It was over an hour later that Dawn took her leave, surprisingly having enjoyed the visit. Torr hadn’t once commented on the possibility of her being his half-sister, he simply talked about his home and clan. From his descriptions, his home sounded appealing and she was certain that had been his intentions, for her to see that his home was warm and welcoming. But she already had a home, a home that she didn’t want to leave. He and Elwin had also entertained them with some funny stories, and she had been glad that she had lingered longer than she had intended.
Once she arrived at her cottage, Elwin helped her clean the branches of snow as best as possible and helped break them into more suitable sizes. He then carried them inside for her and bid her good day since a guard had come to replace him for the afternoon.
Dawn decided to work on the bed chamber first so that the fresh pine would have time to fill the room before Cree returned for the evening. It didn’t take long to fan a few branches across the mantel and she stepped back to admire her work when she heard voices.
They were barely distinguishable and she scrunched her brow wondering where they were coming from. She closed her eyes and listened more intently and realized that the voices came from just beyond the boarded window. She slipped off her boots and hurried to climb up on the bed and press her ear to the roughhewn boards.
“It’s dangerous to meet here. Someone may see us,” the woman said her voice trembling.
“No one is here right now,” the man said. “I saw her leave with the guard and no one else lurks about. Besides this boarded window may be an asset to us if need be. It is something to keep in mind in case other efforts fail.”
“But the person who enters here would never make it out alive.”
“As long as her life is ended what difference does it make?” the man said and Dawn shivered at the indifference in his voice.
“How many are there to help?”
“There are enough. Of course, it would have been an easier task if she hadn’t taken up with the devil.” He laughed. “He thinks he’s invincible, but wait there are plans for him and his time will come.”
That was all Dawn needed to hear. Her life being in danger was one thing, but the thought that Cree was in danger as well spurred her into action. She hurried into her boots and out the door not bothering to collect her cloak. The guard was quick on her heels as she rounded her cottage.
No one was there, so she hurried further around the cottage and was disappointed when she didn’t find anyone. She returned to the spot by the window to see if perhaps there were distinguishable footprints but a large swatch of area had been wiped clean and there were no tracks to follow.
Had they heard her scurrying inside to get her boots on and hurried off? She grew annoyed with herself for wasting precious time in discovering the culprits’ identities. She did not, however, intend to waste another minute in letting Cree know about this.
With determined strides and a guard on her heels, she headed to the keep.
Chapter Fifteen
Cree and Sloan sat in the solar talking.
“Do you believe Bree?” Cree asked.
“Evidently, you’re not sure or you wouldn’t have asked me that.”
“Women can be a deceiving lot.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Sloan said and raised his tankard and took a swig. “Bree seemed terrified when she spoke about Lucerne and how she manipulates, threatens, and hurts people to get what she wants. She threatened to have Bree drawn and quartered on a fake charge of theft if she didn’t put the poison in Dawn’s meal that night. The poor lass was in tears, fearing not only Lucerne, but you.”
“Or she could be putting on a good act.”
“And what? Be in cahoots with Lucerne? Whatever for? What would it get her?”
“I don’t know,” Cree admitted, “but I’d prefer not to trust either woman until we can determine who is telling the truth.”
“You heard Bree yourself. Lucerne knows about potions and poisons and has seen with her very own eyes that she has used them on people before. The lass has a right to worry. The damn woman could poison her at any time.”
“It’s obvious that Lucerne has been spoiled and pampered her entire life. She is accustomed to having her way, accustomed to servants jumping at her every command. And she has enough power to do away with anyone who displeases her. Why resort to poison?”
Sloan shrugged. “No one can make sense of what these nobles do. And you have always defended the downtrodden.”
“I’ve defended the truth, whether downtrodden or noble.”
“True enough, for I have seen you do it many times. Bree did say that Lucerne rages with anger over your mistress. That she cannot understand how you can rut with a voiceless woman.”
Creel scowled and his eyes narrowed.
Sloan held up his hands. “Lucerne’s words not mine. I say the woman is crazy. You heard tell yourself what Bree had to say about Lucerne’s odd behavior. And we’ve seen for ourselves the way she carries on, loses her temper badly, and demands things. Then there are the bruises on Bree. She certainly didn’t put them there herself.”
“No, some of those bruises would be impossible for her to have inflicted on herself,” Cree agreed.
“But still you doubt even when it seems logical?”
“I have learned that logic doesn’t always equate with truth.”
Sloan smiled and raised his tankard. “That is why you lead and I follow. You are much wiser.”
Cree laughed. “You, my friend, are allowing a young lass to turn your head. Something I have never seen you do.”
“I have to admit that I fancy her and I feel she needs protecting.”
“That needs to be determined and until it does, you need to be careful not to lose your heart.”
Sloan grabbed his chest, feeling around as if he’d lost something. “Wait, how can I lose what I don’t have? I’ll not be finding love; it’s not for me.”
