and began spooning in the remedy he’d made. “I tell you, she needs this tonic to combat the poisons and make her heart beat.”
As soon as he’d emptied the small blow, he took a cup and held it to France’s mouth forcing the liquid down her throat. He got a good bit into her and then wiped her face with a clean cloth.
“Nonsense, James. I’ve never heard of such a remedy for poison. As much as
I deem herbs can be good, once a poison enters the blood, there’s nothing to do. My lady will come to when she’s good and ready.” The healer inspected the rest of Frances and remained staid.
“Muriel, I’ll hear no argument. She’ll awaken soon, Sean. Have no worry.”
He’d caught James’ confidence for he did have hope and wouldn’t despair no matter how much woe gripped him. Sean’s body relaxed when Frances let out a groan. If she felt pain then she would be able to overcome this.
The entire keep was emptied save for the Gunns and a few of the servants that stayed there. Four sentry parties were sent out to find the banshee that hurt his wife. Despite his wish to be amongst the search party when they found him, he was needed more by her side.
A knock came at the chamber door in mid morn. Grey stood outside it. “Sean, they found the two guards and Benson. They’d been knocked out, bound, and hidden in the garrison. They’re well, no harm really. The healer is tending them.”
“I am glad they’re all right. Will you stay outside the door while I check on Trudy?”
Grey nodded, and Sean headed for the nursery door. He wouldn’t leave, because he wanted to be there when Frances awoke. With all that happened, he’d forgotten to let Mistress Ina know it was safe.
Colm moved aside, saying nothing, but gave him a sympathetic nod. Sean was relieved his friend had followed his orders and stayed put.
He knocked three times at the nursery door. Mistress Ina let him inside, and Trudy sat hunched in her bedding with her cat in her lap, looking as doleful as he was.
“Wee love, come.”
She hastened off the bed, and he took her to see her mother. “I told ye you would see her when you awakened. Och your mother doesn’t feel well and we must let her rest.”
Trudy’s sleepy eyes took in her mother lying in her bedding. “Is she sleeping like Alice?”
A Highlander In Peril (Gunn Guardsman) Page 25