Cree shook his head and stood. “I need to talk with Old Mary and see that the old woman holds her tongue around Bree.” He stopped. “Though perhaps she can tell me what she thinks of Bree since the old woman has a knowing about her.”
Sloan stood after downing the remainder of his ale. “That’s a good idea. I’d like to hear what she has to say myself.”
They entered the great hall to see Lucerne slipping off her cloak and Dawn rushing in without a cloak.
“How dare you enter this keep, you harlot,” Lucerne screeched and advanced on Dawn.
Cree was between the two women in a flash, his hand catching Lucerne by the wrist as she swung at Dawn. He yanked her hard against him and whispered harshly for her ears alone. “Harm her and you will die.”
Lucerne gasped and paled, Cree’s warning made all the more potent by his murderous scowl.
Dawn stepped around Cree so that both he and Lucerne was forced to look at her. She pointed to her lips and to his over and over, informing them that they most talk now.
Cree nodded, cast a hard glare on Lucerne, and shoved her away from him. “If you cannot be civil then take yourself to your quarters and remain there until you can,”
Lucerne tossed her chin up. “Me be civil? You are a barbarian who does not know the first thing about civility.”
“And you would do well to remember that.”
Lucerne flushed with anger, her skin blotching red. “I would give anything to prevent this marriage.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Cree said.
“Then you’ll be free to rut endlessly with your—”
“Demean Dawn again and I will see you put in the stocks. It will make a welcoming site for your parents’ arrival.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Do you wish to find out?”
Lucerne clamped her mouth shut and ran from the room.
Cree turned to Dawn. “What are you doing here and why aren’t you wearing a cloak?”
Dawn waved her hand as if dismissing his questions,
then grabbed his hand, and dragged him toward his solar.
As they passed Sloan he said, “This looks interesting may I come along?”
If looks could harm, Sloan would be dead from the lethal glance Cree shot him.
“I will wait right here,” Sloan said backing away.
Once they stepped in the solar, Dawn’s hands started flying and Cree knew that he would never understand her. She was much too agitated and he grew worried.
“Wait,” he ordered and opened the door to yell, “Sloan.”
Sloan appeared in an instant.
“Go get Lila.”
Dawn shook her head and stormed past the two men. Her actions caught Cree by surprise and it took a moment for him and Sloan to catch up with her. By now Torr and Kirk had entered the Great Hall and seeing Dawn marching across the wide plank floor in determined strides had their eyes popping wide.
Torr stepped forward ready to protect Dawn but she brushed him away with a wave of her hand.
“What’s wrong?” Torr demanded as Cree nearly caught up with her.
“Nothing that concerns you,” Cree said and kept walking.
Kirk came up alongside him. “I disagree. Anything that has to do with Dawn concerns us.”
Cree ignored the man and his son and grabbed his cloak from the peg as he hurried out the wide wooden door. He caught Dawn as she reached the last step and draped his cloak over her shoulders, then took hold of her hand to walk alongside her.
“This must be important,” he said.
She nodded vigorously.
Villagers hurried out of their way while some stopped to whisper, but Dawn ignored them all and kept a quick pace. When they reached the cottage where Lila worked on the wool with the other women, Cree was quick to order the other women outside. They rushed into their cloaks and huddled a bit of a distance from the cottage to wait. He ordered Sloan to stand guard in front of the door and barred Torr and Kirk from joining them.
The two men could do little but protest, which Cree ignored.
When Cree closed the door, Dawn’s hands started flying. Lila talked as Dawn gestured. “She heard voices outside the boarded window and climbed on the bed to listen.” Lila was speechless for a moment as Dawn related the conversation she had heard.
“Tell me,” Cree ordered none too gently.
Lila told him about the exchange between the man and woman outside the window and Cree grew angrier with every word he heard.
Dawn stopped abruptly and shook her head, her hand going to her chest.
Cree was at her side immediately. “Are you all right?”
She shook her head.
“I’ll get Elsa,” he said with worry.
Dawn shook her head again and placed her hand to his chest, and then she gestured slowly. She explained to him that the man and woman intended to see him dead as well and she told him that she did not want to think of life without him.
Her slow gestures and her expression allowed him to easily understand her. He rested his brow to hers. “That is not going to happen. I will always be in your life. We are one you and I and nothing can tear us apart.”
His loving words sent a joyful tingle through her and she smiled.
He kissed her, a light teasing kiss and whispered, “I want you.”
It wasn’t a joyful shiver that ran through her this time; it was a shot of full blown passion and she shuddered from the strength of it.
Baby Thomas started crying then and they both turned to see a red-faced Lila scooping him up.
“You will say nothing of what was discussed here or what you saw,” Cree ordered.
Dawn responded before Lila could, her gestures slow enough for Cree to understand.
He smiled. “I agree. Lila is a dear friend you completely trust and who would never betray you.”
“I concur, my lord,” Lila said with a smile to Dawn.
Cree took Dawn’s hand, then turned to Lila. “We will disturb you no more.”
Once outside the cottage, Cree gave the women permission to return inside. They hurried past him bobbing their heads.
Kirk stepped forward. “Anything we can help with?”
“Not at the moment, but I would appreciate it if you stand ready to help if necessary.”
“We are at your disposal,” Kirk said with a nod. He then turned to Dawn. “I hope we can talk again soon.”
She smiled and nodded, and Kirk and Torr wisely took their leave.
“Well done,” Sloan said, “Am I to be dismissed with bullshit so easily.”
“As if I ever could,” Cree said with a slight grin. “We have an important matter to discuss.”
Sloan nodded and walked along with them to Dawn’s cottage. Not a word was spoken until they were inside, then Cree reiterated what Dawn had told him.
“I can have one of our trackers see if they can pick up any trail,” Sloan said.
“Also post more guards but where they can’t be seen and tell the men not to speak of it to anyone.”
“You’re letting the McCluskys think you trust them and would count on them for help, but you have no such intentions of doing so, do you?” Sloan asked.
Cree shook his head. “I do not know if it is a coincidence that someone breaks into the keep around the same time the McCluskys arrive or if their intentions are far different than they have led me to believe.”
“You must recall that Lucerne had just returned from outside when we entered the Great Hall. She was still wearing her cloak. And she certainly made it known that she didn’t want Dawn around and doing away with you after you’re wed and taking a potion to prevent you from getting her with child would make certain that you have no heir, leaving her to wed again. And perhaps she already has someone more to her liking in mind. Maybe it’s her lover who broke in the keep and hid in her room. She’s conniving enough for such a scheme.”
“Wasn’t her room checked?”
“I believe so, but I cannot say for certain since I was not there. Perhaps she refused the men entrance claiming that she would never do anything as improper as allowing a man in her bed chamber and they like fools believed her.”
“And what of Bree?” Cree asked. “Couldn’t it just as well be her? After all she did poison food intended for Dawn.”
“Only because Lucerne threatened her.”
Dawn listened to the exchange between the two men with interest and concern. Much of it confirmed what Flanna or Dorrie had told her, though this news about Bree was new. Old Mary had cautioned her well about trusting no one and now she saw why. Bree could be involved in this, though Lucerne did seem like the most likely person. Though they both were forgetting one important thing and she intended to remind them.
She gestured as if shooting a bow and pointed to Cree and demonstrated how he had flung her to the ground shielding her with his body.
Cree nodded. “Yes, I did...” He shook his head. “You’re reminding me that the threats on your life started before anyone had arrived here. Lucerne and Bree had only learned of your existence when they arrived here.”
“You think that a woman in the village may be involved in this?” Sloan asked shaking his head. “But who?”
“The one thing that will solve this mystery is to find out why someone wants Dawn dead. Once we do that I think other questions will be more easily answered,” Cree said.
Dawn reminded, with a gesture, that she was unimportant.
“Evidently, you’re important to someone, though I’d say it appears that you’re more a threat to someone,” Sloan said.
“Sloan’s right,” Cree agreed. “And since the person wants you dead, it would seem that the threat is of great importance.” He turned to Sloan. “Go see that the extra guards are posted immediately and get the trackers on that trail. I’ll be with you shortly.”
Sloan nodded and looked to Dawn before he turned to leave. “Do not worry. You are well protected.”
Dawn smiled, nodded, and patted her chest in thanks.
“You’re easier and easier to understand each day.” Sloan grinned. “When you go slow that is.”
Dawn’s smiled widened, though it faded after the door closed behind Sloan and she turned to face Cree. His face was set in a scowl that warned he was about to chastise her. And thinking back on her actions, she could see that she had been foolish for entering the keep. She could have had the guard fetch Cree for her but fear for his life had taken precedence over comportment. And she had no intentions of being reprimanded for trying to protect the man she loved.
Her hands went to her hips, she cocked a brow, and she titled her chin up daring him to admonish her.
A brief smile touched his lips, though it disappeared fast enough and he stepped toward her so fast that he startled her and she stumbled. He reached out and grabbed her around the waist to tug her up snug against him. And damn if she didn’t feel that he was hard for her.
“Your courage and defiance sets my passion boiling.”
She smiled sweetly.
He laughed. “Don’t think I’m going to let you get away with your antics. Storming into the keep the way you did was not wise. And taking command as if you were in charge and pulling me to my solar, then charging out so that I had no choice but to follow?” Cree shook his head. “Extremely unwise.” He kept shaking his head. “And yet I admire your brave—though foolish action—which is why I’d like nothing better than to toss you over my shoulder, carry you to our bed, and spend the next couple of hours making love to you.”
Dawn nodded in agreement, already feeling herself ready for him.
He brushed his lips across hers and groaned. “We can’t. I must tend to this matter first. I will return later and we will...”
That he left it unsaid caused countless images to flick through her mind and she shivered at the endless possibilities.
Forbidden Highlander (Highlander Trilogy 2) Page 13